To Memorize And Not Force Memorization By Shareen Aguilar

When we have something to memorize or at least to remember for the day, we tend to forget all about it although we have been thinking not to forget since we got out of bed. But the wonder of the human brain doesn’t work like that. The more we force for it to work, in this case, absorb as many important information necessary, the harder it becomes to retain information.

We have been used to living in comfort but what we neglect to think about is the purpose of possessing intelligence above every other living thing in this earth. We are given the knowledge of wisdom and comprehension but it seems we are just putting this privilege to waste. What we’re not aware of is that our brain is meant to work. And the work it is capable of doing is to think and to store memory.

What’s the use if we continue to depend on organizers, auto reminders etc.? We have many things in our midst that we can use for our own comfort, that’s why when we do a few portion of remembering, we squirm and complain and say that it’s all too difficult to do these things. It’s actually one point why our memory fails us sometimes. Failure to keep our minds active to what it can see, smell, hear and sense weakens our natural ability to remember.

In light of this, its not recommended to work against our mind’s will because the more we force it to remember a particular name, number, event or any piece of information, it just won’t. A good alternative to help our memory maintain its keen sense is to exercise memorization methods. A simple memorization method is all you need. Check the example below.

Picture a large grocery cart full of fruits, vegetables and grocery items. Try to associate each item in the basket with one another. Imagine the grocery cart complaining about the heaviness of the items, while the sausage whips the grocery cart to the fullest…then the lettuces tugs the sausage back and forth…then the box of cheese nibble on the lettuce’ head as the sliced bread tries to place the box of cheese in between its loaves. There are also a dozen of eggs sliding down the back of the sliced bread as they land on the tray while the ketchup vandalizes the egg’s shell with faces…and so on.

It’s chaos but a fun situation to think about. And the point of the exercise is that the brain responds to the brain’s imagination quicker, without any effort, making memorization a lot easier.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=107054&ca=Education

How Will Does The Year Round Calendar Affect Raleigh Schools? By Patricia Hawke

Raleigh Schools, in the Wake County district of North Carolina, have been praised for doing a lot of things right. This is especially true in the area of diversity. In 2000 the Raleigh Schools’ goal has been to limit the number of students receiving reduced lunches to 40% per school. Many studies have shown that large amounts of poverty negatively affect all students, and Raleigh Schools were praised for this racially blind method of ensuring diversity. Organizations as diverse as the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University, the Bush administration and many educational organizations commended the move.

That’s not to stay that Raleigh Schools have not had some struggles. 30 of the 143 Raleigh Schools currently exceed the 40% goal. Still, most board members and educators have been pleased with the results. Another initiative, which has garnered both praise and criticism, may put the diversity gains of Raleigh Schools at risk.

Back in 1989 Raleigh Schools first implemented voluntary year round schools. Year round schools make better use of facilities, and help students retain more knowledge by giving many shorter 3-week breaks as opposed to the traditional summer vacation. Mainly affluent families signed up for those voluntary schools, as childcare is hard to come by during those 3-week breaks for financially strapped working families. The Raleigh Schools’ Board responded by assigning specific neighborhoods to each year round school, and involuntarily assigning children to schools. Here’s the problem.

Some parents don’t want their children bussed to schools on the year round calendar, in neighborhoods where they were not comfortable socially, or that were too far from their homes. Recently, those parents of Raleigh Schools won a court ruling that requires parental consent to send children to year round and modified calendar schools. While parents may see this as a win, civil rights advocates and Raleigh Schools’ educators in favor of diversity are very concerned.

African American community leaders, including Raleigh School Board vice chairman Rosa Gill, are urging parents to consent to keep their children in the year round school to strengthen both diversity and academic strength. Many of the children opting out of the year round school option do so because their parents say that they don’t fit into that more affluent environment. On the reverse side, some better-off families want to opt out in order to attend traditional or more desirable schools as well. Either scenario threatens the balance of diversity for which Raleigh Schools have received great acclaim.

Do parents know what’s best, or are they unintentionally contributing to academic struggles at Raleigh Schools? The court has ruled, and the nation will watch Raleigh Schools closely for the outcome.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=156454&ca=Education

A Distance Learning Bachelors Degree Can Open Doors By Candice Sabrina

When life has to go on while college classes are taken, turning to the Internet can really help. A distance learning bachelors degree can open doors while allowing students to matriculate on their own schedules.

