Education was once the foundation of American society. To advance in life, one saw receiving a quality education as the ticket to the middle-class and a comfortable life. However, over time Americans began placing less emphasis on education. The public school system began to suffer and the achievement gap between American children and their foreign counterparts widened.

Both Barack Obama and John McCain emphasize education reform in their platform, but whose plan benefits you and your children the most?

McCain believes the key to education reform is the ability of parents to choose which schools their children attend, similar to his colleagues in Congress who are able to send their children to the best private schools in their area. The Republican nominee equates equal education to equal access to the best education. According to his website, “John McCain will fight for the ability of all students to have access to all schools of demonstrated excellence, including their own homes.”

The Arizona senator wants to encourage competition among schools to be the most innovative and flexible, and compete for the best teachers and administrators.

Furthermore, McCain believes that financial assistance must be based on a parent’s desire to relocate their child to the best school available.

However, Obama sees teacher retention and affordable higher learning as the key to education reform. According to his website, thirty percent of schoolteachers leave the field of education within their first five years. In addition, the cost of a college education has grown by forty percent in the last five years.

Obama and running mate Joe Biden’s plan for education reform includes the Zero to Five Plan, reforming No Child Left Behind and supporting college credit initiatives.

The Zero to Five Plan will not only place emphasis on early childhood Continue Reading

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Education was once the foundation of American society. To advance in life, one saw receiving a quality education as the ticket to the middle-class and a comfortable life. However, over time Americans began placing less emphasis on education. The public school system began to suffer and the achievement gap between American children and their foreign counterparts widened.

Both Barack Obama and John McCain emphasize education reform in their platform, but whose plan benefits you and your children the most?

McCain believes the key to education reform is the ability of parents to choose which schools their children attend, similar to his colleagues in Congress who are able to send their children to the best private schools in their area. The Republican nominee equates equal education to equal access to the best education. According to his website, “John McCain will fight for the ability of all students to have access to all schools of demonstrated excellence, including their own homes.”

The Arizona senator wants to encourage competition among schools to be the most innovative and flexible, and compete for the best teachers and administrators.

Furthermore, McCain believes that financial assistance must be based on a parent’s desire to relocate their child to the best school available.

However, Obama sees teacher retention and affordable higher learning as the key to education reform. According to his website, thirty percent of schoolteachers leave the field of education within their first five years. In addition, the cost of a college education has grown by forty percent in the last five years.

Obama and running mate Joe Biden’s plan for education reform includes the Zero to Five Plan, reforming No Child Left Behind and supporting college credit initiatives.

The Zero to Five Plan will not only place emphasis on early childhood Continue Reading

]]> http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/where-do-the-candidates-stand-on-education-reform/feed/ 0 http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/best-schools-in-houston-for-quality-education/ http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/best-schools-in-houston-for-quality-education/#comments Thu, 25 Dec 2008 12:28:03 +0000 admin http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/best-schools-in-houston-for-quality-education/

With a metropolitan area population of more than five million people, there are many factors to consider when determining precisely where in Houston you want to live. One element that often helps to make the decision is the availability and quality of education. Parents want to place their children in the best schools in Houston in order to give them the highest education possible, giving them a solid base that will enable them to support themselves well as adults. Not only within the wealthier neighborhoods, but also throughout the city, there is a great deal of emphasis on finding elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools that will give young people a great start in life.

Determining which are the best schools in Houston can take into consideration several different factors. For example, the number of students per teacher area wide in Houston is 15:1 (15 to one), whereas the overall student/teacher ratio statewide is 14:1 (14 to one). There are more than half a million students in the Houston area spread over nearly 800 schools, both public and private. Private schools, of which there are 349, have a student/teacher ratio of 7:1 (seven to one). These ratios help parents see at a glance how much individual help their child is likely to receive in the classroom. However, this ratio is not the only factor that goes to determining the best schools in Houston for your family.

Due consideration must also be given to the interests of the child and what the emphasis of the curriculum is for any particular school. For example, a child who is interested in sports should probably be enrolled in a school that features a solid physical education curriculum, but that also stresses the academic achievement that will allow him or her to succeed in life skills or prepare to attend institutions of higher learning.

