Art has always been a defining characteristic of a time period or culture. Artists have not only influenced how art lovers view art — they’ve also had a profound influence on the art of their contemporaries.

Every person who is interested in or learning about art has his or her own favorite artists, and there are many local and national museums displaying excellent art. Another source for viewing and reading about art is online, and it’s as simple as searching for artwork on eBay.

There are so many incredible artists, and compiling a list of the most influential ones is a challenging task. However, there are five artists who most experts and aficionados agree have had the biggest impact on the history of art and other artists.

1. Claude Monet (1840-1926) – The French artist is considered the “founder of Impressionism” and is famous for his loose brush strokes and depiction of light. The list of well-known artists who were influenced by his work is impressive: Sisky, Degas, Morisot, Whistler, Seurat and Vuillard.

2. Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519) – Da Vinci is known as “The Universal Renaissance Man” because of his wide range of interests that included science, astronomy and visual art. The Florentine artist is best known for the “Mona Lisa” painting. Much of his work is religious and is famous for its dramatic influences and attention to detail. He has influenced and inspired artists and contemporaries, including El Greco, for centuries rather than years.

3. Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) – Picasso is one of the co-founders of the Cubism art movement and influenced Abstraction. There are some experts who’d argue he is “the most influential artist of the 20th Century.” He is best known for his Blue and Rose periods of work. Salvador Dali and Paul Klee’s works were influenced by Picasso’s style.

4. Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669) – Called “the first artist to create art for art’s sake,” Rembrandt is the most prolific painter of biblical subjects in history. His portraits have influenced other portrait painters’ works, and his Romance period art influenced the work of artists like Georges Seurat.

5. Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564) – Michelangelo is best known for “David” and the Sistine Chapel frescoes. He has influenced artists of every artistic persuasion throughout history and is regarded as one of the key figures in Italian High Renaissance art. What distinguishes Michelangelo is his wide range of artistic talent — architecture, painting and sculpture — and the power of his work.

It comes as no surprise that the works of the oldest artists still endure as the best.

How can a student best save at the supermarket? How do they best manage their finances? What of the stock market; should they invest? What of their monthly expenses? Are they living beyond their means already?

To teach the subject of personal finance is one thing; to have your students incorporate the wisdom and “experience” the topic is quite another. What you do and say will make the difference between learning and actually going out and doing what is learned.

One of the best ways to get students excited about personal finance is to give them an experience. Have them invest in the stock market on paper and follow their wins and losses. Have them fill out a personal finance chart and show them if they’re living within their means. Learn about car refinance by choosing a car and working through the refinancing steps.

Personal examples are always helpful in teaching a student. They’ll remember a story over facts and figures, and in the story you can show what the individual did right or wrong.

Hands-on work is excellent, but don’t let it overshadow discussion in the classroom where students can learn from their peers. A new skill is often easier to take if the option is given from a fellow student.

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Gone are the days when teachers get into the field because they have a passion for teaching students because there seem to be so many negatives in the education field in general.  Teachers are receiving low pay for the jobs they do, and job security is a big issue as well as so many school districts are forced to fire teachers due to constant budget cuts.  Additionally, most schools are packing too many students into classes with not enough resources, which leaves those students that need the most attention in the dust, while the other students are learning just enough to get by.

A good teacher is a precious commodity, and should be treated as such.  They should not have to go to work every day worrying if they will have a job from one school year to the next, and they also should be able to teach a class that has just enough students so that every student can receive equal attention.

As they say, “The children are the future”,  but what happens when teachers are no longer motivated to do their jobs properly… the students suffer, which does not make for a bright future for any country if students are not learning basic fundamentals which they will need to succeed in life.

Although being a teacher seems to be more stress than it is worth, there are still many teachers that go to work everyday loving what they do.  They try to make the best of the situation, and give 100% all of the time.  These teachers should be rewarded and praised, because our children’s futures are in their hands.

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There is no question about it, children of today are having hard times, and although every generation has its sets of problems that they have to cope with; it seems that children today are faced with more problems on the educational front than have ever been seen before.

Bullying

Bullies have been around since the beginning of time, and although previous generations have had to deal with them, things today are totally different. A bully cannot be defended, be it past or present, but a bully of the past may have teased a child or even threatened to beat them up, while today, bullies have taken things to another level.  They not only can make their peers feel uncomfortable in person, but they now may resort to the internet where they may post vile insults that the world can see.  Since most children and young adults live for the cyber world, an internet attack can be one of the worse that they can face, which can lead to depression, and in the worst circumstances, suicide.

Large Class Sizes

As school districts are forced to make budget cuts to make ends meet, they have been forced to fire some of their best teachers.  With fewer teachers, but a growing number of students, it can be difficult to give students the individual attention that they deserve.

Lack of resources

Another issue that children have to deal with due to budget cuts is a lack of resources in general.  Some schools do not have enough books for their students due to lack of money, nor do they offer extracurricular activities like football because they cannot afford it.

For starters, some students simply do not cope well in a traditional classroom.  This can be from receiving negative gestures from other students such as eye rolls and frowning, which may make the student uncomfortable and disengaged from their surroundings.  When this happens, students can easily become less likely to participate in classroom activities, or even ask for help when needed.  With the alternative of online education, students who may have once been shy can easily speak with their instructors in a more private setting, which will help them get more out of the lesson.

Another issue that some students may face is the fact that they simply cannot keep up with their lessons.  This can be problematic because based off of the way that traditional schools are run, each lesson is a building block, so missing one step can ruin a students education entirely.  With online classes, students can work more at their own pace, so if they come across some information that they are having difficult time retaining, they can take the time that they need until the understand it more.

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A healthy teacher-student relationship is essential for student progress. Teaching is more than just the delivery of information and testing student knowledge. When you focus on nurturing a relationship with your students, they sense that you truly care for them and want them to succeed. This in itself provides the encouragement that each person needs to progress and develop.

Understanding the Needs of Each Student

One of the challenges of the teaching environment is the sometimes chaotic dynamic created by the multitude of varied needs and interests among students. In a single moment, you may be faced with students who are dealing with a wide range of emotional, physical and intellectual needs. One child may not be feeling well, while another is bored with the material. Yet another child may be in a bad mood due to unpleasant events in his home. As a teacher, you must tune into the present state of each student.

Respecting Each and Every Student

You may also be tasked with students who are far different from yourself. An outgoing teacher may feel frustrated by a shy child who refuses to speak. This difference can be an obstacle in a teaching environment and requires extra sensitivity and tolerance for personality differences.

Communicating a Sense of Caring

One of the most important elements in connecting with students is the communication of caring and concern. The teachers that people remember most when looking back on life are those who cared enough to create a creative, dynamic and nurturing learning environment for all students.

Through careful compassion and respect, you can nurture a long lasting relationship with your students.

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An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a necessary document for students with unique needs and disabilities. A student with a physical disability may need an IEP to help him advance his learning goals while keeping in mind special physical challenges and needs. IEPs are not limited to physical disabilities, however. An adult who has been out of school for many years and needs skills training to reenter the job market may also benefit from the development of an IEP.

Identifying Student Needs

An effective IEP takes into account the range of the specific student’s needs. His physical challenges, emotional needs and intellectual interests and limitations must all be taken into consideration when designing an effective IEP.

The Elements of an IEP

An IEP must contain an assessment of current skills, identification of the student’s needs in regards to future goals and a clear outline of how those goals will be met. The IEP should also include the role of the various individuals involved in helping the student. A student with a physical disability may require regular visits to the doctor, tutoring at home and other special assistance to remove obstacles for learning.

A Collaborative Effort

The development of an IEP should be a group effort. In a learning center for adults, for example, an IEP should be constructed by first consulting the adult learner, the various instructors, guidance counselors and occupational specialists. Each will have a unique perspective to contribute to creating a plan that benefits the learner and outlining the necessary steps for achieving goals.

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When teaching a classroom of students with varied skills and knowledge levels, the Internet can be a useful and effective tool for meeting diverse student needs. Whether using web-based software, online school resources or educational web articles, the online world is a storehouse of learning opportunities.

Using Web-Based Software

For many instructional goals, high quality web-based software is instrumental in introducing new concepts and testing student progress. For example, a math student who is struggling with a particular concept can be given instruction in the classroom and then directed to use math software to drill the particular concept. Many web-based tools also offer assessment reports so that teachers can gauge skill weaknesses and progress.

Posting School Resources Online

Another way that the Web can be can be utilized to bridge knowledge gaps is by uploading reinforcement content on a school or designated website. A student who is struggling with reading comprehension can be instructed to download additional reading materials for extra practice.

