Simple Homeschool Success Tips

There certainly is an abundance of homeschooling information available and this is a good thing… for the most part… as long as you don’t get bogged down in overload and suffer paralysis by analysis. There are a lot of wonderful articles and tips to help you insure your homeschool success.

So, through the experiences of my own and reading about those experiences and advice of others, here are some of, not only the best, but most universal home school success tips.

First of all have fun. Make learning fun. It should be for kids. And by the way, enjoy learning new things with your kids. There is some much in this world that we cannot control, so let’s let control what we can… our attitude and how we approach each and every day. Children will absorb your attitude and mood like a sponge, so stay upbeat and enthusiastic and your successes will reflect it.

Next, limit (or eliminate) your interruptions. This was my nemesis.

In this communication age in which we live, interruptions come at you from every direction, so you’ll need to stay focused. If don’t have an answering device, get one. Turn the ringers off.

Educate your family and friends as to your homeschool schedule. And it’s not just the phones (cell included); it’s the drop by visitors as well. Keep your time you spend homeschooling your kids very sacred.

And while I’m on this subject, this means that you can’t be a distraction to your kids. By this I mean you can’t be running around doing other things while your kids are trying to study and complete their assignments and projects. Stay focused on your children’s education during this time.

I mentioned paralysis by analysis earlier and this one dovetails off of that. Keep your teaching and homeschooling simple. With so much information and programs readily available to you, it’s easy to find yourself using an educational buffet of plans, curriculums, and approaches. Ultimately your kids and you won’t like nor benefit from this.

Be flexible, be pragmatic if something isn’t working, but don’t be mercurial. And when it comes to being a homeschooling parent, you must take steps to organize and simplify your life. During your homeschooling year limit your commitments and outside activities… keep your life simple and you’ll be happier; and with happiness comes success.

Don’t beat yourself up! Have confidence. Know that you can do it. Your faith is your beacon. Reward is directly related to effort. If you are doing all that you can, your children will learn and be successful. Children learn throughout the world in all kinds of environments. Be enthusiastic with each new day, get help when you need it, stay on a path continual improvement, and your children’s educational success will follow.

If you get stuck… read. Without reading skills your children will never reach their full potential. If your day becomes shot full of holes with life’s unplanned and uncontrollable events… then take some time and read to and read with the kids. There is no better life preserver for a day that has spun out of control than to cuddle up and read with your children.

There are so many wonderful people involved in homeschooling, and with today’s technology it is so easy to get in touch with these invaluable resources, you should not go wanting for advice, answers, or just some rejuvenating conversation and reassurance.

Online there are forums and support groups. Offline there is your church or library. Get in touch and be a part. As a homeschooler, you are in a sense a professional educator. Find yourself a couple of good publications and subscribe, or opt in to a few of your favorite newsletters. The message here is that you need not tackle everything solo.

When it comes to resources there is one out there that is often shadowed by the prevalence of the internet… and that is your local library. Your library is a wonderful resource. Libraries are a tremendous resource for videos, audio tapes, learning materials for all subject matter… (And of course books!). If you could only pick one resource and one resource only… choose a library.

Take breaks. For me, taking shorter more frequent day breaks as opposed to less frequent longer breaks always worked better for my family and kids. Of course, the dynamics of every family is different, but if you’ve haven’t tried this approach you should. I think you and your kids will like it. Of course, I’m not talking about a day off every other day… but shorter more often day breaks give you a chance to re-energize and catch up.

I mentioned family dynamics; and since you will be homeschooling you will naturally be introducing a very different and time consuming aspect into your family dynamics.

There will times when there just aren’t enough hours in the day. This is why it is very important to stay focused and plan as best you can. Avoid those activities that steal your day away. Remember, you are homeschooling. Try to organize outside activities all into a day or two instead of spreading them out across your week and having constant ‘little’ interruptions on a daily basis. I would much rather have longer days of outside activities, if it meant I could keep my homeschooling days uninterrupted. I found that my kids and my family appreciated this approach.

Unless you are an incredibly organized and efficient person that operates like a well oiled machine, you’ll find that all of the above won’t come together for you over night. Don’t feel disheartened… it doesn’t for anyone that I know of! No schedule is perfect all the time and no two schedules and organizational skills are the same. Work to sand, buff, and polish what works for you and over time you will find your stride.
by: Mary Joyce

Home Schooling And Your Kids

Home Schooling has been garnering more and more interest and support from many parents who are looking for educational alternatives that they can give to their kids. Home schooling is an educational method that makes use of the home as the primary educational base for children. The system involves children being taught or educated at home rather than at an institution such as public or private schools.

In the past, most children are taught their ABC's at home in the absence of adequate schools in some areas. But with the advent of compulsory school attendance in the 19th century, education worldwide is earned through the traditional school approach. In today's terms, home schooling or home education refer to the instruction done in the home with the supervision of government-regulated correspondence schools.

Is home schooling effective? Most people tend to believe so. Many experts think that home schooling can be an effective learning tool because it practices a more personalized form of education. In home schooling, it is usually the parent's responsibility to teach the kids their lesson. And this type of learning environment has helped many children absorb more of what they are being taught.

And the great results have substantiated proof. Some home school statistics show that a number of home school students scored as many as thirty percentile points higher than national public school averages. Some experts don't even see statistical differences in terms of academic achievement between home school students taught by parents with less formal education and those students being taught by parents that have acquired higher formal education.