Distance learning bachelors degree programs used to only be offered in a few fields and by a few 'select,' unknown institutions. That is simply not the case anymore. Students interested in earning this very important, employment-benefiting degree will soon find there are plenty of options out there now. There's no reason to expect to have to go to class all the time to earn a valuable bachelors degree.

Distance learning, for those who are unclear, involves college classes that are taken over the Internet. Books might be mailed to a students' door and access to professors is also still generally available via chat, forums, telephone or in person, but the bulk or all of the material is handled online. The type of programs available for full degrees will vary. Some of the most common include such areas of concentration as business and accounting, education and criminal justice, and history and theology.

The benefits to this type of learning situation can be many, especially for those without the time to physically attend classes. Some of the perks can include anytime learning, accredited courses, sometimes discounted fees and a variety of program offerings. Many students find this is one of the best options for them to completely earn a degree or fill in needed classes on a better time schedule.

Looking for the best distance learning bachelors degree programs can be a little tricky, but the truth is this trend is growing in leaps and bounds. Even some of the Ivy League schools are offering at least a few classes online.

The places to look for distance learning bachelors degree programs include:

* State universities. Many state-funded universities offer online degree programs, or at least classes. It is possible for students to take a mix of these classes in some locations or to completely finish a degree online in others.

* Private colleges. Accredited, private institutions are often opening their doors, so to say, to online students. How many or few classes they will allow online toward a degree will vary. Some colleges allow for a degree-seeking student to go from start to finish online.

* Specialty schools. Many specialty schools, such as arts institutions, business colleges and more, have gone online in a lot of cases. Some locations offer complete course work online, others provide this opportunity for only a few classes.

* Junior colleges. Many of these typically lower-priced institutions are also available for students online.

As long as they come from accredited institutions of higher learning, distance learning bachelors degree programs carry a lot of weight in the real world. This didn't used to always be the case, but the reality is as this 'trend' sets into common practice, more and more people are understanding the Internet can be a powerful tool for teaching and learning.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155066&ca=Education

What Is An Online Associates Degree In Nursing Worth? By Jane Hodgkins

An Online Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) prepares you for further studies while you are still working. The associate’s degree in nursing and the clinical experience that you acquire stand you in good stead when you decide to appear for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX). The ADN is a two year course that allows you to become a registered nurse (RN) without having to acquire a bachelor’s degree. It is not possible for everyone to devote time exclusively to studies and acquire a bachelor’s degree. Hence an online ADN is a great way to traverse the RN-BSN path.

Even if you do not wish to acquire a BSN for the time being, becoming an RN after acquiring an online ADN itself is quite fulfilling. This is because with an ADN, it takes only two years to become a RN instead of four. A RN degree opens many career avenues and you can work in nursing homes, hospitals, and even insurance companies. Since a BSN degree is a pre requisite for a career boost in the nursing field, those desirous of management positions have to clear it. The RN-BSN way to a BSN degree is designed for working nurses; those who have obtained an online ADN and are now prepared for a career move.

You should ensure that the online associate degree in nursing program is approved by your state. You can estimate the worth of an online ADN by finding out the number of graduates from that course who become registered nurses. Look for accredited schools that offer an online ADN and have a healthy number of graduates doing the RN course. The worth of an online course will vary with the individual. You should look for a course that you can afford, it should fit in with your schedule, and you should hopefully get good vibes from the promotional material. Enquire about the faculty, it is important that the teachers provide learning with a flexibility that allows you to work and learn at the same time.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=87419&ca=Education

Kansas City Schools By Patricia Hawke

Kansas City Schools have undergone many changes in the past five years. The resignation of the superintendent for embezzlement of funds in 2002 highlighted the district’s need for change. Since then, Kansas City Schools have experienced reforms and new initiatives that are credited with giving the district some of the lowest dropout rates in the country. Kansas City Schools are still struggling and in a bit of turmoil, but they are making good progress in their efforts to get back into the game.

Kansas City Schools have composed their own list of reforms unique to the state of Missouri. One example is the Show-Me Standard, a group of goals designed to make students more independent thinkers and workers. Emphasis is put on the importance of community involvement and initiatives that promote a practical approach to life after high school. The Show-Me Standard pushes Kansas City Schools to produce evidence of achievement in the areas of concern.

