Executive order looks to examine racial bias in education policy
INSIDE HIGHER ED — For years, researchers and higher education advocates have been frustrated by the lack of good Education Department data on how students of color and those with lower incomes are being let down by the nation’s higher education system. “It’s hard to solve racial equity problems if you can’t see them,” said Clare McCann.
Read More about Executive order looks to examine racial bias in education policyNational Conference of Bar Examiners to offer remote bar exam in July
NCBE — NCBE today announced that it will again offer jurisdictions the option to administer the bar exam remotely in July 2021 to help address health concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and provide support for future legal professionals. NCBE recognizes that restrictions may still be in place this summer.
Read More about National Conference of Bar Examiners to offer remote bar exam in JulyTips for taking a remote bar exam
THE NATIONAL JURIST — With many states administering the bar exam remotely in 2020 — and now into 2021 — what was already a very difficult and stressful time has become even more challenging as examinees are forced to navigate this new territory. Here are a few tips for taking a remote bar exam.
Read More about Tips for taking a remote bar examColleges address vaccine skepticism in their communities
INSIDE HIGHER ED — “There’s a fair amount of vaccine hesitancy out there, particularly among brown and Black communities,” said Alcendor, who is Black. Academic medical institutions and public health schools, including minority-serving institutions like Meharry, are taking leading roles in confronting vaccine hesitancy in minority communities.
Read More about Colleges address vaccine skepticism in their communitiesFebruary remote bar exams make minor adjustments from July administration
BLOOMBERG LAW — Despite thousands of students being initially flagged for possible cheating and then exonerated, bar authorities in California and New York say they don’t plan any major fixes this go around. “Given the volume of applicants that applied for this exam, 3,000-plus flags was not alarming,” said California State Bar Director.
Read More about February remote bar exams make minor adjustments from July administrationBar exam takers with learning disabilities face new challenges in transition to remote format
LAW360 — The COVID-19 pandemic has raised new questions for disabled individuals taking standardized tests such as the bar exam, and their advocates. The need to change test formats has unearthed and magnified challenges related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act[1] and, for some, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Read More about Bar exam takers with learning disabilities face new challenges in transition to remote formatInternational student enrollment continues to fall amid pandemic
THE MINNESOTA DAILY — Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of undergraduate international first-year students at the University of Minnesota was on the rise, with overall international student enrollment remaining steady. Between 2018 and 2019, the number of first-year international students at the University increased by 52%.
Read More about International student enrollment continues to fall amid pandemicA look at the effects of the pandemic on student well-being
INSIDE HIGHER ED — Winter break and the start of next term are fast approaching. At this point, most colleges that have announced their plans for the spring are intending to continue their modality and residence choices from the fall. Many have brought students back to campus but are continuing most instruction online.
Read More about A look at the effects of the pandemic on student well-beingColleges return to in-person classes amid pandemic fatigue
NPR — Last week, Ayiana Davis Polen finally set foot on the campus of Spelman College — a historically Black liberal arts school for women in Atlanta. She’s a freshman there but had started her college experience last fall taking classes from her bedroom in Puerto Rico.
Read More about Colleges return to in-person classes amid pandemic fatigueSurvey: Forty-three percent of law firm partners took a pay cut during the pandemic
ABA JOURNAL — Forty-three percent of partners reported taking a pay cut directly related to COVID-19, according to Law360’s inaugural Law Firm Partner Compensation Survey: Partnership and Pay in an Unprecedented Year, released Wednesday. Of those partners, nearly half said their salary was slashed by 20% or more, the survey found.
Read More about Survey: Forty-three percent of law firm partners took a pay cut during the pandemic