AUSTIN, Texas -- When Michael Hinojosa was a government teacher, he encouraged students to read and study various sources from multiple perspectives, but a bill being considered by the Texas Legislature would discourage that approach.

House Bill 3979 would ban Texas schools from requiring that teachers discuss controversial events or difficult social issues in the classroom.

Hinojosa, now superintendent for the Dallas Independent School District, said if the bill is passed, teachers will approach their classrooms in a state of fear.

"And every teacher will be terrified that someone is going to be recording them and turning them into the 'racial police,'" Hinojosa asserted. "That is no way to operate."

Instead of spending money on educating students, Hinojosa argued passage of the bill could mean districts spend money on lawyers to interpret the law and defend teachers when they're accused of a violation.

At a news conference Wednesday, Hinojosa noted his district already has adopted courses on diversity, equity and inclusion that will have to be revamped if the law is passed. He added a policy for racial equity was passed by unanimous vote of the Dallas Independent School District.

"We have developed strategies, we have moved resources to make sure that every student has a fair chance and that we are racially equitable," Hinojosa explained.

Charlene Stark, senior advisor for the North Texas Commission, a regional nonprofit consortium of businesses, cities, counties, chambers of commerce and economic-development entities, said the bill is bad for the economy, business and the state's future workforce.

"To keep these workers and these students in the state, we need a more inclusive state," Stark contended. "And to be a more inclusive state, we need more diversity and inclusion training, not less."

The Texas bill is similar to those passed in other states where Republican lawmakers say it's needed to ensure balance and context.

One of North Carolina's oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities is finding new ways to help students stay enrolled and graduate.

Recent research shows nationwide nearly 45% of Black and Latino students have canceled their educational plans because of changes in income tied to the pandemic, compared with 38% of White students.

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Fayetteville State University Rollinda Thomas said FSU has established a scholarship with a local institution, Fayetteville Technical Community College, that provides eligible students with two years of free tuition.

Thomas explained the initiative is aimed at helping transfer students stay on track toward a four-year degree while reducing debt.

"The key for us was to be intentional about diversity and appealing to students who may be viewed as nontraditional learners," said Thomas.

She said the university also has rolled out gap scholarships and emergency funding for students in need and has opened an on-campus food pantry to address food insecurity.

Thomas adds FSU has joined the North Carolina Promise Undergraduate Tuition Plan, allowing both in- and out-of-state students to be eligible for subsidized tuition.

"This is helpful to our population because just over 50% of our undergraduates are Pell eligible," said Thomas, "along with about 30% of our adult learners."

She added higher-education institutions are beginning to experiment with new ways to provide resources for students of color, who are more likely to face economic burdens.

"We try to create a sense of belonging and use data to identify student needs and provide the support needed to help them persist," said Thomas.

Fayetteville State University has received more than $40 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds, according to data from the White House.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.

By age 35, workers with a bachelor's degree or higher are about twice as likely as workers with just a high school diploma to have a good job - one that pays at least $35,000 a year - according to new research by Georgetown University.

Angie Paccione is the executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. She said the report confirms the value of getting some form of education after high school.

"Higher education, or post-secondary education, is the antidote, if you will, to unemployment," said Paccione. "We saw that during the pandemic, that those who had a bachelor's degree or higher were least likely to lose their jobs."

The cost of attending college remains the biggest barrier for most students, disproportionately impacting students of color.

As postsecondary education has become essential for landing a good job, college tuition and living expenses have never been greater. Since 1980, the cost of attending a four-year institution has nearly tripled.

Paccione encourages Coloradans to learn about resources available for students at 'ReadyToRiseCO.org.'

Researchers found that work-based learning can help students enter the workforce with good-paying jobs, but fewer than one in three young adults have completed work-based programs.

Paccione said people can make good wages through certificate programs that open the door for jobs as electricians, welders, mechanics and other trades.

"If you get a good union job, a trade job," said Paccione, "where you have your apprenticeship, and journeyman, and you do your time, so to speak - you get paid very well too."

The Colorado Legislature recently allocated $220 million for scholarships to help lower the barrier for entry to college.

Paccione pointed to one effort in Adams County, which invests its marijuana revenues to tap matching funds from the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative - resulting in $1 million for scholarships each year.

"And this scholarship goes to first-generation students, low-income students and students of color," said Paccione. "And so to see those students actually have a shot, that changes the trajectory of the whole family."

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.

A new report found Michigan kids have remained stagnant across several key indicators of student success, such as fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math performance.

One in four Michigan students who go onto postsecondary opportunities require remedial education, and the number is more than 40% for the state's Black students.

Hayley Butler, data and policy analyst for The Education Trust-Midwest, which released the report, said Michigan needs to invest in education, but also make improvements in systems, policies and practices.

"We want to see more services provided to the students who need the support, so that they're able to achieve at high levels," Butler explained. "We know all students are capable of reaching high potential if they have what they need to succeed."

The report pointed out learning loss due to the COVID pandemic has widened opportunity gaps for low-income students and students of color. Michigan ranks 32nd in the nation for fourth-grade reading. And since 2003, students in other states have improved their eighth grade math scores by nearly three times more than eighth graders in Michigan.

Butler added unprecedented federal funding for public schools as part of COVID relief packages is an opportunity to make needed changes, from fair funding and investment to transparency, public reporting and accountability.

"We would love to see more data systems and fiscal transparency to ensure that the extra funds that we're calling to be invested in the system are actually spent in the classroom," Butler urged. "In ways that we know evidence said serve students and actually helps them reach their potential."

She noted it is important for Michigan to look to other states implementing evidence-based policies and funding models to ensure students with the highest needs receive support.