Posting well-aligned materials on the Web allows students to gain more independence in addressing their academic deficiencies. Adults often engage in self-directed learning and children will generally need detailed instructions about which content to seek out.

Searching the Web for Materials

The Internet is filled with expert opinions and knowledge posted for all to read. When students are displaying a gap in knowledge, a simple Internet search can guide them to strengthen their knowledge. Teaching students how to search the Web and which websites to use is an important part of setting students up for a lifetime of using the Web for ongoing learning.

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Our current educational system has been fairly similar to its current form for nearly 200 years, and mirrors educational roots that are more than 2,000 years old. However, with the advent of new technologies, and the changing roles that students are likely to encounter when they enter the work force, education has been forced to undergo certain changes in spite of itself.When it comes to school, there are things that change and there are universals that probably never will.

Our educational system is based on the ancient Prussian system. This system is designed to introduce students to concepts common to western society, such as rigid schedules and the rule of nonviolent authority figures. While the underlying concept of classrooms as discussion and lecture sessions originated in Hellenic Greece, the Prussian system expanded the role of the lecture and diminished the role of classroom discussion. This system was implemented all across Europe and the United States during the Industrial Revolution, so as to facilitate easy transition for students from school to factory jobs in cities.

One such idea is the utilization of interactive tools. Tools such as this are designed to capture the attention of students and to encourage them to participate in classroom activities. Remember, our children are used to being interactive with technology so educational technology integration that utilizes a student response system will appeal to them. These hand-held devices allow teachers to pose a question to the class as a whole. Each student will then answer the question via the device. The results will appear on a monitor, allowing children to see how their answer matched up with the classmates. As a teaching tool, it can be a quick way to judge how well the class as a whole grasps a concept.

Everybody has a slightly different learning style – some children relate better to audio, others to visual educational cues. By using educational technology integration, teachers can develop a daily system that encompasses all of these styles and can therefore be far more effective as educators. Touch screen computers, tablets and more are now available to assist teachers with every aspect of their daily lessons, from lesson plans to final grades.

The main thing that teachers need to recognize is that you have to want to be at school.  If you don’t want to be there this will affect your students.  You have to enjoy teaching and enjoy the subject you are teaching.  If you don’t feel this way, maybe it’s time to switch jobs.  You are wasting your time as well as your student’s time.

Meet your students at the door every day.  Greet them with a smile and something positive about how they look that day.  You should accept every child for who they are and not what they wear.  Each child is trying their best to fit in or find out who they are as a person.  It is not for you to point out their clothing is tacky, unless it is distracting to school work.

It is a good idea to never show your anger at a child for stretching their limits.  This leaves you wide open for more baiting to try to anger you.  Set classroom rules and stick to them.  When you are at your limit take a deep breath deal with it and keep going.  Always be positive with feedback when talking about school work.

When you love the subject you are teaching your enthusiasm for that subject will flow through to your students. This will make them just as eager to learn that subject as you are about teaching it.  When a teacher hates a subject, know that your students will pick up on that and that is where you will have the hardest time teaching students.  Also be aware that not every child learns on the same level and as a teacher you should embrace all learning levels and not be discouraged by those who may not be getting it.

Recognize your student’s victories, no matter how big or small, but especially the small ones.  The student will want to attain a larger victory in order to please not only you but their selves.  If you find you have some students struggling, set aside time just for those students to help them better understand.  The child will remember your extra help and so will the parents.

Always make yourself available to students and parents.  It does not matter if it is phone calls or conferences you should always be there to help your students.

Always talk to your children about their day at school.  Talk with your children about every day-to-day activity.  When you communicate with your child daily about anything, your child is more likely to let you know that there is a problem at school.  Note any changes to your children’s behavior or attitude.  Changes can be indicative of a bullying problem, bad influences or staff problems.  This is where it becomes important for you to know your children’s friends.  Have them over after school and you can assess if these are people who are good for you child to be involved with.

You should prepare yourself and your child for anything that could potentially happen.  Let them know who to call or who to go to should something bad happen at school.  Trust your child to handle some things.  Every child needs some adversity to help them become a more rounded adult.  Potential physical harm is where you draw the line.

Some stress in your child’s life is a really good thing.  It is how he learns new things and accomplishes goals.  Too much stress can be a bad thing that will interfere with his daily life and hinder his learning abilities.  Your child’s life revolves around school, family, homework, and extra-curricular activities.  When that load becomes overwhelming it puts added stresses and anxiety on a child.  If your child is complaining about everything they have to do in a day’s time, consider cutting some of those activities out if you can.

Parents should keep their troubles and worries away from their children.  Those conversations about bills, sick loved ones, and finances should be discussed in private and not in front of the children.  Always be aware of what is on the television.  Bad news on the television will add to his stresses.  If he does see something troubling, talk with him about what he saw.  Probably the most important tip would be this; if you don’t freak out he won’t freak out.  If you stay calm your child will stay calm.

As a parent you can help your unpopular child at home by letting him know that you love him regardless of what others think.  Make your home be a safe haven for your child with love and support.  When your child is rejected by his peers it can have a snowball effect, which will lead to shyness or aggressive behavior, furthering isolation from others.  Unpopularity can start for different reasons, like, different clothing, body images or social characteristics.

Children need social interaction with other children to develop social skills that will allow them to learn and grow.  If a child does not receive this, he may find it hard to learn how to deal with anger and emotional relationships.  If your child is having problems with his peers at school, find him another group to belong to, outside of school.  Turn his interests somewhere else. Encourage your child to join a club or group who have similar interests as he does.  This gives your child the opportunity to fit in with a different group of peers.  This will boost your child’s self-esteem making it easier to deal with issues at school.

One thing that will help a shy child is to try not label or scold her for being shy.  The child has either low self-esteem or does not know how to respond to questions ask.  Labeling or scolding a child for shyness will often make it harder to draw her out of her shell or comfort zone.  Labeling and scolding will also lower her self-esteem by making her feel something is wrong with her for being that way.

Children often pattern parent’s behavior.  Use social situations as a way to teach a shy child how to interact with strangers.  Set up a play date for your child but limit the size to one-on-one.  This will not overwhelm the shy child.  And as your child feels more comfortable, add more children.  You can help your shy child by practicing at home answering common questions that someone would normally ask.  It is important to note that you should also teach your shy child when to answer a strangers questions and when not to.  Like maybe telling her full name and age only if you are present.  But to never give her address or phone number to an adult stranger.

One increasingly popular solution for improving education is the charter school concept. Like traditional schools, they receive public funding, but they’re exempt from some state regulations. Instead, they’re tied to performance mandates, or charters, that they must meet. This goal-oriented approach provides many benefits to the surrounding area’s education system and promotes academic equality for more students.

Choice

Unlike traditional schools that are managed in districts, charter schools are open to all. Using a lottery system, prospective students have a chance of attending the school. Thus, students from poor areas can be educated in more affluent areas.

Diversity

Since students from all areas can attend a charter school, these schools promote diversity. Minorities in impoverished areas have the opportunity to attend better managed schools in wealthier neighborhoods that traditionally may be white.

Specialization

Some charter schools are dedicated to one specific subject such as the arts or technology. Students can improve their knowledge at charter schools that have a special emphasis.

Less Bureaucracy

With less stringent rules placed on the school from the state, charter schools are exempt from the muddled bureaucracy of most public schools.

More Planning

Since charter schools have performance goals that they’re required to meet, they must plan accordingly. That includes planning property management for the school and surrounding environment since a school can only be as good as the area in which it’s located. In a large state like California, municipalities can take a page from Long Beach property management and coordinate school properties like a business instead of government.

Successful education requires choice and proper management, which is what charter schools provide.

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Many of today’s celebrities are doing something others have not: They are going back to school. While some enroll in programs through local colleges and universities, others are taking to the web to obtain the education necessary to achieve their dreams. For those who have thought about online education before, but never took a step in this direction, the fact that celebrities are doing it may be more encouraging to you.

Which Celebrities Did It?

It is not possible to know all celebrities using online education to further their skills. While there are some who have publicly promoted online education, such as Shaquille O’Neal and Hilary Duff, many others are more quiet on the topic. Here are some less vocal celebrities who completed their education online.

• Ice Cube: You may know him from his rapping days back in the 1990s or from a variety of other programs. What you may not know, though, is that he has a degree in architectural drafting. That degree is from an online educational program.
• Jon Guenther: He is the author with more than 30 books under his belt. You may remember his Chaser series of books, and later, Soul Runner. What you may not know is that he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology recently, a degree he earned from an online program.
• Hunter Tylo: She is known for his soap opera roles on television programs such as All My Children and The Bold and the Beautiful. You may also know her from her ability to win a significant, $5 million lawsuit against Aaron Spelling. She was a pre-law student, though, and has since obtained her Master of Business Administration from an online educational program.