There are other positive home schooling statistics available that will help prove that such a method of educating children is just as effective. In 2003, the NHERI or National Home Education Research Institute conducted an extensive survey of over 7,300 home-schooled adults in the US with over 5000 of them being part of the survey for over seven years. The findings of the said survey indicated that more home-schooled adults are more active and involved in their respective communities.

Most of them are also more likely to get involved in civic affairs and have higher voting population percentages than their counterparts. In terms of outlook, almost three fourths of home schooled adults feel more positive and find life exciting as compared to less than half for the general population. Half of the home schooled adults report that they are very happy with their lives.

These statistics have shown that home schooling can have a great effect on how a child will learn. Home education can be just as effective and efficient as having your children taught in traditional institutions. Home schooling just carries a big advantage over these educational institutions in the sense that this method can make parents and their kids find time together. If you are looking forward to getting closer with your own kids and more active when it comes to their schooling, then home education for your kids should be considered.
by: Low Jeremy

Indianapolis Schools Work With Their Communities To Improve Schools

One Indianapolis Schools’ Elementary School Gets New Playground

Parkview Elementary School 81 will receive a new playground on October 2nd but the work has already started. An asphalt lot will be a brand new playground thanks to the Allstate Foundation and Injury Free Coalition for Kids at Riley Hospital. About 50 volunteers are expected to be involved in the project.

The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by the Allstate Corporation. The Allstate Foundation works to create safe communities. The Allstate Foundation has offered a national donation of $370,000, seven locations across the US have been chosen with Indianapolis Schools ’ Parkview Elementary School 81 being the only one in Indiana. Parkview Elementary School 81 was chosen, in part, because their recess area has for seventy five years been the asphalt lot.

The partnership between the Allstate Foundation and Injury Free Coalition for Kids at Riley Hospital aimed to redo the playground because of the safety issues surrounding child injuries on the playground. According to the Allstate Foundation, over 200,000 children suffer from injuries on the playground. Indianapolis Schools’ Parkview Elementary School 81’s new playground will be fun and safe. It will be covered with a new soft rubber tile known as SofTile and all equipment will have rounded edges. Safety was not the only goal; Indianapolis Schools wanted to improve access for students with special needs and make sure the equipment was durable.

Indianapolis Schools has discovered that play is important to the students’ physical, developmental, cognitive, and social development. Playgrounds are great for providing opportunities to learn about conflict resolution, sharing, and relationship building. Recess time gives students the time to release energy so they can better concentrate during study time. Playgrounds allow students to begin focusing on physical fitness and exercise. Indianapolis Schools Superintendent Eugene G. White wants all children to grow up knowing the pleasure of climbing and sliding on a playground.

The 300 students of Parkview Elementary School 81 are not the only ones to benefit from the new playground. It is estimated that 1,400 children live in the area around the school; these children will have access to the playground when the school is not in session. The Riley Hospital for Children reports that the Northeast-side Community Organization found that this area has some of the highest childhood injury rates in the city. This new playground will decrease fall injuries.

Indianapolis Schools Project Seeks Tutors

A new tutoring project for the fourth grade that is a joint program with Indianapolis Schools and the United Way of Central Indiana is looking for tutors. The project was announced on September 4th. This project aims to help students with reading and language arts skills for the fourth grade.

This project was created because thirty percent of the Indianapolis Schools fourth graders read two or more grade levels below grade. It is believed that one on one tutoring in word recognition, vocabulary development and fluency will help students achieve higher scores. The United Way has been running several similar projects in Madison, Wisconsin. The project aims to recruit at least 200 tutors who could spend one hour per week between the hours of 9:00AM and 3:30 PM at Indianapolis Schools.
by: Patricia Hawke

The Importance Of Homeschooling Laws

For various reasons many parents decide to homeschool their children. Homeschooling can provide an enhanced learning experience that far surpasses what can be had in a public or private school system. There are many advantages to home schooling especially during the elementary years.

However, before you even consider homeschooling, you must make certain you are familiar with the laws governing homeschooling in your state and in your school district. You want to make sure you stay within the law because there can be serious consequences if you do not. Some of these consequences may even have an affect on whether your child will be accepted into postsecondary educational institutions especially if they are state run.

Homeschooling laws vary from state to state so you must know the laws as they pertain to you. There are certain states which are very homeschool friendly and if homeschooling will be your lifestyle for several years, you may want to consider moving to one of these states. There are also states on the other end of the spectrum which make it very difficult for families to homeschool. Inquire with you local school board, you will probably be required to register with the school board even though you are homeschooling. You might be asked to complete a letter of intent that you will be homeschooling your children and have to file the appropriate forms before the fall deadline each year.

Instead of navigating the maze of laws and bureaucracies on your own, seek help from your local homeschooling association chapter. They will be well familiarized with the laws and procedures for your area.

The law also requires that your children take standardized tests so your child can legally be assigned to a grade level in your school district.

You will also be required to keep certain homeschooling documents on file as well as coursework for a certain amount of time. It is possible in some of the more homeschooling unfriendly states that you will be subject to periodic audits of your homeschooling paperwork.

