Should Your Child Go to College Right After High School?

When you ask your child about what he learned in school, he can probably tell you what subject he studied and rattle off some relevant facts. But when he brings home a test on the subject, you don’t see an “A” marked in red at the top of the page. Many parents do not realize that testing is not necessarily an accurate measure of your child’s intelligence or even of his ability to understand certain subject matter. Testing is a skill, and some children struggle more than others.

If your child seems perfectly intelligent and hardworking but still struggles with testing, you shouldn’t just brush it off. Testing is an important part of most school curriculums, so it will benefit your child to take action sooner than later if he struggles with testing. Keep reading to learn more about why your child might be struggling and what you can do to help him.

In this video, Hardin Coleman, Dean of the Boston University School of Education, discusses the role of standardized testing in evaluating student and school performance.

Does Your Child Struggle with Testing in School?

Your child may be bright or even gifted, but he could still be struggling in school – especially when it comes to testing. It is common for intelligent students to test poorly, but, unfortunately, they are evaluated more on their test results than their actual intelligence. The truth of

Autism is by no means a rare condition, though a great deal of research still needs to be completed to truly understand the cause of this condition and the best way to treat it. If you have a child with autism, getting through the day can be challenging. The thought of sending your autistic child to school – to an environment that could be scary and overwhelming for your child – may cause you to panic. With education and preparation, however, you can get your autistic child ready for school.

In this article, you will learn some background information about autism to help you understand your child's unique challenges in school. You will also receive some detailed tips to help prepare yourself and your child to make the transition into school as smooth as possible. The more prepared you and your child are, the better he can transition into a school setting.

Understanding the Basics of Autism

Autism spectrum disorder, more commonly known as autism, is a general term for complex brain development disorders. Autism affects the child’s social interactions as well as his verbal and nonverbal communication skills and repetitive behaviors. Every child with autism is unique, though in general, autism seems to be rooted in early brain development. Signs of autism tend to manifest between the ages of 2 and 3 years, though they can certainly appear earlier or later. Autism is frequently associated with intellectual disabilities, difficulties with motor coordination, and, in some cases, physical

The quality of your child’s education will have a significant impact on the rest of his life. The education he receives while he is young will prepare him for higher education and, eventually, a career. The challenge is, however, that there are many different types of schools to choose from. If you want your child to receive the best education available to him, consider enrolling him in a magnet school.

What is a Magnet School?

A magnet school is a type of public school that, while still part of the local public school system, has a particular curricular focus. In many ways, magnet schools are just another type of school but there are some key features that set these schools apart. In the United States, magnet schools are developed around a core set of five principles according to the Magnet Schools of America organization. These five pillars include the following things:

• Diversity – Part of what sets magnet schools apart from other schools is the focus on diversity which gives students a global educational experience. Through recruitment and lottery systems, magnet schools strive to develop a student body that is reflective of the surrounding community.
• Innovative Curriculum and Professional Development – Each magnet school has a particular theme and the curriculum is relevant to that theme, designed to prepare students for higher education and eventual career success.
• Academic Excellence – Magnet schools are committed to multi-dimensional instruction which is focused on the needs of the students. Various assessment strategies

They say that teaching is a thankless job – not only are teachers underpaid, but many of them dedicate countless hours of their free time to do extra work for their students. Being a teacher, in general, can be very difficult, but being a special needs teacher comes with its own unique set of challenges. Whether you are a special needs teacher or the parent of a special needs child, keep reading to learn some helpful tips for making the most of your child’s education.

What are the Challenges of Working with Special Needs Students?

Compared to most other professions, the burn-out rate for special needs teachers is extremely high – approximately 50% of special education teachers leave their jobs within just 5 years. Teaching is a difficult and stressful career in and of itself, but special education adds an extra layer of difficulty. Some of the biggest challenges of working with special needs students are as follows:

• Lack of parental support. You can pour your heart and soul into your efforts as a special education teacher but if the child’s parents are not on board, all of that work could be for nothing. Having a positive relationship with the parents of your students is essential.
• Lack of appreciation. Teachers do not teach because it is a prestigious or high-paying career – they do it for the love of the students. Still, a little appreciation goes a long way, especially in a challenging and stressful field like special education.
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