The above is the quicker way to get into nursing as a registered nurse. There is of course a longer way but with a higher degree and that is to pursue a 4 year degree in nursing where you earn a BSN.

If you have the time and know for sure you want more career opportunities then earning your BSN (four year) degree from the start may be a great idea for you. This will give you an opportunity to go into management and other career opportunities those with a lesser degree may not have.

Whatever choice you decide a key thing to do now is to compare all your options. This includes nursing schools and type of programs. Once that is done you can start applying for different schools. Keep in mind that all the schools will have different requirements to be accepted into their programs. In many cases you to get accepted into a nursing school you will need to take and do well on the nursing entrance test (NET) or other test. To prepare for a test one would be wise to good nursing study guides to help them do well. So to start the new year of 2009 off to a great start, you would be wise to take the time now to gather some information to help you make a good career decision.

In the closing days of 2008 things are not looking to great on the economic and employment radar’s for many industries. That does not appear to be as true with respect to the medical and health care career fields. Shortages of employees are common due to people retiring and not enough people having the proper training to enter the field. That can be good news for those looking to change careers or will be entering the workforce for the first time in the near future.

Original Post: Online Schools

Ways On Becoming An Registered Nurse Quickly

Ever since I made the choice to have a child, public school ranking has become a crucial factor in my life. What I primary want is a secure region for my kid to grow up and a fine school that will offer a very good education. I would assume most parents think the same way. All of this valuable information is at our fingertips, fortunately for us. Our national public school systems are ranked every year. Factors that play a part are; where is the school located, how wealthy is the community, the crime rate, the state's budget toward education, and how many students attend the school. I believe schoolranking can be useful.

Although it may sound a bit cliché, but the more funds, the better. Proper capital provides the public school systems with an sufficient staff of educators, proper repairs and equipment, and don't forget about computers and field trip funds. Which means better schoolranking. But this do not mean the parents who have kids in the school need to be rich or wealthy. It also depends on the way the city funds are distributed.

Original Post: Online Schools

Tips And Advice About Education And School Ranking

A typical problem with examination based learning is that students who have had to move schools a number of times often get left behind as a result. This trend occurs a lot in children who come from a military background as their parents are often sent to different military bases at both home and overseas. If you trace the military genealogy of families that have a history in the military, you will often see that the educational performance of the individual family members is usually poor unless they have spent their exam years in one place.

There is nothing wrong with this as long as the children understand the subject as well but while many students may know the right answer, is there any point if they can't understand it? The real concern however is coming from the business sector who have said that the undergraduate students that they are getting straight out of University don't have the required skills for the working environment and basic concepts like their life skills aren't developed enough. The concern with this is that business employers are limiting the number of university candidates in favour of employees with experience as these candidates are usually multi skilled and won't need additional training like presentation skills training.

If you have a learning disability like dyslexia and attend a special needs school then you might have an advantage over other school children. This sounds strange but the reason for this is that independent schools control their own syllabus and teach different areas of subjects. This also means that children's individual learning methods can be catered for so kids with dyslexia can be taught in a way that suits them. This type of teaching can usually only be found in private dyslexia schools but it allows dyslexic pupils to learn and understand more.

Original Post: Online Schools

Schools Teach How To Pass Exams Rather Than Life Skills

Selecting the best institute requires some research and wise analytical decision. So, select the best college or university - its one of the key life decisions you'll make.

Here’s a list of top 10 Detroit Colleges:

1. Wayne State University
(313) 577-2424, 5050 Anthony Wayne Dr - Detroit, MI 48202

2. University Cultural Center Association
(313) 577-5088, 4735 Cass Ave - Detroit, MI 48201

3. Center for Creative Studies
(313) 664-7400, 201 E Kirby St Apt 105 - Detroit, MI 48202

4. University of Michigan Dearborn
(313) 593-5460, Dearborn, MI 48120

5. Ecumenical Theological Seminary
(313) 831-5200, 2930 Woodward Ave - Detroit, MI 48201

6. University of Detroit Mercy
(313) 993-1532, 4001 W McNichols Rd - Detroit, MI 48221

After all it’s the matter of your future.Getting the most recommended college and university is most important decision a student should take. This list will help you in selecting the most reputed educational centers.

Since this list is based on the recommendations of students and other people involved and related to education sector, the more frequently the students visit, recommend, and apply for the college or university the more higher ranking the particular college and university gets.

Original Post: Online Schools

Going To Higher Ed In Detroit: Top Colleges And Universities

Finding a job online requires basic knowledge of how to surf the Internet.

There are literally hundreds of thousands of job boardss. There are geographically specific job boardss, niche job boardss by industry, such as Real Estate Jobs, or job function, boards focused on part-time jobs and even religious based sites.

It’s all about connections. Knowing people who work for organizations that you want to work for is always a bonus. For starters, your contacts can let you know what the company culture is like, how management works and give you an idea if it’s a place that will satisfy you. Another great benefit to knowing someone within a company you’d like to work for is that your contact might know of other Property Management Jobs that aren’t publicly announced. Lastly, having a reference from someone within the company bodes very well for you.

Be resourceful. Whether you have connections or not, search regional job boardss, like Florida Jobs, company job boards and set up job agents so that you are updated when new or applicable jobs are open. Putting your feelers out there is very beneficial. If you find that some job boardss don’t have the right Property Management Jobs you are looking for, think about any trade associations you are part of and check their website.

