March 16, 2026

A recent paper reveals that the academic gap between the highest- and lowest-achieving students in most U.S. schools has significantly increased since 2005. This divergence is primarily due to stagnation among struggling students, which escalated into substantial learning losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors highlight how these trends underscore ongoing challenges in educational equity. […]

A federal judge has blocked a Trump administration policy requiring higher education institutions to report racial data. The lawsuit was filed by California and 16 Democratic state attorneys general, arguing against the mandate. The policy aimed to collect data potentially related to admissions and diversity practices. Key Points Lawsuit led by California challenges Trump-era higher

The article discusses how AI has highlighted longstanding issues in college coursework, urging universities to move beyond nostalgia for pre-AI methods. It emphasizes the need for institutions to reassess what skills and knowledge they want students to demonstrate in light of technological advancements. Written by N. Baba-Ahmed for The Guardian, it calls for a proactive

The article discusses the ongoing relevance of the SAT in college admissions through the experience of a high school senior who took the test multiple times. It highlights how some universities like Pitt, Kent State, and Penn State may not require SAT scores for applications. This raises questions about the value of standardized testing in

Will Mair, a researcher studying aging at Harvard, experienced a significant loss of research funding following a White House crackdown on the university. The upheaval caught him unprepared, disrupting his thriving lab operations. The article highlights the broader impacts of such governmental actions on academic research. Key Points Will Mair’s Harvard lab focused on aging

Southern states like Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama have seen significant improvements in elementary reading scores following curriculum reforms inspired by Mississippi’s 2013 changes. However, these gains have not continued into middle school, as shown by National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) results. The ‘Mississippi miracle’ has thus hit a wall in sustaining progress beyond early

The opinion column ‘Higher Ed Hopescrolling’ by Doug Lederman, published on March 16, 2026, in Inside Higher Ed, shares positive tidbits to counter negative trends in higher education. It aims to provide hope and balance amid widespread pessimism. The piece is part of the ‘Tough Love’ series. Key Points Presents upbeat news to offset higher

A federal judge has temporarily blocked former President Trump’s demand for admissions data from higher education institutions. The ruling extends the deadline for submitting the requested information. The decision comes amid concerns over the scope and purpose of the data request. Key Points Judge issues temporary block on Trump’s admissions data demand Deadline for data

The article discusses universities positioning themselves as ‘idea factories’ to justify their value in a resource-limited world. It emphasizes the reliance on government funding as a core business model. The piece calls for universities to address skepticism by highlighting their societal contributions. Key Points Universities must justify existence amid limited resources and skepticism. Government funding

The University of Florida’s College Republican Club has been disbanded, as reported by Inside Higher Ed. The announcement was made on March 16, 2026, by author Susan H. Greenberg. No specific reasons for the disbandment are detailed in the provided excerpt. Key Points University of Florida’s College Republican Club officially disbanded Reported in Inside Higher