It really isn’t difficult to follow the laws that are set forth by each state and even though you may not agree with them, it is in the best interest of your children to comply with the laws and make sure you understand them. It is your children’s education future at stake if you if you don’t follow the laws carefully and on time.
by: Jennifer Petersen

New York Schools Cited as Among the Best in the Nation

According to the National Education Association, the New York schools have made significant strides in academic achievement over the past few years. In a nationwide comparison, the New York schools have improved student achievement, as well as the schools themselves. Though issues remain that challenge the New York educators, parents and the community can be assured that the New York schools are doing everything in their power to remedy these.

Students Are Achieving

Essential scoring on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) exam has risen for the New York schools.

Fourth grader reading scores have risen by 26 percent between 1992 and 2003 for those students scoring in the highest two levels.

Writing scores have increased in the New York schools, making them among the nation’s best. Fourth graders now rank third in the nation on the NAEP, while eighth graders increased scoring by 43 percent between 1998 and 2002 in the highest two levels of the exam.

Math scores also have improved. Fourth grader scores nearly doubled between 1992 and 2003 at the two highest levels of the exam. Eight grader scores more than doubled at the highest two levels between 1990 and 2003.

The public New York schools have outperformed the private ones on Advanced Placement exams, courses through which high school students may earn college credit. Students attending public schools score higher in calculus, computer science, and physics.

College Entrance Exam scores have improved. More New York schools students are getting high scores on the SAT exam. Graduating seniors also have increased their scores on the math portion of the SAT by 28 percent since 1994, with a high score being 600 or above. Additionally, the New York schools are one of the top ten states, with high school graduates scoring in the top 20 percent nationally on the ACT and SAT exams.

More New York schools students are college bound! The New York schools are among the top eight states in the percentage of 18-24 year olds enrolling in college. This is good news for parents, the communities, and the businesses in New York.

New York Named One of Smartest States

New York has been named one of ten “smartest states” in the nation for its quality public elementary and secondary schools. Education Week gives the New York schools a grade of “A” (97 out of 100) for the high standards and accountability of the public schools.

Advanced Placement coursework is offered by 85 percent of the public schools, while only 60 percent of private schools offer them in the New York schools.

The New York schools students take more advanced coursework. The New York schools are among the top eight states in percentage of high school students taking upper level math courses and among the top ten states for advanced science coursework taken.

The New York schools are leading the nation in cutting edge Foreign Language Immersion Programs (FLIP). They are among the top ten states nationally in the percentage of public elementary schools offering FLIP coursework.

Quality teachers also push the New York schools in front of other states, with their middle and high school teachers among the most qualified in the nation.. The number of teachers in the New York schools that are nationally certified by the prestigious National Board of Testing Standards has nearly tripled since 2000. Math teachers with majors in their field for the seventh through twelfth grades place the New York schools among the top eight states, with similarly-qualified science teachers for the same grades placing the New York schools among the top seven states.

Lastly, the New York schools provide at least one computer for instruction for every 4.2 public school students.

The New York schools have come a long way over the past decade. The educators and administrators have much of which to be proud.
by: Patricia Hawke

How Can A Montessori School Save You Money?

Is it possible to save money by sending your child to a Montessori school? First, it’s important to understand how a Montessori classroom operates. The classroom is an environment for self-education and self-realization. The room is divided up into different learning stations. There are 5 stations in most classrooms:

• Practical Life – This area develops task organization and promotes the understanding of cognitive order.

• Sensorial – This area teaches the students to classify and describe sensory impressions such as length, width, temperature, color, etc. Special Montessori “games” are used which have metal weights, different length rods, puzzles of the world, United States, etc., and also includes smelling activities.

• Math- The Math station uses manipulative materials to enable the comprehension of number, symbol, sequence, operations concepts and the memorization of basic facts.

• Language – Unique tools are used to communicate the understanding of letters and eventually the recognition of words and finally, the accomplishment of being able to read.

• Cultural Activities – Teachers spend times teaching about different counties of the world. The topics covered are: geography, history, cultures (food, clothing, traditions), music and art. This part of the program gives children a worldly perspective.

My 4 year old son has been attending Montessori school since he was 2½. It’s evident that his language and understanding of the world around him are developing at a rapid pace. In his school, it is expected that pre-schoolers (4 year olds) will know how to read and write before kindergarten.

What impressed me most about this particular school is that they use the Open Court Sound Cards. The sound cards are drilled every day throughout the entire school year. The cards have a picture and a letter on them. Each card represents either a vowel or a consonant. The students learn the letters and their corresponding sounds through repetition and pictures. There are 42 cards in the set, each with a different letter, vowel or letter grouping (the letter grouping example is ‘ph’, to represent the sound ‘f’).

An example is the sound card for the letter ‘W’. There is a picture of two whales whispering to each other. During the lesson, the students chant “Whispering whale, whispering whale, wuh, wuh, wuh.” This repetition enforces the concept of how the letter “W” looks and also what it sounds like. This exercise is the very beginning of learning to read. In order to learn how to read, a child must first learn all the letters of the alphabet and their sounds.

The Open Court Sound Cards, published by McGraw-Hill SRA, are reviewed each day for the entire year. If a child starts learning this at age 2 ½ or 3, she will be putting the letters together and reading at around age 4 ½ to 5. Some other benefits of Open Court learning are:

• Phonological and phonemic awareness

• Print and book awareness

• Alphabetic knowledge

• Oral language skill enhancement

• Vocabulary growth

• improved comprehension

According to www.montessori-ami.org, “A significant finding in Montessori studies is the association between a Montessori education and superior performance on the Math and Science scales of the ACT and WKCE (Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Exams). In essence, attending a Montessori program from the approximate ages of three to eleven predicts significantly higher mathematics and science standardized test scores in high school."

