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Sarasota Herald-Tribune

The critics keep talking. New College keeps succeeding. | Opinion

The critics keep talking. New College keeps succeeding. | Opinion

Don't judge New College based on what the critics say. Just look at what the facts say about the school's success story.

AI Models Struggle to Replicate Teacher Feedback Nuances in Student Writing

AI Models Struggle to Replicate Teacher Feedback Nuances in Student Writing

A recent study evaluating Large Language Models (LLMs) in generating feedback for student writing has revealed that while these AI models can cover most feedback types, they fail to fully replicate the nuanced and adaptive feedback practices of expert human teachers. The research, which utilized a refined taxonomy of seven feedback focus types, compared feedback from six different LLMs with that provided by human instructors across university writing courses. Key findings indicate that LLMs often exhibit a strong preference for certain feedback types, such as 'Elaboration' or 'Mistakes,' leading to less balanced feedback compared to human teachers who distribute their comments more evenly. Furthermore, while some LLMs showed limited adaptivity in their feedback across different draft stages and student performance levels, none matched the comprehensive adaptive behavior demonstrated by human educators. The study highlights that even with various prompting strategies, LLMs struggle to achieve the same level...

Education Department Staff Recommends Ending ABA's Federal Recognition for Law School Accreditation

Education Department Staff Recommends Ending ABA's Federal Recognition for Law School Accreditation

Career staff at the U.S. Education Department have recommended ending the federal recognition of the American Bar Association's (ABA) Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar as the accreditor for law degree programs. This recommendation stems from concerns that the ABA's accreditation arm has not demonstrated the required separation from its parent organization, which engages in lobbying, litigation, and takes political stances. Federal regulations (34 CFR 602.14) require accrediting bodies to be independent, with specific criteria regarding leadership selection, public representation, and financial autonomy. The America First Policy Institute filed a complaint highlighting these issues, particularly concerning ABA Standard 303(c), which previously mandated teaching on 'bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism.' The ABA has since revised some of its diversity-related standards, including repealing Standard 206 and moving to narrow 303(c).

Harvard's History Department Legacy Explored

Harvard's History Department Legacy Explored

The Department of History at Harvard University stands as one of the oldest and most distinguished academic departments dedicated to historical stu...

Higher Education Institutions Urged to Prioritize Faculty Civic Engagement for Democratic Mission

Higher Education Institutions Urged to Prioritize Faculty Civic Engagement for Democratic Mission

Higher education institutions are being called upon to better support and incentivize faculty civic engagement, both as citizens and scholars, to fulfill their democratic mission. While student civic engagement, particularly voting, receives significant attention, the civic contributions of faculty members are often overlooked or even discouraged. Faculty possess valuable expertise that could benefit communities, support civic organizations, and influence public policy. However, current academic systems, including promotion and tenure processes, often prioritize traditional research and teaching, viewing civic engagement as an 'extra' activity. Barriers such as limited opportunities for shared governance, lack of clear communication on permissible political activities, and the intense time demands of academic careers further hinder faculty involvement. This call to action emphasizes that faculty civic engagement is a critical component of higher education's role in fostering a healthy democracy.

North Dakota State University Reports First Enrollment Decline in Three Years Amidst Growth in Key Programs

North Dakota State University Reports First Enrollment Decline in Three Years Amidst Growth in Key Programs

North Dakota State University (NDSU) has announced its first overall student enrollment drop in three years, with 11,609 students enrolled this fall, a 2.9% decrease from the previous year. This follows three consecutive years where enrollment remained static at 11,952 students. Despite the overall decline, NDSU has observed growth in specific areas. The university welcomed 840 first-time freshmen from North Dakota, marking a 4% increase, with over 600 of these students benefiting from the Bison Win Scholarship Program. Furthermore, NDSU's fall-to-fall first-time freshmen retention rate has slightly improved. Significant growth was also noted in academic programs critical to North Dakota's workforce needs, including a more than 10% increase in first-time freshmen in the College of Health and Human Sciences, a 24% increase in new nursing students, and a 31% increase in the College of Business finance program. The College of Engineering saw a 4% increase in first-time freshmen, with mechanical engineering up...