Officially, various ranking lists are prepared each year to assist in Continue Reading

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With a metropolitan area population of more than five million people, there are many factors to consider when determining precisely where in Houston you want to live. One element that often helps to make the decision is the availability and quality of education. Parents want to place their children in the best schools in Houston in order to give them the highest education possible, giving them a solid base that will enable them to support themselves well as adults. Not only within the wealthier neighborhoods, but also throughout the city, there is a great deal of emphasis on finding elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools that will give young people a great start in life.

Determining which are the best schools in Houston can take into consideration several different factors. For example, the number of students per teacher area wide in Houston is 15:1 (15 to one), whereas the overall student/teacher ratio statewide is 14:1 (14 to one). There are more than half a million students in the Houston area spread over nearly 800 schools, both public and private. Private schools, of which there are 349, have a student/teacher ratio of 7:1 (seven to one). These ratios help parents see at a glance how much individual help their child is likely to receive in the classroom. However, this ratio is not the only factor that goes to determining the best schools in Houston for your family.

Due consideration must also be given to the interests of the child and what the emphasis of the curriculum is for any particular school. For example, a child who is interested in sports should probably be enrolled in a school that features a solid physical education curriculum, but that also stresses the academic achievement that will allow him or her to succeed in life skills or prepare to attend institutions of higher learning.

Officially, various ranking lists are prepared each year to assist in Continue Reading

]]> http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/best-schools-in-houston-for-quality-education/feed/ 0 http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/why-schools-are-important-to-a-home-buyer/ http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/why-schools-are-important-to-a-home-buyer/#comments Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:43:29 +0000 admin http://www.middleschoolteachingunits.com/why-schools-are-important-to-a-home-buyer/

Take a moment to consider how special elementary school was to your early years and you will realize nearby schools should be a contributing factor in your home buying decision.

Along these same lines having children is an incredible responsibility. No one knows this more than you and we all agree on the importance of a quality education. So, if you want to buy a home and you have children, you most likely are concerned with schools.

And even without children, buying a house in a school district known for providing quality education can make a difference in your home’s perceived value.

How does someone go about finding the best options in schools?

At this point some people will tell you to ask your real estate agent. Even though I was a real estate broker and sales person I wouldn’t recommend it. Why? Real estate agents know they can’t possibly keep up to date with every last detail about local schools. They are licensed to sell you a house. Selling homes is their expertise. For determining the quality of schools, it is important to do your own research.

Fortunately, there is a lot more public information available than 20 years ago or even 10 years ago. But before you start looking, determine your priorities and preferences first.

Here are some questions to ponder. How important is it to be close to your child’s school? This can vary greatly depending your family dynamics.

Is your child going to attend public school or do you intend to send them to a private or religious school?

In addition, school options can also include other types of schools. There are themed alternative schools in addition to hybrids of private and public enterprise, charter schools. There are magnet schools and there are some school districts that allow you to send your children to any school you select. Some families choose to home school Continue Reading

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Take a moment to consider how special elementary school was to your early years and you will realize nearby schools should be a contributing factor in your home buying decision.

Along these same lines having children is an incredible responsibility. No one knows this more than you and we all agree on the importance of a quality education. So, if you want to buy a home and you have children, you most likely are concerned with schools.

And even without children, buying a house in a school district known for providing quality education can make a difference in your home’s perceived value.

How does someone go about finding the best options in schools?

At this point some people will tell you to ask your real estate agent. Even though I was a real estate broker and sales person I wouldn’t recommend it. Why? Real estate agents know they can’t possibly keep up to date with every last detail about local schools. They are licensed to sell you a house. Selling homes is their expertise. For determining the quality of schools, it is important to do your own research.

Fortunately, there is a lot more public information available than 20 years ago or even 10 years ago. But before you start looking, determine your priorities and preferences first.

Here are some questions to ponder. How important is it to be close to your child’s school? This can vary greatly depending your family dynamics.

Is your child going to attend public school or do you intend to send them to a private or religious school?

In addition, school options can also include other types of schools. There are themed alternative schools in addition to hybrids of private and public enterprise, charter schools. There are magnet schools and there are some school districts that allow you to send your children to any school you select. Some families choose to home school Continue Reading

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