To answer the question posed in the title of this article, How Can A Montessori School Save You Money?, the answer is in the child’s future education. Studies show that a Montessori educated child is more confident and enthusiastic about learning and school. He or she will already know how to read and write by kindergarten. Because of this, the child will be less likely to need tutoring or other prep classes during the elementary school years.
by: Janet Freitag

Miami Schools Provides Programs For Students’ Future

Miami Schools Creates Education Council of International Cities

In an aim to make students better prepared for the global marketplace, Miami Schools is creating the Education Council of International Cities. This council aims to help students gain the education they need to take part in the challenges of a new global economy. Many businesses in Miami and America now have more international services and concerns.

The motivation behind the creation of the Education Council of International Cities in the Miami Schools is to adjust and succeed in world where distance and time are increasingly less important as barriers to global commerce. The Miami Schools is aiming to add a more global perspective on education. The Education Council of International Cities will create international guidelines for quality education from both an academic and economic perspective.

The Miami Schools’ Education Council of International Cities will be comprised of chief education officers, national and international business researchers, business leaders and mayors of major urban cities from around the world. This Council will use current research to provide professional development for teachers. Many fields have formed international research teams but these are not common in education. This is research team is also unusual in that Miami Schools is a large urban school district and most research teams come from smaller suburban schools. The Miami Schools’ Education Council of International Cities will be formed and membership established by May 2007.

Miami Schools Joins Up with the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce for the Future Executives Program

Miami Schools aims to help students to choose a career by learning proper planning and business behavior from the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce. This new program will be started in eleven schools in the Miami Schools system. The Miami Schools Future Executives Program will center around the “Tools for Success” lessons in the ninth grade. These lessons will follow a curriculum that includes postsecondary education, proper behavior in the work place, manners, ethics and conflict resolution.

The program also wants to establish Future Executives clubs in Miami Schools that will be responsible for two activities a year, a pre-holiday networking event in mid-December and a mini goals conference in May of 2007. This program is part of Miami Schools continued effort to ensure that children are armed with the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Miami Schools Help Welcome New Pro Soccer Team to Miami

Students in the Miami Schools are competing to help the new pro soccer team choose a mascot and a nickname. The Miami FC is hoping the students can help them choose the best nickname and mascot. The contest which began on September 18th and ends October 6th. The contest is open to all 361,550 K-12 grade students in the Miami Schools system. The contest will be judged by a panel composed of Miami Schools’ officials, Miami FC staff, celebrities and contest sponsors. Three top nicknames and mascots will be posted for voting on the Miami FC’s website. Students may submit their nickname entries and mascot designs through their teachers.
by: Stacy Andell

Pittsburg Schools’ Magnet Schools Programs

Pittsburg Schools Holds a Magnet School Information Fair

The Pittsburg Schools is holding an Information Fair aimed at providing parents with the information they need to provide their children with the best opportunities. The Pittsburg Schools’ Magnet Information Fair will be held on October 7th at the Frick International Studies Academy. Pittsburg Schools’ Magnet schools and educational programs aim to provide students with the best opportunities in areas of special interest, talents, or future career pursuits. Enrollment in the magnet program is expected to lasts one year and students enrolled in the program must maintain proper academic progress, citizenship and attendance. If the student cannot meet these requirements the student will be transferred back into their assigned school.

The Pittsburg Schools’ Magnet Information Fair is important because there are only a limited number of spaces available. Fifty percent of these places are reserved for students of African American background with the remaining positions for students of other races in order to preserve a racial balance. Faculty and students from the Pittsburg Schools’ magnet schools will be at the Magnet Information Fair in order to help answer questions parents may have. Magnet options are available in elementary, middle and high school students.

A preferred registration period will be offered from October 9-20. Preferred registration in the Pittsburg Schools’ magnet schools programs is offered to students who: are currently enrolled in the Pittsburg Schools’ magnet program and wish to reenroll in the same magnet program; younger siblings of any student who is currently enrolled in the same magnet program in the same school where the younger sibling is applying; and finally a geographic preference is offered to certain students based on space and racial balance, students with difficulties in mobility will also be given geographic preference to the magnet program to which they apply.

General Information About the Pittsburg Schools’ Magnet Schools

Pittsburg Schools’ Magnet Schools program provides students the opportunity to pursue certain special interest and talents. Several of the Pittsburg Schools’ magnet programs offer the opportunity to begin in kindergarten and continue on into middle and high school. General registration to the Pittsburg Schools’ magnet program will be from November 1-15. When the student is finally accepted to the Pittsburg Schools’ magnet program is based on the promotion to the grade that is being applied. Twins who are accepted to the same magnet school program will not be separated. Notification of acceptance to the program will be in January of 2007.

If there are too many acceptable applicants then a lottery may be used. This lottery will include all the applicants from both the general and preferred registration periods. Applicants who submitted their applicants after November 15 will not be in the lottery. A computerized system will be used to decide how the students will be arranged. Parents and students will be informed by mail. Only the grades of kindergarten, sixth, or ninth are entry grades and students must meet certain requirements for other grades.
by: Stacy Andell

Some Texas Schools Reject State Merit Pay Program

In May of 2006, the Texas Educator Excellence Grant Program was enacted by a special legislative session in Texas. Governor Rick Perry and several legislators sponsored the bill, which allocates state funds to underwrite merit pay plans in Texas schools across the state. It is the largest incentive pay program in the nation.

