Photo: Meredith Nierman, GBH News

Nationwide, 6.6 million students can’t obtain their transcripts from public and private colleges and universities for having unpaid bills as low as $25 or less. The policy prevents students from being able to take their credits with them if they transfer—and from getting jobs that could help them pay their balances.

Several states have passed or are considering lawsuits to curb the practice of blocking students who owe money from obtaining their transcripts. California last year became the first state in which public and private higher educational institutions were banned from holding back the transcripts of students with unpaid debts. A new Washington State law requires that students who owe money be allowed to get their transcripts to apply for jobs.

Photo: iSmooth Media

For many teens, a year of the coronavirus has meant not only the loss of in-person learning and time with friends, but added shifts at convenience stores and retail shops to help keep their families afloat during the recession.

As kids adapt, teachers and schools are improvising as well, extending deadlines and creating new ways to stay in touch. The huge workload is leaving many students stressed out, and some teachers worry they’re in danger of becoming a drop-out statistic. 

At the start of her teaching career, Shatoya Ward often wondered what happened to the students who struggled. When she went to work at an adult high school, geared toward helping those over 18 finish their diplomas, she found her answer. They grow up, and they become adults—sometimes with the same issues. 

When Ward got the chance five years ago to create the first Purdue Polytechnic High School, she wanted to do things differently. If students could be taught to think critically, find resources, and manage their time, would it change the course of their future as adults?