Archives for July 2011

High School Geography Test Results Are In

“All across America every year, there are thousands of students that take Geography placement tests. You need to pass these tests to be able to move on to the next grade, or to even graduate from High School. Facts have shown that over the last couple of years the geography scores for high school seniors have not improved. It seems that High School Seniors are doing well in all other areas of the exams, but they just can’t seem to grasp the U.S. and World History section of the tests. The tests have declined from the 1994 scores, in a dramatic way. The geography test isn’t given every year like other parts of the test, the last time it was given was in 2001.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) gives the same test to both public high school students, and private school students. It is the same test for everybody, so it can’t be broke down by the amount of money that a parent can pay for their children to go to school. The scores are based on a 500 point system, and from 2001-2010 high school seniors had an average score of 284. The score has dropped down to 282, which makes the student average, in the National Assessment of Educational Progress, definition of what a passing grade is.

Why has there been a decline in the test scores? Is it because students just aren’t trying as hard, or has the educational requirements changed where the teaching is concerned? Students don’t learn the same way that they used too in the 1980s, as a lot of teachers are opting to allow students to use online media instead of a paper and pen. In a world where it seems that everything is available at the student’s fingertips as far as learning the material, are they choosing not to learn it, or is the problem a deeper issue? Should you blame your students teachers for their scores dropping?

The educational requirement has changed a bit, as it’s become a bit more challenging as it should as the students get older. Most people think the things on the Senior Geography Test the students should know, yet they may forget the information over time. Who should be blamed for it?”

For more information, click here:

US News and World Report

Students Still Struggle To Grasp World Geography

Students Miss Boat on Geography Tests

U.S. Geography Scores Disappoint

National Report Cards

Filed Under: High School News Tagged With: high school, high school geography, NAEP, National Assessment of Educational Progress

How the Minnesota Shutdown Effects High School Students

“Minnesota has shut down, in all forms of the government recently, because of the current economic crisis. What does this closure mean for you, the residents, of Minnesota? What does this mean for people that would like to visit Minnesota? How does this effect your children and their education? Sadly, the state shutdown does, in fact, effect your children, their schools and their teachers. The statewide shutdown started on July 1, so it may not effect your children or their schools at the moment, but if the state doesn’t “”re-open”” by time school starts back up it will. How exactly will it effect them though? Will this mean they wouldn’t have to go to school? Would they have different teachers?

Your children will not have new teachers according to WDAY6 News. If the recent college graduate did not have their teaching license paperwork turned in before July 1, they aren’t allowed to be hired, “”no license.no job.”” This could be a good thing, since your children would know all their teachers, but a bad thing if there are new teachers out there that aren’t able to get a job because of the government shutdown.

Even though teachers aren’t state employees, both their salaries and other school expenses (books, food, pencils, classroom supplies) do relay on the Minnesota state government. The money for these things come from money that each school district receives by the state district they are located in. Mertesdorf is also president of the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials, which represents all school budget officers in the state. She says the concern centers around cash flow — if state money dries up, will she be able to meet payroll and keep paying bills?

Sadly, this isn’t the first shutdown Minnesota has had, they had one in 2005, and Mertesdorf and her peers are looking at the past shutdown on how to handle the current shutdown. Attorney General Lori Swanson, filed a petition on Monday to see if they could get the administration to continue paying the schools money. In 2005, the Attorney General at the time, tried this, and they allowed it.”

Dad’s Eye View

State Shutdown Impact on Northfield Public Schools

Some Minnesota school districts scrambling to fill teaching positions

Minnesota Public Radio: K12 Shutdown Impact

Filed Under: High School News Tagged With: High Schools, Minnesota, Minnesota Government Shutdown

High School Students Learn About College at Pre-College Summer Camp

High school students can get a taste of college life in certain states over the summer with pre college summer camps and summer camps. The students get to live on campus for a few weeks to a month, depending on the university or college where the summer camp is taking place. Each state or university has a high school student cutoff, meaning they can only accept so many students with the pre college summer program. In Colorado the limit is 100 students, and they have summer camp on a big college campus. There are a number of colleges and universities that participate in Pre-College summer courses, including Brown University, Columbia University and John Hopkins. Students get to experience college life in a whole, with a college student as their “buddy”. It’s a beneficial program if you would like to know how college feels or can’t decide if you’d like to go to college.

Find out more, visit:

Glenwood Springs Post Independent

USummer

Filed Under: High School News Tagged With: Pre-College Summer Camp, Summer Camps

Did High School Hypnosis Lead to Suicide?

“A popular North Port, Florida principal, George Kenney, is under investigation following the suicide of two students that he hypnotized. Kenney, who is a trained hypnotist, hypnotized one of the students to help him focus on a test. The next day he committed suicide. Kenney hypnotized the other student five months before her suicide. However, there is no indication that either of the suicides are related to Kenney’s hypnosis.