The program essentially implements a long-standing business concept into the Texas schools, treating teachers as individual professionals rather than an educational team. Proponents of the program believe that mediocrity becomes the standard, when excellence and mediocrity are equally rewarded.

The legislature allocated $100 million for teacher bonuses for this school year, and another $250 million for the next school year. The program targets Texas schools, which have a large population of low-income students but also have earned one of the two highest state performance ratings of exemplary or recognized. Classroom teacher bonuses are only for those who teach in core subject areas and are based on student standardized test scores.

Grants for the program were awarded to 1,161 Texas schools this year, 15 percent of all traditional and charter schools within the state. Though such a program is mostly untested in public schools, the Texas schools has made it voluntary for qualifying schools. Teachers are required to give input at each school and ultimate approval of the program.

More than 24 schools already have rejected the program and grant money, some returning up to $90,000 to the state. Linda Bridges of the Texas Federation of Teachers stated that the backers of the bill never consulted the teachers before developing and passing the program. Critics of the program do not believe it will achieve what the proponents suggest it will, and teacher resistance remains high.

One reason cited is the animosity that such a plan will cause in the Texas schools, pitting teacher against teacher in order to attain the bonuses. It would dissolve the team spirit prevalent at many Texas schools, where teachers and staff all work together for the success of the entire school. This “one big family” attitude is embraced by many educators. Under the state’s program, only core subject teachers are eligible for the bonuses, ignoring many teachers who add to a school’s total success.

Many Texas schools educators see the program as a disruption, distracting teachers from focusing on raising student test scores and improving their academic achievement. Instead, they would be focused on personal gain over the total success of the school.

Another drawback to the incentive pay program is the amount of paperwork required for a school to participate. Many Texas schools teachers would much rather spend that time working with their students.

Debbie Ratcliffe of the Texas schools said they expect at least 98 percent of the schools to accept the grant money and develop merit pay plans for their teachers.

Atlanta Schools’ “Wellness” Workshops Project

Atlanta Schools’ “Wellness” Workshops Promote Nutrition and Physical Education

When Atlanta Schools opened at the end of August, a new project was initiated. The “Wellness” Workshop Project kicked off the school year with a workshop that included Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers, author Yvonne Butler, 300 students from the Atlanta School District, faculty members, and community leaders. This was the first ever Atlanta Schools’ “wellness” workshop. Atlanta Schools’ Margaret Fain Elementary School’s Wings of Eagles dance troupe performed to illustrate how much physical energy is used in dance.

The first “Wellness” Workshop was co-chaired by Dr. Marilyn Hughes, the director of nutrition administration for Atlanta Schools, and Billette Owens-Ashford, Atlanta Schools’ director of physical education and athletics. The goal of the “Wellness” Workshop Project is improve the health of the students by identifying health-related problems. It has been proven that health related issues can often have a direct affect on a student’s academic achievement.

The inaugural “Wellness” Workshop for the Atlanta Schools had a variety of speakers and displays that provided resources on nutritional based activities and physical education activities. The keynote speaker was Dr. Yvonne Butler. Dr. Butler is a noted author whose book, “Healthy Kids, Smart Kids,” discusses the impact of diet and exercise on learning and academic performance. Other speakers included Olympic track-and-field gold medalist Gail Severs who spoke about importance of exercise to health and how to stay physically fit.

Atlanta Schools’ “Wellness” Workshop Project is part of a broad program that aims to provide both fitness and nutrition strategies for students and staff in all Atlanta Schools. Innovative strategies that will be used include yoga classes for teachers and students, vegetarian cafeteria lines, and walking trails. The overall plan was developed by the Atlanta Schools’ Board of Education. The Board of Education will offer guidelines on how to implement the program and how the schools will be evaluated.

A major part of the plan is establishing wellness councils. These councils will be comprised of teachers, parents, administrators, students, and community and business partners. The council will assist Atlanta Schools in integrating nutrition and physical education into the current curriculum. The wellness council will also have a presence at events throughout the Atlanta Schools.

Recently, Atlanta Schools’ wellness plan received a boost from the involvement of an Atlanta Schools’ parent. Linton Hopkins has two children attending E. Rivers Elementary School. Hopkins is concerned about the nutritional value of cafeteria offerings at the E. Rivers Elementary School but unlike other parents, Hopkins is the executive chef of Atlanta’s Restaurant Eugene and winner of this year’s Atlanta “Iron Chef” competition. Hopkins has joined the Local School Wellness Council to help evaluate the school’s cafeteria. Hopkins isn’t the only trained chef to join the E. Rivers Elementary School’s wellness council. Elisa Gambino, owner of pasta emporium Via Elisa, has along with eleven other parents joined the wellness council. Parental involvement is an important element to the success of the wellness councils. Currently, approximately 90 percent of Atlanta Schools’ elementary and 65 percent of high schools have parents actively involved with the wellness council of their school.

Vocational Schools In New Jersey

Vocational schools can offer you the job training that you need. If you wish to follow a certain profession, the best way to obtain training to qualify you would be through vocational schools. There are various vocational schools nowadays that offer a wide range of vocational education that would help any individual enter into a profession of choice. If you are looking for a vocational school in New Jersey, there are a number of them available for you to choose from.

