Charter schools offer many benefits to students, parents, teachers, and communities. At a charter school, decisions about how best to serve students aren’t made at a district office; instead, those decisions are made in the school by teachers and administrators who know the student population they serve. Here are five advantages of charter schools to consider when choosing a school for your child. 1. More innovation. As charter schools are free to determine all aspects…
Since the U.S. Supreme Court removed the legal barriers that had prohibited states from allowing gambling, some 31 now permit sports betting over phones or websites, and 7 states have authorized online casino gambling. The result of this legal shift “is a crisis, an epidemic of gambling disorder and financial disruption, especially for young men,” writes Jonathan Cohen, author of “Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling.” Nearly half of men from 18 to…
As the impacts of climate change intensify with each passing year, more and more young people are joining the movement for positive change. By taking grassroots and community action, they are leading the discussion, spreading awareness, and motivating others. If your teen is interested in getting involved in environmentalism, here are some ideas of places to start. 1. Adopt sustainable habits. We all must do our part in preventing climate change and supporting environmentalism, and…
It’s inspiring to see teens today taking a great interest in social justice matters. This generation seems to be among the most passionate about issues spanning from poverty, racial equality, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ rights. Teens are increasingly engaged in social justice, using social media for activism, fundraising, and amplifying marginalized voices to address issues like racism, climate change, and inequality. Driven by a desire for change, they often focus on issues affecting their communities.…
Chronic absenteeism skyrocketed during the pandemic, creating major challenges for teachers and school administrators eager to bring students back to regular classroom routines. But for many schools, elevated levels of chronic absenteeism have persisted well past the reopening of school buildings, and schools across America are continuing their work to reduce the amount of missed class time and address its far-reaching consequences. Chronic absenteeism has been associated with a slew of problems, including lower reading…
Your involvement in high school extracurriculars can help you gain a competitive advantage when applying to college. These activities can also show what makes you unique beyond your transcripts and test scores while demonstrating leadership ability and a willingness to serve your community. While different schools put different stock in extracurriculars, almost every college considers them when deciding which students to admit. The right high school activities can make a big difference during the admissions…
Figuring out what extracurricular activities to do or join in school isn’t easy. Everyone knows that extracurriculars look good on a college application; however, you don’t want to spread yourself thin by doing too many at once. In fact, colleges value being able to see commitment and excitement for a few activities that you are passionate about; they want to see passion and commitment to activities that you find meaningful. By joining clubs that reflect…
New test scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, show eighth-graders’ science scores have fallen 4 points since 2019 and 12th-graders’ math and reading scores have fallen 3 points in the same time period. The tests were administered between January and March 2024. This is the first Nation’s Report Card score release since the Trump administration began making cuts to the U.S. Education Department. Those cuts,…
Social media can help teenagers with healthy development, but it can also create risks. Psychological research shows it is critically important to focus on how teens use social media and the type of content they see. As a parent or caregiver, you are the expert on your child, and you know what experiences will fit with their strengths and areas of vulnerability. These recommendations from the American Psychological Association are based on research and will…
Anybody can develop effective study habits to make studying more efficient and even enjoyable. A great way to begin is to start small with one or two new habits and work your way up to bigger changes. It’s also important to set realistic and achievable goals for yourself. Learn more about how to develop effective study habits with these six suggestions. 1. Set study goals for each session. These can be time-based or content-based. For…
