Producing more graduates has been the very goal of most universities. Perhaps low graduation rates could only mean poor student performance but a study showed— that the struggle of increasing the graduation rates has led to a less serious curriculum and unstable education program.

Yes, the recession has pulled the standards of a better living. Being a high school graduate is no longer the biggest achievement students should pursue—going to college to earn a degree sets the ground for a more successful future. On the other hand, it has also motivated universities and colleges to offer various degree programs fitted on the job demand.

It is advantageous as it provides competition and development of several programs, but because of the need for additional subjects and other electives—there has been confusion on what information should be included in the curriculum and what should not be taught. The curriculum has been changing yearly adding many while subtracting less.

Take for example; a commerce student enrolled during the school year 2007-2008, followed a curriculum which was tied with multiple semester loads; nothing like the usual. However, 2 years past and he was about to go 3rd year in college, a freshmen in the same course was going easy with just 23 units per semester of a new prospectus – the student got mad and decided to complain because of the unfair units. Too bad, he could shift to the new prospectus and instead follow the curriculum with a lot of minors on it.

The book “Academically Adrift” showed that 45 percent of US undergraduates are learning very little in their first two years in college. Two sociologists, Richard Arum (New York University) and Josipa Roksa (University of Virginia) found out that 50 percent of students surveyed did not encounter any 20 pages writing classes in their prior semester while 1/3rd did not rake courses requiring 40 pages of reading per week.

The recession totally pressured students with rising cost of tuition fees in all education systems; private or public. Private-for-profit universities struggle to keep their fees affordable while trying to recover their cost of operation.

On the other side, public universities are facing massive budget cuts which are pushing them to rely on increased tuition fees. As a result, more public education students are facing inconvenience compared to private education students.

In order to cope up with increasing tuition fees, a student of today must not only be the traditional classroom-home routine student but must transform into a dynamic student. The students of today can no longer rely on parent’s support or government scholarship itself for continuing education. The trend is a dynamic and working student.

Being a working student can be both exhausting and rewarding at the same time. They will have the privilege of practicing early than their counterparts. The work experience is a powerful tool for career and personal development. Thus—students with more work experience have bigger chances of being hired.

However, working may not be suitable for everyone; especially those enrolled in traditional schools may find it hard to balance their schedules. Working may disrupt student retention especially when they do not have enough sleep. That’s why, few working students get few course loads and tend to graduate delayed than their counterparts.

But now, working will never be an added burden for many with the introduction of education online. The problem of carrying few course loads and delayed graduation can now be eased. Working students on their part has the privilege to study at their own pace and own time without being too anxious of failing grades due to stress and exhaustion.

Definitely, working will no longer be a risk for many. The society has evolved into a busy and fast paced life. Therefore, to achieve pure success in any career choice, doubled hard work is the main key.

George Washington University will be partnering with K12 inc. in providing an alternative education program for Loudoun students and for the rest of the world. The GWU Virginia Science and Technology Campus will be offering courses countrywide for students who are determined for a more challenging coursework with further emphasis on college preparation as well finding the right college for each student.

The online high school program will incorporate a journey symposium which will commence with students examining a literary or historic pattern along with the basic patterns which will emerge on the narratives. The education program will resume with self awareness—allowing students to determine their strength and weaknesses which in turn can be helpful in assessing their learning styles as well as setting goals and starting their search for college.

The next level would be focusing on the community and teamwork building. The session will teach high school students the interdependent nature of life and to feel empathy for all those surrounding them. A service learning element is added so students can relate to projects regarding real-world leadership and teamwork as well.

The third stage orient students with concepts of stewardship and generational knowingness. High school participants will be given awareness of the past, present, future of their selves. They will be given an idea of how should they become and how they will be remembered. The goal of the session is to train students in writing their essays which is required in any university admission.

During the senior years, students will begin the college application process as well as introduction to leadership styles and everyday life theories. The final step is designed to motivate students to reach for their goals and aspirations in life—creating them the person that they want the world to world to remember with.

Federal budget cuts are massively affecting the public education system. The shortage in the education fund is putting much pressure on school districts—despite various efforts of adjusting school budget, compromising upgrade of facilities, and increase of class sizes.