The Chubb Institute offers IT training that will help prepare and equip you with all the IT skills that you need in as little as eight months. The Chubb Institute has a number of centers available around New Jersey where you may be abler to avail of their popular IT vocational training. DeVry University also offers a number of vocational courses set to make you more proficient in your profession. PC Age also offers vocational training on IT for you on three of its centers in New Jersey.

Before you take any vocational course on any school in New Jersey, you first have to check on a number of things to make sure that you are making the right decision. Try to consider if you really need additional training or education for the job that you want. It can also be possible that the skills that you will need can be learned at work. Also, some companies offer educational programs through their apprenticeships or on-the-job training. You might want to check this out to see if you can avail of this opportunity.

Try also checking out training alternatives available from community colleges. Such colleges may be able to provide you with the training that you need at less tuition than at private institutions.

Try also comparing programs from different vocational schools. Try to study the information that they provide to learn what they require from students to graduate. Try to know what you will be getting when you graduate. Would they be giving you a certificate in your chosen field or eligibility for a clinical or other extern ship to further your knowledge? Are the credits that you earn at the school transferable to other schools?

Find out as much as you can about the school's facilities apart from the courses that they offer. Ask about the types of equipment they have available for students and see if they are up to par in giving the quality of training that you are looking for. Try visiting the school to see them for yourself. Ask to see the classrooms and workshops that they have available for their student’s use.

Eco And Organic Schools

To reduce climate change we need both adults and children to become greener and to think more about the environment. The question is how do we engage children and pull them away from the TV and Play station and promote a sense of citizenship and environmental responsibility in them?

Companies often have environmental policies where they recycle waster paper, ink cartridges and have energy saving stickers at the switches to remind people to switch off the lights. Companies are also increasingly becoming Fairtrade Workplaces by making a commitment to only buy Fair trade tea, coffee and sugar. But this is for adults, what about the children?

Well, the Eco-Schools Programme enables schools to become a more stimulating place in which to learn about eco issues and the schools themselves will be able to reduce their environmental impact within the school itself and the wider community including their own homes.

Once registered the school will be part of an international group of schools working towards education for sustainable development and a better quality of life for local and global communities. This global development perspective will enable them to better understand poverty and appreciate the work that Live Aid and international charities such as Oxfam and the Red Cross are doing.

The Eco-Schools programme provides a simple framework to enable schools to analyze its operations and become more sustainable. A bit like business re-engineering in companies but in manageable bite size chunks.

Pupil involvement is a key part of the Eco-Schools programme. Having pupils engaged in the whole process, including monitoring, action planning and decision-making, leads to genuine ownership of the programme and an increase in their sense of responsibility for the school environment and local area.

There is also an award scheme that will raise the profile of the school in the wider community and provide an incentive to participate. Schools can also be featured in local and regional media when they reach award level.

There are three award levels:

• Bronze award - self-assessed via website leading to a certificate
• Silver award - self-assessed via website leading to a certificate
• Green Flag - externally assessed leading to a certificate and flag

Eco-Schools is run internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It is administered by ENCAMS in England and Tidy Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland. Eco-Schools are supported by a wide variety of partners.

Organic Issues

If the school also wants to learn about organic issues then the Soil Association is encouraging the use of organic and local produce in school meals by running a Food for Life workshop at interested schools. It is a one day workshop for key stage two pupils. It is run by the Soil Associations education department. The workshop provides children with an opportunity to consider healthy eating, local and organic food through the theme of choices.

Schools also need information on good practice when sourcing healthy food for school meals. Schools can further improve children diets and increase their understanding of food by means of farm visits, and classroom activities. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all schools could have gardens so that kids can see that food doesn't come just from packets or appear miraculously in shops?

Top Online Technical Schools for 2006

You've made the big decision to get your degree online. Now for the hard part...which online degree college do you choose? With your career and your future on the line, it's important that you make the right decision. After spending months in the boardroom, our staff has made our top online school picks for 2007, we've identified the very best.

Penn Foster
P.O. Box 1900
Scranton, PA 18501
Tel – 800 275 4410
Fax – 570 343 8462

Established – 1890
Locations – Online
Accredited – Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools; Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC); International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET); Pennsylvania State Board of Private Licensed Schools.
Degrees offered – Certificates, Associate's
Programs offered – 85+

Penn Foster claims the founder of distance learning as the founder of their own institution, Thomas Foster. Over the past 100 years since Penn Foster began serving the educational needs of the working community, more than 13,000,000 students have matriculated.The endorsements by major corporations and even the VA for Penn Foster's programs couldn't be better: IBM, Ford Company, Xerox, U.S. Steel – all have used Penn Foster's programs to upgrade the educations of their staff and provide training and promotion opportunities.Their more than 85 programs can be found in the fields of business, engineering, legal studies, health services, design, technology, education, as well as various trades and a high school diploma program. Whether you choose a full associate's degree program or a certificate, Penn Foster is one of the best ways to get the education you need to advance your career or begin a new one.