As you can see, online undergraduate programs and other programs are out there for celebrities, and for you, too. The fact that these celebrities could enroll in any school but went online is motivating for many.

Founded in 1969, the Committee for Education Funding is the oldest and largest associations, comprised of a coalition, which exists for the welfare of education. Its purpose is to provide the public and state and federal government officials with the necessary information to enable them to assess the pressing needs of funding for educational programs. The CEF sides on issues regarding federal education and represents the consensus of its membership, communicating that consensus to political officials and Washington.

As a coalition, the committee is voluntary. Members include a wide variety of representatives from educational institutions and associations to preschool agencies and postgraduate organizations. Both the public and private educational systems are included.

The idea is to promote the social welfare of the nation’s school systems and to broaden the awareness of the funding issue. Lack of funds for education in the United States has become more than a social issue, it has become a civil rights issue. The CEF conducts and coordinates research opportunities to collect information to find solutions to the problem. Members of the CEF are provided with valuable information that will help them make more effective presentations to Congress and other government officials.

CEF holds weekly meetings and provides a forum for open discussion regarding policies and problems. It publishes regular updates and sponsors seminars to educate the public on recent policy issues. Congressional and administration staff are briefed throughout the year, and CEF annually honors advocates of federal education investment. To find out more, visit their website at www.cef.org.

Section 1111 (b)(F) of the NCLB Act declares, “Each state shall establish a timeline for adequate yearly progress. The timeline shall ensure that…all students in each group…will meet or exceed the State’s standards.” Working under federal guidelines, state education agencies or state-level education departments develop these timelines.

The Department of Education has defined AYP as a diagnostic tool used to determine areas in which schools lack and how best to improve them. It also helps determine where financial resources would best be used. In cases where a school does not meet the adequate yearly progress for two years in a row, NCLB has made them subject to State Education Agency interventions. Serious corrective actions may take place.

Standardized testing allows State Education Agencies to select target goals for their AYP. Each year, states are required to increase student achievement in gradual but regular increments. The goal of NCLB is to have 100% of students in the country proficient on state assessments by the 2013/2014 school year. Therein lies the controversy—the fear that teachers are only allowed to teach for the tests by rote memorization, not teaching critical thinking skills. The failure of reaching the 2013/2014 goal is evident in the current lack of student proficiency.

Because of this, education reform has been on the minds of officials in Washington and the Obama administration. At the start of 2011, there was talk of overhauling No Child Left Behind before the 2012 campaigns take up too much of the spotlight.

The dropout rate is determined based on the number of students that leave school and do not receive a regular high school diploma. Some may go on to obtain alternative credentials such as the General Educational Development (GED) certificate or passing other state requirements, but these students are still counted as dropouts. Some students that drop out over the summer or leave school to get married may not even be counted in the dropout rate, so the number of dropouts may actually be higher than reported.

Students often fall behind well before they drop out, and many of them experience this when they’re still young. Once behind, it often seems impossible to catch up to the more fast-paced middle and high school curriculums. Without a solid foundation in elementary school, many of these students will continue to fall behind in later years.

The No Child Left Behind Act has brought more accountability to grades three through eight, ensuring that children who fall behind do not also fall through the cracks. They are immediately identified and initiatives are taken both in and beyond the classroom to give them the extra help they need. For children as young as preschoolers, NCLB has implemented the Reading First and Early Reading Programs to help educate millions of children in proven methods. Early intervention and regular assessments give students incentives to stay in school.

Along with a parent’s choice of school, NCLB also supports independent charter schools (schools that blend aspects of public and private education) and, in some cases, funds certain services for children attending private school. For home schooling parents, NCLB provides certain protections. The law assists school districts at local and state levels provide information to parents to better make informed educational choices.

Districts must inform parents if their child is eligible to transfer to another public school. They must give parents all transfer options if more than one exists and they must pay for transportation costs. Low-income families are entitled to supplemental educational services if their child attends a Title I school. These services provide extra help in the form of tutoring or remedial assistance in all subjects.

Another choice under NCLB is the magnet school. Magnet schools attract students from diverse backgrounds and focus on a specific subject and theme. Some require students to take an entrance exam. A similar option is the private school. Many of these are affiliated with religious faiths or, in the case of nonreligious private schools, are geared toward college preparations.

A parent who chooses the home schooling option can gain access to tutors or online educational programs.

Under No Child Left Behind, low-income students living in the District of Columbia may be eligible for up to $7,500 in scholarships to attend private schools.

Accessibility to technology is a crucial factor in NCLB. Schools should achieve this by implementing local area networks and broadband, high-speed Internet connections. Technology literacy is stressed for all students regardless of race, disability, ethnicity, income, or citizenship status.

Parents are encouraged to participate in their children’s technological learning. NCLB focuses on making technology accessible for parents so they can support their children. Technology training should also be available for parents who cannot afford certain technologies or do not have access to them.

Integrating technology into the classroom curriculum is an effective way to improve technology literacy. Internet research can be used as a tool to find out more information on a wide variety of subjects. Classrooms can create Web pages or use social network technology. Presentations can be videoed and presented online. The possibilities are endless.

The specific goals of NCLB—Enhancing Education Through Technology—include crossing the “digital divide” by making sure each student is technologically literate by the end of eighth grade. Professional training helps teachers integrate technology resources and implement them according to state requirements. Focuses include creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, research and information fluency, critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, digital citizenship, and technology operations. These standards were developed by the United States Department of Education and that International Society of Technology in Education. All of these standards are required for a student to be considered technologically literate.

Instead, a lot of them choose to work with a company in the finance department. Almost all big companies have them, so there are plenty of opportunities depending on what kind of industry you’re interested in. You can also work as a banker or work with a debt consolidation service and assist people who have mismanaged their money and need you to help them so that they don’t end up in a bankruptcy situation. In order to do those things, though, that degree is essential.

Overall, you’ll have more options if you get a bachelor’s degree than you will if you get only an associate’s degree, but it’s still better to have a degree of some kind than not to have one at all. Consider where your degree is coming from, too. Sure, it’s possible to ‘buy’ a degree – but you won’t have the skills to back it up and you’ll soon be found out. Take the time to find a good school that offers a finance degree, and check it out thoroughly. Make sure it’s accredited, so that your degree will be recognized when you get it.

Under the No Child Left Behind Act, paraprofessionals must have completed at least two years of study at a higher education institution or university or have obtained an associate degree. An associate degree is not required as long as the paraprofessional has more than 48 credit hours at the university or college level. The type of degree or course of study at the time of enrollment in college is also not a factor, as long as the required credit hours have been earned. They must also demonstrate the ability to assist in reading, writing, and math instruction. This may be demonstrated through a formal academic assessment. Naturally, they must hold a high school diploma. For the most part, this is simply a reiteration of the earlier law requiring higher education, so not much has changed there.

Those not covered under No Child Left Behind include cafeteria workers, playground monitors, non-instructional computer assistance, and transportation. These titles are not considered paraprofessional.

Title I funds may be used by state and local districts to provide ongoing training and professional development for paraprofessional employees. This helps paraprofessionals meet the guidelines outlined by the No Child Left Behind Act and keeps them up to date on methods of instruction. States have tremendous flexibility on how to use Title I funds in order to meet their needs, but staff development and regular training workshops for instructional assistants are suggested.

State or local schools boards sponsor charter schools and hold them accountable. They are accountable for academic achievement, the public funding them, and the parents who enroll their students in them.

The intent of charter schools is the increase opportunities for learning and provide quality education to all students. They create choices for parents sending their kids to public school. Charter schools encourage teachers to be innovative and utilize creative instruction methods. They also encourage community involvement, insisting that parents become active in their child’s education.

Because of the high academic standard of charter schools, parents and teachers are drawn to them and the No Child Left Behind Act supports them. The small class sizes are conducive to learning and the educational philosophies differ from school to school, attracting individuals who share similar philosophies. On average, charter schools serve about 250 students and are noted for their safety.

Communities become classrooms at charter schools and parents and teachers are active in developing education programs. Fieldtrips to local libraries and museums enrich the educational experience. In districts where academic performance is quite low, charter schools help improve academic achievement in the area.

According to No Child Left Behind, children identified as needing special improvement have the choice to enroll in a charter school located in their district, but the wait to enroll may be long. Any parent can contact a charter school for information on how to get their child on a waiting list.

