A new report confirms Connecticut isn t the only state where school districts are scrambling to cover a shortage of teachers and other school professionals. The American Federation of Teachers report "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?" says even before the pandemic, almost 300,000 teachers were leaving the profession. In the New Haven School District, Leslie Blatteau, president of the local AFT chapter, said the ongoing cycle of teachers needing to cover those vacancies had led to faster burnout and sagging morale. .
A streamlined process for erasing public-sector employees student debt is expiring soon. State officials, including in Washington, are calling for the federal government to extend it. Last year, the Biden administration issued a waiver for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which made it easier for people to qualify. .
This fall, additional free classes will be offered in Minnesota for people thinking about a career as a certified nursing assistant. It follows an initial wave earlier this year to help address health-care worker shortages around the state. The Next Generation Nursing Assistant initiative will start classes in September and October at Minnesota State University, Mankato. .
Universities across the country lost enrollment to COVID-19. As students return, Texas A&M is making sure adequate mental-health services are in place to help them navigate the "new normal." Mary Ann Covey, director of the student counseling center at Texas A&M University, said students quit or did not enroll because of illness and the ever-changing safety measures required at higher-ed institutions some found disruptive or even intolerable. Covey recounted as the pandemic raged on, some students created their own ways to cope while others felt lost. .
Madera Community College outside Fresno is making big plans after being named winner of the Million Dollar Community College Challenge Wednesday. Lumina Foundation sponsored the challenge for the first time this spring, to help colleges reach more potential adult students. Angel Reyna, president of Madera Community College, said the funds will help the school attract more adult students who need to boost their skills and their job prospects. .