Get help, advice and information on all your Reference and Education issues. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/schools.htm Thu, 31 Jul 2008 20:22:41 GMT en With over 133,000 students in attendance, San Diego Schools have a lot to live up to. Parents expect excellence when they send their children off to school each day, and thats certainly the case in this California community. There are over 250 public schools in this city. San Diego Schools are viewed as some of the best educational facilities in the nation. This school district was recently the recipient of a grant in the amount of 17.5 million dollars. This grant was awarded by the federal government as part of the Shining Readers program. In addition, the Government of California also recognized schools in San Diego in the form of a 2.24 million dollar grant that is directed towards the science program in the districts middle schools. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/84100_San_Diego_Schools_And_Their_Partners_Are_Making_A_Difference.html Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:41:40 GMT Boston Schools have decided to pool their knowledge and focus on their students. Their ultimate goal is to accelerate the improvement of teaching and learning in all of their schools by creating a comprehensive reform plan that details everything that they know as well as the things that need to be worked on in order to create a successful school system. Knowledge of Boson Schools Learned Over the Years http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/84098_Boston_Schools_Focus_On_Children.html Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:56:55 GMT Arizona Schools have made a plan to help the overall quality of their schools by 2013. It isnt just through making sure that their students are the best they can be, though. Arizona Schools are ensuring that their faculty and staff are the best they can be in order to provide your child with the education that he or she deserves. There are four very specific goals that Arizona Schools wish to accomplish in order to ensure academic excellence for all of their students. The Four Goals of Arizona Schools http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/84097_Strategic_Goals_In_Arizona_Schools.html Sat, 05 Apr 2008 03:44:08 GMT Cell phone use in schools has dramatically changed since 911. When I started out as an administrator pagers were forbidden in school because they were associated with drug trafficking. If a student didnt want to turn over their pager it was considered a fourth degree disorderly conduct offense, and the principal could file a police report. I dont believe that it is a state policy that cell phones should be confiscated if they are in plain view in school. Each district probably does have their own policy on cell phones which varies from town to town and state to state. I think what we are looking for here is what we do with the distraction of cell phone use in school? Because of the hoards of recent school shooting that everyone knows about, and the fear of terrorism many parents feel more comfortable sending their child to school with a cell phone so they can get in touch with them when they want to, and in the event of a school emergency. The problems that schools run into is the blatant use of cell phone s in school during class time and the disrespectful attitudes that students have when the teacher attempts to confiscate the phone. I have been through this nightmare, so let me see if I can shed some light on this for you. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/76592_Acceptable_Use_Of_Cell_Phones_In_Schools.html Sat, 02 Feb 2008 15:27:21 GMT All school systems should have goals. These goals must be attainable, however. While these centers of learning must know where they headed and how they are going to get there, it seems that they are becoming more and more unreasonable in their expectations. Perhaps they should be classified more as performance dreams; because no matter how many times you write all students will doesnt mean its going to happen. Baltimore Schools, just like many others throughout the nation, have these types of goals, while they might be admirable, theyre completely unattainable. Performance Wishes of Baltimore Schools http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/64953_Baltimore_Schools_Set_Performance_Goals.html Wed, 24 Oct 2007 16:03:50 GMT Teachers in Arizona Schools are Paid Less Teachers in Arizona schools are compensated based on their level of education, qualifications and teaching experience. But is that truly fair pay? The comparatively low pay scales for teachers in Arizona schools are leading to a serious under valuation of teachers, the backbone of any education system. Salary increases are often decided by the school boards, and teachers are shortchanged when they try to change school districts. Studies indicate that al least one third of teachers in Arizona schools leave the system within two years of joining it. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/64948_Low_Teacher_Pay_Scales_At_Arizona_Schools.html Thu, 18 Oct 2007 23:28:01 GMT There are many studies that both support and denounce the practice of single-gender schools. For many years, colleges and universities were all divided based on gender. Throughout history, boys were able to receive formal schooling, while girls were expected to remain at home and learn both the domestic arts as well as the finer skills of catching a husband. Single-gender schools fell out of popularity in the 1970s but are enjoying a resurgence in this century. Many people Atlanta Schools educators and parents alike believe that sending their children to a single-gender school will ensure that they will receive the best possible Atlanta Schools education. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/64939_Atlanta_Schools_Experiment_With_Single-gender_Campuses.html Sat, 20 Oct 2007 05:41:14 GMT It has been 30 years since I was a high school senior, but I had to take the SATs just as 11th and 12th graders do now. I did okay, but not good enough to get into my two first choice schools. Back then, I blamed the SATs and called them unfair, but life went on. I graduated happily in four years from the school I chose. I am no better qualified to evaluate the validity of the SAT today than I was in high school, but I know that the test is still a fact of life. I also learned that students who performed at a high level in all college-prep subjects usually scored high on the SATs. That is a very small segment of a high school graduating class; it is the people at the very top. Most of us had difficulty with a subject or two. Sciences were my weak point in high school and I avoided them in college. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/64610_Sat_Optional_Schools_Not_Always_Easy_Schools.html Sun, 21 Oct 2007 03:12:31 GMT There have been many instances over the past 20 years or so where people have been so unhappy about the schools that they have decided to step up and do something about it. In response to this discontent, charter schools have been formed. For many New York City Schools families, charters appear to be the way to go. Virtually anyone concerned with the state of New York City Schools can open a charter school. Parents, teachers, principals (whether they are from public New York City Schools or private ones), community leaders, philanthropists and nonprofit organizations are all examples of the types of folks who open charter schools in response to a perceived lack in quality public education. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/62587_New_York_City_Schools_Include_Charters.html Tue, 02 Oct 2007 05:22:03 GMT Ever wonder what to do with school choice? For families who have ample amounts of money and can afford any school, the decision about what school to send the kids to may seem simple. After all, most people believe that private is best. Other parents may not be able to afford private school and have to send their kids to public schools and keep their fingers crossed. For still yet others, scrimping and saving to send little Johnny and Suzie to private school is their top priority. Sure, for most private schools, there are lots of benefits: smaller class sizes, a wider array of programs available such as Latin or Montessori, and the quality of amenities the school has to offer (pool, track, state-of-the-art computer labs, etc) are all examples. But what about cities like New Orleans? There, they have to rebuild their school systems from the ground up; Hurricane Katrina wiped everything out, schools included. Even if New Orleans Schools had made it through the storm unscathed, for a time there were no students to attend them. The city has a unique opportunity to restructure their entire New Orleans Schools educational system; what an exciting prospect! http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/62584_Public_Versus_Private_New_Orleans_Schools.html Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:56:32 GMT Students are Fleeing Minneapolis Schools Minneapolis schools are being faced with the prospect of empty school buildings as more and more students flee the system to charter schools in the district. Minneapolis schools enrollment figures have plummeted to just 36,000 this year - thats almost half its capacity of 50,000 students. Schools in the north side have felt the pinch the hardest with a 44 percent drop in enrollment over the past five years. All indications are that there is no stemming this tide and Minneapolis schools have already announced plans to close 5 schools leaving more than 2000 students in the lurch, desperately scrambling to find new schools. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/62581_Minneapolis_Public_Schools_Lose_Students_To_Charter_Schools.html Thu, 04 Oct 2007 20:08:42 GMT Cell Phone Ban in Milwaukee Public Schools Its hard to imagine a world without cell phones. Next to the Internet its probably the single most important invention that has affected the maximum number of lives around the globe. People run entire businesses through their stylish gizmo fitted cell phones and its normal to find a family with each member sporting his or her individual phone. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/62577_Milwaukee_Public_Schools_Say_Hello_To_Life_Without_Cell_Phones.html Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:15:25 GMT Controversy over Book Ban Rattles Miami Schools Miami Dade Public schools have been rocked by allegations of throwing aside civil liberties in favor of pleasing parts of the local populace. First came the unnecessary controversy over an innocuous childrens book that portrayed life in Cuba from a childs perspective. The book A Visit to Cuba was not a prescribed textbook for young children in Miami schools, rather it was part of the school library. A young Cuban American girl bought the book home and showed it to her father; a Cuban dissident and political prisoner who was upset at the soft picture the book portrayed of life under Castro. He immediately notified the Miami Dade public schools authorities who proceed to place the book under a ban. Miamis strong Cuban American population supported the ban on the book in Miami schools arguing that reading the book could create the wrong impression in young childrens minds about the reality of life in Cuba. The American Civil Liberties jumped into the fray and filed a lawsuit against the ban cal http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/62576_A_Storm_In_A_Teacup_At_Miami_Dade_Public_Schools.html Sat, 06 Oct 2007 17:44:56 GMT A Step in the Right Direction at Nashville Schools Were all familiar with the kinds of students who are projected to be potential leaders in high schools the debate team member, the math club geek, the student council president. These are the stereotypical American leaders of tomorrow; lucky enough to have their special abilities recognized while they are still in school. But what of the other less visible role models? The kid with a stammer who has a lot to say if he could only get the words out clearly enough, the teenage mom with unlimited potential, even the kid at the back row who spends more time in detention than in class? http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/62575_Metro_Nashville_Public_Schools_Promote_Unconventional_Role_Models.html Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:16:57 GMT The Menace of Sexual Harassment in Memphis Schools Mention the words sexual harassment and images of leering executives making lewd comments to or in the presence of co-workers or employees comes to mind. We tend to associate sexual harassment as an adult phenomenon; the kind that gets men and in rare cases women in deep trouble, or at the very least leaves them with a lighter wallet. We dont associate it with young students in schools. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/62568_Tackling_Sexual_Harassment_In_Memphis_City_Schools.html Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:47:07 GMT A long time ago, kids went to school in a one-room schoolhouse. Kids ranged in age from around 7 to 16, and were all taught by the same teacher. In the cities, schools were mostly run by religious organizations or sometimes the towns city council took over the responsibility of educating the young people. As our population has increased, the need for more teachers and more classrooms and even more school buildings has grown exponentially. Nowhere is that more evident than in Los Angeles Schools. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/62564_Overcrowding_A_Problem_For_Some_Los_Angeles_Schools.html Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:27:27 GMT Many people understand the importance of exposure to the arts. We love art; it is a necessary part of our society. In fact, for every culture and every society, art in some form or another is critical to how we live. For many, many years, arts programs have been cut in Oklahoma City Schools in efforts to divert funds to more pressing subject areas like reading and mathematics. While these are indeed necessary subjects for Oklahoma City Schools students to master, including an arts education in a students learning experiences can do nothing but improve their time attending Oklahoma City Schools, as well as contribute to the amount of success they see as a whole. Most Oklahoma City Public Schools concentrate on teaching students in three ways; by showing them how to do things, by telling them the information they need, or by giving them opportunities to try things themselves (also known as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning styles). http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/62561_Arts_Integrated_And_Learning_Styles_Go_Hand-in-hand_In_Oklahoma_City_Schools.html Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:12:49 GMT Middle school students attending two Virginia Schools have had the opportunity to meet an award-winning author. Sharon Flake has written a work of fiction about a 13-year-old African American girl who struggles to fit in with her peers. The book, Skin Im In, has universal appeal to students as well as adults. Kids like those attending Virginia Schools have a great novel to read that conveys an even greater message to be happy with who you are; and Virginia Schools students may gain some insight into how others feel along the way. Remember those awkward days of junior high or middle school? You felt an intense desire to be like everyone else; to stand out was the last thing on earth that you wanted. To stand out from the crowd meant that you were different, and would probably be teased, ridiculed, or even bullied because of it. Flakes book helps students come to grips with this issue. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61234_Virginia_Schools_Introduce_Kids_To_Award-winning_Author.html Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:49:26 GMT Happy Days in Texas Schools Texas school districts are enjoying a revival, and how! In recent years, the states schools are finding increased success meeting all the measures of a schools success- motivated well performing students, and schools and teachers who set the bar higher for themselves. More tellingly, these high achievement levels of Texas schools cover students across all racial and linguistic divides, a happy state of affairs in a system where educational proficiency differences between ethnic groups are still marked. Its not perfect, but look at the results so far. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61230_Texas_Schools_Set_An_Example.html Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:45:50 GMT No one can argue that teachers arent important and, next to students, are the lifeblood of any school. So why are so many teachers leaving the profession? New York Schools, while they havent lost their entire teaching staffs, are experiencing a high turnover of teachers, just like the rest of the country. New York Schools, which is the nations largest school system, recruited approximately 5,000 new teachers this summer (2007) by the middle of August. They were looking for teachers certified in Math, Science, or Special Education. New York Schools offered a housing incentive that, in some cases, totals 5,000 to be used towards a down payment on a house. The incentive apparently worked, based on the number of teachers hired. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61219_Where_Have_All_The_New_York_Schools_Teachers_Gone.html Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:24:56 GMT High Poverty Florida Schools have Negligible Tech Equipment Florida schools have long struggled with the wide disparities between schools in affluent neighborhoods, and those that serve the states weaker sections in high poverty pockets of the state. Low economic status of the students has been proven to be detrimental to a students learning ability. Along with other factors like the students intellectual capacity and economic status of the schools he or she attends, its not anything that Florida schools can do much about. Its not surprising that most Florida schools in the states poorest belts rank so low on standardized tests. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61173_Impoverished_Florida_Schools_Get_Tech_Makeover.html Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:38:49 GMT The Chefs Special at Fairfax, VA Schools Fairfax County Public Schools have always had a favorable reputation among parents and students because these institutions meet the biggest indicator of a schools success- how well its students are able to fare in the real world. In fact, the quality of Fairfax, VA schools is what prompts so many Americans to move here every year. By and large the Fairfax, VA schools are amply funded, have access to high tech resources like computers, and are staffed by trained and motivated teachers. In fact, the Fairfax, VA schools have been pointed to as an example of the inequity that exists between different public schools. With all these benefits behind it the Fairfax, VA schools now have another important, if unfair advantage. They are trendsetters in the innovation of culinary classes for high school students of Fairfax, VA schools. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61150_Food_For_The_Mind_And_Body_In_The_Fairfax_Va_Schools.html Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:26:46 GMT Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools know all about educating students. They know how to efficiently and effectively run a school system. They also know the importance of parental involvement. To that end, they have developed the slogan, What a family DOES matters more than what a family HAS. Recognizing the fact that a childs first teacher is a parent, Charlotte Schools are working to communicate this belief to Charlotte Schools parents and to encourage them to get involved in their childs education. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61146_Charlotte_Schools_Encourage_Parental_Involvement.html Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:26:43 GMT The standards of California schools, once regarded as some of the best in the country have begun to slip in nationwide rankings, not just in comparison to past levels but also in comparison to other states in the country. To understand the reason for this decline in California schools, its necessary to cast an eye on what makes the golden state the richly diverse melting pot it is its legions of immigrant populations. California School Districts have a racially and ethnically diverse population; more so than in any other state and the numbers of immigrants keeps growing. This diversity is reflected in California schools. Many of the California schools have large student populations that originate from linguistic minorities, or from families that are still in the process of learning English. This fact has led to California schools being high on the national list of schools with limited fluency in the English language. Add cultural and social differences to the linguistic problem, and it isnt surprising to find that California schools are beginning to slide down the scale. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61145_The_Unique_Challenges_That_Face_California_Schools.html Fri, 05 Oct 2007 22:16:00 GMT No parent wants their child to have to attend a school that is sub-standard. We all want our children to get the best education they possibly can. Even those who dont have kids in school today are interested in the success of the schools and often get involved in supporting their neighborhood schools. The reality is that not all kids get to attend the top-notch school. Some, many in fact, wind up in schools that are facing issues that make it hard for them to inspire students to do their best. Gangs, school violence, lack of funding, and uninspired teaching and administrative staff are all factors that can be associated with failing schools. While money isnt everything, it sure helps. Having enough funding, and in certain situations, a bit extra can go a long way to tackling the other problems. Boston Public Schools are working to achieve more equality for their schools by changing the way the budget is allocated each year. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61144_Boston_Schools_Work_To_Balance_Inequalities_In_Fundis_Work_To_Balance_Inequalities_In_Funding.html Mon, 24 Sep 2007 05:24:38 GMT For decades, graduating Baltimore Schools seniors have had to show that they have met or exceeded their schools educational requirements, typically in the form of a standardized test such as the SAT or ACT. Many school districts have adopted tests that have been designed by their states DOE (Department of Education). While lots of kids do well on these types of assessments, there are thousands who do not; and its not because they havent learned what they should but because they are poor test-takers. Some kids lack the skills necessary to take a standardized test successfully. Others simply freeze up. Their nerves get to them, and they cannot think clearly and fail the test or at least get a score that doesnt truly reflect what theyve learned. The leaders of Baltimore County Public Schools, in partnership with the rest of the state of Maryland, have finally realized that there is more than one way to assess a students success in school. For at least the last 5 years, Baltimore Schools have been telling their students that they must pass four High School Assessments by the end of their senior year of high school to graduate and get that diploma. The assessments taken by Baltimore Schools students are in algebra, biology, American government, and English. The problems with this blanket policy are obvious. Teachers in the Baltimore Schools spend 13 years of a students educational career doing their best to give them the type of Baltimore Schools learning experiences they need the most. For example, students who need extra help with Math, speak a language other than English, or those who would benefit from the challenge of a tougher writing class. Students must be held accountable to the same standards, but they dont all learn the same way, and http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/61143_Baltimore_Schools_May_Change_Graduation_Requirements.html Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:26:38 GMT The district serving Sacramento Schools is 150 years old. The start of Sacramentos school system was February 20, 1854, and began on the corner of 5th and K Streets. There were two teachers, one male and one female, to teach approximately 50 boys and 40 girls aged seven through nine. Because of the new constitution for California written in 1849, which included guaranteed funding for public education and an elected superintendent, the Sacramento Public Schools were able to open. Sacramento High School, which opened in 1856, is the second oldest high school west of the Mississippi. The first kindergarten began in 1895. Over the years, attendance at Sacramento Schools grew and grew. Now among the 10 largest school districts in California, Sacramento Schools serve around 50,000 K-12 students, and 20,000 adult education students. 