February 2012
When Is Parental Input in Education Too Much? Feb 29, 2012
Ask almost any teacher if they desire parents to be more involved in their child's education and you are likely to get the answer 'Yes'. But when does parental involvement become problematic or too intrusive? Should parents have the authority to...
Is Less Writing a Good Thing for Your Student? Feb 29, 2012
Everywhere you look there seems to be some sort of educational reform being proposed, implemented or suggested. In many cases reform is intended to be for the better, but a recent bill being sponsored in Washington state calls for doing away with...
How Much Does Class Size Affect Your Child's Learning? Feb 29, 2012
Do students in large classes perform just as well as students in smaller ones? Several studies suggest that smaller class sizes result in higher achievement levels. But is it only the size of the class or are other variables at play?
Do You Think the Drop Out Age Should Be Raised? Feb 29, 2012
Is 16 too young to drop out of school? Though that age has been set in many states for decades, some - including President Obama - believe the age should be raised to 18. But would raising the drop out age address many of the problems associated...
Should Your Child Learn Roman Numerals? Feb 27, 2012
First it was home ec. Then it was cursive writing. Now, Roman numerals might be the odd subject out in some schools across the nation. Are our kids being deprived, or does knowledge of Roman numerals really matter anymore?
What Fewer Tests Could Mean for Your Child's Education Feb 27, 2012
Are science and history less important than reading and math? Some Virginia lawmakers might seem to think so; the state Senate voted in January 2012 to pass a bill that would essentially eliminate standardized testing in science and history for...
Schools Failing to Deliver Acceptable Science Curricula: What Can You Do? Feb 24, 2012
Like students, schools and school curricula get graded, too. Are they meeting certain criteria and expectations? When it comes to teaching science, more than half of the states in the country are doing a below-average job. What can be done to get...
Algebra for the iPad Generation Feb 24, 2012
For many students, algebra inspires apprehension and dread. Today, students are increasingly dependent on tools, such as iPads and even their phones, that can do the work of algebra for them. This makes the job of a teacher trying to convey...
Could Allowing Cell Phones at Schools Keep Your Children Safe? Feb 23, 2012
Parents, teachers and administrators often lament the proliferation of cell phones among teens. Yet a girl in Utah recently used her phone to help thwart a Columbine-style attack. Her heroism suggests that cell phones could play a useful role in...
Improve Your Child's Retention with Flash Cards Feb 23, 2012
With the jump to smartphones and other technology, flash cards have come a long way in recent years. Their popularity has led to new questions about how students can most effectively use the learning tools. A group of enterprising math experts...
How Can You Control Your Teen's Cell Phone Use? Feb 22, 2012
If you're the parent of a teen, then you're probably familiar with the issue of excessive cell phone use. It's likely that a cell phone dominates your teen's life. If you're concerned about cell phone use growing out of control, there are steps...
Is Your Child's Teacher Well-Trained? Feb 22, 2012
In a recent study, the nation's teachers are receiving grades that are disappointing and alarming. The causes behind this failure are debated by administrators, teachers and politicians. According to the Obama administration, the solution to...
Wealth Equals Health: Student Fitness Linked to Family Income Feb 21, 2012
How fit is your child? The first way to tell may be to look at the family wealth of his or her classmates. While the rich get fitter, the poor lack the myriad resources that could improve their health and fitness.
Would You Want Your Student Learning Creationism in Science Class? Feb 21, 2012
Did God create Man in his image or is the human race the result of natural selection? The fact is that many people are convinced that no one knows for sure; it is this ambiguity that is leading some to say that both evolution and creationism are...
Does Climate Science Belong in the Classroom? Feb 16, 2012
Our planet's climate is changing. This scientific issue is affecting our lives today and will dramatically impact the lives of our children and future generations. Yet there are skeptics putting up a fight and passing laws to keep climate science...
iPads in the Classroom: Blessing or Curse? Feb 16, 2012
Apple's recent announcement that they'll soon offer textbooks for the iPad is just the latest move designed to cement the tablet computer's place in the classroom. It's true that iPads offer schools a variety of benefits. Yet the tool also has...
Heat Days Force School Schedule Changes Feb 15, 2012
You're probably familiar with snow days. But did you know that schools might also need to be closed for heat days? Teachers and students in Colorado are finding out that starting the school year in mid-August can be not only uncomfortable, but...
Teaching on the Cheap: Texas Schools Respond to Budget Crisis Feb 15, 2012
Like many other states, Texas is responding to budget shortfalls by cutting funding for education. The cuts are leading schools to get creative and, in many cases, desperate. Meanwhile, parents are debating what's necessary, teacher morale is...
