As a Realtor in Spokane I'm asked many questions. When people look for a new home they have a lot of questions. Every home shopper I've met wants to know everything about their prospective neighborhood to. Answering these questions is a big part of what we Realtors do.
I can answer some of these questions, but others I am not. Fair Housing Laws protect homebuyers from various types of discrimination. For example, Federal and State laws forbids me from helping a homebuyer find a home in a particular neighborhood based upon the buyer's preference of racial demographics. This is known as "steering" and its a bad idea even if requested by the client. I agree with Fair Housing Laws and do my best to comply with them.
One important question I'm frequently asked is, "How are the schools in this area?" Potential home buyers often want to find areas with the best public schools if there are children in the family. I want to be helpful to my clients, so I help them find the answers they are seeking. However, I avoid offering my personal opinions concerning specific schools. As a real estate professional in Spokane, I would rather provide facts gathered and presented by third parties and let the person shopping homes for sale in Spokane make up their own mind.
This makes good sources of objective information concerning the quality of schools very important to real estate sales associates and to homebuyers. Usually, I rely on official information from the Washington State department of education. In Washington this department is called the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). OSPI publishes a report card on each school district and anyone who wants to look can find it on the internet at: http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us
The Washington State Report Card provides a lot of information about each school district in our state. However, it doesn't compare school districts of schools with each other. It merely displays WASL Results, Student Demographics and Teacher Information. It would be up to the interested person to manually compare the data between various schools districts. This is why I enjoy finding articles in newspapers and magazines that compare schools. Sometimes you can find regional comparisons.
Newsweek Magazine recently published a very helpful article for those seeking the top schools in a particular area. On May 17, 2008 they published an article titled: "The Top of the Class, The complete list of the 1,300 top U.S. high schools." In this article Newsweek gives people what they are craving to know about education, they actually compare schools.
It is difficult to compare schools and it's nice to see a method in print. Newsweek Magazine basically ranks schools by a ratio of advanced placement exams (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Cambridge tests) taken in that school divided by the number of graduating seniors in May or June. The higher the ratio the higher the school ranks. They count advanced placement tests taken by juniors and seniors, so a school could have a ration of 1.0 if half the juniors and seniors take one advanced placement exam. See the article for more information on the methodology.
Spokane County has three schools in the Newsweek list and Washington State has twenty-four. The top public schools in Spokane County are Mount Spokane (1.235) in Mead, Lewis & Clark (1.223) in Spokane and Joel E Ferris (1.181) in Spokane. The top school in Washington had a ratio of 6.717 advanced placement exams per senior the top school in Spokane had 1.235 advanced placement exams per senior so there is still plenty of room at the top. Still this is a comparative indicator of the quality of schools here in Spokane County, Washington State and the Nation. I as a Realtor am glad to have it.
About the Author
Jim Grapes is a Realtor and represents homebuyers looking for homes for sale in Spokane, Washington. Before his career selling Spokane real estate he served in the US Navy as a Supply Officer on many ships and stations around the globe.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Obama International Studies Support Is Vital
Obama has leaped onto the international scene with tremendous excitement. The presidential campaign has made his response to international issues an important aspect of the campaign. One unique aspect that has received little attention is college student's lack of knowledge about international issues. The president is not the only one who needs to be in touch with global events. All students in K12 schools and colleges need a weekly dose of global events and economics.
Obama needs to tap into the growing support for international studies at colleges around the country. Colleges need to prepare future leaders who are very aware of international issues that affect our country. There is more to the international scene than all of the discussion about the oil crisis. There is a big issue concerning the United States ability to promote democracy in other countries. Just because the United States supports democracy in another country does not mean that these countries will agree.
One of the topics frequently analyzed in the news is the loss of jobs to international countries. Other countries are providing products that where once exclusively produced in the United States. One way that Obama can address some of the criticism is to develop incentives for current United States industry leaders, workers and students to come up with innovative ideas about how that country can compete with others around the world. The world needs leaders who have a capacity to be flexible and open to change.
The fact that Obama had over 300 people offering advice on his visit to Europe and the middle east indicates his understanding of the importance. The same energy needs to be exerted into K12 and college education. This also means that the teachers and professors need to incorporate international discussions about politics, the economy and culture of other countries. Students need to know about the affect of changes in international currency. They need to have conversations that open their minds to other college experiences in a foreign country.
