House Republican Introduces Education Bill

The bill was the third to emerge from Congress in three days, following both Democratic and Republican versions in the Senate this week.

Mr. Kline, Republican of Minnesota, said he was Ӏreducing the federal footprintԀ and had eliminated 70 programs previously financed under the law, which is an amendment to the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Mr. KlineҀs bill would remove all but the most basic requirements for states receiving federal money under programs intended to support schools and students from racial minorities and poor families as well as those learning English and students with disabilities.

Under Mr. KlineҀs bill, states would continue to administer standardized tests in reading and math from third through eighth grade, and once in high school. And like the Senate versions, Mr. KlineҀs bill adds science tests three times between third grade and the end of high school.

Schools would have to report test scores and show how different groups ׀ including racial minorities, the disabled and the poor ׀ perform on the tests. But states would have complete freedom to decide what should be on the tests and how to rate schools based on student scores.

The bill says that states must set academic standards but provides very little guidance beyond that. In a reference to the Common Core, standards for what children should learn in math and reading from kindergarten through high school that have been adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia, Mr. Kline said in a call with reporters that states were free to continue with those standards.

But, he said, Ӏwhat I object to and continue to object to is the federal department virtually coercing states into itԀ by requiring Ӏcollege- and career-readyԀ standards to qualify for grants and waivers releasing states from the most onerous conditions of No Child Left Behind, which mandated that all students reach proficiency in math and reading by 2014.

The bill requires states to administer teacher evaluations, but Mr. Kline said states would have Ӏan enormous amount of latitude on what that system would look like.Ԁ

In a statement, Representative George Miller of California, and the ranking Democrat on the House Education Committee, said that Mr. KlineҀs bill Ӏturns the clock back decades on student achievement, equity and accountability in American public education. Our children, teachers and schools deserve more than ideology when it comes to fixing our nationҀs education law.Ԁ

Mr. Kline said he was determined to move the bill out of the Education Committee this month.

View the original article here

The benefits and advantages of homeschooling

Homeschooling is a highly beneficial and wonderful way for parents to ensure that their children get the education they need in a more ideal setting.  Instead of attending government run schools or private schools, homeschooled students are taught at home by their parents or by private tutors.  Homeschooling began to increase in popularity during the 1980s and today, millions of families around the world home-school their children.  Some people may believe that homeschooling is unorthodox but in actuality,  before compulsory education was introduced in North America in the 1800s, children were commonly taught at home by their parents or by private tutors.  There are many benefits and advantages of homeschooling children that simply cannot be found in a traditional school structure.

Not all children think the same way and process information the same way.  Some children take a longer time grasping concepts and other children learn concepts more quickly than their same aged peers.  Homeschooling is a great way to educate children according to their skill level and needs.  The world is already a competitive place to live and work in and although children should be exposed to healthy competition, school should not be a place where children constantly feel embarrassed because they are having difficulties understanding the subject material.  Children who are homeschooled can work at their own pace and accelerate their studies in subjects that they are skilled in, as well as slowing down to better understand topics that are difficult for them.

Parents who home-school have much more freedom to structure their familiesҀ schedules than parents who send their children to school.  Homeschoolers can learn at anytime, not just between Monday to Friday in the mornings and afternoons.   Family vacations can be scheduled during off-peak travel times instead of during the high-peak times when school is out.  Home-schooling families may choose to educate their children all-year round instead of taking the entire summer off.  Many families who home-school rely on one income but it is not necessary for one parent to quit their job in order to home-school.  Because homeschooling schedules are so flexible, parents who work from home or who are able to set their own work hours can structure their childrenҀs learning time around working hours.  Homeschooling families can spend much more time together and build closer family bonds.  Homeschooling is also less expensive than private schools.

Homeschooled children have more time and freedom to pursue their interests and passions than children who attend schools.  Students who attend school have limited time to pursue their interests because of homework and rigid school hours.  Because homeschooled students can structure their learning schedules according to their preferences, they are free to work or focus more on extra-curricular activities like soccer or playing the violin.  The amount of hours required to home-school are much shorter than school hours because there is no time wasted on taking attendance, lining up to go to the washroom and settling down disruptive students.  Having shorter hours for homeschooling means that children and parents have more freedom to pursue personal and family interests at their own leisure.  Homeschooled children are not exposed to as many germs as are children who attend school, so homeschooled students are generally in better physical health.

One of the biggest benefits of homeschooling is that children are free from peer pressure and bullying and they are able to be themselves.  Some students attending school are bullied so badly that they contemplate committing suicide.  Some students have already committed suicide due to the emotional pain from bullying.  Because they learn from their homes, homeschooled students are largely protected from bullying and they are free to choose their own friends.  Many large cities are home to diverse homeschooling groups where homeschooling families can get together and learn from each other and make friends.  Some families choose to home-school their children from kindergarten all the way through to high school and other families home-school for a shorter time.  Whether a child has been homeschooled throughout their life or for just a short time, they will greatly benefit from the security and the scholarly advantages that homeschooling provides.

