A decade ago, 56 percent of four-year colleges attributed "considerable importance" to test scores like the SAT and ACT, and about half gave the same credence to total high school grades. Today, just 5 percent of four-year colleges place such importance on test scores, but three-quarters place considerable importance on grades.

Head Start, the federally funded early childhood program for low-income children, has rigorous academic requirements and quality standards. Yet the average salary for Head Start teachers of all degree and job levels, across the country, is roughly $38,500.

"2023 has been a tough year for K12 cybersecurity, and some states and local education entities are not taking it as seriously as they should," says Tim Chadwick, chief information security officer at LINQ.

"We are here, and we are here to support them," said Mike Carlson, student and family engagement coordinator for Westminster Public Schools.