August 30, 2026
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Contents What to know about smartphone use in school How incoming college students can choose a major Taming kindergarten first day jitters The basics of vocational and trade schools
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EDUCATION GUIDE
August 30, 2026
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Here is a deep look at how smartphones can affect students, courtesy of CAP.
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Cellphone use might negatively affect long-term learning retention.
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Teens check their phones hundreds of times a day, with many doing so during school hours. This can adversely affect their ability to concentrate.
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The Pew Research Center reports that 98 percent of Americans now own a cellphone of some kind. That figure reflects an increase of 35 percent over the Center’s first smartphone ownership survey in 2011. The Canadian Telecommunications Association says 90 to 95 percent of the Canadian population uses a smartphone. What’s more, many of these smartphones are synced to equally impressive smartwatches, ensuring that people are never without access to the vast array of apps that are such a big part of modern life. While this connectivity can be beneficial in many instances, smartphones have the potential to disrupt students in school settings. Many school leaders have raised concerns in recent years about student smartphone use in schools. Smartphones have become ubiquitous among tweens and teens since the first iPhone debuted in 2007. The Center for American Progress (CAP) reports that nearly 95 percent of tweens between the ages of 13 and 17 have access to a smartphone, up from 73 percent only 10 years ago. District policies regulating cell phone use in K through 12 schools have surged recently and made smartphone use in schools a contentious topic. Various studies indicate that excessive time spent on cellphones by children negatively impacts academic performance. Paragon Health Institute reports cellphone bans can improve academic achievement, and there may be some indications that limiting cellphones in school can reduce behavioral problems.
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The United States Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory about the impact of social media use on children and adolescents, calling for warning labels on social media apps. Many children access social media through their phones. Social media is designed to maximize user engagement, and many kids are becoming addicted to going on social media as a result of targeted content.
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Cellphone use makes it easier to cheat on tests. The National Education Association indicates approximately 35 percent of high school students admit to using mobile devices to cheat. Phones provide instant, discreet access to information that otherwise would be difficult to obtain.
Phone cameras provide an unencumbered way to invade other students’ privacy. Phones can record video or take photos of students in intimate locations or without their knowledge.
Policies regarding cellphone use in schools remain a hot topic. While some school districts have implemented various usage policies, enforcement remains a gray area and some parents have even raised concerns that smartphone bans are a security risk. More research is needed to determine if and how cellphone usage impacts students while in school.
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EDUCATION GUIDE
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EDUCATION GUIDE
August 30, 2026
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How incoming college students can
CHOOSE A MAJOR
Incoming students’ first days on a college campus can seem like a whirlwind, particularly for those who are moving into a dorm or another type of on-campus housing. With so much going on, from relocating to meeting new roommates and tasting independence for the first time, it’s easy for students to overlook academics as they adjust to college life. But once classes begin, life on campus tends to settle down and students gradually become acclimated to their new surroundings. Many students begin their college careers without a major. Choice of major is a significant decision, and college students who need a little help finding the right one can approach the process in a number of ways.
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Give yourself time. College students who checked the “undecided” box should know they’re not alone. According to the education advisors at BestColleges, between 20 and 50 percent of college students enter college undecided on a major. Though it’s not uncommon for college freshmen to meet their peers and feel a little intimidated by those who seemingly have a career path mapped out already, it’s good to keep in mind that as many as half of the students in a 101 class may be undecided. Give yourself time and resist rushing into a decision regarding a major. Colleges and universities typically don’t mandate selecting a major until the end of sophomore year. Recognize you can always change majors. BestColleges notes that around three in four college students change their major at least once in their college career. That also should help undeclared students feel a little less intimidated by the process
and even encourage them to dip their toes in as many academic waters as they want to. •
Use general education requirements to your advantage. Students may lament general education requirements that mandate they take courses in a diverse array of subjects. However, those requirements are meant to create wellrounded students and expose them to new subjects that might just spark a hidden passion and ultimately direct them down a career path. Make the most of these early college classes if you’re uncertain about which major to choose. These courses also can serve as a process of elimination, as you might identify certain subjects you aren’t fond of, which can help you narrow down your options regarding a major.
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Look to extracurricular clubs. Clubs offer a great way to make new friends, and they’re also effective at opening students’ eyes and minds to potential areas of study. What’s more, clubs don’t require a substantial commitment, so if it turns out your passion isn’t sparked, you can let club organizers know without any residual obligations like homework.