Tips, Note Taking Exercises for Middle School Students

Effective note taking and reading skills require discipline and practice. Students who work hard on note-taking skills are more likely to be prepared for class, comprehend course content and focus on the topic at hand. Students can employ several strategies to make note taking second nature. Being an active listener, developing a personal system and cultivating connections with your teachers help you become a well-rounded student.


Be Engaged

Listening skills are paramount when learning to become a proficient note taker. If you are an active and engaged listener, it will be easier to capture the most critical information that is shared by your teacher. To become an active listener, you can, if possible, sit in the front of the class. This will allow you to focus on what the teacher is saying both verbally and non-verbally. Also, when you hear what your teacher is saying, relate it to something that hits home for you and imagine a picture of it in your head. As your critical thinking skills kick in, ask clarifying questions. Ask a friend to share a story with you and then repeat the story back to them. The more your practice your listening skills the better you will become.

Develop a System

When you are taking notes, it is important that you write down the main points of the lecture. Instead of writing down every word, craft an outline that represents the story that your teacher is sharing. Use your own system for expressing the information as you put it on paper. For example, try shortening words or using images to describe a concept. It is OK if you are the only one who can interpret your notes as long as they make sense to you. Create a personal short-hand system and apply it to a passage in one of your textbooks by rewriting the paragraph. Read and reread your paragraph until your system becomes second nature.

Know Your Teacher

Think of your teacher as a mystery you need to solve. Each teacher has a unique style, and if you focus on both verbal and non-verbal cues, you will start to pick up on important points. For example, does your teacher write something on the board when it is going to be included in a test? Your teacher might even phrase information in the exact way it will be worded on a quiz. Does your teacher change the pace of the lecture or increase the volume of her voice when a piece of information is critical? Create a profile of each of your teachers and include the cues that relate to identifying important lecture points. This exercise will help prepare you as you take notes in class.

Review and Revise

One of the most important things you can do after a class is to review and revise your notes. Rereading your notes will help you remember the information and prepare for tests or assignments. As you read your notes, consider adding information you didnҀt originally include. Sometimes, when you are frantically trying to write down everything that is said in a lecture, it is easy to leave out some information. Rewrite your notes so that they are organized and make sense to you.

Tips, Differences Between Private & Public High Schools

You naturally want the best possible education for your kids. The question then becomes: which is best? Public school or private? The answer's going to be different for everyone because public and private schools both have advantages and disadvantages that must be weighed. Here are some of the major distinctions between them, keeping in mind that the particular characteristics of schools near you might vary.

Tuition or Taxes
Private school tuition can be a real budget-buster for most families, especially with more than one child in private school. In 2008, it cost an average of more than $10,000 per year at a non-religious private secondary school. Meanwhile, as a property owner, you could still be paying school taxes on top of those tuition bills. In highly taxed states such as New York, school taxes may be as much as 3 percent of a home's value. That can easily match the tuition figures of most private schools.

Student Performance
The Council for American Private Education says on average private school students outperform their public counterparts; but although that may confirm some stereotypes, other recent research says that's not really the case. According to the study by the Center on Education Policy, a student's prior success in school and socioeconomic status are more influential than type of school. So, a private school may not turn Bobby or Susie into a genius; likewise, Bobby or Susie won't lose brain cells just because they're in the same school as all the other kids in the neighborhood.

College Prospects
The same study from the Center on Education Policy does suggest, however, that private schools have a leg up when it comes to college preparation. Private schools seem to produce higher SAT scores because curriculum emphasizes critical thinking skills over memorization; private school kids aren't covered by state-mandated tests that rely on the "drill and kill" style of test prep.

Student Life
Ultimately, look beyond the wallet and the classroom for the biggest differences. Do you want your child to have a religious emphasis not available in the public setting? Does your public school offer a wider array of sports and activities? Does a private school offer unique activities? Are you looking for a more-intimate setting for your children or a larger one where they can meet a wide range of people? The answers to these questions may go a long way toward determining which type of school is a better fit for your kids.

Private High Schools Vs. Public High Schools, Which do you choose?

Most teenagers attend high school for three to four years. During this time they make the initial transition from child to early adulthood. Finding the right high school to match your son or daughter's interests is vital. High schools can be publicly funded institutions or private schools. Each choice has both advantages and disadvantages.

Private High Schools
Private high schools can be found all over the United States as well as abroad. Private high schools may be further divided into two categories: private day schools and private boarding schools. Day schools are schools where students attend class and then go home to their own homes. Boarding schools are schools where students take class and then room on a campus adjacent to the classroom. A private high school may be secular institution or one based around religious principles.

Public High Schools
Public high schools are schools that have free admission to all students living in a particular school district. Taxpayers fund nearly all aspects of the school, from teachers' salaries to books to classroom aids. A public high school may be a large institution with thousands of students attending, or much smaller with only a handful of students bussed in from many different parts of the county.

Private High School Advantages
Private high schools have many unique advantages. Many such schools are extremely well endowed by past alumni. As a result they can offer students access to well-maintained athletic fields, pleasantly landscaped campuses and varied course materials. School administrators have a great deal of liberty when it comes to choosing instructors. They can hire a published novelist even though she has no teaching credentials. Class size in private high school tends to be much smaller as well. Students who are interested in a particular subject such as Latin can find a class to meet their desire to explore that subject without restrictions.

Public High School Advantages
Public high school attendance also has advantages. Students can learn to interact with people from a wide variety of backgrounds, thus mastering one of life's most essential skills. A student may also have more study opportunities in large public high school rather than a small, rural private school. Most public high schools are located near a student's home, making it easier to attend.

Private High School Disadvantages
Private high schools charge tuition to attend that is usually thousands of dollars per year. Most families cannot afford this sum. Private high schools may have a very homogeneous student population, making students ill equipped to work with others who don't share their beliefs or culture.

Public High School Disadvantages
Attending a public high school can mean lack of access to resources. Public high schools are usually funded via property taxes. Some districts do not have resources to fund local high schools. Students may face inexperienced teachers, broken down facilities, outdated textbooks and unmotivated fellow classmates.

Tips, How to Transfer From a Public to Private High School?

There is an on-going debate about the benefits of private education over public education, but whatever the reasons you choose a private high school over a public one, there are a few obstacles you may need to overcome. Public high schools receive government funding and have to accept everyone, where many private schools pick and choose people from certain demographics for their student population. The process may seem overwhelming, but staying organized can make a huge difference.

1. Decide which private school you want to transfer to from your high school. There are independent schools, parochial schools and proprietary schools. There might be constraints based on previous test scores, grade point average or tuition affordability. Independent schools tend to be the most expensive, whether they board or not, and parochial schools tend to be the least expensive.

2. Obtain admission materials from the private high school. This is something you want to do early in the school year, so you can apply for the following year. Some places require even earlier application. Keep a day-planner or a list so you do not miss any deadlines.

3. Send in your application forms to the private high school and take any admissions tests or standardized testing required by the private high school.

4. Apply for any scholarships, grants or financial aid you may need to cover your tuition and other costs or fees for the private school. Admissions Quest and the National Association of Independent Schools both have lists of scholarship and grant programs to help people who might need financial aid. Your new private school also might have financial aid available for students in certain circumstances.

5. Make sure the credits you already have can transfer over. If some do not, you have to take extra classes or may be able to "test out" of those credits.

6. Ensure the public high school sends your transcripts and records to the private high school. The schools may work this out on their own, but following up helps you get the peace of mind of knowing it is taken care of. It also makes you look professional and mature to the private school.

How to instill life learning in the home school

Life learning always has started in the home. It seems it is therefore very appropriate that this be part of a home schooled child's curriculum. Children tend to blossom when they are being taught in a hands on learning environment. The biggest help is to just let THEM do it. Here are some ideas of ways to promote learning from life in to your home school curriculum.

Service: The best way to teach a child to serve and care for others is to give them the opportunity to do so. Plan activities like visiting senior centers, or picking up trash before playing at the park. The more they serve with you by their side, the more likely they are to grow into adults that serve.

Finances and Math: Start by teaching them to work and save for the things they want. There are several methods from paying them for each job they do, to giving an allowance if they complete the jobs assigned during the week, to even encouraging them to start their own business. When a child has to work for money, they value it more, and are more likely to save it for things they really want or need. Next, teach them to use a checkbook and register. Although the plastic credit/debit card is taking over, checks are still a handy thing to know how to use. When they reach an age that they can comprehend a little more, teach them about percentage rates, loans, mortgages, and other things they will have to know to survive life on their own someday. Once a child learns how to figure percentages let them figure out the discounts on merchandise they want to buy. The more they know and do when they are young, the less likely they will fall into the discouraging pitfall of debt, and the more they will remember the lessons learned.

Self-Reliance: It's good to include in your home school regiment the teaching of self-reliance skills. If you lack a skill that you wish your child could learn, sewing for example, look into what kind of programs are available. The 4-H program can be found in most counties and states, and offers many classes led by volunteer instructors. Classes range from horseback riding to bread baking. To know what is available go to your county 4-H office. Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are also good programs for learning skills to make one independent.

Friendship: The only downfall to home school is the lack of social involvement. There are ways around this however. One way is to create home school groups that can meet once a week or more in person. It gives children the opportunity to gain social skills, and gives adults a chance to swap ideas making the whole home school experience better for child and parent. Another way to teach friendship, is to get your child involved in extracurricular activities. Youth theater camps, clubs, sports, and music are just a few ideas. If you can get them out of the house and interacting with other kids and adults, it's easy to teach social skills by guiding and correcting where needed.

Reading: Asking a young child to help read the names of stores, road signs, can labels, news paper articles, and other simple objects, can help them learn to read. Reading fun books out loud to them from you, and the other way around at night can help a child gain a love for reading. This is a life skill that they will carry into adulthood, and will enrich their lives for continual growth and learning.

In conclusion, yes there should be time set aside for traditional studies, but learning is a life long process, so why not let them learn from doing as well as studying.

The role encouragement plays in home schooling

Encouragement is an often overlooked but very crucial part of home schooling for both child and parent. The old adage "two heads are better than one" applies also to encouragement . Parents as well as children need regular words of comfort or inspiration from others around them. Who doesn't like to hear a few words of kindness to keep us focused and productive every so often. Have you ever found yourself feeling discouraged, weary or just plan tired of the daily rituals? After awhile things can become repetitive, a going through the motions if you will. And just when you thought you couldn't stand it another minute someone gives you a few words of appreciation and encouragement that brighten your day. You can't run a car off of air or wishful thinking so the same applies to each of us as well. We don't need gas to go but we do need thoughtful words and a little compassion from those around us to give us the desire to do our best.

When it comes to home schooling a child no matter what the age in order to get their best the parent must understand the important part encouragement plays. With small children in grades K-3 repetition is key in learning no matter what the subject is you are teaching them. As an adult it is easy to forget that because we have already learned well beyond what we are teaching their minds have yet to completely grasp the concepts. Also lets not forget that school work even when done in a home environment is still school work to any child. We all remember how quickly we became tired and dread filled us at the thought of another science report or history assignment. With all the planning and at times chaos that can go on during the year don't miss an opportunity to say a few words to inspire and complement your child. Thankfully there are several ways to encourage your child and they are a fun and easy. One great way is to find a trustworthy home schooling website just for home schooled children.

There are usually chat areas (safely monitored) where they can talk and share experiences with other kids just like them. There are also great educational games to play and articles to read written by other home schooled children. Another highly suggested idea is to be apart of a local home school group, one that meets several times a month so your child can learn as well as play with others in this unique setting. The best way to encourage any child is always from the parents mouth. Remember your child is an investment and you will always get out what you put into them. If all you put in is frustration, complaints, or irritating sighs guess what your child will become discouraged and less productive as a result. You are sacrificing so much to be at home and teach your child an outstanding education why would you hurt that with a negative attitude. When you tell your child "Great Job, your doing an awesome job today or wow! I'm so proud of you" your not just helping them to stay determined but they will also begin to become your encouragement as well.

Finally don't forget that just like children need encouragement so does the parent especially since there is usually one primary parent who does most of the home schooling. Some days seems like they run together it's been so long since you've left the house and feeling like your stuck in a rut doesn't take long. We all need an outlet and a fresh breath of air sometimes so don't deny yourself this necessary comfort . It is much easier to be a source of strength for your children when you yourself are being up lifted by others. A simple way to recharge your outlook is to be a part of a home schooling group on the internet. Cafemom.com has an outstanding site just for home school moms with new postings daily from encouragement to advice.

Also dependable friends to go out with and talk to are always a great comfort. Getting involved with a local home school or supportive church group can be a just what you need. The old proverb " two are better than one, when one lies down the other keeps them warm" is so true and puts the important focus of the other spouse's roll in home school setting. If one is doing most of the teaching the other should be breathing inspiration and strength into there partner. There is no doubt home schooling can be very demanding and seem repetitive at times. Which is why a few simple words of kindness or a choice to take a deep breath before speaking can bring new strength and inspiration into each day.

How to deal with education loans after school

Well, When someone reaches graduation usually wants to get rid of student debt as fast as possible in order to move on to another stage of his financial life. However, this is not always an easy task. Student debt accumulates and prevents graduated students from repaying the whole debt in a speedy manner. Sometimes students spend years paying just the interests on their loans while the principal remains intact.

Moreover, student loans usually have a mere 6 month grace period after graduation that lenders seem to think is enough time for someone to get a permanent job and a steady income. This is not always true; in fact, it takes far more than that to find a job. And those lucky enough to get hired within this period, usually get part-time jobs or temporary jobs which do not provide a good enough income to meet the loans' installments.

#Student Consolidation Loans

This situation forces students to resort to student consolidation loans so they can reduce the amount of their monthly payments and if possible reduce the amount of money paid on interests too. Furthermore the sole reduction of the number of outstanding loans cuts hundreds of dollars on administrative fees that are usually charged separately (though sometimes included in the interest rate).

Student Consolidation loans help by reducing the monthly payments; however, they will not speed up the debt reduction process unless you undertake other measures in order to boost their effects. There are many additional actions you can take in order to start eliminating debt more quickly so you can become debt free in a few years.

#Cut On Unnecessary Expenses And Postpone Costly Actions

Till you find a permanent job, you can aid your debt reduction process by cutting on redundant expenses such as dinning out, attending to clubs every weekend, etc. Also, it will not kill you to keep sharing an apartment till you can afford rent on your own while managing to pay for your loan at the same time.

Basically, unless after paying for your loan monthly installment you have enough money to cover for any unexpected event, do not get into more unnecessary expenses and use the money to pay off the loan's principal sooner or build some savings for emergencies.

#Forbearances

Another option if you find yourself in a tight situation is to request your consolidation loan lender forbearance. Forbearance is a period of time during which the loan payments will be suspended. Make sure you use this time to solve whatever problem is preventing you from making your monthly payments and also to build some savings to cover for unexpected events in case this comes to happen again.

Most lenders offer forbearances only once a year and some of them only offer one in the whole life of the loan, so make sure you really need it before requesting this grace period. Otherwise if another unexpected event takes place you will not be able to use this tool and will have to resort to other finance sources worsening your debt problems.

Towson University at the Universities at Shady Grove

Molly Caitlin Counihan Endowed Scholarships

Benefits
Endowed scholarship is awarded to a student entering the Towson University dual certification program in Elementary and Special Education at the Universities at Shady Grove.

Eligibility
Must be transferring from Montgomery College to the USG/Towson Education program.
Must have at least a 2.75 GPA.
Incoming junior or senior.

For more information, visit http://www.shadygrove.umd.edu/academics/undergraduate/education/info-bs-elem-ed/elem-sped. 

U.S. News Ranks Top Online Degree Programs

See which schools are tops for online bachelorҀs and masterҀs degrees.

Online course enrollment in the United States hit an all-time high in 2010 with more than 6.1 million students, and the trend shows no signs of leveling off, according to a 2011 report by the Babson Survey Research Group.
Enrollment in online classes doubled between 2007 and 2011, driven largely by a stagnant economy and competitive job market, but also by robust online offerings from established public and private institutions, according to the report. At more than 2,500 colleges and universities surveyed, 65 percent of administrators say that online learning is a vital piece of their institution's long-term strategy.
Recognizing the growing importance of online education in the college experience, and the unique formula necessary to make online degree programs successful, U.S. News is releasing its first Top Online Education Programs rankings.
U.S. News ranked 196 online bachelor's degree programs and 523 online master's degree programs in business, engineering, nursing, education, and computer information technology. Programs considered for the rankings needed to have at least 80 percent of their course content available online.
Bachelor's programs were ranked in three distinct categories: student engagement and assessment, student services and technology, and faculty credentials and training. Master's programs had similar ranking categories, but were ranked on student engagement and accreditation, rather than assessment, and had a separate indicator ranking for admissions selectivity.
[See the methodologies behind the Top Online Programs rankings.]
The U.S. News honor roll lists single out schools that ranked in the top third across at least three of these indicator rankings. Honor roll lists were compiled for online bachelor's degree programs and master's degree programs in nursing, business, education, and engineering. Online master's programs in computer information technology have no honor roll because too few programs from the smaller universe of schools met the criteria.
While for-profit institutions such as the University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and American Public University are among the schools with the highest enrollments in online programs, no for-profit institutions received honor roll distinctions. Instead, a handful of public and private institutions with established on-campus programs, in addition to online offerings, received high marks across all categories.
The top performers in online bachelor's degree programs include Pace University in New York and the University of Florida. Auburn University in Alabama made the honor roll for its online master's programs in education and engineering, and George Washington University's master's programs earned the Washington, D.C., school mentions in the education, business, and nursing honor rolls.

How does online homeschooling work?

Online homeschooling has made teaching children at home much easier than before the Internet was available. The option of using online curriculum resources has made homeschooling cheaper than traditional methods while opening up more topics for children to explore and learn. There are a few different ways to utilize online homeschooling curriculum.

Online charter schools

One option for homeschooling online is to use a charter school. While there are private schools that offer this method, most of the charter schools are run by the state and offered for free. Most of these state-run programs provide a computer to the student to use while they are using the program. The student logs in to view his assignments for the day. Most of the assignments are completed on the website. Books and other material necessary to complete the assignments are provided for additional help. The student is allowed to do as much work as he is capable of. What doesn't get completed gets added to the next day's work load. If he completes his work, he is free to move on to the next day's assignments. This allows the student to work at his own pace.

Students who utilize a charter school have the ability to receive tutoring from teachers that work for the school. They receive evaluations and testing just like children in public schools. Some schools even have dances or other social gatherings for the students to attend, as well as graduation ceremonies and diplomas. Therefore, the child receives the same benefits as if she attended a public school while having the opportunity to learn at home.