While depending on district officials to legislate pertinent initiatives, Kansas City Schools also adhere to nation wide reforms, such as the No Child Left Behind Act. Written in an effort to bridge the gap between the advancement of all students, the reform has affected Kansas City Schools positively. There has been a marked change in the cohesiveness of lesson plans and teaching methods in the Kansas City Schools. Teachers are more unified in the material that they present to their students. With a total of 69 elementary, middle and high schools in this large area, there is a real concern that education be equally represented to each individual.

The district officials governing Kansas City Schools are increasingly concerned with how monetary funds are designated for school improvement. After the scandalous dismissal of the last superintendent, parents hesitate to put faith in the system. The various initiatives of public schools since then exhibit caution and meticulous concern for student funding. There have been studies probing the efficiency of reforms before money is invested in district wide approval of projects.

A study conducted to research the impact media center services would have on elementary educational success found that school libraries significantly improve student grades. This resulted in a plan to improve Kansas City Schools’ library system. Significant academic improvement has also been shown in students who received guidance counseling services. In the study, Kansas City School counselors worked with teachers to prepare lesson plans dealing with social issues. Topics covered in the guidance lesson plans included confrontational and peer pressure situations. More than anything, it is this preparation for real world situations and practical experience that Kansas City Schools hope will propel their reform movement ahead.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155220&ca=Education

Nashville Schools Try To Attract Top Teachers By Patricia Hawke

What does it take to catch a teacher? Nashville Schools and surrounding districts are trying to answer that question. Incentives including pay increases, job fairs, full time recruiters and on-site child care have been implemented as recruiters and administrators try to lure good teachers to Nashville Schools. The Metro district increased starting salaries by $2,000 for the ’06-’07 school year. Did it help? Only 8 positions were left unfilled at year’s end, but the reason for that is still unclear.

Even so, the year end scramble to fill the slots for next year has already started for most Nashville Schools. Why? 500-600 teachers retire from Nashville Schools on a yearly basis. Others leave for better paying jobs, are let go, or don’t meet the license requirements of the federally mandated No Child Left Behind Act. This can mean that students in Nashville Schools face overcrowded classrooms, or are bounced from teacher to teacher as class sizes are balanced.

How big is this problem? 50% of teachers hired in Tennessee in 2002 had left teaching by 2006. Not their jobs, the teaching profession. How does this directly impact Nashville Schools? The scramble for teachers is largely impacted by the attractiveness of the incentives and the atmosphere. So adjacent districts to Nashville Schools are all competing for the same small pool of qualified teachers

Wilson County has offered on-site child-care to its teachers for years. Yet that option has failed in other districts. Higher teacher pay in Nashville Schools may not look as good as a job in Cheatham County. This Nashville neighbor only employs 500 teachers, but rarely has a position unfilled in the fall. Now that is a position that Nashville Schools would love. Other local systems start with 40-50 openings. So what do teachers have to say?

The Tennessean Newspaper’s Website is filled with blogs by teachers, former teachers, and many hoping to become former teachers in Nashville Schools. One unidentified Nashville Schools’ resident recently said, “Higher starting salaries are a lure but the salary scale has been so compressed that there is no future in teaching. A senior teacher with 25 years experience would make no more money than when she started when adjusted for cost-of living. Many, many alternatives offer higher pay, greater potential and a less demeaning work environment. Teaching is no longer a profession, it’s just a job, and not a good one at that.”

So Nashville Schools must figure out how to lure good teachers, and keep them. In a political climate dictated by testing, reforms, and rising standards, it might be time some attention was focused on exactly what teacher’s want and how to give it to them.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155556&ca=Education

Closure Certain For Minneapolis Schools By Patricia Hawke

In a decision process that began in the spring district officials have decided to close seven Minneapolis Schools at the end of the current school year. The debate was an emotional one in which school officials claimed too few students and too many unused classrooms made the move necessary. Current enrollment in Minneapolis Schools is around 36,000, while classroom space exists to accommodate up to 50,000 students. This has led to the situation at Minneapolis Schools like Holland Community School. The north side elementary only enrolled 190 children in kindergarten through fifth grade during the 2006-2007 school year.

Operation Chief for Minneapolis Schools, Steve Liss, has stated that the north side of the district has lost 50% of its students in recent years. Overall enrollment in Minneapolis Schools has declined by 3,000 students in the last two years. But is this decision a necessity? Or is it partially driven by socioeconomic factors?