Parents have caught on to the benefits of encouraging their student to pursue an international studies experience. It is a question that comes up frequently at college student orientations. They understand how the world is changing. They are talking to other parents with children who have been sent to company assignments in other countries. Sometimes they are sent to a foreign country one week, one month or a year or two. Parents are interested in preparing students who can negotiate a career in an increasingly global economy.
Obama can raise his visibility as a leader by addressing the domestic issue of international studies. All colleges cannot afford to address international studies issues. It needs a push and financial support at the federal government. This is the country that has the capacity to prepare students for international job market that exists in countries around the world. Obama can benefit this country by also having a strategy to intellectually prepare American college students to compete around the globe. American students are ready and able to explore the world.
About the Author
For twenty years, Dr. Jones has delivered presentations on topics including how to study, leadership, effective communication, and innovative education practices. Working with students has enabled Dr. Jones to have a complete understanding of the challenges their facing http://www.sevenbooks.net.
Obama needs to tap into the growing support for international studies at colleges around the country. Colleges need to prepare future leaders who are very aware of international issues that affect our country. There is more to the international scene than all of the discussion about the oil crisis. There is a big issue concerning the United States ability to promote democracy in other countries. Just because the United States supports democracy in another country does not mean that these countries will agree.
One of the topics frequently analyzed in the news is the loss of jobs to international countries. Other countries are providing products that where once exclusively produced in the United States. One way that Obama can address some of the criticism is to develop incentives for current United States industry leaders, workers and students to come up with innovative ideas about how that country can compete with others around the world. The world needs leaders who have a capacity to be flexible and open to change.
The fact that Obama had over 300 people offering advice on his visit to Europe and the middle east indicates his understanding of the importance. The same energy needs to be exerted into K12 and college education. This also means that the teachers and professors need to incorporate international discussions about politics, the economy and culture of other countries. Students need to know about the affect of changes in international currency. They need to have conversations that open their minds to other college experiences in a foreign country.
Parents have caught on to the benefits of encouraging their student to pursue an international studies experience. It is a question that comes up frequently at college student orientations. They understand how the world is changing. They are talking to other parents with children who have been sent to company assignments in other countries. Sometimes they are sent to a foreign country one week, one month or a year or two. Parents are interested in preparing students who can negotiate a career in an increasingly global economy.
Obama can raise his visibility as a leader by addressing the domestic issue of international studies. All colleges cannot afford to address international studies issues. It needs a push and financial support at the federal government. This is the country that has the capacity to prepare students for international job market that exists in countries around the world. Obama can benefit this country by also having a strategy to intellectually prepare American college students to compete around the globe. American students are ready and able to explore the world.
About the Author
For twenty years, Dr. Jones has delivered presentations on topics including how to study, leadership, effective communication, and innovative education practices. Working with students has enabled Dr. Jones to have a complete understanding of the challenges their facing http://www.sevenbooks.net.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Online Schools for K12 Student
Online Schools for K12 Student by jaiprakash sharma
With each decade the face of education has changed to reflect the current trends in education. The policy initiatives of each president, governor, community leader and parent have been aimed at transforming children's learning environments into the ideal situation. While these initiatives may never succeed to meet every child's needs the combined result of their work has created an environment where education can now be tailored to meet the needs of every child through online schools.
Much like the advent of the search engine and booking our own airline travel, the Internet has introduced the nation to online education. To many, the commercial products available from higher education degree granting giants like the University of Phoenix define online learning. However, to a growing population of Americans, online schools have come to define the middle ground between home schooling and personalized public education.
While charter schools continue to spring up across the country, there are a select few that have been created in the charter school mold simply because the education establishment can not keep pace with today's innovations. In Ohio for example, the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) was created in 2000 not to revolutionize charter schools, but to bring to Ohio's children and families leading education content in a format designed to enable every child to succeed. ECOT provides every child with an education option that delivers to each student exactly what they need while providing the comprehensive state standards based education that is the hallmark of successful public and private schools.