Free or paid resources

While online charter schools are a great option, many parents choose not to use them. Instead, they subscribe to sites that offer lesson plans, such as Time4Learning or Monarch. The prices vary from one site to the next. Many parents save money by utilizing free resources online. One way to accomplish this is to take the time to locate resources to teach each subject. Homeschooling parents typically look for lessons as well as videos and hands-on activities to ensure the child receives a multi-sensory education. Others utilize websites that have gathered these resources and organized them into weekly lesson plans, such as Lesson Pathways.

There was a time, before the Internet, when parents who home educated had to pay high prices for boxed curriculum or work with the resources available at the public library. Now that almost everyone has access to a computer, online homeschooling has opened doors to more options and resources for homeschooling families. This presents parents with the opportunity to offer their children the best education possible from the comfort of their own home.

Back to school shopping survival guide

Back to school shopping can be quite stressful, especially if you have multiple children to shop for. There are so many items that children need for school that it can be difficult to keep track of all the items that you need to shop for. It is important that you supply your children with what they need for school without breaking your budget. You can make your back to school shopping less stressful so that you can focus on getting your children prepared for the new school year. With careful planning, you could even save yourself some money by shopping the sales.

First of all, you need to obtain a list of school supplies that you children will need, if available. Some schools with give their lists to local stores, or even have them available online. This typically applies to elementary aged children, but for middle school and high school it will all depend on what classes they are taking. In middle school and high school they will need a lot of notebooks, folders, pens, and a good back pack for general supplies. Some class specific items they may need would be art supplies or a scientific calculator.

Get exactly what is required on the list. Some schools get pickier and ask for certain brands and I would recommend that you abide by them, because they choose a specific brand for a reason, and it would be terrible if you had to purchase another one later on. For children who are in middle school and high school, you will want to make sure you purchase plenty of notebooks, filler paper, folders, pens and pencils. Math classes can require basic calculators or scientific calculators, which can be a large purchase. Check for sale on these types of items.

Make sure that your children have something to carry their items home with, such as a backpack. Most schools frown upon backpacks that have wheels on them, so you will want to stay away from them. This is a way to get your child excited for the back to school season is by bringing them to the store to shop with you, and allowing them to choose items in your price range. Bringing the items home for them can be discouraging in their eyes. Also shop early and shop sales. There are many items that you can get at huge discounts when you shop the weekly sales at your major retail stores such as Walmart and Target.

Start shopping for clothing and shoes shortly after they get out of school. If you want to shop for the best prices, the early bird gets the worm. Selections get terrible the closer to the school season it is, so shopping early really pays off. Set each child on a budget for school shopping, and let them know if they want that expensive pair of jeans, they are going to get less clothes. This also helps children learn how to spend money properly. Shop discount stores to maximize your savings.

Go to school orientation with your child. This will help them get pumped for the school season by seeing some of their old friends, and it may also calm a child's nerves when starting in a new school. You can help them find their classes and even meet their teachers. These tips will help you survive the back to school shopping and get your children off on the right feet.

Homeschool unit study - beginning money and economics

Teaching young children about money and economics is an important part of every education. This homeschool unit study is designed for young children in kindergarten or first and second grades. Not only does it teach the homeschool child to recognize and count both coins and paper money, it will teach them how to manage their money effectively.

Beginning economics homeschool unit study covers basic supply and demand, profits and loss, and budgeting.

Money and Economics Vocabulary

The homeschool unit study should include the names of monetary units such as penny, nickel, dime, quarter, and dollar. Also include general finance terms like money, save, spend, and budget. Build the vocabulary and spelling list based on the grade level of your student.

Money and Economics Reading and Writing

Any library books about money or finances would be great for the homeschool unit study on money and finances. Some popular titles include: "The Coin Counting Book," "Funny Money," and "The Story of Money." Search the catalog at your local library for more. Any of these books would provide a great opportunity to write a basic fiction or non-fiction book report.

Your child might also like to read a book about the early systems of trade such as bartering, the National Mint where money is made, and stories about owning a shop or starting their own business. Writing a business plan for something simple like a lemonade stand is good practice.

Money and Economics Math Skills

When working with money and economics, math skills come into play a lot. While you can find money worksheets to print out for your homeschool unit study, it might be more fun to use real world examples. Go to a store and let your child add up the purchase prices to see what the total cost will be. Or set up a pretend store at home and your homeschool child can purchase toys or other items.

Money and Economics Arts and Crafts

The money and economics homeschool unit study can be rounded out by creating your very own piggy bank to save money in. Use a large plastic jar, four empty thread spools, a milk bottle top and some construction paper. Glue the spools on one side of the jar for the pig's legs. The milk bottle top should be glued onto the plastic jar lid as the pig's nose. Use the construction paper to make pig ears and a curly tail. A grown up can cut a slot in the top of the pig for the money to be put in.

Tips: Finding money for college

Finding money for college can be a difficult task, especially with the economy as it is. Luckily, there are a few options when it comes to getting college at a lower price so that getting the money for college isn't as difficult. These options might not be for everyone, but they definitely can help get some ideas flowing for those having a tough time rounding up resources.

One such option is going to a community college instead of a four year college to knock out some of those prerequisites. When the desired number of classes are taken, then the student can transfer those credits to the college of their choice. This way, college students only have to pay a community college price for some of the classes that are unrelated to their degree that they're going to have to take anyway! It is important, however, to know ahead of time which classes will transfer and which won't so that money is not wasted on a class that will not transfer.

Another option for cheaper college is tuition free colleges. There are several tuition free colleges which are colleges that charge nothing for tuition. Of course, the college do get SOMETHING but each college that offers this has their own catch. By completing a program from a school that doesn't charge tuition, students can get a four year degree and leave college owing no money on loans. This can definitely give peace of mind as most people who leave college take a large chunk of debt with them.

A final option to try is going to college through work. Many employers will pay a decent percentage of an employee's tuition. This varies with each employer as do the rules. Some employers require that the degree program be related to the job and many require a certain grade point average to be attained. This usually works on a reimbursement program which means that the student pays for the tuition ahead of time and then the employer reimburses the student after they complete their semester. Often employees interested in the tuition reimbursement program must get this settled with the company before the semester begins to qualify for the reimbursement.

It is important to figure out a plan of action in affording college before applying to schools so that a surprise tuition bill doesn't show up and there is no money to pay it. There are several options and ways students can get the education they desire at a lower cost.

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There Will Be Grades: Oilman's Son Goes to College

I've been reading Oil! by Upton Sinclair, the book upon which the movie There Will Be Blood is based. So far, it's not much like the film. It's told in a deceptively folksy manner by a narrator who sometimes speaks directly to the reader. The main character is not John Ross, the father (in the book he's called "Dad" and in the movie he was Daniel Day Lewis), but Bunny, his son (who is John Ross, Jr.). "Dad" is an industrious oil man who ensures his success with some casual swindling and genteel bribery, while looking out for his men and his son. Unlike in The Jungle, there's nothing horrific here yet, although one man falls in an oil well and can't be pulled out in one piece. The focus isn't on the horrors of the oil field but the subtler machinations of accumulating wealth.

I'm only halfway through so I'm guessing things are going to get ugly, but I've just begun Chapter 10, "The University," and I was struck by the opening paragraphs. They seem to encapsulate very efficiently the relationship among money, power, ideology, education, and ambition that can often be seen in American higher education culture. Sinclair's voice here is very sly and indirect, but the implications are unmistakable; he describes a prominent university built on questionable foundations and seems to delight in telling us how Ross enters the picture. Here is the description of the  university and its founding around the time of World War I:

Southern Pacific University had been launched by a California land baron as a Methodist Sunday school; its professors were all required to be Methodists, and it features scores of religious courses. It had grown enormous upon the money of an oil king who had bribed half a dozen successive governments in Mexico and the United States, and being therefore in doubt as to the safety of his soul gave large sums to professional soul-savers. Apparently uncertain which group had the right "dope," he gave equally to both Catholics and Protestants, and they used the money to denounce and undermine each other.


When Ross visits campus to see Bunny, he also meets the university's president:

Still more reassuring was his meeting with President Alonzo T. Cowper, D.D., Ph.D., LL.D. For Doctor Cowper was in the business of interviewing dads; he had been selected by his millionaire trustees because of his skill in interviewing trustees. Dr. Cowper knew how a scholar could be at the same time dignified and deferential. Our Dad, being thoroughly money-conscious, read the doctor's mind as completely as if he had been inside it: if this founder of Ross Consolidated is pleased with the education his son receives, he may someday donate a building for teaching oil chemistry, or at least endow a chair of research in oil geology. And that seemed to Dad exactly the proper attitude for a clergyman-educator to take; everybody in the world was in the business of getting money, and this was a very high-toned way.

The transformation of ill-gotten wealth to "high-toned" educational pursuits seems perfectly sensible to Dad and Bunny, the idea being that the ends justify the means:

Both Dad and Bunny took the university with the seriousness it expected. Neither of them doubted that money which had been gained by subsidizing political parties, and bribing legislators and executive officials and judges and juries---that such money could be turned at once into the highest type of culture, wholesale, by executive order.

Some time into his first year at SPU, however, Bunny realizes that his English course

was cruelly dull, and that the young man who taught it was bored to tears by what he was doing; that the 'Spanish' had a French accent, and that the professor was secretly patronizing bootleggers to console himself for having to live in what he considered a land of barbarians; that the 'Sociology' was an elaborate structure of classification, wholly artificial, devised by learned gentlemen in search of something to be learned about; and that the Modern History was taught from text-books which had undergone the scrutiny of thousands of sharp eyes, in order to spare the sensibilities of Mr. Pete O'Reilly [a rival oil baron], and avoid giving any student the slightest hint concerning the forces which control the modern world.