Westwood College
Denver North Campus
7350 North Broadway
Denver, Colorado 80221-3653
Tel – 303 426 7000
Fax – 303 487 0214
Tel (All Campus Info) – 800 281 2978

Established – 1953
Locations – 20 and online
Accredited – Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT); Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
Degrees offered – Certificates, Associate's, Bachelor's
Programs offered – 19+
Financial assistance – Scholarships, grants, loans, and counseling available

Formerly Denver Institute of Technology, Westwood College was founded in Denver, Colorado more than 50 years ago. Since then it has expanded to include 17 Westwood College campuses, the Redstone College and Redstone Institute, and Alta Colleges, Inc in six states and online. With certificates, associate degrees and bachelor degrees offered in fields like fashion, health care, gaming, technology, industrial services, business, aviation, criminal justice, and design, there's something for almost everyone, whether starting a new career or going for a raise or the next big promotion. Each campus offers different programs, so check with the individual school to see which one has the best curriculum for you goals. Westwood offers career development services to their students and graduates by actively recruiting employers and assisting students in developing their job search techniques and employer contacts.

Professional Career Development Institute
430 Technology Parkway
Norcross, Georgia 3009
Tel: 800 417 2407
Established – 1987
Locations – Online
Accredited – Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council
Degrees offered – Certificate
Tuition – Varies by program but most between $500 and $700
Other fees – One-time $24 shipping and handling fee for course materials
Tuition discount – Interest-free monthly payment plan available
Length of programs – Most can be completed in 6 months to 1 year

Professional Career Development Institute began by offering just one professional real estate appraisal course in 1987 has grown so large that it is now divided into two divisions: John Madison High School for high school programs and Ashworth College for all its higher and continuing education course offerings. More than 50 career programs are featured at PCDI including everything from jewelry repair to carpentry to sports psychology to writing children's books. You can get the knowledge you need to start your own business, break out into a new career, prepare for a higher degree, or move up through the ranks at work. Some companies subsidize their employees' education, so check with human resources to see if a course curriculum at PCDI will be covered for you.

We have options. You have choices. Earn your degree today. To request complimentary online degree information from any of these top schools, visit us online at Online Degrees Today.com.

Homeschooling: How To Effectively Teach Your Child

Do Certain Subjects Require Specific Hours Of Attention While Teaching My Kid At Home?

With Home school concepts parents have the benefit of enhancing and complementing the traditional ways of teaching, with better ones aided by technology.

Lots of educational software and teaching packages are available which help develop a curriculum for such type of studies. One such useful means is the internet, which has plenty of educational resources like encyclopedias and museums, online dictionaries, libraries, etc.

Depending on state to state home schooling law, the following may be applicable:

1. School officials may inquire about the qualifications of the parents’ teaching their child; however its not really necessary that parents who instruct their children have any particular qualification. Parents who are high school graduates or lesser can instruct their child, if they have a sound mind and the capability to do so.

2. Students in the elementary level should be taught: English, including, spelling, reading and writing; math, science, civics, history, geography, health and physiology, music, physical education and art as basic subjects.

3. High school level children are to be taught the following: English that includes language, speech, literature and composition. Science should include biology and chemistry. Geography, social studies, economics, world history and history of the U.S.A. are a part of the curriculum. Mathematics would include geometry, algebra and statistics; music, art, physiology and health, physical and safety education are also to be taught.

4. At times school officials might enquire about the subjects that the child should study, demand the length of home school year, as well as provide subject wise instructions.

It is they who determine instruction hours for each subject, yet the method of teaching should depend on each parent’s individual style.

Home schooling parents can evaluate and determine the hours of instruction based on their individual style, they need not imitate the public school, rather it’s more important to match and equal it keeping in mind the systematic approach and efficiency levels.

While home schooling, the parent has to gauge the child’s intellectual needs. The subjects do not actually require particular hours of teaching, even though each subject needs a specific time, so that whatever is taught is easier for the child to grab.

Also, keeping schedules is not a significant factor in home schooling, since understanding of time and usage are different from that of a normal school.

5. School officials should recognize and classify instructional materials, which might help determine the child’s grade or level and the subject. The right to demand should not be misused or try to affect the style of teaching, in which subjects are handled.

If a child has difficulty with a particular subject, for instance in reading, then the parent should allot longer hours for reading, emphasizing on that subject so that the child finds it easier.

A parent may shorten the time spent on that subject which the child willingly and easily learns and grasps. Extra hours should then be allocated for subjects which the child finds difficult, this system can effectively asses the child’s development.

During home schooling, a child can take the time to learn and understand each subject at their own speed, and capacity. Also, the parent can find creative ways so that teaching is fun and learning interesting.

Few helpful and efficient teaching materials that are not tangible, such as community service, visits to parks, travel and museums, etc. will provide significant learning skills and knowledge aside from those who learn through books.

6. School officials and parents should reach an agreement about a system of assessment or evaluation for the child; either periodic reports or standardized testing, on the child’s dated samples of work and progress.

Access your child's learning ability and style so that:

1. Awareness about the approach to be used or how to be better equipped in teaching them. Some parents have a wrong notion that their kids should learn the way they had. For example, if the parents are visual learners, they expect their children to be the same. Remember, that children are different as individuals; with distinct learning styles as compared to their siblings and even parents. You can effectively teach your child, as soon as you learn and comprehend the child’s individual style.

2.You should be prepared to chalk out a curriculum for home schooling. Unfamiliarity with your child’s learning style, might lead you to select a curriculum that can is not an effective tool to bring out the best in your child.

3. One has to identify and understand their child’s educational needs better. Most parents get upset and discouraged when their children fail to effectively communicate. If you try to understand your child’s learning styles, you might be able to help your child to understand themselves better. This enables them to interact and correspond better with their elders as well as friends.