Community activist Al Flowers fought against the proposed closing because he claimed that his African American community was targeted, and that other parent groups had successfully lobbied against closings in more affluent Minneapolis Schools. Socio-economic factors, like parents who must work outside the home and can’t afford supplement enrichment, have factored into educational debates for decades.

Although sadness pervades many affected by the school closings, many seem to be resigned to the decision, and view it as best for the children. Losing the neighborhood feel and bussing children to other Minneapolis Schools creates anxiety for students, parents and teachers. Principals and teachers face different year-end assessments than usual. Typically this is the time of year that Minneapolis Schools reassess their student improvement plan and make changes for the upcoming year. Instead, educators in the closing schools will close out the current plans and move on to a new assignment and venue.

The Minneapolis Schools slated for closing are all on the north side of the city. Some will be combined while others will be re-organized into different grades. What will become of the empty buildings? That is still up in the air. Superintendent of Minneapolis Schools Thandiwe Peebles has no interest in selling the structures, but great ideas of how they could still help the struggling district. Possible suggestions include using the space for community centers or leasing it out to local colleges. Either use could provide benefits to Minneapolis Schools and its student population.

While the numbers of declining enrollment in Minneapolis Schools are shocking, the trend is a national one. School choice, urban flight, meager funding and natural decline of structures combine to put this issue at the forefront of the educational debate. With a presidential election on the horizon residents in the Minneapolis Schools’ district and around the nation will watch closely to see what results from decisions like this one.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155552&ca=Education

Milwaukee Schools: Something To Talk About By Patricia Hawke

The Milwaukee Schools’ District is the largest public school district in Wisconsin; it has 207 schools, 6,055 teachers, and 90,925 students. Hot topics in the district are voucher programs, Chinese Language education, and WiMAX, a free broadband internet access for all students and staff.

WiMAX, an emerging wireless broadband technology, is a tool that Milwaukee School officials are hoping to install in the homes of all students and staff members. This technology can reportedly broadcast a signal for miles without needing a clear line of sight. If Milwaukee Schools are successful, they will be one of the first school systems in the nation to use this technology. The pilot program will cover approximately five square miles and is scheduled to be up and running by August 2007. James Davis, Milwaukee Schools’ director of technology, has said he views WiMAX as the way to provide internet access to students whose families are too poor to even afford a phone line. Davis recently told The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that “without this kind of initiative, these students will fall further behind in competition for college entry and the work force, [which] will increase the digital divide.”

A very exciting new school will be opening in the Milwaukee School District…a Chinese School! There are already at least a dozen such programs in place throughout Wisconsin. Approximately 130 students have signed up so far to attend the “Milwaukee Academy of Chinese Language”. James Sayavong, who started this new school, said that he expects to see 200 students enrolled by the fall. To date, many of the school’s students are from the surrounding neighborhood, which is generally African American and low income. Sayavong said that he wants Milwaukee Schools’ children to learn more about one of the United States’ largest trading partners. He believes this will give them an edge later in their careers. Of particular interest, a 2006 Department of Education news release stated that more than 200 million of children in China were studying English, but only around 24,000 of U.S. students were studying Chinese.

One way that the Milwaukee School District is battling to educate low-income, minority students are voucher schools. However, the voucher schools look and feel surprisingly like other Milwaukee Schools. While the program has brought some “fresh energy” to the mission of educating low-income youth, about 10% of the choice (voucher) schools exhibit alarming deficiencies. There’s a lot of taxpayer money going into religiously affiliated Milwaukee Schools. About 70% of students enrolled in the voucher programs attend a religious school. The collapse of four schools and the state’s limited ability to take action against other “alarming” schools has led to some agreement for the need for increased oversight. While the voucher program has both its champions and its detractors, the Milwaukee Schools seem have a lot of work to do to make the voucher program a success.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155545&ca=Education

Will Grading Principal Improve Pittsburgh Schools? By Patricia Hawke

Pittsburgh Schools have not shown significant improvement as measured by the Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) assessment. Due to the district’s inability to show improvements mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act for 4 consecutive years, Pittsburgh Schools were required to make significant changes in the 2006-2007 school year. Those changes included closing 22 schools, opening accelerated learning academies, and adding more k-8 schools.

