Here are a few of the most interesting articles I have come across dealing with college and the educational process in general. I have tried to select interesting, practical and timely stories for your consideration. If you would like to share your reaction, drop me an email on my contact page.
~Ruth
~Ruth
September: "UMass Amherst to Offer Three Year Degree Program: Amherst school, following national trend, cites costs" by Tracy Jan, Boston Globe
Colleges are aware that students and families are looking for ways to save on higher education. Many institutions of higher learning have developed a three-year plan for students, who want to complete their degrees earlier. Pros and cons to this system are discussed in this article.
Three Year Degree
Colleges are aware that students and families are looking for ways to save on higher education. Many institutions of higher learning have developed a three-year plan for students, who want to complete their degrees earlier. Pros and cons to this system are discussed in this article.
Three Year Degree
September: College-bound Kids with Learning Disabilities Get Help by Erin Banco, USA TODAY
Self-advocacy is one of the keys to success in college, especially if a student needs accommodations, based on a documented learning disability. This article discusses programs offered at various colleges to help students become more independent and advocate for their own needs.
Getting Help
Self-advocacy is one of the keys to success in college, especially if a student needs accommodations, based on a documented learning disability. This article discusses programs offered at various colleges to help students become more independent and advocate for their own needs.
Getting Help
August: Worn-out students choose a timeout
Not every college student starts directly after graduation from high school. Some find that taking a year off between high school and college, to work, volunteer, travel, or do an internship, teaches life skills, introduces them to the “real” world, allows them time to explore possible careers, and increases independence. More colleges are not just accepting of a gap year, but are encouraging and developing programs for students who are deferring the freshman year.
Timeout
Not every college student starts directly after graduation from high school. Some find that taking a year off between high school and college, to work, volunteer, travel, or do an internship, teaches life skills, introduces them to the “real” world, allows them time to explore possible careers, and increases independence. More colleges are not just accepting of a gap year, but are encouraging and developing programs for students who are deferring the freshman year.
Timeout
July: Financial Aid: Help Is on the Way by Alison Damast in Bloomberg Business
Changes have been made by the US Department of Education. In the era of rising tuition costs, these changes will benefit students navigating their way to college and their parents who are footing the bill. College planning often includes taking a look at scholarships, grants, and loans. Find out how our government is lending support to those who plan to take advantage of higher education opportunities.
Financial Aid
Changes have been made by the US Department of Education. In the era of rising tuition costs, these changes will benefit students navigating their way to college and their parents who are footing the bill. College planning often includes taking a look at scholarships, grants, and loans. Find out how our government is lending support to those who plan to take advantage of higher education opportunities.
Financial Aid
June: Before They Were Titans, Moguls and Newsmakers, These People Were...Rejected: At College Admission Time, Lessons in Thin Envelopes, by Sue Shellenbarger (from the Wall Street Journal Online)
Some of our most well known American figures explain their perspective on the dreaded college rejection letter, based on their own personal stories. Despite the initial disappointment, each attended another choice and found success, sometimes far different than planned. The rejection from one college (and sometimes more) spurred them on to find new paths, inspirational mentors, and enriching experiences, to became successful in their pursued passions.
Rejection
Some of our most well known American figures explain their perspective on the dreaded college rejection letter, based on their own personal stories. Despite the initial disappointment, each attended another choice and found success, sometimes far different than planned. The rejection from one college (and sometimes more) spurred them on to find new paths, inspirational mentors, and enriching experiences, to became successful in their pursued passions.
Rejection
May: College Corner: SAT or ACT? By Jacqueline Byrne, found in NY Times
Your rising junior is preparing to take one of the college entrance exams in the fall. Which one should he take? What are the differences between the SAT and ACT? This article gives varying opinions on how often to take the tests, the pros and cons of taking both, or how to decide on which one to take. Having a discussion with your child, his teachers, and counselor, may help make to make this final decision.
SAT or ACT?
Your rising junior is preparing to take one of the college entrance exams in the fall. Which one should he take? What are the differences between the SAT and ACT? This article gives varying opinions on how often to take the tests, the pros and cons of taking both, or how to decide on which one to take. Having a discussion with your child, his teachers, and counselor, may help make to make this final decision.
SAT or ACT?
April: Can I Get a Little Advice Here?: How an Overstretched High School Guidance System Is Undermining Students’ College Aspirations
Is your child ready to start the college search? Where will he and your family receive knowledgeable advice, individual attention, and helpful guidance to navigate through this tedious and often complicated process? Some think it is the public school's guidance counselor, but think again after you read this article. This report from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation reveals that too many high school graduates feel that their high school guidance counselors failed to appreciate them as individuals and often provided them with inadequate information when it came to the college application process. Download a copy of the report from the link below.
Can I Get a Little Advice Here?
Is your child ready to start the college search? Where will he and your family receive knowledgeable advice, individual attention, and helpful guidance to navigate through this tedious and often complicated process? Some think it is the public school's guidance counselor, but think again after you read this article. This report from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation reveals that too many high school graduates feel that their high school guidance counselors failed to appreciate them as individuals and often provided them with inadequate information when it came to the college application process. Download a copy of the report from the link below.
Can I Get a Little Advice Here?
March: "In Middle School, Charting Their Course to College and Beyond"by Winne Hu from The New York Times
Do you think Middle School is too early to start thinking about college and careers? See how some schools are planting the seeds to start this thought process, by having each student in grades 6 and beyond develop their own learning plan.
Charting Their Course to College and Beyond
Do you think Middle School is too early to start thinking about college and careers? See how some schools are planting the seeds to start this thought process, by having each student in grades 6 and beyond develop their own learning plan.
Charting Their Course to College and Beyond
February: "Making College Relevant" by Kate Zernike from The New York Times
We expect colleges to prepare students for future careers, and to become well-informed and productive citizens. In the article “Making College Relevant," learn how some colleges are changing to meet the needs of students, especially in tough economic times.
Making College Relevant
We expect colleges to prepare students for future careers, and to become well-informed and productive citizens. In the article “Making College Relevant," learn how some colleges are changing to meet the needs of students, especially in tough economic times.
Making College Relevant
January 2010: Can Video Games Teach Kids? by David Kushner
In this thought provoking article from Parade magazine, noted author David Kusher examines a New York City middle school where the curriculum is built around video games. (Click on the link to go to Parade magazine and read the article for yourself.)
"Can Video Games Teach Kids?"
In this thought provoking article from Parade magazine, noted author David Kusher examines a New York City middle school where the curriculum is built around video games. (Click on the link to go to Parade magazine and read the article for yourself.)
"Can Video Games Teach Kids?"