3,000 teachers and 3,000 non-classified teaching employees work for the school. (Non-classified employees do clericaltechnical, maintenance, classroom support, nutrition, and transportation work.) http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/60529_The_History_Of__Sacramento_Schools.html Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:59:23 GMT The San Diego Schools were put in the national spotlight this past July when it was revealed that Carver Elementary Schools was allowing Muslim students a 15 minute timeframe to pray. Carver has recently acquired about 100 Muslim students from a San Diego Schools charter school that closed. Even so, this revelation created uproar on the ever popular subject of prayer in school. There are a few schools of thought on this subject. One camp feels that religion shouldnt have any place in federally funded education of San Diego Schools. Another side feels that you can allow prayer in school, but it needs to be an equal time scenario. The problem with the San Diego School District trying to account for equal time is part of the problem. Its a part of the Muslim religion to pray at specific times each day. Unfortunately for some, those times coincide with the San Diego Schools class schedule. On one hand, Carver elementary was being aware of the fact that its population had shifted significantly, and they were trying to be respectful of those students religious beliefs. But is it right or fair for the schools day to come to a complete halt to accommodate the needs of a specific religious group? http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/60528_Should_San_Diego_Schools_Students_Pray.html Sun, 09 Sep 2007 06:14:24 GMT Public education is having a difficult time. The San Antonio Schools and districts nationwide are struggling to meet No Child Left Behind (NCLB) mandates and stricter state standards. One effect it has is that districts like the San Antonio Schools are being forced to raise their standards. Another effect is that time and funds are being routed to purchasing standardized tests, test preparation, and additional staff to meet newer requirements. None of these results is strictly good or bad. They all have positive and negative consequences on the San Antonio Schools. That is exactly why NCLB has stirred up such controversy. How the San Antonio Schools Must Respond http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/60526_Mentors_And_Partners_In_The_San_Antonio_Schools.html Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:56:42 GMT Just like any other big city the St. Louis Schools in Missouri have some challenges in educating the citys youngest population. Religious and private schools are an option for many. The public St. Louis Public Schools dont have the best reputation. Charter schools and magnet schools are both alternatives to the traditional model of St. Louis Schools. St. Louis Schools offer charters, independently run institutions, as one version of school choice. The problem with charter schools anywhere is that you never know what youre going to get. Various local and national organizations run charter schools, and their success rates have been all over the board. Id recommend that any parent looking at a charter in the St. Louis Schools only do so if it already has a good success rate, or you know families who are happy with it. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/60523_Magnets_In_The_St_Louis_Schools.html Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:52:51 GMT The San Jose Schools have struggled for years to find ways to address educational issues in the city. While there is a lot of room for criticism in any urban school district, you cant say that the San Jose Unified School District hasnt tried a lot of different angles for success. The diversity in the San Jose Schools, with a significant percentage of Spanish and Vietnamese speaking families, can be part of the problem when communicating with parents and building successful schools. Thats why the charter schools within the San Jose Schools are such a bone of contention. Charter schools are usually public schools which are independently run by a local or independent organization. Charter schools in the San Jose Schools often are freed from some of the constrictions that the regular public schools face. Is this good or bad? Well, there are a lot of opinions. For those who think that the San Jose Schools public education system needs to be taken over privately, and run like a business, charter schools make a lot of sense. For those in the San Jose Schools we are trying to make the current system better, charter schools seem like a drain on funding that get to operate outside of the rule book. What do the results say? http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/60513_The_San_Jose_Schools_Struggle_With_Charters.html Sun, 09 Sep 2007 09:31:12 GMT Childhood obesity is at alarming levels in this county. Children in the San Francisco Schools are no exception. Too much television and video games, and too little time spent playing outside has led to an epidemic of juvenile health issues. It sure doesnt help that the San Francisco Schools have had to cut funding for physical education over the years. But the 2007-2008 school year does have something positive going for it. Several San Francisco Schools will provide fresh salad bars, whole grain options, and whole fruits and vegetable in their cafeterias. Twenty six San Francisco Schools from elementary to high school will benefit from a half a million dollar grant from the mayors office and the Department of Children, Youth, and their families. This is a big deal. The fact that a school district has actually recognized the importance of nutrition in education is enormous. For the past few decades public education has acted as if the only aspect of learning we should worry about are test scores. The San Francisco Unified School District has been forced to slash the arts, physical education, and anything not seen to directly affect standardized tests. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/60509_San_Francisco_Schools_Fight_Fat.html Sat, 08 Sep 2007 03:56:16 GMT Public schools need the support of their communities to succeed. They are, after all, public and open to all. It is our responsibility as members of the community to give whatever help and support we can to our neighborhood schools. No one can argue that receiving such support from both individual citizens as well as businesses and corporations are a hindrance. They enable the school communities to feel that they are a part of the neighborhood they serve, and that they are partners in educating tomorrows leaders. In Oregon, Portland Public Schools are benefiting from a great relationship with the surrounding communities. The residents, business owners, school administrators, teachers, students and parents all see the need to work together to ensure the best education possible for Portland Schools students. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/60501_Community_Involvement_Important_For_Portland_Schools.html Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:34:11 GMT Its parent-teacher time. We sit and listen. Our sons elementary teacher refused to place him into a higher math. It had been done before. We had provided independent test results that showed he was performing at middle school proficiency. The school had already tested him and found him gifted. His teacher said our son was just too immature. No proof would change her mind. My wife and I were convinced that our son didnt fit her perception of a smart student. As our son now enters high school as a freshman, we wonder if he will survive these societal pressures. As students start another school year, parents hope for a good one. However, I wonder whether beneath the surface things will improve for Americas children. We regularly hear about bad students and low performers in Americas schools. My discussion isnt about the bad kids but the good ones. In the 1960s novel Black Like Me, John Howard Griffin, a white man, discovered the perils of black life. His experience transformed his outlook about black people. Likewise, I hope you will have a similar experience as we analyze the plight of Americas children. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/60338_The_Plight_Of_Black_Boys_In_America_Schools.html Sat, 08 Sep 2007 04:01:52 GMT Pressure, pressure, pressure. Students in all grades can be under an enormous amount of pressure to succeed while in school. Kindergartners must learn to read, add, and subtract before they finish their first year of school. In some places, students must pass certain state tests in order to be promoted to the next grade level. More and more emphasis is being placed on the importance of a rigorous academic program for middle- and high-school students, with the end result of attending a college or university. Is all this necessary? Well, legislators, the president, and local district officials believe so. Many parents also agree that kids need to graduate from high school ready to go on to college. Leaders of Pittsburgh Public Schools and of Pittsburgh itself plan to institute a new plan to motivate even more students to seek out a college education. The Pittsburgh Schools have issued what it calls "The Pittsburgh Promise," pledging that starting in 2008, all graduates who meet certain Pittsburgh Schools standards will have the means of getting post-secondary education. Wow! What a great idea! There are most likely some Pittsburgh Schools students who dont even dream of going to college, simply because their families cant afford it. Imagine, if you will, a Pittsburgh Schools family of blue-collar workers who have not had any of its members attend college. It is their dream for their children to go to college and have a better life; if this new program is indeed successful, this dream will most likely become a reality! http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/59679_Pittsburgh_Schools_Offer_Affordable_College_Education.html Sat, 22 Mar 2008 07:55:21 GMT Neighborhood schools are quickly becoming a thing of the past. With such things as school rankings, school grades for each school, and the No Child Left Behind act, simply sending our children to the grade school down the street is going the way of the dodo bird. Today, Phoenix Schools parents have the option of sending their children to almost any school they wish within the district serving Phoenix Public Schools. While some may indeed choose to stick with the neighborhood learning institution many, if not most, parents are enrolling their children in specialty schools that reflect their childs interests, strengths, or just the style of education they want for their student. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/59678_Phoenix_Schools_See_School_Choice_As_A_Necessity.html Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:21:32 GMT All schools need teachers. Whats more important, however, is that the schools, even Philadelphia Schools, need excellent teachers. Excellent teachers bring many qualities to their classrooms. Its hard to say whats most important in regards to characteristics that make teachers great; classroom management, knowledge of subject area, good communication skills with parents, students, and administration, participation in continuing education (required by most, if not all school systems), or a college education. All are indisputable musts for a good teacher. Philadelphia Public Schools recognize this and are working very hard to improve current faculty, and to hire and retain the excellent teachers their students deserve. Teachers today dont always look like the fresh-faced 21 year old college graduates of the past. Instituting an alternate-route teacher certification program is one way that Philadelphia Schools are expanding efforts to attract new teachers. This program looks for folks working in the private sector who may want a career change, or have always felt they had something to give to Philadelphia Schools students. Recruiting people from the business world to become teachers is a popular method to solve critical teacher shortages across the country. There are tons of people out there who may have never thought of giving teaching a try, but would make excellent educators for Philadelphia Schools. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/59676_Philadelphia_Schools_Trying_For_Better_Teachers.html Sat, 01 Sep 2007 21:15:37 GMT Lets Read, Seminole! is a summer reading program that Orlando Public Schools got behind this summer. The Orlando Schools took a bus, painted it red, ripped the seats out and installed book shelves. The bus was then crammed with books for kids ages 5 to 18. Orlando Schools students can keep the books they take off the bus, or they can bring them back and get more. What an awesome program! When I look back at summer vacations, I find that I was mostly bored. My best friends parents always took her to New York for the summer, and all I had to look forward to was a 3-week trip to my grandparents houses in Ohio. While I did have fun visiting them, most of the summer was quite boring, and lonely, to tell you the truth. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/59675_Orlando_Schools_To_Improve_Literacy.html Sat, 01 Sep 2007 19:00:51 GMT Parents in the Oklahoma City Schools face similar challenge to parents around the nation. Preparing children for high stakes testing, trying to balance home and work, and preparing students for independence in a global economy are not small tasks for parents or teachers. What the children of Oklahoma City Schools have in their favor is a local community that is unusually supportive of public education. In 2001 residents voted in an historic bond initiate that used future taxes to provide new and renovated school buildings for all Oklahoma City Schools. Such a wide margin of public support is sadly unusual. But give the community involvement the parents of Oklahoma City Public Schools really seem interested in what they can do to give their own children, and local schools, the best chance possible. As a former teacher and parent of school-age learners, heres my advice on the three critical steps parents can take for their childrens success. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/59670_Empowering_Parents_In_The_Oklahoma_City_Schools.html Sat, 01 Sep 2007 20:49:39 GMT In the olden days, boys and girls received very different educations. They were segregated from each other, and pursued learning that was predetermined as appropriate for their sex. While boys studied subjects like Latin and French, girls learned to dance and do embroidery. Equal education has been in place for a long time, now, and has most certainly been a good change for students everywhere both girls and boys. This is not a case of change for change sake, but a necessity of progressing with the times. However, there is something to be said for educating our children in same-sex groups. Ohio Schools are beginning to institute same-sex schools, and have found remarkable results. Middle school students attending Ohio Schools may choose to go to one of the districts Single-Gender Middle Schools. These Ohio Valley Schools are research-based and are modeled on other effectively utilized programs in various schools around the country. Some single-gender characteristics that have been identified are a year-round balanced calendar, Summer Academy, expanded school year, and mandatory uniforms. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/59668_Single-gender_Schools_Becoming_An_Option_In_Ohio_Schools.html Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:21:34 GMT As the largest school district in the nation, with over a million students, the New York City Public Schools face a mammoth task. In some ways New York City Schools are at an advantage because New York State has required the stringent Regents exam as a requirement for graduation for years. That doesnt mean that everyone in the New York City Schools is fond of the mandatory tests, but it has put the city and state at an advantage as far as meeting some of the No Child Left Behind Acts Standards. At least teachers and administrators of the New York City Schools already had some tight standards in place. Teachers in New York City Schools need to have or obtain a Masters Degree to teach. While the New York City Schools are in need of teachers, just like the rest of the nation, the standards that they hold their teachers to and the pay are among the highest in the country. Thats not to say the New York City Schools dont have problems- they do. But the New York City Schools do have a sound foundation for hiring teachers. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/59623_Teachers_In_New_York_City_Schools.html Sat, 01 Sep 2007 18:25:30 GMT New Orleans Schools are, for the first time, reporting improvement since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. In fact, many of its numbers are actually better than those before the hurricane. New Orleans Schools have improved in many of the key benchmarks that students, parents, and community members look at when assessing the strength of a school system. Below is a list of some of the important areas in which New Orleans Schools are making important strides. Teachers- New Orleans Public Schools are going to retain 98 of its teachers into the 2007-2008 school year. This is well above the national average and a considerable achievement considering that many teachers were driven away after the storm by poor living conditions. More than 99 of those teachers are certified and a large number of those are considered highly-qualified, an important marker for No Child Left Behind directives. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/59617_New_Orleans_Schools_Are_On_The_Mend.html Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:21:34 GMT Starting school year 2007-2008 all students of Nashville Schools will have to wear standard attire. As one can imagine, the move was not made without protest, but the school board is determined that this will be the directive for all metropolitan Nashville Schools for the foreseeable future. Standard attire is not school uniform. Although the two are often confused, standard attire does not constitute a uniform. Instead the standardization outlines kinds and colors of clothes to be worn by students in Metro Nashville Public Schools. The district will not provide the clothes nor tell parents which specific items or brands to buy. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/59602_Nashville_Schools_Move_To_All_Standard_Attire_For_Students.html Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:21:35 GMT All parents have big dreams for their children. Fame, fortune, happiness, security, love, confidence, success, and a good education- to name a few. Parents of Long Island Schools students have dreams like these, too. A lot of these kids are told as they grow up that college is what you do after high school, end of discussion. Of course, most if not all parents would like to see their kids head off to college. But lets look at the big picture; not all graduating seniors want to head off to a 2- or 4-year college. They are anxious to enter the workforce, earn a paycheck, and are heartily sick of homework. Students attending Long Island Schools represent both goals both college bound and work bound but only one of these groups is truly getting the education they need to achieve their goals after high school. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/58919_Some_Long_Island_Schools_Students_Just_Want_To_Go_To_Work.html Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:14:15 GMT It is important when considering a move to a new city or state to know as much about the schools as possible. Facts are important, but so are the opinions of people in the know residents, new co-workers, researchers, websites and journalists are a few of the resources that one might consult in order to gain a clear perspective of the big picture. Awards in Dallas Schools http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/58766_A_Commentary_On_Dallas_Schools.html Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:14:18 GMT Schools come up with action plans every day. In fact, the Milwaukee Schools recently announced the adoption of an action plan that is designed to make its students competitive with some of the best schools in the country. The plan, designated Working Together, Achieving More, was adopted by the board of Milwaukee Schools in July 2007. But gauging whether a plan means real change, or just a good press release isnt always easy. The Milwaukee Public Schools plan is meant to be acted on immediately, but it claims to provide for years of improvement. In it the school board lays out benchmarks for success for the years 2007 through 2012. Entire Community Bands Together to Improve Milwaukee Schools http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/58762_Milwaukee_Schools_Claims_Right_Direction.html Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:14:19 GMT Being a parent of a school aged child has never been an easy task. And with all the choices facing young people these days, the job is getting even harder. But a new program run by Miami Schools is trying to alleviate some of the burden on parents with a number of programs designed to keep parents informed on some of the most important issues facing young people in the Miami Schools. Parent Academy in Miami Schools http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/58758_Being_An_Involved_Parent_Of_A_Child_In_Miami_Schools.html Thu, 23 Aug 2007 07:12:15 GMT Every city in every state in this nation has a homeless population. These are people who are down on their luck. They may have suffered a series of financial disasters and have been driven from their homes because they simply couldnt pay the bills. They may suffer from a mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or clinical depression and are unable to care for themselves financially, as well as physically. It is beyond them to provide themselves with adequate food or shelter. Sadly, many families suffer the first fate mounting bills force them out of their homes. Many live in their cars, but still more have to depend on charitable organizations to help them meet the needs of their families. Sometimes, the judicial system gets involved, and families are split up; kids are placed in foster care in the hopes that they will get the care they need. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/58733_Kansas_City_Schools_Serve_Unique_Students.html Thu, 23 Aug 2007 01:33:36 GMT When I was in high school, I attended the only high school our town had. A one-high school town, our school was home to every 14-18 year old in residence. My senior year, there were about 250 of us graduating. I thought that was a lot; but I still at least knew everyones name, even if I wasnt friends with them all. Looking back, our school wasnt that big compared to some; the name of every person in my graduating class fit on the back of the Prom T-shirt! I never thought of my school as small; it seemed big to my small-town eyes. With approximately 1,000 students, our campus had 4 classroom wings (a 5th one was added in my junior year), a music building, a gym, library, office, cafeteria, weight room, tennis courts, football fields, and baseball diamonds. We even had a barn, for the FFA kids (Future Farmers of America) and their livestock. This was my world, and one which I quite honestly wanted to get out of as soon as possible. While the size of our school was really on the small side, it was big to us; but I guess its all relative to our own experiences. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/58621_Small_Schools_Offer_Alternatives_For_Indianapolis_Schools.html Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:14:20 GMT An article about the various summer programs available to students in Virginia Public Schools was written recently. The school system is to be commended for recognizing the needs of its students and implementing programs that will best serve their needs. But how does a summer program truly meet the needs of the students? Well, the most obvious is that a good summer program keeps the kids of Virginia Schools off the streets and involved in something beneficial. Virginia Schools leaders recognize this need and strive to offer its students fun and exciting learning experiences that hopefully rival anything fun that kids may wish to explore on their own. Many students today have to be latch-key kids meaning they have to come home after school to an empty house. Their parent(s) are at work 9-5 and these kids have to rely on themselves to get through afternoons safely. This situation compounds itself during holiday and summer breaks. Feeling lonely and maybe even isolated, kids will most likely look for company and entertainment outside their homes. The summer learning camps offered by Virginia Schools can give these kids something to do and somewhere to go, all in a safe, familiar environment. http://advice-and.info/Reference-and-Education/58591_Virginia_Schools_Offer_Summer_Programs.html Wed, 29 Aug 2007 10:14:24 GMT