Unforced Errors, A Case for More Rigorous K-12 Education
Posted by este in K 12, Reference and Education on November 1, 2011
The term unforced errors was first coined in 1982 by former tennis player turned sports statistician, Leo Lavin to describe an error in a service or return shot that can only be attributed to lack of skill or poor judgment or execution in the game of tennis. I think of this often as I see televised debates on the state of education in the U.S. or as I speak with teachers and parents.
Recently, after noticing a downward trend in my daughter’s 8th grade math scores, I got involved to see if I could work with her and her teacher to get her back on track. At the outset I must say that her school has a great academic rating and is one of the better schools in the county. I exchanged a few emails with the teacher who said that my daughter needed to practice more at home since he suspected that due to the late period of the class some students were not as alert as they should be. However, listening to my daughter explain the way the teacher conducts class it is clear to me that many teachers simply gravitate to the brightest kids. This may be in part human nature, but I can see how average kids can be shortchanged. If parents aren’t holding both kids and teachers to a higher standard the kids ultimately lose.
It is a fact that there are few geniuses among us and that most of us who become proficient at anything need to work 20 times harder. This is true for science, business, carpentry or basketball and applies to learning as well. I suspect that with a new commitment to rigor on the part of school systems we can take the 80 percent of average students and turn them into stars. I submit that teachers who don’t believe this should be encouraged to find a new line of work and that parents of kids who get lower than a B in any subject should be part of a formal solution for getting the child back on track academically. Let’s face it, kids today have memorized several dozen CDs worth of pop song lyrics which they recite flawlessly. Why then do tolerate the use of calculators as a substitute for simple times tables and estimation? Are we training future adults who would be unable to mentally compute a 10 percent discount on sale day?
With every discipline there are times when you really need to put on your thinking cap and figure out a solution to a problem. However, there are some standard scenarios that a competent person in that discipline needs to immediately recognize as rudimentary and foundational. When we fail to identify these basic scenarios and botch the execution this is in effect what Leo Lavin calls “unforced errors”. Mr. Lavin took it one step further and improved the performance of many athletes and teams by statistically analyzing errors categories.
In the popular culture there is also the notion that being honest with kids about their lack of performance ruins their self-esteem. If pride and confidence comes from mastery, what do we say to the students who display little mastery but demand accolades? Are we doing them a favor by shielding them from the truth? I say we demand better performance and provide by way of tools, not only the “hows” but the “whys” of getting there.
To address the “hows” with my daughter I performed an assessment to identify weak areas in addition to together reading ahead to upcoming topics. In each weak area she worked on a few dozen representative problems and solved the same set of problems each night for 3 nights in a row. For the “whys” I pointed out that the only way she will be able to travel and see the world as an adult is if she got her grades up, gained her confidence and got out of her own way. I am pleased to say that recently I have detected a new confidence in my daughter that I haven’t seen in the math department for some time.
Funding A College Education
Posted by este in Student Loans on October 27, 2011
In today’s ever changing world the most important thing that a person can have is a college education. Without some form of higher learning, it is close to impossible to obtain a career that will be satisfying and rewarding in one’s life.
The United States Census Bureau has reported that a person with a Master’s degree will earn $1.3 million more income in a lifetime than a person who holds only a high school diploma. This fact is boggling to say the least. And for women and minorities that figure is even more depressing. With this understanding, a person should be looking to obtain a higher level of education to increase their standard of living, their quality of life, and their overall well-being. It is proven that people with higher levels of education tend to improve their health as well.
The problem with obtaining an education today is that college tuition rates have been on a steady rise while funding for college level education has been declining. Through the recent fiscal crisis and economic downturn, the states have steadily reduced funds available for college education. Increasingly, college is become more for those who have an athletic ability to earn a scholarship and those whose families are financially able to support them. With this in mind the future college student must look to every possible avenue to obtain financing for a college education.
With public four-year college tuition and fees averaging $7,605 per year for in-state residents, and $11,990 per year for out-of-state residents, even the cost to stay close to home can be unbearable for the average family. When one looks to the private institutions the cost are even greater with the average yearly tuition and fees rate of $27,293, which for most families is their yearly salary from employment. The cost for attending a two-year community college can lessen the impact, but the average is still costly at $2,713 per year for tuition and fees. With the average annual increase of 4%; how does the average family pay for college education to better their lives and the lives of their family?
The most common funding source for college students is to seek federal loans and grants to pay the necessary cost. However, not all families are eligible for the full amount of the federal Pell grant. The formula for awarding Pell grants to future college students includes the total income of the household. If this income exceeds the federal threshold formula then the grant will be reduced accordingly. The maximum amount that a Pell grant will cover is up to $5,500 a year for tuition, if eligible, and the remainder must be covered by loans, family, and the student working. This causes a burden to the family and the student working to obtain a higher degree. With the the financial burdens and the yearly increases for the cost of college education, a family should be looking for multiple alternative financing methods and options.
Get Your Higher Education From the Most Affordable Psychology Colleges in the US
Posted by este in Psychology, Reference and Education on October 23, 2011
Higher education plays an important role in determining the future of every person and its one thing which cannot be compromised. Today thousands of people are looking to pursue different careers in psychology which has resulted in the demand for certified psychology colleges.
Though many institutes are set up to see to the rising demand, majority of the students who are interested in getting higher education in psychology usually cannot afford the tuition fee and learning cost implied by many psychology colleges.
Hence many of these students either opt for another career or else are left stranded without any choice. This is a major issue which cannot be ignored as the future development of psychology depends on the present progress. Therefore stated here below are the top 5 most affordable psychology colleges you will come across in the country which offer easy pricing, grants and scholarships programs for learners, helping them to get a grip on the career they seek.
Post University
Post University was set up in the year 1890 which focuses in offering student centered programs in psychology which are delivered both online and on-campus. The university is recognized for its affordable pricing against the quality education it provides and makes it possible for all to get hold of their successful psychology careers. This university can be the ideal place for all those seeking affordable higher education in psychology. Post University is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is also one of the notable psychology colleges present in the country.
Argosy University
Argosy University is home to one of the top psychology colleges in the country. The university’s college of psychology and behavioral sciences has provided effective and valuable education in different areas of psychology at very low tuition fees compared to other psychology colleges of its caliber and status. Currently Argosy University is operating with over 20 campuses in the US.
Liberty University
Liberty University has the distinction of being not only the largest university in Virginia but also holds the status of being the largest non-profit university in the nation. The university’s department of psychology offers reasonably priced undergraduate programs which it offers on its different campuses as well as online. Liberty University is undoubtedly one of the distinguished psychology colleges and can be a stepping stone for your future career.
Kaplan University
Kaplan University along the years has become one of the notable psychology colleges in the nation, mainly due to the commitment it shows towards the students, giving them access towards affordable, flexible and competent education. This university has been like a beacon of hope for both online and traditional students pursuing psychology degree programs.
Walden University
Walden University is a distance education offering higher educational institute which is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. The university offers a number of psychology programs online to help with the needs of the 21 century learning communities. Walden University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral leveled psychology programs all at inexpensive rates making it easy for you to mange with your educational needs.