According to the United States Constitution, the responsibility of public education rests with the states. The federal government provides assistance to states in order to fund state support. This federal support began in 1965 with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. No Child Left Behind was a reauthorization of the 1965 Act and is meant to close the achievement gap.

Taxpayer money goes into education more than national defense, making it one of the nation’s highest priorities, but states are the primary sources of education funding. For the 2004/2005 school year, 83 cents of every dollar spent on education came from state and local levels. The federal government’s part is only about 8.3%.

After No Child Left Behind was signed, the proposed budget economically disadvantaged students would be 65% of the U.S. Department of Education school funds. The funds would be distributed directly to school districts through their respective states. Major programs in need of this funding include Title I, English Language Learners, and for improving teacher quality.

A state may voluntarily choose to accept funds from the federal level. If a state does not wish to abide by federal requirements, they can choose to not accept federal funds associated with whichever program they do not want to implement. Most states do accept and use these funds, but a few have chosen not to accept them for a variety of reasons.

According to ED.gov, he largest federal education program is Title I, a program that provides over $13 billion to schools in an effort to improve achievement in schools with a high poverty rate. Approximately $675.8 million goes to the states for English language acquisition programs such as ESL. Grants equaling $2.9 billion go toward teacher training and professional development.

NCLB requires that local education agencies (LEA’s) provide notification to parents if their child is placed in an ESL program. In some instances, parents have the choice of which language instructional program their child attends and they have the right to remove them at any time. Parents are encouraged to become active in their child’s language instruction program and are stayed well informed.

No Child Left Behind does not have a specific method of teaching English as a second language (ESL). This is left up to state and district officials to established language proficiency standards and implement instruction based on scientific research. Highly qualified teachers are required to be in classrooms where ESL students are taught.

Like all students, English language learners are tested in math and reading each year from third through eighth grade. If a student enters school for the first time in third grade or above, he or she may take tests in their native language for up to three years. After that, tests are given in English.

Highly qualified ESL teachers teach public school ESL programs and students are taken out of the classroom for individual or small group ESL instruction. In Title I schools, these students are given extra instruction and support in the English language.

Since NCLB was implemented, English language learners are receiving more attention than ever before, but critical thinking skills are not emphasized. Since emphasis is placed on test score performance, memorization is favored in place of critical thinking. Many ESL students struggle to learn under the pressure of worksheets and assessment tests not written in their native language. It can be a struggle for students working at a slower pace trying to memorize English words instead of being taught how to think in the English language.

Teachers must hold at the very least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. They must hold and maintain full state certification and demonstrate competence in the subject they are teaching. No Child Left Behind consists of core academic subjects that must be fully understood by teachers before they can be employed.

Core academic subjects may vary by state, but generally consist of mathematics, biological sciences (chemistry, geosciences, and physics), social studies (history, government, economics, and geography), foreign languages, arts (drama, music, and visual arts), and English, language arts, and reading. Elementary school teachers must individually prove competence in the basic elementary school curriculum.

Local education agencies must give priority to Title I funds combined with any other federal, state, or local funds in the upgrading of teaching staff and educational programs. After the 2006/2007 school year, any teacher hired must have met NCLB requirements or had a plan to become NCLB-compliant by the end of that year.

NCLB classifies teachers into two types: elementary school teachers and middle/high school teachers. Demonstrating competency of subject matter differs in each classification and options for demonstrating competency vary by state.

The No Child Left Behind Act represents a massive overhaul of the nation’s educational system. Its focus is to improve student performance and achievement and bring more accountability to public schools. While teachers are now required to be highly qualified, salaries have generally stayed at a standstill making it difficult to attract and retain well-qualified educators. States can utilize program funds to develop performance-based compensation systems to help alleviate teacher shortages.

Schools utilizing the Title I program will have one Title I Reading Specialist on staff. Depending on the size of the school, several Title I Instructional Assistants will be trained by and work under the Reading Specialist. These specialists and para-professionals go into the classrooms to tutor at-risk children either individually or in small group settings. Providing children with personalized, one-on-one attention is key in improving their academic development.

Public schools receive Title I money based on the funding provided to the state. The State Educational Agencies send money to school districts based on the number of low-income students in the district. Students do not have to be from an economically disadvantaged family to receive Title I services.

The program offers smaller class sizes and special, individualized instruction. There are even extra opportunities for professional staff development within the schools. Classroom assistants typically get to attend an on-site workshop once a month.

Title I also encourages parents to get involved in their child’s learning. No one is more influential in a child’s life than his or her parent, so becoming active in education both at home and by participating in volunteer opportunities at school assures that parents are well aware of their progress. Parents should serve as a role model by reading in front of their children at home or by partner reading with them on a regular basis. Keeping an open line of communication with their child’s Title I Reading Specialist is also encouraged.

NCLB requires that schools focus on low-income, disabled, and minority students and support early literacy for all children. The law was designed to increase quality education, requiring schools to improve their academic performance with “scientifically based research practices” in classroom instruction. Parental involvement is also a key factor in the success of a child’s learning both at home and in the form of classroom volunteering.

As for the assessments, students are tested annually from grades 3 to 8. Standardized testing is required at least once in high school. Schools are also required to inform parents if a teacher or instructional assistant who doesn’t meet the “highly qualified” requirements is teaching their child. Parents are also constantly informed as to their child’s progress via detailed report cards.

While both political parties supported the NCLB Act, neither the Senate nor Executive Branch has sought sufficient funding for programs like Title I. There has been recent talk of improving education reform beyond No Child Left Behind. On March 13, 2010, the Obama administration released a blueprint calling for an Elementary and Secondary Education Act revision. A revised ESEA would encourage children to think about global leadership and it would provide incentives for states adopting academic standards that would prepare students for life after school, both in college and in the workplace.

Moving to Atlanta for college can be fun, exciting and difficult all at the same time when you aren’t from the area. There are several things you will need to do before you are ready to embark on this new journey. If you come to Atlanta for college, but have forgotten a small, yet critical, detail it can ruin the entire experience for you. Below are the essential things you need to do before you are officially ready to move to Atlanta for college.

The first thing you must do before you are ready to make the big “college move” is to look through and find available apartments to rent in Atlanta. You have to have a place to stay while you attend college in Atlanta before you can actually move in. When you begin hunting for a place to stay, you need to take a hard and objective look at your finances. Determine what you can really afford in rent each month while still having enough money left over to pay the bills, buy groceries, etc. You also need to consider what type of transportation you will need to get to and from classes. If you will need a car, then you will also have to allow extra money to pay for the gas, insurance and upkeep for the vehicle as well.

Once you have your living situation, finances and transportation figured out and in order, you are ready to begin the moving process. If you need a moving truck to move your things, this will also need to be arranged in advance. Of course, you can always save your money and purchase the necessary furniture for your new apartment once you get to Atlanta. Moving off to college is fun, but make sure all the critical details are in order before moving day!

As the economy has struggled, many people are without jobs or working in fields where they are untrained and unable to make the amount of money they need to live comfortably. Obtaining an advanced degree is a great way to further one’s career, and thus earn a larger paycheck. But with work schedules, family conflicts, and other commitments, finding the time to attend classes can be very difficult. Additionally, many do not even live close enough to a college campus for this to be a viable option. However, with so many degrees and choices available through online universities, this problem has met its solution.

Onlineeducation.com is a prime spot for those seeking higher education without the time or means available to attend a traditional university. The site is paired with more than 10 online colleges that have hundreds of degree options available, including the University of Phoenix, Capella University, Westwood College, Ashford University, and many more. There are many fields of study available, including the ever-growing healthcare field, where students can choose from nursing, administration, medical assisting, and more, offering a glance into just about every angle of needs in the healthcare profession. The universities are accredited, so the degrees will be very helpful as graduates enter the professional world and learn just how important an advanced degree can be.

Many job applicants these days are up against individuals who have bachelors and even master’s degrees, so this can give the competitive edge to show future employers just how motivated these graduates are to succeed. Having a degree shows employers that you are willing to work hard and commit to something in order to achieve goals. In such a fast-paced job market, having a degree in the desired field will definitely help each individual to succeed in finding, obtaining, and ultimately advancing in the chosen career.

There are many aspects of obtaining a degree online that dramatically differentiates the experience from traditional college environments. While many consider an online format to be less personal, there are actually many factors that would suggest the opposite. After utilizing a resource such as onlineeducation.com to determine the types of online institutions available, look into how each school is structured to ensure you are entering an environment that works best for you.

