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How Schools are Governed and Funded
Explore the differences in governance and funding models between charter schools, traditional public schools, and private K-12 schools. Gain insights into how these factors shape educational experiences and outcomes for students.

As the education landscape evolves, it is essential to examine different schooling options and understand their strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact on students' educational experiences. In this article, we will compare three primary education models: charter schools, traditional public schools, and private K-12 schools, concerning governance and funding.

Charter Schools

Charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate under a charter or contract, which grants them increased autonomy and flexibility compared to traditional public schools. Individuals, organizations, or groups typically establish charter schools with a specific educational vision or focus.

Charter schools are independent public schools free to innovate while being held accountable for improved student achievement. They foster a culture of creativity, flexibility, and autonomy that allows teachers and school leaders to design and implement effective educational models tailored to the needs of their students. - National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

Governance Structure

Charter schools usually have their governing boards responsible for making important decisions regarding curriculum, budget allocation, hiring, and overall school policies. These boards can include parents, community members, educators, and experts from various fields. The thin governance structure allows for more localized decision-making. It promotes flexibility in responding to the needs of students and the community than is possible in an administration with more layers of management.

Flexibility in Curriculum and Management

One of the key features of charter schools is their flexibility in designing their curriculum and educational approach. Charter schools can develop specialized

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Standardized Tests

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Standardized Tests
Standardized tests have a long history in American K-12 education. We examine what standardized tests evaluate and more.

Standardized tests are a common way to assess student performance and academic achievement in K-12 schools. Schools use several types of standardized tests to evaluate different aspects of student learning.

Here are some key aspects that standardized tests evaluate:

Content Knowledge

Standardized tests assess students' understanding of the subject, including key concepts, facts, and vocabulary. They aim to measure how well students have grasped the content taught at their grade level or across multiple years.

Application of Skills

These tests evaluate students' ability to apply their knowledge to solve problems and analyze information. They assess critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills essential for academic success.

Reading Comprehension

Standardized tests often include passages or questions about reading comprehension. They measure students' ability to understand and interpret written texts, including identifying main ideas, making inferences, and evaluating arguments.

Writing Skills

Some standardized tests include writing components, where students must express their ideas coherently, use appropriate grammar and vocabulary, and organize their thoughts effectively. These sections evaluate students' written communication skills.

Quantitative Reasoning

Mathematics is a fundamental subject assessed in standardized tests. They gauge students' understanding of mathematical concepts, procedures, and problem-solving abilities. The tests may cover various areas, such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics, and data analysis.

Scientific Inquiry

Tests in science subjects assess students' understanding of scientific concepts and ability to apply scientific inquiry methods. They evaluate skills like observation, experimentation, data analysis, and drawing conclusions based on evidence.

Test-Taking Skills

Standardized tests also

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Overcoming Common Reading Difficulties

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Overcoming Common Reading Difficulties
Follow the story of Sarah, a fictional character who overcame common reading difficulties with the help of the three cueing system. This blog post explores the advantages and disadvantages of the three cueing system and provides strategies for implementing it effectively.

Learning to read can be a challenging task for many children. Some children may struggle with decoding words, while others may have trouble with comprehension. Luckily, there are effective methods for teaching reading, such as the three-cueing system.

Sarah's Story

In this blog post, we will follow the fictional story of a young girl named Sarah, who overcame common reading difficulties with the help of the three cueing system. Sarah was a bright and curious child who loved to explore the world around her. However, when it came to reading, she struggled. She would often get frustrated when she couldn't decode a word or understand the meaning of a sentence. Finally, her parents and teachers noticed her difficulties and decided to seek help.

The Struggle to Read

Sarah's journey to learning to read was not an easy one. She struggled with decoding words and often guessed the meaning of sentences based on the context. Her parents and teachers tried various methods to help her, but nothing worked. As a result, Sarah became increasingly frustrated and started to lose confidence in herself. However, things began to change when Sarah's teacher introduced her to the three-cueing system.

A reading expert explains how we can help struggling readers.

The Three Cueing System

Sarah's teacher explained that the three cueing system was a method of teaching reading that focused on three types of cues: meaning, structure, and

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Have Smartphones Ruined Public Education?

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Have Smartphones Ruined Public Education?
I used to think that students having smartphones in school was a bad thing. Not any more. Here are my reasons why.

The short answer is "No!" As a parent, grandparent, and former teacher, I assumed the answer would be "Yes!" Smartphones are everywhere. Young people spend hours staring at those tiny screens. They most certainly can be a distraction. But the bottom line is that smartphones are affordable communication tools for students from various socio-economic levels.

Advantage No. 1

The whole point of K-12 education is to teach young people how to think critically, analyze information, and organize academic work and other related activities. Smartphones are incredibly efficient for managing all kinds of data. Teaching a young person how to organize her work, take notes, and set reminders lays the groundwork for success in whatever endeavors she takes up after graduating high school.

Advantage No. 2

Smartphones level the playing field by making a powerful computing tool available to students who otherwise could not afford a traditional laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. Smartphones are also invaluable when textbooks are not available.

Advantage No. 3

With the advent of smartphones and their tremendous computing power came apps. So I asked ChatGPT for a list of educational apps, and this is what it produced:

  1. Kahoot!: This app allows teachers to create quizzes and games for their students, which can be played in the classroom or remotely.
  2. Duolingo: Duolingo is a language learning app providing interactive lessons in dozens of languages.
  3. Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers a wide range of free online courses and lessons in subjects such as math, science, and history.
  4. Quizlet: Quizlet
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Prevent Suicide

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Prevent Suicide
988 is the suicide and crisis lifeline. Parents, teachers, and students can help prevent suicide once they know the warning signs.

The nation got a new Suicide Hotline on July 16, 2022. All somebody has to do is dial 988 to speak with a trained counselor. 24/7

988 has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (now known as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), and is now active across the United States.

When people call, text, or chat 988, they will be connected to trained counselors that are part of the existing Lifeline network. These trained counselors will listen, understand how their problems are affecting them, provide support, and connect them to resources if necessary. Source: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Before we discuss suicide in more detail, please print out the logo above and pin it to your kitchen noticeboard. Then, tell your children what 988 is and what it is used for, so they can help somebody in need the same way they do by knowing how and when to call 911.

This video explains how the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline works.

Suicide: The Subject Nobody Wants To Talk About

Suicide knows no age limits. It is shocking and tragic, no matter how or when it occurs. It scatters guilt widely as the friends and loved ones of the deceased wonder what they could have done to prevent somebody from taking her life. What subtle warning signs

. . .read more

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