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L.A. Unified School District: More work to do

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is one of the largest school districts in the United States of America. With over one million children in its system, LAUSD provides an array of programs and opportunities that are geared towards helping students succeed. To date, LAUSD has supported the country’s Juvenile Justice System by providing an education to over 12,000 troubled youth, and has provided 80% of graduating seniors with the necessary tools attend post-secondary schools or obtain a job after high school. The District is constantly inspecting low performing schools, and working with educators to improve student performance.

In spite of recent improvements and contributions, the Los Angeles Unified School District has a long way to go before attaining excellence. While the LAUSD is constantly evaluating school performance, there are still over five hundred low performing schools in the District. These schools are spread out among 43 sub-districts and are home to approximately 645,000 students. Although 645,000 students equals a small percentage in a large district such as LAUSD, the idea of over 600,000 children receiving a poor education is disappointing. According the LAUSD 2009-2010 report, the only action that the District has taken to improve the numbers is to review the records and credentials of educators in low performing schools to ensure that proper assignments were administered. The report says nothing about teachers receiving new assignments or rules concerning classroom conduct; this is unacceptable.

In order to substantially improve the Los Angeles Unified School District, board members must practice accountability and instill such concept in educators.

Filed Under: High School, Higher Education Tagged With: , ,

Yes You Can! Finish Early

Although most counselors are focused on providing necessary tools that will help students finish high school on time, some advisors are also concerned with early high school graduation. According to various reports, it is possible for high school students to finish school early and enroll in college. As with any over achievement, such action requires much motivation and concentration.

The first step to finishing high school early is to meet with a guidance counselor. When scheduling the meeting, students should inform the counselor of their plans to complete school at an accelerated speed so that the advisor can have necessary information accessible to the student in the meeting. Counselors are reluctant to approving an accelerated program; especially when it appears that a child cannot handle a regular school schedule. Students who complete average work in high school should not expect to be placed on an accelerated program before improving their grade point average. Likewise, students who have poor behavior or attendance records should also expect to be denied. Why would a counselor give a student more classes if he or she has not shown that they can handle the courses that they already have? If a student expects to be approved for early graduation, then he or she should show it through perfect attendance, stellar grades, and model behavior.

After qualifying for and completing an ambitious course schedule, students should consider their plans after graduation. While most parents suggest college, all career paths do not require a four year university. Students should choose careers that they feel comfortable with, and should not aspire to do something just because it satisfies family members.

Filed Under: High School, Higher Education Tagged With: , ,

How much does the transcript count for?

While aspects of the college application process is debatable, many educators and admissions counselors will agree that the high school transcript is the most important portion of the college application. While colleges look at extracurricular activities and personal statements when admitting students to various programs, the high school transcript provides insight into the academic performance of the student. A transcript essentially tells admissions committees how much a student values education.

When evaluating a student, admissions officers closely analyze which classes the student has previously taken. While rigorous course schedules are typically favored over easy schedules, advisors do not favorably view applicants who do not excel in honors and advanced placement classes. When choosing between regular and advanced placement courses, students should choose classes that are both manageable and challenging; otherwise, acceptance to prestigious colleges and universities may be denied.

In addition to being careful about course selection, students should be certain to take classes required by their desired college or university. The average college requires four years of English, three years of Math, two years of Social Science or history, and two years of a foreign language along with a lab science. Students who fail to take these courses will certainly be denied entry into some colleges and universities.

Although many high school students choose the bare minimum when it comes to course selection, those desiring to be accepted into prestigious colleges and universities should be highly selective of the classes that they choose in high school. Remember, most college admission decisions are based on the transcript.

Filed Under: Education, High School Tagged With: , ,

No Bullying Zone

Bullying is an ever present problem in secondary education. While many students come to school to learn, some come to intimidate and terrorize students. Although the percentage of students attending school to learn far exceeds the number of students who come to intimidate, the minority makes it dfficult for the majority to obtain a good education. In order to address this problem, the Obama administration has partnered with the NASSP to prevent and even stop bullying in school and workplace sectors. A conference, scheduled to take place in the near future, will discuss the effects of bullying and prevention methods that parents, students, and teachers can take. In addition to the conference, the White House has established a Facebook page and website that addresses bullying. Individuals will most likely find a definition and prevention methods at these sites as well.

