When I first saw the headline about Biden approving $175 billion in student loan forgiveness for nearly 5 million people, I was initially confused. It seems that this forgiveness isn’t a standalone act, but rather an accumulation of various forgiveness initiatives that have taken place over Biden’s presidency. It’s not a sudden wave of relief, but rather an ongoing effort to address the staggering student loan debt crisis in the country.
As someone who is debt-free after college, I am acutely aware of the stark contrast between friends who have student loans and those who don’t. The impact of student loans on individuals’ lives is profound, with those burdened by debt often feeling years behind their peers who are able to build wealth and stability without the weight of loans hanging over their heads.… Continue reading
past the point where other options could have prevented this. The system failed both the victim and the student in this situation.
As a former teacher myself, stories like these hit close to home. The reality of being in the classroom, facing potentially dangerous situations, and feeling unsupported by the system is all too common. The lack of resources, training, and proper support for both students with special needs and the educators trying to help them is disheartening.
The education system as a whole is failing to address the needs of students with behavioral and mental health challenges. Inclusion is an admirable goal, but it cannot come at the expense of the safety and well-being of students and staff.… Continue reading
The American education system is facing a crisis, and it’s not a secret. The recent U.S. Senate hearing that cited ‘extremely low pay’ as a prime reason for the teacher shortage has finally brought to light what has been common knowledge for the last 25 years. As a former teacher who retired at 55 after 26 years in the field, I can attest to the harsh realities that educators face every day.
The combination of low pay, high-stress work environments, and hostile parents creates a perfect storm that is driving teachers away from the profession. We are expected to do more with less – larger class sizes, standardized testing, decreased resources, and micromanagement have stripped away our autonomy and made our jobs increasingly challenging.… Continue reading
As an individual who strongly believes in the separation of religion and education, the recent court ruling in India’s most populous state effectively outlawing Islamic schools is music to my ears. The idea of children being subjected to intense religious indoctrination at such a young age is deeply troubling. Education should be a place where young minds are encouraged to think critically, explore various subjects, and form their beliefs based on rationality and evidence, not blind faith.
The arguments put forth by various individuals advocating for the ban on Islamic schools resonate with me on a fundamental level. The notion that state funding should only support secular education is a reasonable one.… Continue reading
As a Floridian, I can’t help but shake my head in disbelief at the recent proposal passed by the Florida Senate to teach kindergarteners about the “threat of communism.” It’s truly mind-boggling that in a state where the history of slavery is whitewashed and ignored, the focus would shift to instilling fear in young minds about an ideology that they likely do not even fully comprehend.
The idea of introducing such complex political ideologies to kindergarteners seems not only inappropriate but also dangerously close to indoctrination. Instead of encouraging critical thinking and open-mindedness, this move reeks of a political agenda aimed at molding young children into adherents of a particular conservative ideology.… Continue reading
I can’t help but feel a mixture of emotions when discussing the recent news regarding the Biden administration’s decision to forgive $1.2 billion in student debt for over 150,000 borrowers. On one hand, relief for those enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan who have been in repayment for a decade or longer and originally took out $12,000 or less is undoubtedly a step in the right direction. The idea that those who have diligently made payments for so many years deserve some form of respite from the burden of student loans is a sentiment that many can rally behind.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood