Student Populations

The latest trends, laws and resources for a variety of student populations. Every child has different needs, and this section offers helpful information for LGBT, special education, gifted, low-income, and minority students.

View the most popular articles in Student Populations:

Changes and Revisions to the GED Test

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Changes and Revisions to the GED Test
Explore the transformative changes and revisions that have shaped the General Educational Development (GED) test over the past decade. From transitioning to a computer-based format to aligning with college and career readiness standards, this article provides an in-depth analysis of the GED 2014 series. Discover how the GED test empowers individuals without a traditional high school diploma to unlock opportunities for further education and career success.

For individuals unable to earn a traditional high school diploma, the General Educational Development (GED) test offers a second chance to acquire a recognized credential. Over the past decade, the GED has undergone significant changes and revisions, aligning it with modern educational standards and enhancing its relevance in today's job market. Here, then, is a comprehensive overview of the transformations in the GED test, empowering individuals of all ages to make informed decisions about pursuing this alternative pathway to education and career success. I can personally attest to the importance of the GED as one of my children, who we homeschooled, passed the GED examination.

Transformations to the GED

The Transition from GED 2002 to GED 2014

In the early 2000s, the GED 2002 series was replaced by the GED 2014 series. This transition aligned the test with the evolving educational landscape, particularly the Common Core State Standards. The GED 2014 series emphasized critical thinking, problem-solving, and real-world applications, ensuring that test-takers were prepared for the challenges of higher education and the workforce.

Computer-Based Testing

One of the significant changes in the GED test was the adoption of a computer-based format—this shift from the traditional paper-and-pencil test allowed for a more interactive experience. Test-takers could navigate through questions, receive immediate feedback, and complete the test at their own pace. Additionally, computer-based testing facilitated faster delivery of test results, enabling individuals to move forward with their education and career plans more efficiently.

Subject Area Revisions

The

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Do Low-Income Boys Struggle More than Low-Income Girls in School?

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Do Low-Income Boys Struggle More than Low-Income Girls in School?
How does socioeconomic status affect students and are boys more sensitive to disadvantage than girls?

If you live in the United States you cannot help but be aware of the gender gap. In the professional world, men are paid more than women and women often do not receive the same opportunities as their male counterparts. But how does the gender gap manifest in schools, especially public schools?

The sad truth of the matter is that low-income students often do not receive the same quality of instruction or educational opportunities as upper-class students, but even within the lower-income class there are disparities between boys and girls. There is a great deal of evidence to suggest that low-income boys are more disadvantaged than low-income girls and they may have a harder time breaking out of the broken public school system to make a better life for themselves.

Public School Statistics in the United States

According to the Southern Education Foundation (SEF), low-income students have become the majority in children attending public schools. A survey conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) showed that 51% of the students in the U.S. public school system came from low-income families in 2013. In some states, the percentage is even higher. For example, in Mississippi the number of low-income children in public schools is 71% - that is nearly three out of four students.

Not only are these statistics troubling in terms of educational disparity, but the SEF comments that “No longer can we consider the problems and needs of low-income students simply a matter of fairness…

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‘My Brother’s Keeper’ Seeks to Give African-American Boys a Boost

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‘My Brother’s Keeper’ Seeks to Give African-American Boys a Boost
President Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper initiative aims to improve academic opportunities for students of color, especially African-American boys.

It is no secret that youth of color, particularly black boys, face a mountain of obstacles to success. Black boys are more likely than their white peers to be suspended or expelled from school, more likely to drop out, less likely to graduate from high school, more likely to be unemployed, in prison, and die at an early age. These are problems that school districts, cities, and states have sought to fix for years and years, but with only pockets of success. It is a bleak outlook, but one that the Obama administration seeks to change with the most comprehensive reform and aid effort yet.

