Daily Lumina News 051523

Faced with dire teacher shortages, several states are starting programs for aspiring educators and employing them as teacher aides while they take coursework in exchange for years of service in the classroom. Best of all, it's free.
It's all part of a grand experiment to see what happens when the apprenticeship model—used to train generations of plumbers, electricians, and carpenters—is applied to teaching, allowing trainees to earn money while they learn their craft and earn their credentials.

The value of a college degree is a recurring topic of conversation today, with many education watchers suggesting that more attention should be on improving career readiness of graduates and making college more affordable.
But some college leaders believe the real key is to ensure that all learners, regardless of background, emerge from college with a sense of agency and purpose that improves their well-being decades later.

Low-income students in Minnesota are calling it a life-changing moment. Last week, members of the Minnesota Senate approved a massive $4.2 billion higher education package that includes free public college tuition for students from families earning less than $80,000 a year.
Some higher education observers say free tuition will help turn around declining enrollment at state colleges and universities, address racial disparities in higher education, and build a skilled workforce.

This week, following months of urging by student advocates, the University of California's board of regents will consider allowing undocumented students to work at UC.
If the proposal is adopted, undocumented students say it will be a god-send. Being unable to work on campus because of their legal status makes it more difficult to afford college, they argue. They also miss out on key job opportunities to complement their learning experiences.

U.S. News & World Report finally released its annual rankings of top law and medical schools last week after boycotts by those institutions, disputes over equity, and a delay of weeks.
Faced with several dozen schools declining to participate, U.S. News went on a listening tour last year to develop a new methodology. But the changes are unlikely to placate critics.

When Isabella Warren, a student at California State University Northridge, was placed on academic probation in 2020, she felt isolated. She had fallen behind during the transition to online classes at the start of the pandemic, dealing with the strain of lockdown and the death of a family member.
Academic probation is supposed to be a wake-up call for students, but campuses vary in their approach. Now, some schools are experimenting with new ways to reduce the stigma and retain students.