Bullying is a real problem in public and private schools that carries detrimental effects for parents, teachers, and students. While parents do not want their children terrorized at school, teachers have to be on constant watch for potential instances of bullying. Sometimes teachers are so caught up in the act of prevention, that they forget to properly educate children. In addition, students who are constantly bullied in school suffer mental and emotional effects. Even bullies suffer because they take such practices to the workforce and sometimes miss out on work opportunities along with promotions.

While school is home to many activities and practices, bullying should not be one of them.

Filed Under: Education, High School Tagged With: , , ,

Property Management and the School System

If you have a child that’s school aged – or that’s about to be school aged – make sure that you find that child a good school district to attend. It’s very important that the city you’re in take care to create a good, working school system that does what it should in educating children. A lot of cities, unfortunately, didn’t plan very well and now the people who live there are being forced to deal with that.

The property management that should have taken place really didn’t, so urban sprawl and schools that are largely segregated and sometimes poorly laid out are becoming the norm in a lot of cities. With good property management, schools are laid out in the right areas of town to be accessible to all students, and there are plenty of activities for students and others to get involved in.

The more people head out to the suburbs, the more complicated finding a good school becomes. The districts are much larger and more spread out, and the schools might be far different in what they have to offer, even though they should all offer basically the same experience. Long Beach property management companies have worked to make sure that the kids in the schools there get what they need in order to be safe and learn lessons they’ll need for life. That’s the way that schools should do things, even if all of them don’t.

How well a school does is often related to the geographic location that it is in, and that’s why it’s so very important to manage the property well. That way, more people are close to the school and can send their children there. The school gets funding from taxes that are paid on the property near it, and that can help the school provide a lot of great things for the students.

Filed Under: Education, High School Tagged With: ,

Sending Transcripts to Prospective Colleges

As students approach their Junior and Senior years in high school, many of them begin considering which college they would like to attend and filling out applications. Most college applications ask that a transcript be sent as well. What can a student with a less-than-average grade point average do to convince a college that they are worth accepting?

First, look for places within the application to mention ways they have improved since they earned the scores that pulled down their grade point average. An essay question or a question about extenuating circumstances might be a good place to explain three “F” grades in one semester due to an extended illness or emotional distress from a home situation.

Most colleges also require an essay. If appropriate, the student should mention how he or she has grown and how they intend to do better in college. This works better if the student’s grades have improved and are still good at the time of the application. Promising to work harder in college because it will be easier than trying to work hard in high school will not get your student what they need.

If there is no other place within the application to do so, writing a separate letter explaining that they have taken full responsibility for the bad grades and have been working to improve upon them may help. A letter of recommendation from a teacher who can back up the student’s story can help as well.

If it does not help, it is not the end of the world. Students end up at their second and third and fifteenth choice for a college every year. If nothing else, try spending a year at your near-by community college. Colleges only look at the most recent school when checking GPAs. A student’s high school GPA will most likely not be factored in to the final decision if he or she works hard. The next step after this is to apply again with a whole new grade point average.

Filed Under: High School, Higher Education Tagged With: ,

Reading and Writing are Intertwined

Reading and writing are two of the most important things your child will learn in school. You can not have one without the other. They are intertwined in a way that learning one can help your child improve their work in another.

One of the best ways to help a struggling reader in school is to help that student learn to write. When they are making the connections between what is on the page and what is in their head, it can make a big difference. A creative student, who likes to write down his or her stories, will eventually become more receptive to the stories that others have written down. Showing the student how to read other stories for ideas about their own is a great way to get them interested in reading as well.

If you have a student who is struggling with writing, let them read more. It is a case of giving them the chance to learn by example. The author’s work is actually modeling for the student which way is the best way to write things. The more a struggling student reads, the more confident he or she will become in their ability to write. Explaining to the child that perfection is not expected at their age, but that the more they read and write the better they will get at both may help motivate someone who is struggling and wants to quit.