It can be intimidating to begin a college career without a major. But incoming students should know they have lots of time to make that decision and plenty of opportunities to find a course of study they will be passionate about.
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EDUCATION GUIDE
Taming kindergarten
FIRST DAY JITTERS
August 30, 2026
Kindergarten may be the first time children are away from their parents for extended periods of time. Families can introduce controlled separations that gradually increase in duration. Play dates with friends at friends’ homes can stretch a few hours, or grandparents can take kids out for excursions. The goal is to show kids they can thrive without their parents being around.
Many schools offer meet-and-greet opportunities for incoming kindergarteners in a fun setting. It may be an ice cream social or a pizza party that enables newcomers to mingle. This way some faces will be familiar when school begins.
Create a special send-off goodbye Make children look forward to leaving with a handshake, wave or another goodbye that is unique to them. Then this goodbye can be repeated each morning at drop-off.
Touch base with other parents Parents can use community social media groups to connect with other families who have kids going into kindergarten. Then children can make friends before the start of school and arrive together. Kindergarten may be a child’s introduction to formal schooling. Although many families send their children to pre-K programs, it’s not a necessity. Kindergarten, particularly full-day sessions, will set the course of formal schooling for years to come. USAFacts.com says between 3.5 to four million children attend kindergarten each year. Many children about to begin kindergarten understandably are anxious about what lies in store. First day of school jitters are common and may lead to fears and tears in many homes. There are ways to make the first day of kindergarten less scary for kids. Here are some pointers families can follow.
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Gradually introduce separations
Attend school-sponsored functions
Wind down summer hours Parents can acclimate kids to going to bed earlier and rising earlier to mimic a school year schedule. Begin this transition a few weeks before school starts. Kindergarten is a chance to learn new things and make friends. Although the change comes with some nerves, families take various steps with a goal toward making sure kids are excited about starting kindergarten.
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EDUCATION GUIDE
August 30, 2026
WHAT IS A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL? ATI notes that vocational school curricula focus on job-related training. Similar to trade schools, vocational school is unlikely to offer courses in the humanities. Vocational schools may award certificates or diplomas, but some also offer associate’s degrees or applied bachelor’s degrees.
WHAT ABOUT COMMUNITY COLLEGES?
The basics of VOCATIONAL and TRADE SCHOOLS The educational landscape is shifting, and those shifts are wide-ranging. One of the more notable shifts to occur in recent years involves an increase in student interest and enrollment in vocational and trade programs. According to the National Student Clearinghouse®, enrollment in vocational and trade programs grew by nearly 20 percent between the spring of 2020 and the spring of 2025. Students and families interested in vocational and trade schools may have questions about what these institutions offer and how they can benefit graduates going forward.
ARE VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS AND TRADE SCHOOLS THE SAME THING? While many people assume vocational and trade schools are the same thing, there is a subtle distinction between the two. According to Advanced Technology Institute (ATI), a trade school generally focuses on skilled trades like carpentry, HVAC, and plumbing. Vocational schools tend to offer a wider range of programs, including courses in business, health care and technology.
WHAT IS A TRADE SCHOOL? Trade schools teach students the skills necessary to work in a specific career or profession. College and university curricula are broad-based and not necessarily as career-focused as a trade school curriculum, which does not offer humanities or liberal arts courses. Trade schools do not typically offer degrees like an associate’s degree or a bachelor’s degree. Students who complete a program at a trade school typically earn a certificate, diploma or a credential recognized within the industry in which they hope to work.
Many students may learn about vocational or trade programs offered at local community colleges. Such programs have grown in popularity, and the National Student Clearinghouse® reports that interest in vocational and trade programs drove an increase in community college enrollment during the 2024-2025 school year. Students interested in vocational or trade programs are urged to investigate the offerings at local community colleges in addition to exploring the programs at vocational or trade schools that are not necessarily affiliated with a community college. The more options students explore, the more prepared they are to choose the best school for them.
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HOW LONG IS VOCATIONAL AND TRADE SCHOOL? Schools and programs vary, but students who enroll in vocational and trade school and who remain in good standing can expect to graduate in less than four years, which is the average time it takes to earn a bachelor’s degree at a traditional college or university. Such programs tend to be shorter because they do not require students to take prerequisites unrelated to a student’s primary interest, which is common at four-year colleges and universities. Vocational and trade schools are growing in popularity. Students who feel such institutions might be for them are urged to explore their options.
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