The use of open education resources—freely available course materials that educators can use, adapt, and redistribute online at little or no cost to students—can reduce the expense of books and supplies for students.

But a national organization focused on helping community colleges advance equity and improve student success is studying if OER can also boost students’ learning experiences and improve teaching approaches.

One big theme in education-innovation circles is that the professional world is changing faster than ever—and colleges must adjust how they teach to meet those needs.

Maryville University in St. Louis is embracing this idea head on. In this interview, Maryville's Mark Lombardi describes the “new university” and the role that humanities might play in an updated curriculum.

Photo: Eli Imadali for Chalkbeat

About two out of five Hispanic men who graduate from a Colorado high school go on to college. When they do get there, most fail to graduate. 

For many Hispanic men, teachers or mentors who recognize their potential early on in their lives can be the deciding factor of whether they pursue an education beyond high school and ultimately complete college.