Of all of the changes embodied, the increasing number of class sizes is definitely very alarming for all students. Recent polls indicate that school districts are increasing class sizes in order to cope up with the budget cut.

On the other hand, some education reformers are affirmative that the alternative will save up much money—and class boost can be done in many ways to aid the increased size of students.

Meanwhile, a proposal about choosing quality teachers rather than increasing class sizes is on the way. Highly qualified teachers are proposed to be sustained instead of increasing class sizes.

Researchers are still in blurry with the effect of class size in learning. It is expected that smaller class sizes contributes to higher learning levels. However, when a school district has a classroom size of 25 to 30, the small increase will not be a big deal after all.

The proposal of hiring the most effective teachers is then applicable according to Michelle Rhee, former chancellor of District of Columbia schools. All they need is a bigger preparation and increase in class size will be not become a problem. The plan will also save a lot of money which can be used in other developmental education programs.

However, Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers opposes the proposal. If a school district plans to raise the class size, they are doing it to cut education budget, not because it is going ton help students, he said.

Teacher’s common sense still prevails “larger classes will result to less one-on-one interaction with students—giving teachers additional workload.

Every parent and every family has a different orientation. Elite families on the other hand far more privilege with education matters compared to average families. But according to many studies and reports, elite children are more prone to depression compared to children in simple families.

The fact that most parents in the elite families tend to attend more on busy careers and just lends the parental obligation to babysitters and household maids. Though, children will always have the material fortune, they will most likely lack of parent’s attention. This is the primary reason why children follow more of their peers and has the biggest chance of getting depressed.

How can busy parents solve this? Depressed children are also in risk of suicide and other petty crimes. The only solution is to adapt. The world is evolving and so parents need to work in order to sustain their children’s education. Where would be the healthiest place for children unattended by their parents?

The solution is a therapeutic boarding school—an institution of which incorporates self healing and psychological coaching other than academics. Lost children are taught to control their actions and emotions in a therapeutic boarding school. The instruction revolves around therapy in this particular boarding school.

Students are involved in several therapy sessions in a week as well as group counseling. Since these children are more inclined to listen to their peers, it is beneficial for them to be with healthy relationships and encouraging peers. They will be taken away from bad influencing friends and live with a spirit lifting environment.

Teenagers are also trained with keeping their bodies healthy with restrictions in sleeping hours and will learn healthy eating to reduce stress. Regarding the academics, a boarding school offers limited class ratio which guarantee a more student focused education program.

However, it is advisable for parents to attend to the attention needs of their children. Family bonding and communication will always be the most effective solution for depressed students.

Cheery Creek School District will be surprising its residence for the opening school year due to many changes the school has made.

Cheery Creek elementary schools will be starting an hour later than middle schools in order to ease parents’ burden with transporting their children to school. Especially the schools location has added an extra half mile for walking distance parents.

The inconvenience brought by the added miles of transportation for students and parents is savings on the part of the government. Most parents agree on saving up $ 1.8 million as well as $ 5 million for the next five years. This is far more agreeable than laying-off teachers and cutting the education program budget.

The rearrange of schedule and increased of walking distance is essential for the survival of the school district—despite bussing issues for parents. This critical initiative is established due to the $ 17.7 million state aid cut. Truly, the reorganization of Cherry Creek School District is a trade-off decision for both sides.

However, parents in the district are still lucky compared to Denver Public School parents. Students and parents attending DPS are walking 2.5 miles and high schools must walk for 3.5 miles to attend school while Cherry Creek parents are walking up a mile for elementary and 2 miles for high schools.

On the good side, 19 Cherry Creek schools underwent developments in infrastructure brought along by the funds provided by the bond issue passed by voters in 2008. Larger classrooms and the streamlined school layout have provided ease in delivering instruction—making classrooms conducive to learning.

Parking lots, irrigation, landscaping, improve ventilation for the summer, are few of the improvements brought by the bond issue. The bond also enabled the school district to survive despite the $ 17.7 million state budget cut for education.

A tougher and tighter law against school bullying has been promulgated in New Jersey 6 months after the Rutgers University suicide case.

