The U.S. Department of Education estimates that President Joe Biden's debt forgiveness plan will wipe out student debt for about 20 million people. But some critics say the effort does nothing to help low-income individuals who never attended college. Others say that even more loans should have been forgiven. 

Education and policy experts speculate on what’s next for student loans and the future of college affordability.

Post-high school education remains a ladder to a successful career and wealth-building opportunity for millions of Black and Latino families. 

But getting into college is only part of the equation. Students also need support from mentors and access to jobs and businesses that are committed to investing in young people’s success, writes this former high school math teacher.

As school districts across the country face dire teacher shortages, one possible solution is to help after-school staff earn their teaching credentials. 

The Afterschool-to-Teacher program in California is doing just that. The effort, from Oakland Unified School District, prepares after-school staff members for teaching careers by providing them with test preparation, credentials counseling, advocacy, cohort support, and a small stipend.