Other online schools and content companies such as the Florida Virtual Academy and K12 Education are part of a growing trend that brings together the real-life education community and the technology community. In many instances this partnership is a thorn in the side of traditional education and educators who see only standard classrooms as the answer to the ills of the American k-12 system
Online schools have revolutionized the workplace for skilled teachers and administrators. The result of this union is the ability to create a tailored classroom for gifted, struggling and needs-based students that, until the advent of online learning, were often segregated to specialty teaching groups to meet their potential.
The education landscape has changed and for many brick and mortar school districts this is a hard fact to face. The local school boards and education departments in America have begun to realize that business as usual isn't he solution to a rapidly advancing world and have begun to embrace the assets of online education.
Unlike the as-we-know-it classroom the online environment can be adjusted to meet the needs of every child and instill the state standards required of students since the advent of the No Child Left Behind Act without stagnating the classroom experience. From thousands of courses to graduation test practice sessions and immediate intervention opportunities, online schools offers to the students and families of 2006 what the computer breakthroughs of the past several decades offered to the business community. Simply put, online schools have the ability to provide every individual with the right information in the right format at the right time for optimal success.
Online schools were once considered the wave of the future. That future is now and the online revolution continues to shape the world of real life education without the boundaries of classroom walls. Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to Google Adsense, do please browse for more information at our websites.
By jaiprakash sharma
http://www.greateducationonline.com
With each decade the face of education has changed to reflect the current trends in education. The policy initiatives of each president, governor, community leader and parent have been aimed at transforming children's learning environments into the ideal situation. While these initiatives may never succeed to meet every child's needs the combined result of their work has created an environment where education can now be tailored to meet the needs of every child through online schools.
Much like the advent of the search engine and booking our own airline travel, the Internet has introduced the nation to online education. To many, the commercial products available from higher education degree granting giants like the University of Phoenix define online learning. However, to a growing population of Americans, online schools have come to define the middle ground between home schooling and personalized public education.
While charter schools continue to spring up across the country, there are a select few that have been created in the charter school mold simply because the education establishment can not keep pace with today's innovations. In Ohio for example, the Electronic Classroom of Tomorrow (ECOT) was created in 2000 not to revolutionize charter schools, but to bring to Ohio's children and families leading education content in a format designed to enable every child to succeed. ECOT provides every child with an education option that delivers to each student exactly what they need while providing the comprehensive state standards based education that is the hallmark of successful public and private schools.
Other online schools and content companies such as the Florida Virtual Academy and K12 Education are part of a growing trend that brings together the real-life education community and the technology community. In many instances this partnership is a thorn in the side of traditional education and educators who see only standard classrooms as the answer to the ills of the American k-12 system
Online schools have revolutionized the workplace for skilled teachers and administrators. The result of this union is the ability to create a tailored classroom for gifted, struggling and needs-based students that, until the advent of online learning, were often segregated to specialty teaching groups to meet their potential.
The education landscape has changed and for many brick and mortar school districts this is a hard fact to face. The local school boards and education departments in America have begun to realize that business as usual isn't he solution to a rapidly advancing world and have begun to embrace the assets of online education.
Unlike the as-we-know-it classroom the online environment can be adjusted to meet the needs of every child and instill the state standards required of students since the advent of the No Child Left Behind Act without stagnating the classroom experience. From thousands of courses to graduation test practice sessions and immediate intervention opportunities, online schools offers to the students and families of 2006 what the computer breakthroughs of the past several decades offered to the business community. Simply put, online schools have the ability to provide every individual with the right information in the right format at the right time for optimal success.
Online schools were once considered the wave of the future. That future is now and the online revolution continues to shape the world of real life education without the boundaries of classroom walls. Did you find this article useful? For more useful tips and hints, points to ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and insights pertaining to Google Adsense, do please browse for more information at our websites.
By jaiprakash sharma
http://www.greateducationonline.com
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Parent Involvement Key to Student Achievement
Parent Involvement Key to Student Achievement by Dr. Stephen Jones
Educators have said active parent involvement raises a student’s academic performance. Yet school districts have witnessed a steady decline in parent participation. Gone are the days when a mother stayed at home to raise children and participate in school activities. Parents are happy when they are not called to the school regarding their son/daughters behavior. Something needs to be done to make parent involvement in K12 schools a high priority on their list of daily activities.
