School Stress

It's back to school season, and that means stress for parents & students alike.  Thankfully there are some great tips out there on how to make the back-to-school transition a little easier for everybody.  These tips range from setting a schedule to helping with homework, and can apply to all age groups.

Positive Opinions

A new survey finds that almost 80% of parents are satisfied with their oldest kids' public school.  This result is surprising to many, considering the fact that the education system in America has considerably decreased in popularity and success over the past few years.  However, this survey doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to improve our education system because there is definitely room for improvement.

Back to School Bling

It's about time to head back to school, and that means shopping.  There's shopping for new clothes, supplies, dorm room essentials and more.  But, with the economy down and not looking any better, money is an issue.

Some schools in Georgia have recently been given some moolah to help tide them through the next school year and to create new programs thanks to the Race to the Top initiative.

However, sensible shopping may be the way to go if you're heading back to school or off to school for the first time.

How are you dealing with the "back to school" rush and the poor economy?  Have any creative solutions? I want to hear your thoughts!

Cheater, Cheater

Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater is what a lot of Atlanta Public Schools kids and parents feel like yelling at their school district.  A formal investigation into the school system has revealed that there has been a lot of cheating going on in regards to CRCT test scores.  More than 150 educators in 44/56 schools in this system have been confirmed as participants in this widespread cheating epidemic.  The investigation into the schools' test scores came after seeing remarkably high, and statistically impossible jumps in the passing rates on standardized tests in the past few years.

What pushed these educators to cheat?  No Child Left Behind, of course.  I've blogged about the flaws of this program in the past, and now the flaws are showing their ugly heads in a huge way.

But, this scandal is more than a bunch of educators cheating.  The real victims of this crime are the students. Students have been cheated out of achieving for themselves, and out of a quality education.  That is something they can't get back.

Hopefully the APS can turn itself around from this major crisis that has become a national topic.