Massachusetts school committees are still deciding whether they will continue to take the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Systems exam (MCAS) next year, or if they will go ahead with the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for Colleges and Careers exam (PARCC). Of the districts that have decided, so far 57 percent have selected PARCC and 41 percent have selected MCAS, according to Jacqueline Reis, spokeswoman for the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. If you’re…
High school seniors aren’t adults yet but colleges will treat them like they are. It’s a wake-up call for parents of the college-bound to get themselves and their children ready for their upcoming parent-adult child relationship. Lots of changes are coming and this new family dynamic is developing the same time students are entering the college admission process. It’s easy for families to be overwhelmed by the looming cost and staggering college prep to-do list.…
The critical decisions students make during their junior year could have a major impact on the next five years of their life— and long beyond. This is the year students start narrowing their lists of colleges and potential academic paths. This is the last full year of grades that college admissions officers will review. Whatever college you plan to attend, a clear strategy will guide you toward your destination. Here are ten tips from the…
Kids need outdoors time. This is a fact that parents know all too well, and studies show it to be true: Overall student performance—particularly in math and science, and including test scores—drastically improves when outdoor learning is supplemented to their curriculum. Children without access to nature suffer emotionally, mentally, and academically. Ultimately, exposure to nature helps kids become better learners. The good news? The tools are right in your backyard. So whether you choose to…
Boston Tutoring Services is introducing a new series of blogposts about local nonprofit organizations. Our goals are to raise awareness about their work and to share how other people can get involved. If you or someone you know is part of, has worked with, or knows about a local nonprofit, please contact us and share your experiences. All submissions are welcome! In the third part of our nonprofit series, Boston Tutoring Services interviews Elizabeth Hood,…
Summer always has a way of flying by too fast, especially for students heading off to college this fall for the first time. Before you know it, you will be packing your room away in boxes and embarking on a new adventure. In this post, Boston Tutoring Services offers advice on what college-bound students should be prepared for emotionally, academically, and socially during their first year away, as well as what parents should know ahead…
Boston Tutoring Services is introducing a new series of blogposts about local nonprofit organizations. Our goals are to raise awareness about their work and to share how other people can get involved. If you or someone you know is part of, has worked with, or knows about a local nonprofit, please contact us and share your experiences. All submissions are welcome! In the second part of our nonprofit series, Boston Tutoring Services interviews Christine Lott,…
Will you be traveling this summer but don’t want your child to miss out on tutoring or test prep? Have you had a difficult time finding a local tutor for a particular test or academic subject? Boston Tutoring Services is excited to offer WizIQ technology for online tutoring, which can be used in your home or on the go. WizIQ technology utilizes screen sharing, an online whiteboard, and allows uploading teaching materials for shared use.…
Boston Tutoring Services is introducing a new series of blogposts about local nonprofit organizations. Our goals are to raise awareness about their work and to share how other people can get involved. If you or someone you know is part of, has worked with, or knows about a local nonprofit, please contact us and share your experiences. All submissions are welcome! City Missionary Society of Boston, a nonprofit organization founded in 1816 by members and…
ACT officials announced changes to the popular college admissions exam last Friday. Starting next year, the nonprofit testing organization will expand upon how it reports students’ scores. Along with their score report, students will receive a score on two new “readiness indicators,” demonstrating how they performed in relation to career preparedness and understanding complex content. The classic 36-point scale will not change. A separate score on STEM performance (science, technology, engineering, and math) will be…