What the educators are saying about parent involvement is true. Parents who read to their children early develop children who enjoy reading. Children are like sponges absorbing new knowledge at a tremendous rate. Today parents are too concerned about keeping their children entertained. Parents are great role models for their children’s love for learning. If the majority of the parent’s time is spent in front of the television then it becomes their child’s main source of information and learning. A student’s enthusiasm for learning should begin in the home then spreads to a child’s school instruction.
Some governors are saying we need more standardized tests to resolve the student achievement gap. Parent involvement is an alternative that costs fewer dollars to implement. The resources that are allocated for testing could be spent to increase the number of parent leaders who are in the schools. Some schools are finding ways to get parent’s involved in the daily activities of their schools. Parents who are involved can learn about instruction methods that other parents can use in the home. They are the catalyst to get parents who are not involved to volunteer for special projects.
Parents sometimes reflect on the bad experiences that they had when they were in K12 schools. Student achievement can be raised when parents know that their active participation will make a difference in their child’s learning capacity. Some parent’s are looking at their child’s achievement level to see if there are any differences. They need to know more about the benefits of looking at the value of education from a different perspective. Some parents do not know what a good education looks like. School administrators and teachers must continually advocate for increased communication with parents.
Some parents are raising the bar on their expectations for their student. They are often interested in identifying resources that will prepare their child for college. They participate in after school and weekend programs right along with their child. They sign up because of their belief that their program will serve us a link between high school and college.
The United States is steadily slipping in terms of its edge in graduating students from high schools, trade schools, and colleges. Starting a national campaign to help parents to understand their role in student achievement is a solution whose time has come. New and innovative organizations are needed. These organizations must take into account the changing trends in family structures. Parents are looking for solutions to the achievement gap. The solution lays in a combination of community and K12 schools working toward alternative education activities which are easily implemented in the home.
About the Author
For twenty years, Dr. Jones has delivered presentations on numerous topics including how to study, leadership, effective communication, and innovative management practices. Working with students has enabled Dr. Jones to have a complete understanding of the challenges their facing.
Educators have said active parent involvement raises a student’s academic performance. Yet school districts have witnessed a steady decline in parent participation. Gone are the days when a mother stayed at home to raise children and participate in school activities. Parents are happy when they are not called to the school regarding their son/daughters behavior. Something needs to be done to make parent involvement in K12 schools a high priority on their list of daily activities.
What the educators are saying about parent involvement is true. Parents who read to their children early develop children who enjoy reading. Children are like sponges absorbing new knowledge at a tremendous rate. Today parents are too concerned about keeping their children entertained. Parents are great role models for their children’s love for learning. If the majority of the parent’s time is spent in front of the television then it becomes their child’s main source of information and learning. A student’s enthusiasm for learning should begin in the home then spreads to a child’s school instruction.
Some governors are saying we need more standardized tests to resolve the student achievement gap. Parent involvement is an alternative that costs fewer dollars to implement. The resources that are allocated for testing could be spent to increase the number of parent leaders who are in the schools. Some schools are finding ways to get parent’s involved in the daily activities of their schools. Parents who are involved can learn about instruction methods that other parents can use in the home. They are the catalyst to get parents who are not involved to volunteer for special projects.
Parents sometimes reflect on the bad experiences that they had when they were in K12 schools. Student achievement can be raised when parents know that their active participation will make a difference in their child’s learning capacity. Some parent’s are looking at their child’s achievement level to see if there are any differences. They need to know more about the benefits of looking at the value of education from a different perspective. Some parents do not know what a good education looks like. School administrators and teachers must continually advocate for increased communication with parents.
Some parents are raising the bar on their expectations for their student. They are often interested in identifying resources that will prepare their child for college. They participate in after school and weekend programs right along with their child. They sign up because of their belief that their program will serve us a link between high school and college.
The United States is steadily slipping in terms of its edge in graduating students from high schools, trade schools, and colleges. Starting a national campaign to help parents to understand their role in student achievement is a solution whose time has come. New and innovative organizations are needed. These organizations must take into account the changing trends in family structures. Parents are looking for solutions to the achievement gap. The solution lays in a combination of community and K12 schools working toward alternative education activities which are easily implemented in the home.
About the Author
For twenty years, Dr. Jones has delivered presentations on numerous topics including how to study, leadership, effective communication, and innovative management practices. Working with students has enabled Dr. Jones to have a complete understanding of the challenges their facing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