About the Initiative

The overarching purpose of My Brother’s Keeper is to address gaps in educational and related services that persist for young men of color. The initiative is a cooperation between local, state, and federal agencies, private business, and non-profits to bring essential services to the nation’s neediest youth. In total, the initiative includes five primary goals:

  • Prepare Children to Learn – Provide support programs that foster intellectual, physical, social, and emotional growth so children are prepared to begin school.
  • Boost Literacy – Support early learning initiatives that get children reading at grade level by age 8.
  • Help Kids Graduate from High School Prepared for College – Promote educational programs that prepare students for success in postsecondary environments and facilitate training for in-demand jobs.
  • Facilitate Workforce Readiness –
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Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools

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Changing Demographics Will Alter the Diversity of Public Schools
Uncover the projected changes in enrollment among diverse ethnic groups and the challenges state education systems face in meeting growing financial demands amidst increasing enrollment

Over the last 60 years, American public schools have become more and more diverse, with various ethnic and racial groups comprising a significant percentage of total enrollment. However, according to new data released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the diversity of public schools in this nation will change drastically over the next decade and appear much differently than today.

The Numbers

The number of white students enrolled in public schools has been falling for years. According to the NCES, between 2000 and 2010, white enrollment decreased from 61 percent to 52 percent of the total public school population. At the same time, the number of Hispanic students increased from 16 percent to 23 percent of total enrollment. This was a trend seen throughout the country over that timespan, with schools in the South and the West seeing the largest Hispanic enrollment increases of any region.

Graph from Huffington Post

The 2014 data released by the NCES shows that this trend has continued since 2010 and will continue for the foreseeable future. Through the 2022-2023 school year, the number of white students graduating is projected to decline by another 16 percent. A 14 percent decrease in the number of black students and a 29 percent decrease in the number of American Indian and Alaskan Native students that graduate from public high schools is expected as well. Conversely, other minority groups are expected

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Rigorous High School Gives Underprivileged Students Hope for Future

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Rigorous High School Gives Underprivileged Students Hope for Future
We take a closer look at Bard High School Early College to see how a more rigorous curriculum is challenging disadvantaged students to set their future sights high.

College is the future dream for many high school students, but that dream is more likely to become a reality for some students than others. Now, high school students in Newark have an option that can help them beat the odds and make that college dream a reality. Bard College has brought its proven track record of success to a Newark high school, offering students the chance to experience the rigors of college academics firsthand within the secure confines of a high school environment.

Bard High School Early College Newark

Bard High School Early College Newark (BHSEC Newark) is the latest in a series of college-based high schools created through Bard College. According to the BHSEC website, this school first opened in 2011 as a partnership between the college and Newark Public Schools. BHSEC Newark offers a rigorous, college-level curriculum combined with traditional high school academics that prepare students for life after high school.

What makes the Newark school unique is its commitment to enrolling students from a diverse range of backgrounds, giving students the chance to excel academically that might not have the chance otherwise. Students come from all Newark neighborhoods, including disadvantaged areas like Newark’s West Ward, where drugs and shootings are almost a way of life for the youth residents of the community. The New York Times reports that BHSEC Newark is positioned across the street from a tire shop and bail bond business, seemingly to breathe fresh

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Recent Articles

Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
August 12, 2024
Drug Testing Teachers: Testing Positive or Negative?
This article explores the complex issue of drug testing for public K-12 teachers in 2024. It examines the current practices, benefits, and controversies surrounding drug testing in educational settings. The piece delves into the impact of legalized marijuana, perspectives from educators and stakeholders, and future considerations for policy development. By analyzing these factors, the article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the implications of drug testing in schools.
Exposed: School Surveillance - Is Your Child's Privacy Under Threat?
August 06, 2024
Exposed: School Surveillance - Is Your Child's Privacy Under Threat?
Is your child under surveillance? Dive into the school webcam spying debate.
Are High Schools Doing Their Job? Not All, Says New Report
August 05, 2024
Are High Schools Doing Their Job? Not All, Says New Report
A new report by the Center for Public Education found that some high schools are providing a rigorous enough curriculum to prepare students for college, while others are not. What is the definition of “rigorous”? We’ll examine that question and report on study results.