Take, for example, a traditional state university setting. General education courses can consist of literally hundreds of students in amphitheater style settings, making it very difficult, if not impossible, to get the personal attention they need from the professor or instructor. Students might organically create study groups with other individuals they know or meet in the class, but they are largely left to their own devices in obtaining help outside of the lecture. Conversely, online courses, such as those found on onlineeducation.com, are frequently structured with small groups that are designed to facilitate collaboration between students and to foster a sense of community that might not be achieved otherwise. Also, because of the nature of shared online communication techniques such as forums and blogs, it is actually more probable to get a specific answer from an instructor and benefit the entire group from the question as a result.

Also, considering that the workplace and business in general is becoming more and more diversified, the methods learned for online collaboration and communication are well suited to today’s business environment. More recent college graduates are finding themselves interacting in cross-state, and even cross-country situations, where online networking and connecting are both critical and essential for success. These abilities will be more comfortable for the elearner who has already utilized similar techniques for collaborating with fellow students and interacting with instructors while obtaining their online degree.

While today therapeutic schooling takes place in special institutions or schools, the idea behind them may very well translate to a more traditional school. In theory, these special schools are designed to address some of the special emotional or physical needs of students. For example, students who struggle with stress may need additional help. If we just stop and think for a moment about the number of children who could use additional help with stress alone, it becomes apparent that some sort of therapeutic schooling may be called for in more traditional classrooms.

While it is unclear which tactics could be used in a traditional setting, it is apparent we need to make a change. The pressure to fit it, to succeed and to simply be better is overwhelming. More children are diagnosed each year with forms of depression, body dismorphic disease, autism and other emotional or mental disorders. If NCLB was really meant to teach the most repressed of our children, shouldn’t we also be making allowances for children who struggle with these disorders?

Or maybe, just maybe, what would be truly therapeutic for our students is to begin teaching them utilizing real life techniques instead teaching to the lowest denominator and developing specialized teaching skills for every set of disadvantaged students.

Maybe that amounts to nothing more than taking a little bit from everyone’s reform ideas and creating a cohesive package that will work for the majority of our students. In other words, we need to develop plans, curriculum and strategies that are designed to affect the greatest number of students. Currently we utilize plans that seem to be aimed solely at the lowest common denominator – we are teaching to our least gifted students and leaving the rest behind.

Some parents and administrators argue that the most talented students have access to other education programs such as private educate or magnet programs, but we must ask ourselves one question: do we want our students to be common or do we want them to be exceptional?

The education revolution is coming and it will involve a lot of changes. The last attempt at revolutionizing the system resulted in the NCLB act of 2002. The act was ambitious in its goals, but fell short in its execution. By hoping to create a system in which every child would have access to a quality education, we somehow neglected our more advanced students. It seems that the key isn’t finding a way to equally educate our students at all – the key is finding the best way to educate our students, be they from impoverished areas or be they advanced students.

The time has come to make big changes to the way we educate our children. The time has come for a revolution.

Aside from the actual boarding aspect of boarding schools, there are several big differences that make these schools work unlike any other educational institution in America. The first is the rigid schedule the boarding schools follow. Every aspect of the student’s day, even their free time, is carefully regulated. The theory is that by carefully regulating time, students are more apt to be focused on the task at hand. While public schools are regulated to a degree, our day students have a lot of free time on their hands.

Many boarding schools also require their students to participate in extra curricular activities, giving them access to another form of learning and team building schools. In public schools, there is regularly a requirement for students to participate in sports, drama or the arts, and perhaps this is a mistake. Access to these types of activates may be the difference between successful students and those that fail.

Boarding schools may be a bit extreme for most students, but the underlying concepts behind it may be very valid for school reform on the whole. More rigid schedules, encouraging community involvement and other aspects of boarding school may very well be the change our schools need.

Military schools are different from traditional public schools in several critical ways. The primary difference, the military aspect, often scares away some parents and students. It is, the cornerstone upon which military schools are built. They believe that only through strict adherence of rules and regulations can students ever hope to achieve their full potential.

In many instances, military schools also offer more strident academic standards. Like other private schools, they are not bound by the same rules and regulations as public schools. This often means smaller classes, more rigorous standards and a focus on total education instead of teaching to the test. Military schools also typically attract teachers who are dedicated to this educational format, giving students other leg up.

Still, there are some parents who disagree with the rigid formality of military schools. Perhaps there is a compromise, a way to bring the structure and formality of a military school into the public school setting. Finding a way to blend the best of the military schools with the standard public school format may offer students an opportunity to further their education in the most effective way.

In the end, parents and educators, and even government officials, are interested in the same thing: finding the best way to educate our children. Military schools may not be the answer for all of our children but perhaps some of the underlying principles of these alternative institutions could be applied to our public system for the betterment of our students.

What Classes?
There is a clear difference between what is taught. Public schools follow strict guidelines set by the state to determine what subjects are taught and how they are taught. Private schools can teach whatever they choose and can teach in any manner they select. The key is selecting the institution that offers your child the best access to class that are in keeping with your personal philosophy in regards to education.

Accountability
Again, public schools are subject to accountability standards predetermined by a variety of governmental institutions, primarily centered on NCLB. Private schools have a bit more freedom as it relates to accountability. They most, of course, adhere to safety regulations and reporting standards, but, largely because they are self-funded, they often are less accountable than public institutions.

Accreditation
Most public schools must comply with state accreditation standards. Private schools do not have to comply with these standards, but often choose to simply to remain competitive with college prep standards.

There are other factors to consider as well. Graduation rates, cost, discipline and safety are just a few of these areas of concern. Carefully reviewing each of these areas may help a parent determine who wins this match-up: the private school or the public school. As you can imagine, this decision is one that many parents face each year for their children.

Charter School
These schools vary from state to state but are all operated independently from the traditional school system. These schools are publicly funded and tend to offer more innovative educational solutions for their students.

Online or Virtual Schools
A variety of educational programs fall into this category. Students can engage in a completely self-paced and independent program to a single class that follows a more traditional format. These programs gained popularity at the college level, but now more high schools are turning to online schools as an alternative for their students.

Magnet Schools
With an origin in desegregation, magnet schools are now an alternative for students who need access to advanced educational information and training. Many schools offer magnet classes in agriculture, vocational, performing arts, engineering and advanced science.

It has become apparent that today’s alternative schools are not just for the students that struggle. Instead, may of the most successful alternative options are aimed at students who are advanced or who need more stimuli in the classroom. Instead of using alternative classes as a way to remove the ‘bad apples’ from the classroom, maybe we should be using them as a road map for creating more successful students in the future. Alternative schools are not just for ‘alternative’ students. They are for advanced students as well.

Teachers
It’s funny that some private schools can’t afford to pay their staff as much as public schools but still manage to attract the best teachers. Dedicated teachers are drawn to private school settings for a variety of reasons, but one of the most important may be a belief in creating a positive environment for students. Smaller class sizes, tougher standards and a feeling of community attract teachers. Couldn’t we find a way to integrate these ideas into our public system?

Classes
Private schools have it going on…at least when it comes to classes. Smaller class sizes and a more advanced curriculum are standard fare at private schools. Sure, some of this is due to funding from tuition costs, but a lot of it simply has to do with the way the curriculum and content is designed. It seems like employing some of these ideas at our public institutions is one of the most important reforms we could make.

Whatever direction we take, it seems apparent that now is the time to make a change. Our students simply are not performing as well as they should. Perhaps it is time to tae a page from the private schools and make some changes aimed at improving both the teacher and class quality at our public schools – it might make all the difference to our students. Now is a time to make the move.

The theory behind this is that separating the sexes may help to correct some falling tests scores, particular among students that are male. The program will work on two fronts:

1.It will first remove the distraction of a typical co-ed classroom. By removing the temptation to interact with members of the opposite sex, students may be more likely to focus their efforts on their education.
2.It will also help improve self-image, particularly among female students. Studies seem to indicate that as our female students grow, they become less interested in subjects such as technology, science and math.

Throughout the country, some schools are making the change, most notably schools in Tennessee and the District of Columbia. Teachers and administrators from these schools have been amazed at the change in their students. Boys, known for prankish behavior and poor attention skills became more focused while girls seemed less concerned about how the fit into the social structure of the school and more interested in their education.

Of course the idea of dual-education has its opponents as well. These people typically cite worries over socialization and equalization as reasons against instituting same sex classes. Perhaps there is a middle ground though. Maybe the answer is developing one class in each school that is taught as a single sex class. The teachers of these classes could become effective mentors and the students may take from the experience higher self-esteem, better focus and an increased interest in education.

Your college may not be too far from home, but now that you’ll be on your own, there seems to be so many things to do. Your parents are full of great advice and say you’re so grown up. Still, you’ve only packed some clothes this week. There is so much more to living in an apartment than what you wear. You’ve saved, so money isn’t the problem, but how can you remember everything without a list? Start with the basics below before heading out to college. You’ll find more things to add as the days get closer to moving away from home.