Superintendent Mark Roosevelt felt the “slow improvement” of Pittsburgh Schools also required some other big changes, starting at the top. Pittsburgh Schools will institute a district wide administrator training and management plan called the Pittsburgh Urban Leadership System for Excellence (PULSE). PULSE will require greater support for new principals, enhanced training for potential administrators, and tougher standards on principal evaluations. But the most notable component is the plan to eliminate annual step increases, and institute a pay for performance plan, for all Pittsburgh Schools’ principals.

Pittsburgh Schools applied for an $8.9 million federal grant to fund the program, and anticipate a response in June of this year. If the grant is approved, the traditional step increases Pittsburgh Principals are used to will be replaced by a $2000 increase in base pay. That would be tied to progress in meeting 28 performance-based goals. The other part of the incentive would include bonuses of up to $10,000 for demonstrated academic growth among students. This would position Pittsburgh Schools’ principals to make much more than with the step increase system.

Pittsburgh Schools initiated the pay for performance plan last year with the principals of the eight new accelerated learning academies. However, it is too soon to tell how much the students have benefited in that short period of time. Pittsburgh Schools have shown very small, very slow, improvement in meeting the AYP targets. Overall advances of 3% in 5th grade math and a record 9% in 8th grade reading do little to put Pittsburgh Schools where they need to be.

Is the pay for performance plan the answer? A rating scale using “rudimentary”, “emerging”, “proficient” and “accomplished” will be used in areas of academics, community relations and academic success. Pittsburgh Schools is one of many urban districts to grapple with the issues of meeting rising academic standards. The question of offering both administrators and teachers merit pay has bee a hot topic between unions and academic observers for decades. While the issue of bonus pay for performance has not often been used with Pittsburgh Schools’ teachers, if it is successful with the principals, teachers may not be far behind.

Will it work? Opponents have suggested that the academic world operates differently than the corporate one, and that incentives won’t work. Others insist that the lack of performance-based pay is one of the biggest problems with Pittsburgh Schools and public education as a whole. Stay tuned. Grading principals may be the most notable reform Pittsburgh Schools institute this year.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=156449&ca=Education

Choose The Best Way To Learn Spanish Fast By IPRWire Staff Writer

Planning a trip to Spain? Heading to the new South American branch for work? Learning a new language is always an advantage for a globe trotter or a savvy professional. Spanish is definitely helpful to know, because it is the second most common language in the world.

There are numerous foreign language teaching sources out there. A lot of them can be discouraging and tedious with too many drills on and rote memorization with grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, and verb conjugations. These lengthy courses can take a lot of your time while you feel like you’re not making much progress.

If you do not want to go to these long, drawn-out classes that can bore rather than teach, one source you can try is the Internet. The Web is a horde of foreign language learning alternatives. You then have lots of options to learn Spanish fast. But, it can be tough to make the right choice.

Traditional learning methods such as books and classes taken at school can take longer than expected. Rote memorization of new words and phrases probably will not help you at all. Instead, look for options that work with your schedule, skill level, and learning goals. Do you want to become fully fluent in writing, reading, and speaking? Would you rather focus on improving your conversation, so you can comfortably travel around while you are abroad?

If you are looking for lessons that do not interfere too much with your schedule, portable courses such as those on CDs and cassettes are a great way to pick up words and phrases while you are going through your day. It is easy to learn Spanish fast when you are practicing words, phrases, and conversations while on the way to work, to the gym, or while doing errands at home. Using audio-based courses are also helpful for improving your pronunciation.

Another great way to quickly pick up the language is to concentrate on a learning process that teaches core vocabulary that are usually used every day by native speakers. Rather than press a student to memorize a large number of vocabulary that he or she may not use often, the student is encouraged to focus on common words and phrases that can readily be put to use.

Because language is primarily based on speech, you can learn Spanish fast by using courses that improve your conversation. At the very least, you can pick up helpful words and phrases you can use to get around while traveling. And then, if you want, you can try more detailed lessons on grammar, vocabulary, and writing.

Pimsleur-language.com uses research-based techniques to teach languages through CDs and cassettes. The website offers learning programs at several levels to master communication within 30 days. Visit http://www.pimsleur-language.com to find out more on how to learn Spanish fast along with dozens of other languages offered on the site.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=155272&ca=Education