July 14th Roundup - Recent Education News
Insights and developments in U.S. higher education, K–12 schools, and global academia
U.S. Higher Education/Post-Secondary Education
The higher education system is feeling pressure from both federal and state level funding cuts. Institutions are responding by raising tuition, laying off staff, and cutting programs. The University of Wisconsin system recently approved a tuition increase for in-state students along with universities across the Midwest that have decided to raise tuition for out of state students. Universities are also reacting to the Trump administration’s “accountability thresholds” and funding requirements by discontinuing degree programs, such as Indiana University, which is cutting more than 1000 academic programs. Some have suggested that more nuanced calculations could have been used to determine whether programs were bringing value to students and universities. Universities aren’t the only ones panicking, as medical students worry about federal loan caps that are below the average cost of a medical school degree in the United States.
In more positive news, Missouri has passed a law that provides free tuition for career and technical education. Programs include, but are not limited to, certified nurse assistant programs, certified medication technician programs, paramedic programs, and commercial driver’s license programs. Other states with similar programs include Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Washington. All states should implement programs like this one. If you feel inclined, reach out to your governors and local state assembly members to ask about implementing this in your state.
U.S. Primary / Secondary Education
Primary and secondary public school systems are also struggling with budget deficits and uncertainty. A Tennessee school district has had to cut more than 25 positions due to federal funding cuts. Connecticut school districts are scrambling after discovering that they will lose over $50 million in education funds. Chicago public schools have layed off over 1,400 staff members including hundreds of teachers in response to budget cuts.
In response to these cuts, some may look to AI tools to bridge the gap. A teacher’s union has partnered with OpenAI and Microsoft to provide hundreds of thousands of teachers with free AI training. Though AI tools are not a replacement for higher salaries or more school support, teachers should be familiar with the same tools that their students are likely using. Only time will tell if this approach is able to offset the difficulties school systems will encounter due to their budget deficits.
International Higher Education
The United States education system is not the only one facing uncertainty. Multiple parties in the Australian government are aiming to cap the number of foreigners able to study in Australia to bring migration levels back to pre-pandemic levels and help deal with the housing crisis. The government has also raised the student visa application fee to AUD$2,000 (or about $1,300 USD, the highest student visa application fee in the world) in hopes of reducing the number of applicants.
Similarly, the Netherlands has also been considering reducing international student numbers by reducing the number of English-taught degrees. However, in July, it was announced that the English restrictions would only pertain to new degrees, leaving existing degrees unaffected.
While the Norwegian and Dutch governments’ reasons for considering such changes to their education systems are understandable, they should understand that actively attempting to reduce the number of international students could come at a cost to the overall health of the system. Such is the case with the U.K., whose efforts to reduce immigration have impacted international students, and as a result, fewer foreigners are applying. Now, U.K. universities are facing a financial crisis that’s resulting in layoffs, course closures, and other forms of restructuring.
In more positive news, the Norwegian government recently reversed a 2023 decision to end free tuition for foreigners at universities. After seeing an 80% decrease in international students, the government has decided to allow universities to set their own tuition fees for foreigners.
Final Thoughts
Education systems in the U.S. are facing unprecedented levels of uncertainty. However, this is not just limited to the U.S., as education systems around the world are also struggling to keep up. If you are considering pursuing a degree abroad, make sure to familiarize yourself with the politics behind education in each country you are considering.