Last week, America’s Promise Alliance released a special report on school dropouts, based on research conducted by the Center for Promise at Tufts University. The report offered great news in that the nation’s drop-out rate has declined – 80% of students graduate high school on time, up from 75%. Perhaps more interesting though is that the report delved into the
Read moreThere have always been kids that have chosen to cheat in school, but today’s tech gadgets have made it easier and more common than before. With the majority of teens and tweens carrying cell phones, answers to test questions can zing around a classroom in minutes. Here are some examples of the ways teens are cheating at school: Kids have
Read moreSexual harassment is something we often think about in workplaces, but should parents be worrying about it in their child’s school? Unfortunately, it can be a serious problem for students in middle and high schools, and often they are too embarrassed or scared to report it. Both boys and girls can face unwanted sexual conduct from their fellow students or
Read moreProcrastination is a common problem many people face. Nowadays, it seems that people have become dependent on stress to get themselves motivated, feel challenged and get things done. Procrastination can quickly become a habit if left unchecked, and that habit is a huge source of lifestyle stress. Parents can have a huge impact on whether or not their teenager develops
Read moreSeptember is national Attendance Awareness Month. (You can learn more about this initiative at http://www.attendanceworks.org/attendancemonth/.) As school begins, parents are often considering how to ensure their child has a successful school year. Ironically, one of the easiest ways to ensure a child’s success is one that is often overlooked: regular attendance. Nationwide, as many as one out of 10 students is chronically
Read moreYour parenting role alters significantly when your teen enrolls in college. Here are some tips from the experts on how to negotiate these uncharted waters: Be a coach. College students usually call their parents for reassurance when things aren’t going well, and call their friends with the latest exciting news. When you get those phone calls, where your teen is
Read moreAs many students get ready to head back to school, nerves abound. Not only are the children nervous about their new teachers and classmates, parents are also worried for their child to have a positive and successful school year. If parents want their children to become better students, what better source to ask for ideas than teachers? Here are some
Read moreSwitching from elementary school to middle school is a significant life change in your child’s life, which causes stress. At the same time that your tween is just beginning to feel the effects of puberty, they will also face: switching from being one of the oldest kids at school to one of the youngest, managing more teachers and a more
Read moreIf your teen has just graduated high school, congratulations! This is a very exciting time in their young life! If your child will be moving to college this Fall, then welcome to one of life’s more difficult transitions. Both parents and teens usually feel overwhelmed by all the upcoming changes, which might lead to an emotional roller coaster. Once they
Read moreA study put out by Kaplan Test Prep shows that college admissions officers take a look at what your teen is posting on their social networks by checking their name on Google, Facebook or other online hot spots when they get the applications. Almost 3 in 10 admissions officers review applicants’ online footprints. Although that isn’t new, the percentage of
Read moreAccording to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the United States’ high school graduation rate has declined significantly. In 1970, the U.S. boasted the world’s highest rate of high school graduation; today, we are ranked at #21. The Alliance for Excellent Education reports that 7,000 American students drop out of school EVERY school day, amounting to approximately 1.3 million
Read moreWhen schools send report cards or progress reports home, students generally have one of two reactions: proudly handing over their grades for their parents’ “ooohs” and “aaahs” or fearfully hoping their parents completely forget it’s report card day. Parents should view these reports as a critical piece of information about their child’s academic progress. Whether pleased or disappointed by it,
Read moreIt is estimated that seven million students (K-12) miss 18 days or more each year, and the concentration of that absenteeism is in middle and high schools. In some states, as many as 1 in 3 high school students are absent on any given day. Research shows that student achievement suffers after only five absences. Students who miss more than
Read moreIt is natural for children to feel nervous before a test, but some teens get so anxious prior to testing that it impacts their health, attitude, and grades. Due to the increasing emphasis on standardized testing, test anxiety is becoming more common, and it can impact anyone, even students that usually get good grades. There are definitely signs to look
Read moreApproximately 7,000 high school students drop out every school day. One in four students does not graduate. There are a number of reasons why students drop out of school, such as they feel like their classes are not interesting, they are failing in school, they are using drugs, they don’t feel as smart as their classmates, they don’t feel like
Read moreOur culture is a fast-paced, multi-tasking society. It’s demanding and exhausting, and our young generation has been sucked into it as well. Learning time management skills now will serve our youth well throughout their lives. Studies show that the most successful students are effective time managers. Additionally, proper management of time reduces stress and allows you to accomplish more. So,
Read moreSummer is coming to an end, stores are in full swing for school supply sales, and likely your teen is unhappy. Going back to school can feel like a real bummer for teens – less free time, no sleeping in, demanding school work – but taking steps to get ready can make it a smoother and happier transition from summer
Read moreSummer is a great time for youth to get some much-needed relaxation and down time. Unfortunately, although summer goes by too quickly, it is long enough for teens to experience learning losses when they don’t engage in educational activities. Research shows the following problems: students typically score lower on standardized tests at the end of summer vacation than they do
Read moreCheating is reaching epidemic proportions among teenagers. Recent studies have shown that almost 70% of teens have cheated during a test at school, and more than 80% have copied someone else’s homework at least once. More than one third of teens with cell phones admit to having stored information on them to look at during a test or texting friends
Read moreIt’s back to school time! Although this time of year can bring joyful reunions with friends and exciting new opportunities for learning, most students encounter one or two problems along the way. Whether it’s adjusting to the new schedule or getting along with the new teacher, your teen may need your help to navigate some of the common pitfalls. If school
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