Choosing A Good Automotive School Is Crucial To Your Career

Automotive school is a necessity for anyone who wants to pursue a career as an auto mechanic. However, the school you go to can affect the path your career takes after graduation. Factors such as quality equipment, knowledgeable instructors, strong degree and ASE certification programs, the school’s qualifications and reputation, and student services all lend themselves to the overall quality of your education. Therefore, it is important to thoroughly research the automotive schools you are considering before making a final decision.

Your goal in attending automotive school is to learn as much as possible about auto mechanics; therefore, it is important to ensure that the school will provide the training you need. Part of this training is plenty of hands on experience. A good automotive program should include not only classroom lectures about automotive principles and mechanical theories, but also ample opportunity to work on cars and practice your skills. Be sure to ask how the school gets an ample supply of cars for students to train on; some schools may rely on donations, while others may attract paying customers in the community with discounted rates.

The school you attend should also have an ample supply of up to date equipment. A school with a shortage of the proper tools will make it difficult for you to get sufficient practice, and old or damaged equipment can be a safety hazard. Since your education depends a great deal on the amount of hands on experience you get, the automotive school you attend should be fully equipped to meet the students’ needs.

Naturally, the curriculum is a major factor in the quality of your education. The school you attend should have several different degree programs to choose from, allowing students flexibility in choosing their career paths. A good automotive school also offers an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification program, where students can become certified in different areas of expertise, adding to their qualifications and increasing their potential salaries. ASE certification requires passing at least one of more than forty available tests, as well as proof of at least two years of relevant work experience; the school you attend should fully support students in acquiring these certifications.

Accreditation is also an important indicator of the quality of education a school can provide. Accreditation verifies that a school meets a predetermined set of standards; however, there are many different accreditation agencies, so it is important to research not only a school’s accreditation, but also the accrediting agency’s reputation and standards. If being able to transfer courses you have taken is important to you, be sure to find out how many other schools are accredited by the agency, and whether the credits you earn at the school can be transferred.

Additionally, you should consider the school’s reputation: an education from a school with a good reputation can make you stand out from the other applicants and help you get a job, but an education from a school with a bad reputation can also hurt your chances of getting a good job. By searching the Internet and talking to other mechanics, you can find out whether a school is known for providing quality education. You may also want to contact several dealerships and garages and ask whether they would hire a graduate of one of your top choices. After all, your education must do two things: not only provide you with quality training, but also indicate to potential employers that you have received quality training.

Similarly, student services are an important part of a good automotive school. Examples of student services are financial aid and loan offices, student housing or assistance in finding housing, and the availability of internships. Job placement services are particularly important; most good schools will offer some type of job placement assistance to students and graduates. A school that guarantees job placement after graduation may indicate a high success rate among its students. Also, many schools have relationships with local dealerships and garages, which is a considerable benefit to students and alumni of the school.

Auto Tech Schools Versus Community College Programs

Naturally, when you are researching auto mechanic programs, one of your main concerns is cost. To many people, the tuition charged by auto tech schools seems exorbitant when compared with the less expensive programs offered at community colleges. However, as a school that specializes in one area of instruction, an automotive school offers many benefits over a low budget community college program.

For instance, most auto tech schools offer better equipment than community colleges. The reason for this is that community colleges depend on the government for their funding, and as a result are constantly struggling to pay their teachers, let alone stay up to date on equipment for their students. On the other hand, the tuition you pay at an automotive school ensures that the school can provide and maintain state of the art equipment for its students.

Another advantage of the degree programs offered by auto tech schools is superior teachers. Under funding at community colleges also results in underpaid teachers, which usually means that the best and most knowledgeable teachers won’t settle for a job at a community college. Also, since an automotive school specializes in their field, rather than offering classes simply as an alternative for non-traditional or non-academic students, they tend to look for teachers who are better qualified to teach their subject.

The curriculum offered by an automotive school is also generally higher quality than those offered by community colleges. Again, this has to do with the fact that auto tech schools specialize in one field. As a result, a school that focuses on automotive training will be able to offer a choice of several different degree programs, including programs for earning Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications. ASE certifications are an important part of the automotive industry, as they demonstrate to employers and customers alike that a mechanic has mastered his or her areas of certification; as such, any good automotive education program will train and test students in the areas of ASE certification.

Besides factors that are directly related to the quality of a student’s education, such as high quality equipment, teachers, and educational programs, as private institutions auto tech schools can also offer superior student services, such as job placement services. Job placement services in particular are very important, as the primary reason for pursuing an education is to become more qualified for a specific job or career. Auto tech schools tend to have an office dedicated to helping graduates find jobs, and usually have a good reputation with local employers. Additionally, many auto tech schools have long term relationships with local business, meaning that many of these businesses go directly to the school when they are in need of interns or full time mechanics. All of these factors help the graduates of an auto tech school find jobs more easily than those who attended a community college.

Saving yourself money by attending a community college program may seem like a wise decision, but in the long run it may have a detrimental impact on your career path. Factors such as the curriculum, teachers, and equipment dictate how much you learn and how well you learn it, while support services for students, such as job placement assistance, help you translate your education into a career. The extra money it costs to enroll in a degree program at an auto tech school may be the difference between a quality education and mediocre training, a career in the fast track or just a job.