5 Ideas for Celebrating Black History Month with Your Kids Feb 14, 2012
February is Black History Month, which is a great chance to celebrate the achievements and history of African Americans with your kids. One of the best things you can do is find activities that bring these critical figures and moments from...
Will Schools Be Teaching Science Fact or Science Fiction? Feb 14, 2012
Should global warming be taught in schools as science fact? As proponents and opponents of the idea clash, the subject certainly seems to be heating up. The debate has even drawn comparisons to those waged over the teaching of evolution. Will...
Can Reading Bridge Racial, Socioeconomic Gaps? Feb 13, 2012
Study after study shows the achievement gap in education between students of different cultures and economic backgrounds. Recently, two New Jersey schools successfully used literature to show students how 'the other half lives'. Can this...
What Would You Do if There Was No Kindergarten to Send Your Child To? Feb 13, 2012
Surely most parents across the United States look forward to the day they can send their kids off to kindergarten, where they will presumably begin to build the skills that will carry them through their academic careers. But suppose this...
5 Creative Ways to Celebrate Read to Your Child Day Feb 10, 2012
February 14th is not only Valentine's Day, it's also Read to Your Child Day, an occasion to celebrate reading with your child. Here are five ideas for how you can observe this special day.
Illegal But Common: Religion in Schools Feb 10, 2012
A Christian worship rally in South Carolina featuring an evangelizing rapper may not seem out of place. But it should be when it occurs at a public middle school in defiance of federal law. Yet such events are increasingly coming to light as many...
What Would You Do? Helping Transgender Children Feb 09, 2012
Gender can be a confusing issue for children, both before and during puberty. It's a significantly more complex issue when a child may be transgender. A clinic in Boston is hoping to help these children figure themselves out, though their...
Learn To Fly: Helping Autistic Children with Air Travel Feb 09, 2012
Air travel can be challenging for children. There are big crowds, confusing noises and tight spaces. What's daunting for many children can be downright intimidating, even terrifying, for children with autism. In Philadelphia, parents now have a...
Pepper Spraying Students: High School Security Gone Awry Feb 08, 2012
When students feel unsafe in school, they should be able to trust in the school's security officers. But in Birmingham, it's the security officers who are making the students feel unsafe. Their aggressive use of pepper spray is causing...
How Are Schools Responding to Student Homelessness? Feb 08, 2012
School can be tough enough at times for kids who have a home, a warm bed and economic stability, but what of those who don't? It is estimated that at least one million students across the United States are currently homeless. Is enough being done...
Could Kindles Affect Kids' Ability to Learn to Read? Feb 07, 2012
Do you have a preschool child discovering the world of reading? If so, you might think twice before handing over a Kindle, Nook or other electronic reader. Despite the growing popularity of these devices, it seems technology might take a back...
What Utah Preschoolers Might Be Required to Know Before They Start Kindergarten Feb 07, 2012
There is little doubt that preschools are, or at least should be, designed to prepare kids to enter kindergarten. However, there are currently no uniform standards for preschools. Should these institutions be forced to comply to mandated...
Should Math Be a Main Focus in Kindergarten? Feb 06, 2012
Should kindergartners put away the building blocks and open the math books? According to recent research, earlier is better when it comes to learning mathematical concepts. But that could put undue pressure on kids, parents and even teachers.
MIND Games Lead to Math Gains Feb 03, 2012
Imagine a math teaching tool so effective that it need only be employed twice per week for less than an hour to result in huge proficiency gains. Impossible, you say? Not so...and MIND Research Institute has the virtual penguin to prove it.
New York Down, Other Cities Up in Math Scores Feb 03, 2012
In 2002, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City gained mayoral control over the city's school system. But as a two-year study by Rutgers University's Institute of Education Law and Policy recently concluded, mayoral control does not necessarily...
'Silly' Law Restricting Gifts for Teachers Challenged by Alabama Governor Feb 02, 2012
Did you purchase a nice gift for your teacher for Christmas or plan to do so for the end of the school year? If you live in Alabama, you might want to re-check the price tag. In December 2011, state legislators called for a limit on the value of...
Gender Gap in Mathematics Achievement a Myth? Feb 02, 2012
For various reasons, it has long been believed that boys were better at math than girls. This might have been fueled in part by male dominance in professional areas that require math skills, such as engineering. But does this belief hold water?...
Too Much Emphasis on Reading and Math? Feb 01, 2012
According to a large number of surveyed educators who teach grades 3-12, U.S. public schools are spending too much time on reading and math and not enough on other subjects. Yes, math and reading are important. But what about science, foreign...
Not Your Father's Algebra as 45 States Look to Math Reform Feb 01, 2012
One plus one will always equal two...but just how students are taught math is going to change. Nearly every state in the country has adopted the Common Core Standards; for math, this means new and more in-depth approaches to teaching the subject....