Anxiety, depression and feelings of isolation among teens has doubled in the past two years1 – all while most schools are facing a shortage of counselors. National School Counseling Week, February 7-11, pays tribute to the hardworking school counselors who are needed now more than ever. School counselors address students’ social and emotional issues, and […]
Roxeanna is smart and has always done well academically, but is shy, keeps to herself and struggles making friends. When she got to high school, her social skills caused her the most pain. “I would get sensory overload and it was nerve wracking to have a teacher ask me a question in class. I knew […]
Well into another pandemic school year, educators should take the season of New Year’s resolutions to reflect on ways to improve and do better for students…and teachers. Not all students learn at the same pace or in the same manner. This was amplified during distance learning when some kids did okay, while others fell further […]
January is National Mentoring Month and time to recognize the powerful influence a mentor can have on a young person…often lasting a lifetime. Mentors come in all types – education mentors, life mentors, peer mentors and more. We find that our students from challenging home lives need someone who believes in them and that they […]
Independent study is growing in popularity since the pandemic, yet often states have no standards established for independent study and many teachers have never taught this way before, so the quality varies widely from school to school. Ideally, independent study should address individual student needs and learning styles, enabling them to complete their academics outside […]
Josh suffers from various health conditions, which required frequent trips to the nurse’s office while attending traditional school. He felt he was being punished when he had to take a break from the classroom due to his medical conditions. He eventually refused to go to school in the mornings due to the increased struggles he […]
The Individual Education Plan (IEP) was developed for students with disabilities in the mid-1970s and brings together a team of education specialists who evaluate the child, their challenges and learning style, and puts together a plan to provide the student with the extra help they need to succeed. Kids who are bored could instead be […]
A recent independent poll shows overwhelming support by parents for a personalized learning education model. Good4U, a coalition of parents, educators and community members, launched a campaign to advocate for how to best serve vulnerable students with three key elements: 1. Equal and Fair Access to Education and Opportunity – Ensure all students have equal […]
This month’s Dropout Prevention Month is more crucial than ever after hundreds of thousands of students have opted not to return to the classroom. Many are being homeschooled or attending online classes, but there is still a large number who are simply not attending school at all. And those who have returned to the classroom […]
After Alexandria graduated in 2017, she enrolled in community college and initially found it difficult. “But I did not give up and it started getting easier and more enjoyable. At this school I discovered that I was capable of anything despite my challenges,” she said. “What really helped me was learning to take baby steps […]