A lot of trade associations have their own job boards, enabling employers to advertise directly to specialized individuals like you. There are tons of other niche job boardss that focus on a particular region or industry – they may help to narrow your search and provide you with opportunities that more closely match your field of expertise.

Stay Positive. One thing about job searching for Property Management Jobs is that it can be frustrating and sometimes depressing. Don’t let it affect you in that manner. Those feelings can come across in your resume, cover letter and interview. You don’t want employers to think you are too anxious or even dispassionate. Remain upbeat and they’ll see your true, passionate and professional self. Remember: the right job is out there; you just have to find it.

Original Post: Online Schools

What Kind Of Property Manager Jobs Are You Searching For? Have You Considered Real Estate Jobs?

sat essay topics focus on a theme, idea or point, asking the student’s opinion, though the use of first person and flimsy arguments with no backing makes for a poor essay. The same principle is applied in journalism, whereby the writer deals with one specific theme, idea or point presents an argument that though it is not by rights the personal opinion of the journalist per say, but by the way in which the facts, examples and other citations or quotes are presented, show a clear understanding of the topic, intelligence and the ability to articulate an angle or point of view.

sat essay question students can benefit greatly by learning to follow the inverted pyramid’s simple logic. As with any essay, there is an introduction (lead paragraph – journalism), break down of the major points in the order they are found in the introduction with examples throughout (historical, scholarly or other) (body text – journalism) and a final concluding paragraph, which is written again based on the points argued in the introductory paragraph, but concluding in a handful of sentences what was discussed in the body of the essay.

When practicing using an inverted pyramid for use in SAT essay writing, note that it resembles an upside down pyramid. The each point of the argument is put in priority order, starting at the top with the most important one and working down towards the least important one. The same principle can be used within each paragraph and also the breakdown of each individual point. With SAT essay questions, the student can put in examples as they break each point down.

Here is an example of an inverted pyramid for a medium to feature length article:

“What Are Ovaries?"

The ovaries are reproductive organs found in a woman’s body. They are located in the pelvic area. Each one is approximately as big as an almond.

Ovaries are responsible for making progesterone and estrogen, the female hormones. During each month, the ovaries release unfertilized eggs, which travel via the fallopian tubes to the uterus or womb. During menstruation, unused or unfertilized eggs are washed away with blood, a process which can take up to a week. The process then begins again, month after month, year after year.

When a woman reaches about age 40, she starts going through menopause. Menopause is a reverse version of puberty. As menopause progresses, the ovaries produce less and less hormones. As a result they eventually stop releasing eggs and menstruation stops.

The ovaries are a very important part of the female sexual reproduction system. They are responsible for the early process that can result in the development of human life. Sometimes ovaries do not work properly. They do not produce enough female hormones. In fact, the worst case scenario is that they become cancerous, which can lead to death if not caught early enough. Ovarian cancer is very hard to diagnose in its early stages.
The ovaries make the female hormones—estrogen and progesterone. They also release eggs. An egg travels from an ovary through a fallopian tube to the womb (uterus).

When a woman goes through her "change of life" (menopause), her ovaries stop releasing eggs and make far lower levels of hormones.” (1)

It is not difficult to see the pattern in the inverted pyramid and SAT essay students can apply this to their SAT essay writing, adding in the necessary examples to back up their arguments. However, it is critical to use as many SAT essay questions’ words as is possible, plus additional ones that related directly to the topic.

Footnotes:
1. Thomas, A., “Ovarian Cancer”, © 2007 AJTConsultants; reproduced here with permission

Original Post: Online Schools

Sat Essays Writing – Using The Inverted Pyramid

Don't Assume PTA or PTO Members Get It The First Time. When you are trying to get the parents of your students behind your fundraising efforts, never be afraid that you are covering the same ground too often. Tell them many, many times why you are doing the fundraiser. It will surprise you how little makes it into your parents minds, even after they have read or heard something twice. Here are some tips to help you make sure that your important announcements get noticed and noted.

Have Specific Goals For Your Fundraiser. It is always better to be raising money for specific items or events than to be raising money "because the PTA or PTO needs it." You will find that if you communicate to the parents and teachers precisely what you are going to do with the money raised, they will be much more willing to participate.

Methods: Take Home Flyers, Several things that should always be done in preparation for your fundraising drive. One action to take is to send a letter out to parents early in the year telling them what fundraisers you will be doing and when. Tell them in the letter what you need funds for and how you're going to accomplish your goal i.e.: catalogs sale, cookie dough sale, car wash, candy sale, smencils etc. They won't feel as though your hands are constantly in their wallets.

The second thing you will want to do is write and attach to your sales brochure a letter to the parents of your students. In this letter you will tell them again why you are doing a fundraising project. You might even take this opportunity to tell them what you spent the money on that was raised in last year's fundraiser.

Methods: Email If you are fortunate enough to be able to use the school's e-mail system to announce your sale. This is a one button operation that give you great coverage with the parents of your school children.

Methods: Marquee Put a message up on the school marquee to let parents know about the sale. When it starts and ends are the best times to have a message up on the marquee. You can even change the message at various times during the sale just as a quick reminder that the sale is in progress.

Methods: Reminders via students Send a note home with the students midway through your sale to remind them about the sale. I recommend sending it home right before a weekend so they can sell over the weekend while with family and friends. It is a good idea to put any special promotions on this note to keep it in their minds.