The stricter law obliges every school district to follow certain requirements including the delegation of school authorities to run anti-bullying programs as well as the investigation proceedings. A public report must be submitted by the district superintendent twice a year along with the details of each issue which will make up their letter grade visible on its website. In 2009, a house bill was passed but only gained strength last fall. Passing both houses in November 22 and being endorsed by the New Jersey School Boards Association.

Tyler Clementi, a student from Rutgers University jumped off after his roommates streamed his intimate video with another man. Unfortunately, the case wasn’t one of its kind and many more suicide cases where reported due to bullying the following months.

Bullying is not new in schools worldwide and such kind of coercion has existed for years. Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden States Equality, a gay rights group, said that this was a civil rights history in New Jersey making waves into other states. A true achievement for the bipartisan governance in New Jersey he added.

Other states have their own anti-bullying law but no state induced the law as New Jersey does—putting into detail all the necessary actions in implementing the program. Forty five states possessed anti-bullying regulations while New Jersey had it on 2002 along with a 2007 amendment against cyber-bullying. New Jersey was the 5th state to have a new law in the past year so as New York City.

Sarah Warbelow, Human Rights Campaign legislative director, also a national gay rights group, said that other states do not offer full protection compared to the 2002 New Jersey law which considers bullying and harassment based on race, gender identity, and sex to be a criminal case.

Having a successful career is every persons dream in life. Self-achievement and financial security is the common motivation for someone to have a lucrative career path. In order to have a straight path career, one must first ensure a quality and self-penetrating career training. This supports the importance of pursuing a one of a kind career education.

There are many types of education and trainings offered in schools worldwide. However, career education focuses more on the practical and over the edge theories and practices of a certain career. To be a good businessman requires the appropriate business education to mention an example. This is what career education is here for, and one should learn and acquire all the significant concepts and strategies involving ones career.

To make the idea simple, career education is more of a specialized learning compared to general education in school. This includes professional and vocational trainings, certifications, as well as continuing education. It also includes traditional degrees and online degree courses.

For a student/professional, it serves as an additional or a new learning experience—either a new career or an additional training to the present one. Where can one find this? Traditional universities, education companies, and online colleges offer various course trainings in different careers. A new certificate could do so much when aspiring to apply for a large company.

Career education on the other hand depends on the beholders determination. Success can be possible if mixed with hard work and passion. Of course, one cannot maximize potentials without passion. The choice of career and the job demand also matters. Prospecting the possible highly demanded career for the upcoming years will not only save up wasted finances on less needed diplomas but will safeguard the professional future of one student.

The choice of educational institution is very significant. Imagine two applicants—one from an average college/university—and one from a reputable institution, it would be an added advantage for the 2nd employee and has big chances due to the reputation of the school.

Online education is the trend of the millennium and no wonder its credibility is comparable to traditional degrees nowadays. So, the questions goes, how can one hold on to the degree until it’s completed? And what are the possible distractions and hindrance the student can meet along the way? Examining these factors will lead to a deeper understanding and preparation of an online format study.

What then is an online degree program?

• Online degrees refer to college degrees which can be earned through an internet-connected computer, rather than attending a traditional campus (wikipedia).
• Online college courses are offered by accredited online universities and traditional universities as well. There are also hybrid classes which import traditional education with online format.

What courses are offered online?

• There is variety of courses offered in distance learning format such as; criminal justice, nursing, physical therapy, information technology, business and other fields.
• Reputable full time online universities include, WGU, Kaplan, Ashworth, and Phoenix University. Traditional universities include Harvard University Extension School, and other state universities.

What are the possible hindrances of success in online education?

• Fake and diploma mills are prevalent so it is advisable to check first the accreditation and the accreditors of the online university.
• Lack of self motivation and delinquency in completing online coursework.
• Technical problems such as slow internet connection.
• Lack of practical knowledge in basic personal computer operations.
• Less contact with professors and teaching staff regarding confusing subject matters appertaining to the online coursework.
• Poor university support and personalized instruction delivery.

How to avoid these problems along the way?

• Finish the coursework, assignments, and projects on time.
• Enroll in a reputable online university to be sure.
• Check the online program if it includes an online message board, a personalized student approach, a live webcast or a pre-recorded instruction.