Kenney is well known at his school for using hypnosis to help students prepare for tests and to improve athletic performance. He is member of the National Guild of Hypnotists and the National Board of Hypnosis Education and Certification. Kenney is also the author of four books about using hypnosis to defeat test anxiety and to master sports skills.

Kenney is currently working the Sarasota County School District offices, not at his high school. School Board officials are waiting to see if the North Port police decide to prosecute Kenney before deciding what disciplinary action to take. However, according to a report in Sarasota’s Herald Tribune, prosecution under the state law regulating hypnosis is unlikely.”

For more information, click here:

ClickOrlando.com

Sarasota Herald Tribune Article on Kenney

Filed Under: High School News Tagged With: High School Principal, Hypnosis, Suicide

High School Summer Programs

“There are many summer school programs available to students who want to further their education during their vacation months. Outside of the mandatory programs for students who fail to complete their academic work, summer school programs offer a wide variety of learning and experience to those students who have the desire to expand their horizons. Many programs are widely available while others must be competed for. Choosing the right program depends on a students interests and skills and summer programs are an opportunity to cultivate and hone a wide variety of talents or interests.

Many colleges offer programs during the summer months in activities such as soccer, basketball, and football in the form of sports camps. Usually coordinated with local schools and lasting two to four weeks students spend all day on a college campus, playing on the fields and courts and may also have the opportunity to be play and interact with college players. There are also academic programs in the arts and sciences, which allow high school students to attend actual college classes and earn credits toward their college careers. Some of these programs may require a letter of recommendation from a teacher or proof of grades so students should inquire at the college to find out exactly what is needed for admission into the program.

For students with Ivy league aspirations, summer schools such as Harvardâ€™s Secondary School Program and Penn Summer Program may be the perfect fit. While getting into an Ivy League summer program will not guarantee admission to the college it is an excellent addition to your college applications and you may be eligible to take a semester of classes that will transfer to the given institution if you do get accepted in the future. These programs tend to be expensive but competitive scholarships are available.

Another option are high school volunteer programs. Some schools give students the opportunity to go outside of their comfort zone and volunteer in retirement communities, soup kitchens, or libraries for extra credit. These activities give students real life experience and also look great on college applications.

Regardless of what program students decide to attend it is best to carefully evaluate what it is hoped to gain from the program, how much time can be dedicated to it, and how much the cost will be. Once the parameters have been set, decide carefully and apply early.”

Penn Summer High School Programs

Secondary School Program

Filed Under: High School News Tagged With: High School Summer Programs

Transitioning to High School

“Transitioning into high school can create a lot of stress for students. There are so many physical and emotional changes children are experiencing during this time in their lives that making the move to a new school may seem overwhelming at times.

As parents, the most important thing that we can do is to be available for our children without being obtrusive, judgmental, or overbearing. Their need for privacy may seem at times secretive, but oftentimes it is just their way of dealing with and processing all the new things that have been thrown their way.

Most children enter high school around the age of 14. There is a tremendous difference in the physical characteristics and emotional development in a child of that age compared to their high school peers who may be 18. Recognizing those difference can help better prepare children for all the things that they may be subjected to in high school.

Children entering high school will not only be introduced to new and unfamiliar academic material, but to a lot of things such as drugs, alcohol, and sex. Although a lot of children have been told of such things, they will become much more prevalent in a setting, such as high school, where children may be either talking about or actually participating in these behaviors. Preparing your child beforehand about what they will experience is important. Peer pressure is an extremely powerful thing, so having a good, solid foundation concerning these issues is vital.

A change in peer groups can also have an impact on children during these years. It is important for parents to become familiar with who their child is hanging around with, both in and out of school. Allowing your child to invite new friends over for a fun outing or activity is the perfect opportunity for parents to meet and observe their child’s new peers without necessarily being right in the center of what they are doing.

It is not necessary to suddenly change from being your child’s parent to their friend in order to find out what is going on in their world. It is imperative to let your child know that you are always available to listen to their questions, concerns, or complaints. Children still need their parents during this age, but very few will ever admit to that fact. Being available without being intrusive will ensure that parents know what is going on without being overbearing.

Eventually our children will reach adulthood, and having a solid foundation will empower them with the confidence, self assurance, and knowledge on which they can build upon. Instilling in our children the knowledge about everything they may experience during this time and how to deal with it will give a child more confidence needed to deal with events as they arise. Letting children know that you are always available reassures them that no matter what happens, parents do understand and they do care, and no matter what problem life throws their way, parents will always be their to help them to find the best solutions and answers.”

