Daily Lumina News 082322

Millions of adults in the United States have some college credit, but never finished their degree or credential. A report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center says this population now includes more than 39 million Americans.
On this podcast, two adult students describe the resources and supports that got them back on track.

For students looking to improve their career prospects, Registered Apprenticeship is one of the best bets.
The program, established by Congress in 1937, mixes paid on-the-job training with relevant school instruction in everything from plumbing to social work. Yet, few Minority Serving Institutions offer these opportunities, according to a new report from the Rutgers Center for Minority Serving Institutions.

Seven professors and a college student in Florida’s public institutions sued last week to block a new state law that curtails instruction about race and gender, arguing the statute is unconstitutional.
The Florida and national branches of the American Civil Liberties Union are backing the lawsuit, which says the "Stop the Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees," or Stop WOKE Act, treads on free speech rights and discriminates against Black students and instructors.

North Carolina officials plan to use more federal dollars to help two groups that are important to the state’s future: community college students and new teachers.
Finish Line Grants are the centerpiece of this plan. The program, created in 2018, provides grants to community college students who are at least halfway to their certificates but facing significant and unexpected expenses that might interfere with that coursework.

Around the country, colleges divided sharply last year on whether to require vaccination. That split endures.
The University of California at Berkeley, for instance, mandates the coronavirus vaccine and, for those who are eligible, a booster shot. The University of Texas at Austin doesn’t require them but “strongly encourages” them. Meanwhile, some colleges are also reminding students to be on guard against a new threat, monkeypox.

Millions of borrowers are anxiously waiting to hear whether President Joe Biden will extend the pause on federal student loan payments, which is set to expire August 31, or possibly forgive any of their debts.
The answer may happen this week. Appearing on Face the Nation, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona offers an update on where student loan debt forgiveness currently stands.