Methods: Signs You can post signs advertising your fundraiser in various places around the school where parents will likely see them when dropping off or picking up their children.

Inside the school is where you want to do promotions that appeal to the students. The very best promotions will be geared toward the prizes that the students can earn. Things that are "different" will stand out to the students as the walk through the halls.

Methods: Do a live kick off This is much more motivating to students than a video presentation. They can see how the prizes work and it means that something different happened at school today. When parents ask their children about the day, they will remember this much better than sitting at their desk and seeing someone on a TV screen in their classroom.

Methods: Public Address System Do reminders on the daily announcements. This is a great opportunity to keep students motivated which in turn keeps them selling.

Work closely with your fundraising representative. Planning is key to communicating your fundraiser to your parents, faculty, and students. If you know what you're going to do and when you're going to do it, it is much easier to facilitate and run a profitable fundraiser and that is what it is all about. Your goal is to raise the most money possible for your group in the particular sale you are planning. After all, if you raise all the funds you need in the first one, you won't have to do a second fundraiser! You can achieve that by working smarter, not harder.

About the Author:

AIM Fundraising is a nationwide fundraising company that takes great pride in the fact that most of the groups it works with increase 40-400% over previous year's sales. Go to this link for complete fundraising information.

Original Post: Online Schools

Make Sure The PTA or PTO Hears About The Fundraiser And Repeat

An Accredited Distance Learning College Provides The Same Education As Traditional Colleges

The main feature of an accredited distance learning college is that you get to learn over the Internet from an online university that has already been recognized for providing education of an acceptable level. In fact, such form of education has of late begun to attract many people who prefer such education to going to a college and the main reason for such preference is that you get the same quality of education as you would if you were to attend a regular college or university.

Broad Horizons

Thanks to distance learning, one can now broaden one's horizons and the doors to greater success have also opened mainly because an accredited distance learning college allows you to avail of recognizable degrees that are as good if not better than the traditional institutions of learning. You also don't need to find time from your other duties to pursue your education further. With an accredited distance learning college, you can get to acquire the same skills as you would with a traditional college and there is also no dearth of subjects to choose from either.

Thanks to accredited distance learning colleges there is no need for you to go and spend your evenings at an evening school and they also allow you to learn at a pace of your own choosing and there is also no need to compromise with family or work responsibilities. However, before you choose an accredited distance learning college you should try and choose one that is located in your own neighborhood since it will give you a better chance of getting personalized attention, though there is no disadvantage to choosing a college that lies far away from your home.

Also, by enrolling at an accredited distance learning college you will give a boost to your chances of landing a better job and to also improve your current employment status since your resume will look better when you mention the name of an accredited distance learning college in it.

There are in fact a number of advantages that enrolling in an accredited distance learning college will give to you since an accredited distance learning degree enhances your skill levels considerably - often, even more than is the case after attending regular colleges.

In addition, an accredited distance learning college degree also imparts necessary skills which can then be put to use at your workplace and a good example of such skills is learning new ways of communicating online such as with programs like Excel, PowerPoint and other similar ones.

In fact, online accredited distance learning degrees are also wonderful because you get an introduction to new industries and so you can pursue your career along a given path. You may even be asked to pursue research as well as learn how to find pertinent information for yourself and this in turn, will lead to making new findings and coming into contact with more interesting ideas that will stand you in good stead further down the line.

Original Post: Online Schools

The Best Accredited Distance Learning College

Boost Your Career With Accredited Distance Learning Courses

If you are looking to give a boost to your career as well as also become better qualified, you need to give taking accredited distance learning courses a serious second thought. To be sure, accredited distance learning courses are useful only when they provide you with the best instructions and a solid education that will go a long way in helping you earn an out-of-turn promotion or land a more lucrative job, or even perhaps enter into a whole new type of career. What's more, with the help of accredited distance learning courses, you can earn more money and also do your studies part time while having many different subject streams to choose from.

Overwhelming Experience

When you are confronted by the many options offered by the many accredited distance learning courses you can be quite overwhelmed by the choices available. Whether you want to study medicine to become a nurse or wish to become an engineer, there are many excellent accredited distance learning courses waiting to be taken. Even better, these accredited distance learning courses are now being offered by the best institutions of education as well as top-notch universities who provide a variety of courses that span everything from golf to psychology.

If you are serious about attaining your future goals, then taking accredited distance learning courses is the way to go, though at the same time you need to be prepared to invest your time and money to take advantage of the many available choices. It is a good idea to first of all make your final decision with considerable care, especially as no two accredited distance learning schools will offer the same courses. Without a doubt, an accredited distance learning program is the best means of attaining your future goals, but it should be taken from only the more reputable institutions of learning, otherwise prospective employers may not consider it quite so favorably.

It is a good idea to research different accredited schools to ensure that the one that you finally settle on has the desired course, provides better than acceptable quality of education and they also allow you to transfer the credits, if necessary. Also, the curriculum of studies must be in tune with changing needs, especially as in today's fast paced world, things change very rapidly and new technologies make not so old ones almost obsolete faster than you can say the word study.

When all is said and done, choosing accredited distance learning courses for furthering your educational qualifications is a laudable goal and a sure means of making your career a success, provided of course that you enroll at a school that has an enviable reputation. The course you select should also preferably be a leader in education and sure to provide students with the best of skills that can then be applied in modern day workplaces.