Loyola Phoenix Criticizes 'Maximalist' Dorm Decor Trends Among College Students

Loyola Phoenix Criticizes 'Maximalist' Dorm Decor Trends Among College Students

Loyola Phoenix Criticizes 'Maximalist' Dorm Decor Trends Among College Students

U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia Criticizes Trump Administration's Sanctions on Iranian Education

U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia Criticizes Trump Administration's Sanctions on Iranian Education

U.S. Representative Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas) has voiced strong criticism against the Trump administration's policies targeting Iranian students and academic exchanges. During a House Committee on Financial Services hearing, Garcia challenged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding new stipulations that she described as 'another xenophobic policy from this administration aimed at disenfranchising religious minorities and immigrants.' These measures include the revocation of Iran General License G by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which previously permitted academic exchanges and English proficiency tests in Iran. As a result, international companies like Pearson plc, Educational Testing Service (ETS), and Duolingo have ceased operations in Iran, preventing Iranian students from taking standardized tests such as TOEFL, PTE, IELTS, and GRE. This has led to Iranian applicants being barred from sitting for these exams, even in third countries, and has extended to Iranian Americans and Iranian Canadians...

As the coding boom fades, computer science grads focus on AI skills in choppy job market

As the coding boom fades, computer science grads focus on AI skills in choppy job market

It's a difficult job market for new graduates, especially in fields like software development where artificial intelligence is shouldering more of the work

Professor Moussa Bongoyok Publishes 'African Proverbs in the Light of the Bible' English Version

Professor Moussa Bongoyok Publishes 'African Proverbs in the Light of the Bible' English Version

Professor Moussa Bongoyok, a native of Cameroon's Far North Region, has published the English version of his book, 'African Proverbs in the Light of the Bible.' The book aims to bridge African cultural wisdom with biblical teachings, drawing parallels between the concise, impactful nature of African proverbs and the parables used in the Bible by figures like Jesus. The author, who has a long-standing commitment to proclaiming the Gospel in an intelligible and relevant manner, seeks to illuminate profound truths by combining these two forms of wisdom. The publication is available in both paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon.com.

Truman School MPA Students Bridge Theory and Practice Through Experiential Learning

Truman School MPA Students Bridge Theory and Practice Through Experiential Learning

Students in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at the Truman School of Government and Public Affairs are actively bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application through various experiential learning opportunities. Internships, a capstone class, and other hands-on experiences are designed to move students beyond classroom concepts and allow them to test their knowledge against the realities of public service. Kali Michael, an MPA student who interned with the House Republican Campaign Committee, noted that core MPA competencies like communication, leadership, and ethical decision-making are not just academic ideas but practical skills influencing organizational effectiveness. Sabrina Moeder, another student, found that her fieldwork with the City of Columbia highlighted the human dimension of public administration, emphasizing problem-solving and community improvement. David Ndayishimiye, interning with CSC International North America, gained a broader perspective on impac...

North Dakota State College of Science Unveils Renovated Agriculture Center and Lab

North Dakota State College of Science Unveils Renovated Agriculture Center and Lab

North Dakota State College of Science (NDSCS) in Wahpeton celebrated a significant investment in its agriculture programs with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Yaggie Family Agriculture Center and Kosel Family Agriculture Lab on September 23. These updated facilities are designed to provide agriculture students with modern classrooms, laboratories, and technology that mirror current practices and equipment in the agriculture industry. NDSCS Interim President Lisa Karch emphasized that the project is an investment in the students and the future generation of agricultural professionals. The renovation was made possible through state support and private contributions from donors, including the Yaggie and Kosel families. North Dakota state Rep. Alisa Mitskog highlighted the project's importance to agriculture in the Red River Valley, noting that agriculture is integral to the region's identity. The facilities aim to combine classroom instruction with practical, hands-on experience using indust...