Some children have significant, undiagnosed reading disorders. Pushing a child who has issues that they can not control does not help anyone. If you suspect that your child has a reading disorder or a learning disorder of some sort, it is best to have them tested so that different teaching methods can be used with them before they begin to get discouraged.

Filed Under: Education, High School Tagged With: ,

The Beginning of Good Study Habits Starts with Kindergarten

Kindergarten marks the beginning of a journey that will end with the celebration of a high school graduation. Parents hope their children will enjoy and succeed in school. A child’s success in school depends greatly on a parent’s involvement. Teaching your child the value of good study habits should begin in Kindergarten. This is a wonderful opportunity to get your child excited about the things he or she learns in Kindergarten. This is an exciting opportunity for parents to establish a deeper bond with their child.

In Kindergarten, children begin to learn to write the alphabet, count, and develop social skills. It is important for parents to ask their child what he or she learned in school each day. If your child brings you a paper with the numbers he or she practiced that day, you should sit down with him or her and go over the numbers. You can spend just 15 minutes helping your child practice writing numbers. Children love to share their experiences and teaching them to get in the habit of practicing whatever they learned that day will develop good study habits.

This will also help parents to recognize any difficult the child may have with learning. It will also boost the child’s self-esteem to have his or her parents involved with the learning experience. Your child will happily show you what he or she learned in school that day. Your child will look forward to spending the quality time with you. This will develop open communication that can last through high school.

Kindergarten should be a fun and exciting experience for all children. This is the time parents should establish their commitment to their child’s education. Spending just 15 minutes each day go over schoolwork, will establish good study habits that will take your child through high school.

Filed Under: Education, High School, Higher Education Tagged With:

Getting Ready for First Grade

Even though many children attend pre-school and kindergarten, first grade marks a new turning point in your child’s life and yours. While this is an exciting period, it is also a period of great anxiety. Every parent wishes that their child will do well in school and first grade marks the beginning of his or her educational journey. The habits that your child will develop in first grade will carry them through all the way to high school graduation. This is a very important time and there are many ways you can help your child achieve success.

The first step you should take is to introduce yourself to your child’s teacher. Many schools offer a meet and greet prior to school starting. If this is not available to you, introduce yourself after school. Do not introduce yourself in the morning as children are pouring into the classroom. This may make your child feel awkward and will spark the interest of the other children.

Discuss the lesson plans with the teacher and how often your child may have homework. You want to be an active participant during this first year. When your child comes home, ask specific questions about the school day. Ask your child specific questions about math, writing or reading. When your child is finished with his or her homework, ask to see it. Do not just look at it, review it to make sure it is complete and see if there are any mistakes. If the homework is complete, praise your child. If you see a mistake, sit down with your child and redo the homework.

Your child will need your guidance to learn how to manage time and build study habits. By discussing his or her school day, you are establishing a healthy pattern letting your child know, you are an active participant in his or her education.

Filed Under: Education, Elementary, High School Tagged With:

Preparing Yourself and Your Child for High School

High school can be a difficult period for children and parents. The high school years are the most difficult as children will struggle to find their place in school socially and academically. Many children that have done well in school may find it challenging to maintain their academic success in high school. It is important for parents to stay involved with their child’s activities and education during high school. High school begins the period where grades are cumulative. Grades are important if your child plans to continue their education at the college level.

For parents, high school is a challenging period in which maintaining a healthy relationship with their children is challenged by the pressures of peers in school.
Educators agree parental involvement in a child’s high school education will ensure academic success for your child.

Parents should strive to keep open communication with their children. This can be a challenge, as many children will exercise their need for privacy. Encourage your child to bring their friends home to study. This will allow you to get to know the children your child has befriended in school. Inquire about their studies and let your child and his or her friends know you are there to help. If your child is involved in school activities, make every effort to support and attend as many activities as you can. If your child is not involved in any activities, encourage your child to get involved. Children involved in productive activities are less likely to get into trouble or get involved with the wrong crowd.

High school requires parents to find the delicate balance of being involved with their children’s education while allowing their children to find their place socially. As a parent, you do not want to be overbearing and too nosy. You want to keep communication as open as possible.

Filed Under: Education, Elementary, High School Tagged With:
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