Original Post: Online Schools

The New Accredited Distance Learning Courses

Martial arts schools in Westchester New York are quite easy to find. New York City is known as a hotbed for all things from fashion, food and many other things due to the highly diverse mixture of cultures. Martial arts is not to be excluded from this diversity so choosing a martial arts school can be overwhelming if you don't know where to begin. When it comes to studying martial arts there is a step to learn about everything. The same can be said when the time comes to pick out a martial art school. This process doesn't have to be frustrating, but if you are serious about your training you will want to be serious about the school that you choose as well.

The following guide was put together by us to assist anyone interested in finding the right martial arts school for them as well as the specifics of learning what is required of the signing up process. Setting aside some time now for research and some phone calls will save you a ton of heartache later when you choose the best school for you the first time. Many schools actually have limits on the amount of applications they accept so don't be surprised. Reviewing what you read here will help you immensely in being prepared for interviews as well as what to look out for while at the school itself.

Before you even begin you need to decide what it is that you want out of martial arts training. Why are you even considering this? Did you see a cool Jet Li movie or watched the Bourne trilogy (a style we specialize in and consulted for)? Have you seen some of these actresses lately and the shape they are in and know martial arts training can get you in shape while having fun? Maybe you are concerned in protecting yourself or teaching your children better discipline. You will want to tell that to the instructor so that they can get a better understanding of where you stand. You will need to determine your goals and set out for them.

Knowing what you want and talking with your instructor can make it so much easier to decide if their school is the right choice for you. Both you and the instructor should be on the same page so there will not be any surprises in the future. Martial arts schools that sign up everyone that walks in are something you should look out for. Your best interest is usually not their concern. Save your money and join the local gym if that's what you are looking for.

Determining the style or type of martial art you will be training in is the next step, some choose this first but the school itself will determine your success much more than the style. An instructor can give you their opinion and listen to them as you will find that is your deciding factor. You may just hit it off right away and that's a good enough reason to sign up. What you thought you liked may not be what it was cracked up to be and a totally different style is better for you. Remember you'll immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the style in order to be most successful.

Learning a particular style is your goal? Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Thai or Brazilian? Was having fun your thing? Questions such as these are something to think about so you'll be much better prepared in your search for the right martial arts school for you. Some schools look down on fun activities and take their school and style very seriously. Joking and fun is not in their vocabulary so be careful in what you say around them.

Deciding on the best martial arts school for you depends on so many factors. How you feel really should be your ultimate deciding factor as a great school and instructor can speed up your learning curve immensely. Distance can also be a factor but remember the commute will be well worth it if you enjoy yourself and actually learn something. Don't be afraid of paying more for a better school because you will lose much more by saving on price but sacrificing the quality of your education. Change schools quickly if you don't feel it's right because time is what you should be protecting the most as it's very valuable.

Original Post: Online Schools

Martial Arts Schools – The Secret To Choosing The Right One

North Kansas City Schools Have Only a Limited Amount of Funding Available

North Kansas City schools need to receive enough funding to ensure that students have the tools they need to learn. The problem with school budgets in general (not just the budget for North Kansas schools) is that the people in charge of those funds tend to forget exactly where the money comes from. The government can only collect so much in taxes, after all.

The challenge faced by North Kansas City schools is how to keep costs in line, while still providing a quality education. Since the vast majority of school board spending is on salaries, this is the budget item that might fist be examined for possible cuts. School business is a tough business. Teacher salaries are always a topic for debate and yet talented teachers are in demand and schools are finding it difficult to address budget needs at the teacher level.

Budget Goals at North Kansas City Schools Can Be Met Without Cutting Staff

I applaud the decision taken by board officials responsible for North Kansas City schools in deciding to look at where the public's tax dollars are being spent and make some changes where the lion's share of the money is being spent. No jobs will be cut, but the board officials at North Kansas City schools will be making adjustments to make better use of the human resources they already have.

The easy approach, by far, would be to get the axe out and start swinging. I was very glad to read that any reductions in the staff working at North Kansas City schools will be done through attrition. The schools can be thought of as being in the service industry; they get funding to provide educational services to our young people.

When you start cutting back too deep or too quickly, the quality of that service will suffer. When the quality of education suffers, then we will all end up paying for it. The children going through North Kansas City schools are our future leaders. If we start cutting the budgets for North Kansas City schools without having a detailed plan in place, we may end up with a generation that is not well prepared for life as adults when they finish school.

We use a portion of our tax dollars to invest in the next generation because we know those young people are worth it. The board officials need to spend those funds wisely, and that may mean making changes to class size or choosing not to run some courses where there isn't enough interest to justify keeping them going. North Kansas City schools are on the right track; more school districts need to follow in their footsteps.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Kansas City Missouri school district.

Original Post: Online Schools

Trimming The Budget At North Kansas City Schools Good News

Columbus Schools Need a Better Definition of Bullying

The definition of bullying being used in Columbus schools describes physical, written, or verbal acts against fellow students, but adds the words "more than once." I would argue that we all know what bullying is and that there should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior. By including the statement that an act is not considered bullying unless it happens for a second time gives the bully one free shot at a victim. That is simply not acceptable in Columbus schools or anywhere else, for that matter.

If we are talking about a physical act of violence that an adult commits, do they get one freebie before it is considered a crime? Not at all! Anyone who chooses to bully another student needs to take responsibility for their actions from the very first time they behave in that manner. All acts of bullying are harmful to the victims involved, whether it's the first time or not, and administrators at Columbus schools need to step up and recognize that fact.

