Can the pandemic prompt a reckoning and systemic change?

Dear reader,
 
A question has emerged in our intensive look at the failings of U.S. special education, one that could apply to many other areas of U.S. schooling as well: Can the pandemic prompt a reckoning and systemic change?
 
Columnist Andre Perry hopes so; he wants President-elect Joe Biden to appoint a new education secretary ASAP – one who “understands the systemic nature of our current problems, across sectors.”
 
In the meantime, there are smaller-scale efforts that matter too, including one that is finding remarkable success encouraging more rural students to go to college. This week, we also ask some tough questions about student loan forgiveness, as a suspension of loan payments nears expiration and a new administration prepares to take over.
 
We also have good news. We’ve raised a total of $28,000 toward Hechinger's Year-End Campaign, which ends on Dec. 31, 2020, with matching funds available to help us reach our goal of $70,000. We still need you need to produce thoughtful, in-depth education news, so if you haven’t yet, make a tax-deductible contribution now! As always, we love to hear from our readers.

Is the pandemic our chance to reimagine education for students with disabilities?

COLUMN: The next education secretary must know about much more than education

How to raise rural enrollment in higher education? Go local

PROOF POINTS: Is forgiving college debt the best way to solve the student loan crisis?

OPINION: Time to rethink how we measure student progress in education

STUDENT VOICE: Teachers are often a lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth. Remote learning risks that connection