Sinclair presents university education as a veneer as well as a money-laundering scheme. But Bunny is also exposed to a professor who insists that students "think for themselves" and talks to Bunny in secret about the various aspects of the Bolshevik Revolution (on peril of losing his job). Bunny, already a character who tries to see beyond the surface, is highly influenced by these conversations, which disturbs Dad and also results in a file being kept on him by mysterious agents and informers.

In the book, nothing is pure, nothing untainted by corruption of some kind. What interesting about Dad is that he wants and respects money but doesn't seem interested in it as an end; it's great to have but his pleasure seems to be the wheeling and dealing as well as the hard work that are needed to get it. We'll see what happens as Bunny makes his way through college and brings his moral compass (already compromised) to bear on his father's life and business.

Tips: Guide to the first steps for the homeschooling parent

Home Schooling - A Guide to the First Steps for the Home Schooling Parent

Schooling at home means learning and gain a certificate from home. The online education system makes it all more easier these days to do so. However there are some questions that you as a parent would  like answered before making your final choice

Q: What is schooling at home?
A: Schooling at home means, your child can study just like any other child at school would do with the exception that he/she study at home and "attending" classes by using the internet. This kind of education is getting very popular as it gives you some interesting options which are not available in regular academic system.

Q: What subjects are available for schooling at home?
A: Most of the subjects that are available today are taught on internet home schooling. The subjects include all normal subjects that are presented in a traditional public school. However, it is important to note that some subjects that require more practical exercises will require more effort and time as there is no tutor at hand while experiments are conducted.


Q: What is the difference between a home schooling at home and going to a public school?
A: There is not much difference between online home schooling and going to a public school. The major difference is that a home schooling student can get a certificate from a good academic institution without going to the school in person and it allows children form countries with not such acclaimed education system to study at a better school.  Home schooling on the internet is a very good solution for those children who may not be able to go to another country to obtain good quality education. It enables them to stay at home and still can earn certification from a good institution. This option is also much less costly, especially if you take traveling, and general living cost into account.

Q: Where can I get the information regarding to schooling at home?
A: You will get all the important information from the Internet. You make a search about schooling at home. You can be more specific by entering the specific location, and level of education that you are looking for. You will have various options to select the best option for your child's specific requirements.

Before you go for select a specific on line schooling site, make sure that it is authentic, accredited and certified by the authorities. Unfortunately there are many on line cheats that prey on students to earn an income in a fraudulent way.

Q: How to get yourself admitted for schooling at home?
A: You have to contact the home school provider and provide them with all the required information for admittance. The institution will then verify your details and inform you if you are accepted to study on line with them. Once selected,  they will provide you with information on how to move forward in order to complete the registration and payment process.

Q: Are there a difference in the value of a certificate obtained from a public school and home schooling?
A: There are no distinction between the value of a public school and home schooling certificate. However, this is said with the understanding that the institution you make use of is registered and acknowledged as an authentic educational institution with the relevant Department of Education.

Comparing homeschooling and traditional education

There are many different types of homeschooling methods used today. Each parent must decide which method or methods are best for their child. But, that can be a very difficult decision, when you don't know the difference. Once a parent understands the different homeschooling methods, they can make the decision for what will best suit their child.

Structured learning which is the most like a traditional school environment. Student's work out of texts at specified times. This is the first type that most parents implement.

 Unschooling is the opposite of structured learning. This form of schooling does not use lesson plans or textbooks. Unschooling is considered Ӏchild centered learningԀ, meaning they focus the learning around what the child is interested in. Unschoolers usually believe that each child's learning is different, and that learning occurs all of the time. Parents work individually with their children based on the child's interests.

 Eclectic learning is a mix of both, structured learning and Unschooling. Parents using this learning style do not feel bound to any particular style. They will often use texts for subjects such as Language Arts, Math, and Reading while other subjects may be more unstructured. The curriculum is generally a mix and match of what works best for the individual child. This is rapidly becoming more popular than any other type of homeschooling.

Virtual on-line homeschooling is where a child is enrolled in school, but participates on-line. Parents are provided with all the curriculum and access to a teacher. This method can sometimes be done for free via a charter or on-line public school, depending on your area.

Unit Studies are when a family uses one theme or literary text to incorporate most school subjects. Often times parents will use this method in combination with other methods. Unit studies can be done on just about anything from the Renaissance to the Milky Way Galaxy. Parents either purchase these or make their own. You can find various activities related your topic to fill as many school subjects as you wish.

Charlotte Mason method is using living books as texts. These parents use narration, copy work, dictation, and recitation as learning methods. This can encompass all subjects, or be used in combination with another method.