Consequences of Bullying Should be Spelled Out

Not only should the definition of bullying used by Columbus schools be tightened up, but the consequences for this type of behavior should also be explained in detail with the objective of making consequences a deterrent in themselves. Students and parents should know what to expect if their child is bullied and, more importantly, know the consequences should their child be the bully.

For the policy to be effective, all bullying incidents at Columbus schools must be taken seriously. All allegations of bullying need to be investigated promptly, and if they are found to have merit, the penalty should be imposed with no exceptions. It's the only way that the problem of bullying at Columbus schools and in other jurisdictions has a chance of being overcome.

Too many people have the opinion that children have always picked on each other and that's just the way it is. I believe that over time our attitudes toward what is considered acceptable behavior can and does change. The students at Columbus schools deserve to learn in an environment that encourages tolerance. The victims of bullying at Columbus schools are not the problem; the problem of bullying lies squarely with the bullies themselves.

Let's tell officials at Columbus schools that their policy needs to be rewritten so that bullying incidents are dealt with the first time they occur, not give bullies a free first shot.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Columbus Public Schools.

Original Post: Online Schools

Are The Columbus Schools Policies As Tough As Their Bullies?

Los Angeles schools who attend these failing schools (approximately 13 in all) may feel like they are being taken care of by their school board, if they take the time to even think about it. Most likely, they have their minds on other, more pressing (to them) matters, such as living in poverty, learning to speak English, learning with disabilities and whether or not to stay in school at all.

These students attending these Los Angeles schools may look to their school as a place of sanctuary, but given the habit of teens to bring wear their problems on their sleeves, it’s doubtful that even the best school can offer much sanctuary from a stressful life.

The Plan: Inspired or Misguided?

So is the “Plan” misguided? I believe that the leaders of Los Angeles schools truly want to improve their schools that need improving. Is the plan the best way to go? Well, let’s take a look at a few of its high points.

• Local Control – individual Los Angeles schools will be given control over how they will improve. With district support, these Los Angeles schools can use what methods work best for their particular students. (One has to wonder, however, that if the administrators of these Los Angeles schools were doing their best in the first place, whether the problems would be as extensive as they currently are.)

• Rigorous Curriculum – Setting a higher standard for students to reach is all well and good, but if the students attending these failing Los Angeles schools are already behind, (and it’s a good bet that this is so, especially if we’re talking about those in danger of dropping out or with learning disabilities) it’s hard to see how raising the bar will help. Perhaps more concentration should go into getting these students of Los Angeles schools back on track academically speaking.

• High Quality Instruction – This simply means putting better teachers in the classrooms. Too often, low-achieving schools are the dumping ground for what’s wrong with the teaching profession; they’ll take any assignment they can get in order to keep their jobs. They’re teaching for the paycheck (as unbelievable as THAT may be) and little else. Improving teacher quality is imperative; principals have got to be able to rearrange, reassign, retrain or even FIRE ineffective teaching staff. Failing teachers working at failing Los Angeles schools really do not deserve job security. We wouldn’t accept that from a doctor, lawyer, policeman or even preacher, so why should teaching be any different?

While these are only a few areas which are addressed in “The Strategic Plan for High Priority Schools”, it is easy to see that Los Angeles schools have their work cut out for them. Reform is necessary, and won’t be simple. Hopefully, the leaders of Los Angeles schools will stick to their jobs for the long haul and fix what’s wrong with these Los Angeles schools.

Patricia Hawke is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations and education for relocating families. For more information please visit Los Angeles Unified School District

Original Post: Online Schools

Can Strategy Save Failing Los Angeles Schools?

College health professionals are charged with a duty of care for students’ health and wellbeing; the somewhat daunting task of keeping them safe from alcohol-related injury and death can be seen as part of that responsibility. The question is, how can an already-stretched college health center best tackle the continuing problem of harm related to binge drinking?

An increasing number of health professionals, including Dr. James Schaus, assistant director for clinical services at the University of Central Florida, and principal investigator in the NIAAA-funded study entititled “Alcohol Screening and Intervention in a College Clinic”, believe the answer lies in a well-implemented program of alcohol screening followed by brief interventions for high-risk students. The goal of a brief intervention is to reduce harm and effect a change in behavior. This is particularly important for this age group, explains Schaus.

“Students are at a pivotal time in their life,” he said. “If you can connect with a college student on the topic of alcohol and other social and preventative health issues, and get them to recognize that there is a problem and maybe even do something to change it, you’re likely to be affecting their behavior for life.”

The first step, however, is to screen students for high-risk drinking. There are several ways to do this. The AUDIT or Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is a 10 question screen developed and validated by the World Health Organization, but there are other, even simpler screens also available. Schaus recommends a single question screen that includes the “5/4” definition of high-risk drinking. “If the student is male, the question is ‘In the last two weeks, have you had five or more drinks in a row?’ If the student is female, the figure changes to four or more drinks in a row.”

Schaus believes that the key to successful screening is to take a non-judgmental, student-centered approach. “Alcohol can be a sensitive topic with students. If you ask them straight out about their consumption of alcohol or drugs, you’re not likely to get an honest answer,” he said. “But if you use a motivational interview style and approach the subject on their terms, making sure you’re non-judgmental in the way you deal with it, they feel more comfortable.”

This style of interviewing can be applied to substance abuse, eating disorders and a range of other problems. In fact, claims Schaus, when you use this approach, you can often end up discussing other important problems that the student didn’t initially plan on broaching. If the student has a positive experience talking about these sensitive topics, it also makes it more likely that they will return to the health center if they have a problem in the future.

Once you’ve identified the high-risk students, the next step is to conduct a brief intervention. As the name suggests, it doesn’t have to be time consuming. There have been a number of studies delivered by counselors suggesting that even very brief sessions – as little as five minutes – can reduce harm. Schaus suggests, if possible, scheduling two 20-minute sessions and using a behavioral change counseling approach. This type of counseling is based on motivational interviewing but requires less time to be effective.

Most students fall into the category of at-risk consumption, which brief interventions are effective at tackling. According to Schaus, traditional, longer-term counseling is more appropriate for alcohol use disorders, alcohol abuse or alcohol dependency. However, usually only five to 10 percent of college students fall into these categories.

The challenge, of course, is to incorporate this into the schedule of a busy student health center. One tactic for doing this is known as the “teachable moment”. Schaus explains, “If a student presents with a sprained ankle because they fell over when drunk, or if they’re being tested for an STD because they had a high-risk sexual encounter while intoxicated, you can use these incidents as a starting point to talk about alcohol.”

Additionally, Schaus advises that there should be a dedicated formal screen at initial patient registration at the health center. Making sure that all students have participated can be a simple process if your health center has a practice management system such as Nuesoft Xpress?. With the click of a button, a list can be compiled of all students who have not yet been screened, and a follow up letter sent to each one. Students can even schedule their own screenings via Nuesoft Xpress’ student Web portal.

Schaus’ screening and intervention recommendations seem to be practical ones. Yet a 2004 article by Foote in Journal of American College Health indicated that only 32 percent of college health centers routinely screen and only 12 percent use a standardized, approved screen. What’s more, says Schaus, the majority of these health centers use the CAGE screen (so called because it is a mnemonic of the key words from each question) which is a screen primarily used to detect alcohol dependency rather than at-risk consumption.

“Apart from the lack of time and money, many college health centers feel their staff hasn’t had adequate training to deliver an intervention,” says Schaus. “But only eight hours of training are required for staff to be able to deliver an effective brief intervention.” Educational resources are accessible either through the BASICS program or the College Drinking Prevention Curriculum developed by the NIAAA.

This combination of screening and brief interventions appears to be effective at identifying at-risk students and changing their behavior significantly.

“At 12 months out from our initial study, we’re seeing a lasting effect,” said Schaus.

Not only did the study show statistically significant reductions in all eight alcohol consumption outcomes (including peak blood alcohol count and number of drinks consumed in one sitting); it also showed reductions in alcohol related harms including driving after three or more drinks, taking foolish risks and physical injuries.

Those college health centers with Nuesoft Xpress can use the clinical study feature to track the effectiveness of their own alcohol prevention program over time. As the results of studies such as Schaus’ become publicized, more college health centers will find a way to implement these types of screenings and brief interventions, making high-risk drinking on campus less prevalent and helping to safeguard students.

Cassie Harman writes for NueMD (http://www.nuemd.com ), a provider of medical billing software. This article previously appeared in the Nuesoft Xpress e-nues .

Original Post: Online Schools

Health Centers’ Role Critical In Screening Students For High-Risk Drinking

Austin ISD student population includes 82,541 students on 113 campuses, consisting of 78 Elementary Schools, 17 Middle Schools, 12 High Schools, and 6 Special Campuses. The district offers several advanced academic magnet programs available to students at the secondary level. The Kealing Magnet School focuses on Math, Science, and Liberal Arts. The Humanities and Law Magnet for International Studies emphasizes Humanities and Law. The Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) offers concentrated studies in Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Each magnet school program has its own admission criteria and application process. Magnet school programs offer students challenging academic programs at a faster pace than the regular school coupled with intensive studies. The students in magnet school programs thrive on challenge from their peers and learn cooperative work strategies to achieve goals.

Austin Independent School District offers the lowest tax rate of any school district in Central Texas at $1.163/$100 valuation.

Each year the Texas Education Agency (TEA) issues an Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) Report Card rating schools upon a number of criteria, one of which is performance on statewide testing. Austin ISD was rated as Academically Acceptable for 2007. Austin ISD has maintained this Academically Acceptable rating each year since the TEA Accountability Rating System has been in place. The averages for Austin ISD were well above state standards in all five content areas.

On the individual school Report Cards, seven Elementary Schools were rated as Exemplary by TEA: Baranoff, Casis, Gullett, Highland Park, Hill, Kiker, and Mills.

In addition, seventeen Austin ISD schools obtained Recognized status for 2007. The Recognized Elementary Schools included Barton Hills, Blanton, Bryker Woods, Clayton, Cowan, Cunningham, Davis, Doss, Joslin, Lee, Metz, Oak Hill, Ortega, Pillow, Summit, and Zilker. Bailey Middle School and Small Middle School, both located in Southwest Austin, were also identified as Recognized campuses.

Seven Austin ISD schools have been distinguished by the United States Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools. Schools receiving this recognition are those that excel in academics in their states or demonstrate exceptional gains in student achievement. Crockett High School, Lamar Middle School, Davis Elementary, Doss Elementary, Highland Park Elementary, Hill Elementary, and Pillow Elementary have been distinguished as National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Eighth grade students within the Austin ISD participated in the Writing Test of the 2007 National Assessment of Educational Progress, the Nation’s Report Card. Of the ten large urban school districts participating, Austin ISD’s eighth graders scored as well or better, on the average, than the majority of the other school districts.

Austin Independent School District is your choice for culturally diverse schools with a wealth of innovative program options. Texas takes each child's education serious and over the years has improved to become a respectable school district. To find out more information about current standing with the Austin Independent School District, visit their web site at www.austinisd.org.

Austin Referral Realty is a real estate brokerage in Austin Texas consisting of a group of dedicated Realtors. Search real estate for sale within the Austin Independent School District or browse homes by Austin Neighborhoods.

Original Post: Online Schools

Austin Independent School District

Tips for Test Taking from Detroit Schools

There are three distinct stages of test-taking according to Detroit Schools: before the test, day of the test, and after the test. Knowing what to do in each stage can be the most helpful in helping a child prepare for a test.

? Before the Test: In the weeks before a test, parents should be asking to see their child’s homework assignments. Parents should sit down with their children and discuss the reasons why he or she thinks they are getting the questions wrong. Parents should help children not just with answers to the questions but how those answers were arrived at. When a parent is stumped too, call the teacher. Detroit Schools have gone to lengths ensuring that all on their teaching staff are highly qualified. Parents of Detroit students should not hesitate to call and ask questions regarding their child’s progress.

Parents can also make sure that their child has adequate space to do homework in a quiet and well lit area. A rule of thumb for home work, depending upon age is 20 minutes of study for each hour of class 5 days a week through Jr. High. In High School that number increases to 30 minutes. Friday and Saturday nights can be rest nights with Sunday through Thursday nights being study nights. Effort and accountability are key lessons parents can teach their children. Detroit Schools recommend that parents give lots of praise for a job well done. The younger the child, the more he is actively seeking parental approval.

? Day of the Test: On the day of the test, Detroit Schools recommend that parents make sure their child is well rested and well fed with a hearty breakfast. Studies have shown that a student who has eaten breakfast performs better on tests. Also parents should be sure that the student arrives to school on time and is calm and relaxed. Reassure him that everything will go well and that he or she is ready. Also parents should re assure that as long as their child has done their best, everything will turn out alright. Detroit Schools will take it from there!

? After the Test: After the test is graded and sent home, parents should go over it with their children. Detroit Schools wants parents to ask their children questions about the test. If the student marked a question wrong but knows the right answer, there might be an underlying problem. Concerned parents should contact their teacher. Detroit Schools welcomes calls to teachers, principals, or counselors in order to resolve any problems.

Taking an active role in a child’s education is a parental responsibility!

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Detroit Public Schools

Original Post: Online Schools

Tips For Test Taking In Detroit Schools

Tips for New Mentors

New mentors for Dallas Schools have a lot to live up to. It’s mentor’ responsibility to motivate and support the students in the program. Naturally, it can all be overwhelming, so here are some tips:

? Attendance: Since the AVID program is conducted mostly online, it is imperative that mentors show up for any scheduled face-to-face meetings with a Dallas Schools AVID student. This will ensure that mentors and students get to know each other properly and are able to attach a face to a name. Mentors’ should ask their students questions about his or her personal life. Find out about their goals, hopes, fears, etc. This will really help you in the mentoring process because you’ll know the student that much better.

? Limits: It is very important that a mentor understands that there are limits in their Dallas Schools AVID student’s life. He or she may not have access to a computer at home so it might take longer for him to respond to a mentor’s emails simply because it has to be done at school. Even with school internet access, it might take as long as a week to respond to any email a mentor might send. In order to work around this better, a mentor should find out when the student has internet access so they can establish a schedule of email response times accordingly.

? Do’s and Don’ts: Mentors should not, under any circumstances, initiate any outside contact with their student. Correspondence can only be made through email and scheduled AVID program events. It might be tempting to a mentor to take their Dallas Schools AVID student out to lunch or to talk over telephone, but remember that it is strictly forbidden by the program. This program might seem challenging to a mentor at first, because the student may not respond quickly. Dallas Schools encourages mentors to stick with it. Mentor should continue to provide words or encouragement for their Dallas Schools AVID reminding them that mentor support is behind them.

Overall, it seems that the E-mentoring program in Dallas Schools is headed in the right direction, but the lack of physical contact between mentor and student is troubling. Interaction works so much better between two people if they can meet on a regular basis and talk face-to-face. Dallas Schools, in order to be truly successful with the program, should consider integrating more supervised and meaningful face-to-face time in their e-mentoring program. The detached and impersonal nature of email mentoring would seem to be limiting in its power to make an impact on Dallas drop out rates.

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Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Dallas Independent School District

Original Post: Online Schools

Can Distance E-Mentoring In Dallas Schools Succeed?

National School Lunch Program in Chicago Schools

? National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The NSLP in Chicago Schools is completely voluntary, but many are participating in it because it provides cash reimbursement for schools that participate. Essentially, Chicago Schools participate in order to give your child a low or free of cost meal. In providing the meals, the government gives those participating Chicago Schools cash to keep the program going.

? Snack Services: Not all of Chicago Schools provide snack services after school, but they usually will if that school also has an after school program. The after school program is designed to keep children inside of the Chicago Schools learning and being constructive versus the temptations and safety issues facing them as latch key kids. They provide a healthy snack so kids can bridge the gap between lunch and dinner.

? Milk Program: Chicago Schools also have a milk program that provides free milk to those who cannot afford it. A cash reimbursement is also given to the schools that do this. The only stipulation is that a school with the milk program cannot have another NSLP program too. They have to choose which is the more pressing ned among its students.

Overall, it is nice to know that Chicago Schools are contributing to the overall health of its students. After all, a healthy child is a happier child and nutrition certainly contributes toward the educational success of children. It has been noted that the NSLP should increase its quality and control ensuring that its food be healthier. NSLP serves mostly processed foods that are increasingly under fire for containing ingredients that lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. They are used simply out of economics. Some argue that the NSLP in Chicago Schools are contradicting their very goals in failing to provide a truly healthy and nutritious lunch. Those critical of the current program believe the Chicago Schools should find more funding in order to provide a lunch that doesn’t just claim to be nutritious, but actually is nutritious. Of course the challenge is finding more funds.

As a parent, you’ve seen your child’s school lunch menu. How nutritious is it really? If you have concerns, you can always call your child’s school to ask for the nutritional information available or to just voice a concern about the food service system. The more parents voicing opinions, the responsive School Districts are to needs for change.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Chicago Public Schools

Original Post: Online Schools

Nutrition In Chicago Schools

What are Charlotte Schools’ Specific Goals for the Future?

? Lowering Ratios: Ratios are a part of life for most school districts and the Charlotte Schools are no different. The teacher student ratios are what are most concerning administrators and faculty alike. As more children move attend the district schools, more and more pressure is placed on existing teachers because their classroom numbers keep growing. Charlotte Schools are responding by hiring more teachers to lower the ratio of teachers to students. After all, the more interaction that a child has with his or her teacher, the better chance for academic success he or she will have.

? High Standards: Charlotte Schools desires to have best schools in the area. They aim to accomplish this goal by remaining uncompromised on their time tested academic standards but ensuring that new teacher hires meet a quality that will be up to the task. The burden of educational accomplishment falls not just at the base of the teachers. It is viewed as a three way contract. Students are expected to be motivated in their education and to learn more as the district expands it’s academic standards instead of contracting them. Administrators will be expected to handle the fiscal responsibility of keeping Charlotte Schools modern while also a desirable place for high quality teachers. Teachers will be expected to develop themselves more professionally, and the entire school will be expected to increase its performance on every level. High standards in Charlotte Schools require that motivated and talented people are putting forth their best effort.

Implementing the Goals of Charlotte Schools

Charlotte Schools need help in implementing their goals. They want parents to provide their children with help he or she needs academically succeed. Such needs include making positive learning environment at home and the encouragement to ask questions about homework or any problem he or she might be facing. In order to achieve high standards, children need their parents. Parents should ensure the child has adequate work space and enough time to finish his or her homework. Most importantly, encourage school attendance. The more he or she attends, the more he or she will learn.

Parents are encouraged to be active within the school district as well. One can see a myriad of volunteer opportunities at their child’s school. Learning is a community event and more should participate in the school system in order to help it run better. Join the PTA. Coach a sport. Get active in children’s education!

Overall, in our Country their seems to be an increasing trend toward placing education further on the back burner in favor of other more interesting things like helping students at home, we’re watching television or surfing the internet with the mentality that learning should only take place at school. This couldn’t be more wrong. Learning in the home begins at birth and into adulthood. If we parents take an active role in their children’s education, efforts like those taking place in the Charlotte Schools will fall well short of their potential.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools

Original Post: Online Schools

Goals Of Charlotte Schools

Denver Schools’ Tips for Talking to Your Child about Sex

Denver Schools understand how awkward the “sex talk” can be between a parent and their child. But, they also know that parents talking to their children about sex can play a very important role in his or her sexual development in future years. Typically, the more open and honest parents are now, the better educated the child will be later. Denver Schools offer tips o parents to engage in a discussion about sex with their children:

? Age Levels: The child’s age and maturity level should be a major factor in knowing the right time to talk with them. Parents should make the talk gear toward their level of maturity. A younger child might not need to know all the details that an adolescent might need to know. Denver Schools suggest that parents keep the language as simple as possible for younger children.

? Start Early: Denver Schools suggests that parents start talking to their children at an early age. They stress that the talk should not simply be about intercourse, however. They need to know how the body matures as well. A younger child will be more curious about the differences between genders than intercourse. Denver Schools encourage parents to be sure they use the correct names for all body parts when trying to explain these differences. It will help to avoid confusion.

? Be Available: After parents speak to their children, Denver Schools suggests that parents mention that their children can always come to them if they ever have any questions. It is also encouraged to recognize the one parent talk with their child that it is over. Different talks held at different stages of life are the best way for a child to learn the intricacies about sex. In fact, the earlier a parent starts with their child the easier it will be as they grow up and can understand more. Remember that children know when something makes a parent uncomfortable, so parents should treat discussions on the body and sex very matter-of-factly. If children realize that talking about sex makes a parent feel uncomfortable, the child might not come to the parent if they have any additional questions.

Overall, Denver Schools are encouraging parents to promote sexual education in the home in order to give parents the power to educate their children on very important topics. The more strength one has as a parent, the better off the relationship with a child will be.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. For more information please visit Denver Public Schools

Original Post: Online Schools

Sex And Parents In Denver Schools