1. Get a tuneup for the car and get gas.
2. Rent a trailer to bring the hand-me-down bathroom stuff, kitchen utensils, and bedding.
3. Find a bank nearby the college and start a new account.
4. Get a newspaper to find apartments to rent in Atlanta.
5. Call a furniture rental store.
6. Call the utility companies and cable.
7. Drive around the campus and get a parking permit.
8. Create a budget.

Most of what you do to prepare before classes begin won’t be as important as finding a safe and secure place to live. Sturdy locks, nice neighbors, and a trustworthy landlord are some things to look for when hunting for an apartment. You’ll know it’s the right place to live when you walk inside. The apartment will feel like home. Over time, hanging out at the local flea markets will get your apartment cozy. Lots of bookshelves and a desk with a comfortable chair are a must. Make sure the apartment gets good reception for the big screen, your computer computer, and you cell phone. A laundry room close by is a great amenity, and so is a park where you can meet friends and study.

Over the past few years, administrators have discovered that hiring qualified teachers is only half of the problem. They must also develop plans aimed at increasing teacher retention. A large part of the discussion around how to keep qualified teachers is an understanding of why teachers leave in the first place.

One of the largest factors is, not surprisingly, low wages. Several studies report that the most teachers, when asked during the exit interview process, cite wages as the driving factor behind their decision to leave. School conditions are the second biggest reason given. School management, facilities, resources and more all play a role. In fact, there is some indication that teachers would work for less if they were offered a better environment in which to teach. Finally, the community at large plays a role. Government regulations standardized testing and poor community support all contribute to a difficult teaching experience.

The question becomes, of course, how to address these problems. Salaries and facilities are, of course, tied directly to budgeting constraints. Because at least a portion of school budgets is tied directly to standardized testing under NCLB, we enter into a vicious cycle: In order to produce better performing students, we need better teachers. To get better teachers, we must have better performing students.

It seems apparent that a fundamental change to our education system is needed, one that allows for better teacher retention rates. Perhaps as the government seeks to readdress the issues raised by NCLB, some more workable solutions will be found.

1.Merit Pay: Some states have already made the move towards implementing some sort of pay based on merit, most notably Michigan. The idea is to reward teachers not for how many years they have been teaching, but for how effective they are at their jobs. In theory, a merit-based system would produce more dedicated teachers, something we are sorely in need of.
2.Standards: Any way you look at it, there is a problem with our system of standards. Currently, each state has their own set, with varying degrees of ‘toughness.’ Moving to a federal standard is one option as is dictating how ‘tough’ states should be required to make their own.
3.Teaching V. Testing: We simply must find a way out of the never ending cycling of teaching to the test. Perhaps standardized tests should be done away with entirely or maybe they should be made more inclusive and cover subjects other than reading and math.
4.Evaluation: Implementing a system under which teacher and administrator effectiveness is evaluated, perhaps in conjunction with merit pay, may be the best way to ensure that our teachers and administrators are actively seeking to tie their effectiveness to their student’s performance.

Whether these reforms are enacted, or others, something must be done to address our national epidemic of poor education. Our students and the future of our country depend on it.

Contained with in the act were guidelines for testing. Our students would be tested at regular intervals in the subjects of math and reading. Failure of schools to meet minimum standards would result in punishment in the form of lowered federal funding for that school. Obviously, administrators and teachers recognized how important it was that students excelled in these areas and they set out to better prepare their students.

The problem, again mainly in economically depressed areas or those where students were under performing, was that in order to successfully pass the standardized tests, their students needed far more instructional time in math and reading. In order to accomplish this, something had to give and many schools choose to reduce, or even eliminate, time spent on other subjects like science and history.

This phenomenon, now known as narrowing the curriculum has lead to a generation of students who can successfully pass standardized test in reading and math, but have not developed critical thinking skills and do not even basic knowledge of other subjects.

As the government looks to ‘re-up’ NCLB, this disparity has led to a raging debate about how to address this problem. Some want NCLB repealed entirely, while others hope to simply rewrite it to address this glaring problem. It is only clear that some change must be made before our children get lost in this gapping hole in our education

A school that fails to meet its AYP standard is labeled a failure. This makes improving their status and the performance of their students vastly more difficult on several fronts. First, teachers do not want to teach at failing schools. Why would they? A failing school doesn’t have access to the same funding and resources as a passing school. Paradoxically, it is these failing schools that most need access to funds and resources.

Even worse, students enrolled in failing schools, but with access to charter or choice schools, are having difficulty enrolling in them. These passing schools work diligently to ensure their students continue to meet standards and an influx of students from a failing school will only serve to lower their AYP score.

Finally, because of the way administrators ‘game’ the system, students placed in special groups, like ESL, remain in that group only until they begin to adequately perform. They are then moved to the effective general population, making it impossible for a special group to ever achieve 100% performance.

It’s funny that in some ways the very bill we wrote to help our schools and our students is now hurting them. Until we address the funding issue and the method of assessment, we are likely to continue to see these problems. Now is the time for change. Now is the time for reform.

NCLB does provide additional funds for institutions, but perhaps we are not funding the right things. Remember that NCLB funds are available to schools whose children have scored high enough on standardized test and that many of the biggest opponents to the act believe this fact has lead to a narrowing of the curriculum as teachers teach the test. In other words, available funds are being shunted towards educational efforts that will support more students performing well in order for the institution to receive more funding. It has turned into a vicious cycle in some ways.

Many of the strongest performing countries have instituted financial reform policies for their students that are working. One popular idea is equal funding for all schools. Instead of basing funding on performance, what would happen if we provided all schools with exactly the same funding? This idea may very well lead to schools investing in their students futures by using funds to improve facilities, purchase resources and better educate their staff.

Many of the countries that out perform us have taken things a step further by providing health insurance and state paid preschool for their children. While the United States may not be ready for these measures, it seems apparent that the way we fund our schools through NCLB has failed. We must find a better way to invest in our schools and our students.

Throughout the country there are schools that have been compared, by some researchers, to depression era schools. Their buildings are falling down, presenting students with an unattractive and unsafe environment in which to learn. These schools cannot offer their students classes in the arts or sometimes even science. The textbooks are often severally outdated and advanced technology is non-existent.

There are other schools that offer their students a pristine environment. Their facilities are state of the art, taking advantage of the latest in technology. These schools offer a more in depth course schedule, the best resources and often attract the most qualified and sought after teachers.

One must ask what has caused this disparity. The answer is, of course, the crumbling schools are located in economically depressed regions while the newer schools are located in affluent regions. The problem is, NCLB was meant to address this issue by providing schools in disadvantaged areas with funding and resources to better educate their children.

The reality is that NCLB offers, at most, less then 10% of a total budget in incentives. Schools that are severally disadvantaged often do not have the resources to meet the standards needed to receive the funds. NCLB has failed these schools.

We must again recognize that while NCLB has admirable goals, there are flaws that must be addressed. The inequity we are seeing in our classrooms must be addressed as we consider education reform options.

First, let’s understand what it means. The law states that schools must test their students (grades 2   12) in math and reading. Each state selects its own standards and tests. In states where students are not showing  adequate yearly progress  the government may sanction them by withholding funds or even restructuring.

The problem with this idea is that the high focus on math and reading means that other subjects are not given as much attention. This means that students are not exposed to the arts, history, cultural studies and other important subjects. Some schools have changed the structure of the school day, cutting back on free time, to allow them to focus more energy on preparing students for standardized testing. On the other hand, statistically, our elementary school children are doing better than ever before. Tests reflect a better understanding of math and English skills for almost all students in the elementary levels.

In some ways this argument is a classic  six of one, half a dozen of another.  Maybe we need to recognize that the goal of better educating our children is admirable, but the method we are using may need to be changed a bit. Perhaps we can meet in the middle – it all depends on your viewpoint.

Interesting aspects of the required testing include the fact that each state can establish different tests and standards that define if their state schools are making the desired progress toward proficiency goals. There are no standards set at the national level or testing established for all schools within the United States. Testing under NCLB is limited to reading and math at this time with no emphasis on history, science or or other important subjects that students should be proficient in. Another issue is related to the fact that standardized tests are used almost exclusively. The limitations of the testing process could lead to curriculums based on the testing process versus those that promote a well rounded education.

Although the testing required by NCLB is not perfect, there are benefits that are a result of the requirement. Schools are now held accountable based on the standards set by their state. There is difficulty comparing the schools of one state from another due to the differences in how each state sets their requirements. A positive result is the ability to review the progress of a school. The testing process will evolve into a more efficient standard but for now accountability will hold the attention of our educational system.

Going back to school can mean a better life for you and your family. Not only can you earn more lifetime money than someone who doesn’t have a degree, but you will have more pride in yourself. Your family will also have more pride in you. However, going back to school can be intimidating. There is a lot to consider when making this life-changing decision.

For starters, you must have an idea of what you want to study and then do your research. If it is a business degree you seek then a good place to start is with onlinembarankings.com to see which schools are ranked the best. If you are considering a career in law enforcement, you will want to research pay scales, types of careers and requirements. Like everything else in life, going back to school takes time, commitment and hard work.

Time is a factor also when considering a new college career. Most people have to work full time to make ends meet. In fact, many people work more than one job; especially if they have a family to support. College can take up a lot of your time and money and those are two things to consider before embarking on your college journey. Did you know that some college degrees do not even allow you to hold a job during your final semesters? If you choose law school, it is highly suggested that you focus on your studies and not hold a job during your final semesters. This can be a burden on many people. There are ways to ease the financial burder such as scholarships, grants and loans, but keep in mind that it can still hinder your ability to work due to class schedules, stress and fatigue. The good news is thousands of people go back to college each year and make it work successfully; you can too!

I still remember that when I first started going to school, I met Miss Jane there. She was the first teacher who helped me get adjusted in the school. Then every year when I got promoted in next class I met with new teachers who helped in one way or the other not only to develop my learning skills but also educated me in terms of understanding human values and ethics. When I moved to high school, I met with Mr Smith. Although I always used to get influenced by my teachers and still remember the names of all the teachers who taught me, but becoming a student of Mr Smith was a wonderful experience that I will never be able to forget in my life. Mr Smith used to be very friendly and he used to teach us by using very innovative and practical ways. Sometimes, if we did well in the class he also used to give us treats. He was very passionate about his teachings and his students. He used to be very concerned about the overall progress of all of his students in his class and we all were welcomed to go and meet him in the office whenever we needed his guidance. He was an IT professional and used to work as a freelancer after the school timing. It was then; I decided to be an IT professional by getting influenced from Mr Smith.

After my high school, I kept in touch with Mr Smith and used to call him often to seek guidance about my studies. He was a mentor to me and I used to turn to him whenever I needed his advice. When I got into my professional life after becoming a web developer I got so busy in my life that I could not contact him for quite a long time. And one day when I called his number I found that he had left that place. I never wanted to loss contact with my mentor and really wanted to find him. Suddenly, I thought about using directories to find him by his name and profession and after using so many directories finally I found his recent details using Canada 411. I dialled his new number and spoke to him. I was so glad that I did not loose my precious teacher and mentor.

So, if you are also looking to get back in touch with your teachers then online directories can get you connected with your lost contacts. Hats off to online directories!

Teaching English as a Second Language, or ESL can be an immensely rewarding experience. If you notice that you have a knack for teaching others, and are interested in learning about cultures other than your own, a career path as an ESL teacher could be perfect for you.

In addition to opportunities to enter the education system by using your skills abroad, many cities have ESL programs within the existing public schools system, so there are plenty of possibilities for teacher who are looking to explore the field.

Both potential and existing ESL teachers must possess a great deal of patience and perseverance. Depending on the type of teaching position you accept, you may be required to interact with students who have no knowledge of the English language. Therefore, if you decide to take an education job outside of the United States, it is useful to have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the language of the country in which you will be working.

Students will naturally want to speak in their native tongues, even within the ESL class. It is important to gently encourage them to use English as much as possible. Practice is one of the most effective ways to develop fluency, and the benefits are heightened when students are in a supervised environment such as a classroom.

Praise any improvements, no matter how small or seemingly inconsequential. Students thrive on positive feedback from teachers, and you will likely find that it will motivate them within their studies.

Finally, strive to make yourself approachable, and do not act too sternly regarding frequent grammar or spelling mistakes. Instead, point out mistakes in a friendly way and offer advice when requested. Always give the students a chance to work out the answers to their own questions instead of immediately offering the answer. By adopting the suggested principles above, you will be well on your way to teaching ESL with confidence!

The decision to become a teacher of English as a Second Language is the first step towards a career that will be constantly challenging but consistently rewarding. It will provide you with the opportunity to familiarize yourself with cultures on your own, while teaching skills that will benefit your students for a lifetime.

However, it is a major life choice and requires a lot of thought before making a commitment. Perhaps one of the best ways to discover whether a career in teaching ESL is right for you is to see if there are any opportunities for you to volunteer with an ESL class in your area. This will enable you to gain first-hand experience and a genuine understanding of what is involved in an ESL education career.

Most ESL volunteer programs will require participants to agree to attend classes for a specific amount of hours per week. Take any schedule restrictions into careful consideration so that you will not be put in the position of realizing that you won’t be able to fulfill your volunteer commitment. Never make the mistake of assuming that because you are a volunteer, your services are not valued. You will likely be working alongside qualified ESL teachers. They can not only share what they have learned through their own career with you, but will rely on you to be a steadfast presence in their classrooms.

Get to know the students you’ll be working with, and demonstrate to them that you are approachable and eager to help them develop their skills. Don’t be embarrassed if you get asked a question that you can’t answer. If you find yourself in that situation, ask the teacher for advice on how to proceed.

Volunteering to teach ESL can be a great way to understand what it’s all about without making a long-term decision to the extent that is required from qualified teachers.

Parents are the key component of a child’s educational success. Many things contribute to the final outcome of each student’s school record but the most important factor is parental involvement. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act has outlined in detail the requirements that must be met by schools. School standards include annual testing of elementary school students with results that continue to trend positively. Teachers are required to obtain degrees and certifications as outlined by the state and must be considered competent in the subjects they teach. Parental involvement is also addressed in NCLB along with the offer of many resources that parents can use to evaluate the education their children are receiving.

It is important for parents to become active participants in the educational process of their child’s life. Review of the progress report for a child’s school district will provide the statistics of both positive and negative trends within the district. Parents have access to this information and also have the right to request the qualifications of teachers within the district. It is up to each and every parent to take the proactive step of reviewing all information available to them and to create an educational plan for their child based on the schools available and the child’s need.

A parents duties include knowing what a school has to offer. In addition they should establish a good relationship with the teachers that are involved in their childrens education. Providing an education for your child is a process that begins at birth and continues throughout the school years both in the home and outside of it. The educational duties of parents do not end when their kindergarten students attend the first day of school. That day is just the begining of many years of growth that needs the full attention of every parent.

Studies have revealed that effective teachers can have a direct impact on the testing scores of their students. This highlights the direct connection of the successful teacher creating a student body that excels in the educational process. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB)act recognizes the connection that effective teacher’s have on the education of our children. Because of the fact that good teachers help to create strong programs, NCLB has included provisions within the act regarding qualifications of teachers. Teacher’s employed in Title I schools must be considered highly qualified. A Title I schools are part of a federal funding program that provides services to schools based on economic need.

To be considered a highly qualified teacher an individual must have obtained a bachelor’s degree, received certification as outlined by the state they are employed in and be competent in the subjects they teach. A student aide involved in the educational process of a Title I school must have an associates degree or two years of college. There are provisions within the act that allow the state to work with experienced teacher who have not yet met the qualifications required. Rural school district teachers who instruct multiple subjects can be competent in one core subject and work toward competency in other subjects.

Each state is required to publish a report card that outlines the current condition of their school districts. These report cards should reflect the qualifications of their teachers including the percentage of teachers that do not meet the “highly qualified” standard and the percentage of those who are teaching under emergency provisional credentials. Substitute teachers are also a part of the reporting process under NCLB. Notification is required when a substitute teacher who is not considered highly qualifed is responsible for a classroom for four weeks or more. The requirements outlined in NCLB make it important for future teachers to become proactive in their career search.

Anyone who is researching careers would be well advised to explore the teaching field. Teachers are in consistently high demand throughout the country. Although it is not a path that will bring unlimited wealth or fame, a career in education is extremely rewarding and is perfect for anyone who wants to make an impact on future generations.

Before making your final decision, there are several things to consider about a potential career in education. Throughout your experience, there will be numerous positive aspects. Notably, you will have a direct influence over the overall success of your students. This impact extends not only to the time they spend in your classroom, but also through their entire life, since you will be instilling knowledge and values that they can call upon as they move through life events.