Moving From Middle To High School

25 Shocking Facts About American High Schools

Transition To High School

Filed Under: High School News Tagged With: Moving Up to High School, Transitioning to High School

High School Hall of Fame

“Twelve inductees were enshrined into the National High School Hall of Fame on July 2, the Sentinel in Carlisle, Pennsylvania reported Saturday. Along with Billy Owens, a basketball standout at Carlisle High School, inductees included players, coaches and officials from across the country noted for their contribution to high school athletics. This year’s ceremonies were held by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) at the the Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Owens played basketball for Carlisle High School in the late 1980s and helped lead the team to four straight state championships. He averaged 34 point a game his senior year and was one of the most sought after recruits in the country. He played forward and guard for Syracuse University and was drafted by the Sacramento Kings in 1991. He spent 10 season in the NBA, with six different teams, averaging 15 points a season his first three years with the Golden State Warriors.

Other inductees include Dan Washburn, a coach, teacher and administrator in Alabama. He coached the Prattville High football team to four state championship appearances, compiling a record of 114-50-12 with the school. Washburn also spent 16 years as the executive director of Alabama High School Athletic Association, before retiring in 2007.

Emry Dilday, a Missouri high school football official for more than 43 years, was also honored. He officiated more than 50 Missouri state tournaments, including nine state championships, and was considered the top referee in the state.

Others entering the 2011 class include Rick Tucci, a Florida wrestling official; Leta Andrews, a high school girls basketball coach in Texas; and Larry Shaw, a West Virginia high school wrestling coach for 31 years.

The Nation High School Hall of Fame was started in 1982 by the NFHS, and this year’s ceremonies closed out the 92nd annual NFHS Summer Meeting. Including this year’s class, the number of Hall of Fame members is 386.”

Billy Owens Wikipedia Entry

Former Valley, Lanett coach Washburn inducted to NFHS Hall of Fame

National High School Hall of Fame Official Site

Prep Sports: Owossoâ€™s late Brad Van Pelt inducted into 2011 National High School Hall of Fame High School Hall of Fame

Filed Under: High School News Tagged With: high school basketball, high school football, High School Hall of Fame, Sports

Online High School

“One word describes today’s youth; ambitious. Do you have a child that excels at sports, acting, or fine arts? Are they on the jump start path towards a lucrative career? If you are anything like me, then you understand what I am saying. Yes school is important, and no rational parent would ever encourage their child to pick sports over education. When it is time to check out your child at school on a Thursday and only to have them return on Tuesday because of an event they need to attend, the administration is aware. Too many days away from the classroom is affecting their bottom line, as well as the students prosperity.

Finally, a modern day solution. Tennessee has launched a program to insure students are making the grade with online high school courses. This is a pilot program geared to students that would miss several days of school per year. This is not a parent home-schooling their child, but teachers and students connected via the internet. They have set requirements; 2.5 GPA, and students must sign an ethics agreement. This certainly isn’t for student, but this can make all the goals for education and passions a reality. |”

Filed Under: High School News Tagged With: online high school, virtual school

High School Project Graduation

Graduation night activities in some north New Jersey school districts have been made safer because of the dedication and efforts of parents, students, and staff. Project Graduation is a program that began in 1980 and it’s purpose is to provide a safe environment for graduates to celebrate in an atmosphere that is alcohol free and supervised by adults. It is a safe alternative for students to have a memorable evening and it is totally funded by the dedication and hard work of the students and parents, rather than the school district.

Fund raising projects, along with ticket sales, make Project Graduation a success. Money raised from fund raisers such as car washes and pancake breakfasts, make it possible for students who would not otherwise be able to attend such events. Schools have raised impressive amounts of money to put together these terrific events. Amounts totaling $20,000 to $65,000 were raised exclusively by parents and students from Hawthorne and Ramapo high schools respectively.

While the number of students attending these graduation festivities increases, the amount parents are required to pay for their children to attend decreases, and this is all a result of hard work and dedication put forth to raise money for a safe and fun night to remember.

Although drinking and driving fatalities continue to decrease according to statistics, these accidents are 100% preventable. Education and safe alternatives for young people is the key to keeping them safe. In 2008 New Jersey reported 590 traffic related fatalities, of which 190 of those were alcohol related. Though this is a great decrease from just 20 years ago with a reported 1,051 traffic related fatalities, of which 457 of those were the direct result of drinking and driving, it is still not acceptable until the number of drinking related accidents is zero.

Safe alternatives like Project Graduation allow children a place and venue to celebrate their hard work and successful graduations. Past parties have included dinner cruises, mechanical bulls, and even an airbrush tattoo artist to make these events a huge hit.

137 of the 171 students at Hawthorne High School were in attendance for this years graduation night party. Because of hard work, dedication, and determination, these students were able to have a wonderful evening that is sure to be remembered for the price of $25 per student. The $20,000 raised by the students and parents was used for this night of a lifetime, thereby keeping costs reasonable and allowing children who otherwise may not have been able to afford it the opportunity to celebrate this momentous evening with their friends.

Showing students that an alcohol free celebration is not only possible, but can be fun and entertaining also, is a great way to begin their journey into adulthood. These student’s last thoughts of high school will be happy with fond memories and thankfully not a statistic overshadowed by memories of tragic events. These students are an inspiration and great role models for younger students who will follow behind in their footsteps.