Also, if you find that you have a desire to expand your current knowledge base related to a particular subject, teaching it is one of the best ways to do that. As you follow the curriculum required by the schools in which you are teaching, you will capitalize upon things you already knew, and reach a new level of understanding. You will be required to explain concepts in a variety of ways that will gently force you to consider alternatives other than the one that you learned previously. With time, you will realize that teaching a subject has helped widen your personal understanding of it in ways that you never thought possible.

Finally, another attractive benefit to becoming a teacher is the high likelihood that you will have summers off, unless you have to teach summer classes. And even so, most summer classes only last for a few hours per day, so are not as long as they might be during a traditional school year.

On one hand, some would argue that a standardized system makes for more realistic comparisons and progress tracking. On the other hand, many believe that No Child Left Behind overemphasizes statistical measurement and actually leaves children behind by discouraging individual education. Many teachers over the last decade have felt strongly enough about this to leave the profession. However, this has just increased the demand for teachers. Teachers have been known for being rather modestly paid, but lately their income is starting to better reflect the amount of work they do.

For those interested in taking advantage of the demand for new teachers, even if you’re already working and beyond standard college age, you still have options. If you have regular working hours, you can still pursue a degree from home. Elearners.com can connect you to a plethora of educational opportunities. You can get a bachelor’s degree by taking home courses via the Internet, and there’s even financial aid available. If your career path seems less than ideal, you may be well served to consider a future in teaching. Your pursuit of further education could lead to a great career in providing education.

President Obama is a strong supporter of a high quality education for Americas children. The President wants to ensure that a competitive education that will prepare our future society for success in a global economy is available to all students. A call for educational reform and stronger accountability of the nations schools are key goals of the current administration. The importance of parents taking more responsibility for their children’s education is also heavily promoted in the new educational campaign. In addition to requesting that parents become more involved, the need for quality teachers is also critical in the success of education. America’s previous strong status in the field of education worldwide has been replaced with a weakening system.

Preparing children to begin kindergarten has been identified as an important step towards a successful education. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included funding for early learning programs. These early learning programs aide with strengthening a young child’s development which will allow them to transition easily into a full time school setting.

Another identifed component that supports the success of our educational system is the teachers. The push for high quality teachers and their accountability is necessary to ensure continued progress in reaching the education goals outlined. School districts are responsible for hiring teachers that possess the qualifications required and holding them accountable for providing effective teaching.

The Race to the Top program was introduced in 2010 with both Phase I funding awarded in the spring and Phase II funding awarded in the fall. This competitive grant program awards funding to states that are implementing reforms within their school districts. Required areas for improvement include increased teacher effectiveness, improved collection of data, enhanced standards and turning around schools that are failing. Eleven states and the District of Columbia were awarded grant funding this year in the Race to the Top program.

Anyone who is considering a career in education should prepare themselves for a path that is rewarding, but comes with its share of challenges.

Whether pursuing a career in a public or private school, teachers must become accustomed to balancing their daily activities with a mixture of lesson planning, grading papers, creating tests, and of course, teaching classes.

As a teacher, you will have the opportunity to play a direct role in your students’ development as you introduce them to skill sets that will be useful for a lifetime. However, many teachers report that the most challenging part of their job isn’t teaching students, but managing the demands and expectations of parents and administrators. Therefore, a patient demeanor and constantly bright outlook will be very beneficial to anyone who is considering an education career.

Be prepared to be asked to thrive in a variety of environments, participating in many roles. Although your main goal will be to teach students, do not be surprised if you are called upon to finish administrative work, and have students that expect you to be a guidance counselor as much as a teacher. Your students may be going through a variety of things both at home in the classroom, and if they view you as an approachable source of support, they may come to you for advice. If you find yourself in a situation where the student is in danger, do not hesitate to pass the situation over to officials who have expertise in dealing with similar matters.

A teaching career can be very physically and mentally demanding because it requires a lot of multi-tasking and confidence under pressure. However, if you have a passion for making a lifelong impact on future generations, and can adapt to pressures from both inside and outside of the classroom walls, it could be a perfect career choice for you.

It was believed that by passing this law, instantly students would be scoring higher on tests, teachers would be overachieving in the classroom and school systems all over would be on an equal footing. In fact, lawmakers were estimating increases in college attendance with many students attending community colleges, local universities and classes on earnmydegree.com.

The problem that arose from this type of situation is that the No Child Left Behind law is often not enforced. The enforcement of this law requires that schools have a bit of an extra budget. Everyone knows how stretched schools are already and that money is a major issue. The money issue prevents schools from being able to afford the tutors, additional educational materials for struggling students and other items that are needed. If the budget was unlimited this would make the No Child Left Behind law a reality, but it doesn’t.

Another challenge that arises from this law is the inability to consider outside sources. Many under performing schools are those that are in low class neighborhoods. These children are often facing hunger, poor living conditions and parents that aren’t always home to help with the educational process. Since the law does not take into account these measures it penalizes the teacher and makes them responsible for something that is not their fault and cannot be controlled by them.

The No Child Left Behind law presents a lot of challenges to teachers and schools across the country.

Always the subject of controversy, The No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law in 2002 by President George W. Bush. Despite its best intentions, many people feel that its emphasis on standardized testing and uniform concepts was a move in the wrong direction. However, parents should know that there are several benefits for your children. However, you must play a proactive role in requesting that your child can avail of those advantages that are legally provided for them.

Depending on their test scores, your child may become eligible to transfer to a better school within their district, which could allow them to enroll in specialized classes that are tailored to their strengths and interests. Alternatively, their test results may enable them to qualify for free or low-cost tutoring sessions. As a parent, it is your responsibility to learn what is available for your child, and demand that they receive it as necessary.

Another benefit of the No Child Left Behind Act is that it helps some high-scoring schools to qualify for grants. These grants can then be used to hire the best teachers in the country and bring them to teach your child’s local district.

The Act also requires teachers to prove their competence in the classroom by possessing a bachelor’s degree and passing a stringent test in several core disciplines. These requirements also extend to teacher’s aides, who are usually required to have at least two years of education at the college level.

Finally, the law keeps the safety of students in mind by offering the ability to transfer to a “safe school”. This benefit could be used if students were victims of a violent crime, or if their presently attended school was identified as being a consistently dangerous environment.

Although there are many people who assert the disadvantages of the No Child Left Behind Act, there are several benefits that are of particular interest to the students and their informed parents.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was an act of congress regarding the education of children in the United States. The House of Representatives and the Senate passed the bill in 2001 and President George Bush signed it into law in January of 2002. This bill was established to promote educational reform and improve the achievements of American students. With NCLB educational standards have been developed along with the tools to measure the results of the standards set. The act does not include a national standard with each state setting the standards for their regions. School funding is tied to the educational results of No Child Left Behind which promotes the desire to achieve positive outcomes.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) provides a report card on the educational achievements of students at a national level and for specific assessments by state. The goals of NAEP is to compare educational achievements by state and to track the changes in achievement yearly. Progress reports provided by the NAEP since No Child Left Behind became law has indicated both consistent educational performance as well as improvement in many areas. There are arguments that statistics provided by NAEP are misleading and that the sources which information is gathered are hand picked.

Arguments of both the support of NCLB and denial that the law has made significant improvement to our educational system are plentiful. Critics of NCLB cite the unrealistic goals that have been set and issues with standardized tests as problems with associated with the law. They also present concerns that the school system is teaching the test. Supporters of No Child Left Behind beleive that the standards improve upon our educational system and allow everyone involved the ability to identify top performers. An important note for both critics and supporters is the fact that the No Child Left Behind act has increased the visibility of our educational system which will hold schools accountable for their performance.

Tutoring is available on subjects ranging from English to a GMAT prep course. A child may need tutoring for a number of reasons, and those reasons differ from one child to the next. In many cases, a teacher or a counselor may recommend to you that you put your child in a tutoring program. Additionally, you may decide to put your child in tutoring if he or she seems reluctant to complete homework or attend school, or displays feelings of wanting to give up. A student may also need tutoring if he or she displays a loss of interest in learning or a drop in self-esteem, anxiety prior to taking a test or increasing issues with homework. When grades begin to drop, this is a sign that your child needs assistance.

There are many benefits associated with tutoring. For example, tutoring provides personalized and one-on-one attention to the student. This can lead to instant improvements in grades by helping the student increase his or her understanding and knowledge of the subject in question. Tutoring can increase the child’s motivation to be successful while allowing the student to progress at his or her own pace. Tutoring allows for improvements in self-esteem as well as confidence while encouraging self-directed learning and higher levels of understanding and learning. Tutoring can also provide encouragement as well as feedback and praise while giving the student a chance to master previously misunderstood subjects. Tutoring is ideal for turning around dropping grades and reinforcing a love of learning in your child.