How math tutor software enhances learning

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Ever wonder how you could get your child the help he needs in math? The answer you maybe looking for is math tutor software. Such software allows your child to learn at his or her own pace, review topics he may need to reinforce, and do all of this in the comfort of your home. Tutoring software of all kinds is available. Some are more general and focus on grade level, and other software is more specific and focus on a single subject, such as algebra. Whatever the software, it is sure to help your child learn math.

As your child tries math tutor software for the first time, he may review some topics that he already feels he knows. Though he may be tempted to skip such sections, it is best that he follow the software and re-learn those topics. Often times, it is a misunderstanding of the basics that causes problems down the line. It is important to pinpoint the problem areas as soon as possible. Math tutor software may be better the child's teacher in this respect, because the teacher does not have the time to review all previous topics with the child to pinpoint the origin of misunderstanding, whereas the software does. As a child uses the software, he will gain a better understanding of the subject through learning to soft problems step by step (answers are usually explained step by step) and by repetition. Since most math tutor software titles are loaded with extra problems, he will have the opportunity to practice more.

So, how can your child get the most of the tutoring software? There are a couple of ways. The first is to USE the software. I've heard countless parents complain that a new such-and-such package goes completely unused. Sit down with your child and make a specific, realizable schedule. Rather than tell your child "use this math tutor software," and expect him to run off and become a math wizard, take the time to help him use it. Then, once he gets going and learns to use the software, put aside a set amount of time (one hour is usually good) for your child to use the software on his own. A time limit will prevent him from rushing through.

Another tool that comes with most math tutor software is the games. Kids love games, and they will get more practice on the subject matter the more time they spend with the software. By playing with games on the software, he may learn more without even realizing it. But, it is important to remember that the games should only supplement experience, not dominate it. The bulk of the software should be devoted to learning problem solving skills--learning the fundamentals step by step until they are understood.

So, as you can see there are definite gains to be had from math tutor software. They teach material a child may have had trouble learning in class, they reinforce subject matter through repetition, and they make learning fun for the student. I hope you and your child enjoy using computer software to help you learn more about math.

San diego schools choice program means more opportunities for students but more work for parents

More than one-third of the students in the San Diego schools were enrolled in the Choice Program for the 2005-2006 school year. The program gives parents the ability to transfer their children from their assigned school to one that offers more academic opportunities or specific school attributes. The program offers six methods of eligibility.

Program Improvement School Choice. Children assigned to San Diego schools that have failed the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) academic standards may apply to better-ranked San Diego schools. Students applying for transfer under this program generally receive a higher priority than others and receive free transportation. If in the future the assigned San Diego schools pass the NCLB standards, parents may choose to move their children back to the assigned schools or continue in the new schools.

Magnet Schools Program. These San Diego schools are each based upon a theme, such as performing arts, with the curriculum centered around it. Though they provide all the state required basics, students can immerse themselves in the particular subject; whereas in other schools, the theme may only be offered as an elective class or two. Magnet schools are designed to attract a diverse cross section of students from throughout the city. Free transportation is provided to students who live outside a specific mileage range. Acceptance priority is given based upon:

• Demographics — they encourage San Diego schools students living in demographic areas different from where the Magnet School is located to apply,

• Continuity — San Diego schools students in a performing arts elementary school, for example, would be given acceptance priority when applying to a performing arts middle and high school,

• Siblings — San Diego schools students with brothers or sisters already enrolled in the school are given priority,

• Program Improvement — receives a lower priority than the others listed above, and

• General Applications — receives the lowest priority.

Voluntary Ethnic Enrollment Program (VEEP). VEEP was designed to provide a better racial and cultural integrated, educational experience in the San Diego schools. Predominantly Caucasian-populated schools are paired with minority schools for the program. Most transfer students receive free transportation.

Choice Program. Any San Diego schools student is eligible to apply to any school not in the Magnet program. Acceptance is based solely on the space available, and transportation is the parents’ responsibility.

Inter-District Transfer Program. Any student with the state may apply to any school within the San Diego schools. Like the Choice Program, acceptance is based solely on the space available, and transportation is the parents’ responsibility.

Charter Schools Program. These independent schools within the San Diego schools are on space available only and often use a random lottery for application acceptance. Some require that the students applying meet specific criteria. If you are interested in transferring your child to a Charter School, inquire early — they set their own application deadlines.

If you find that your child does not meet any of these criteria or their acceptance priority would be low, there are two other methods of gaining transfer acceptance that are not part of the overall Choice Program. They are through special request and the Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE). You may submit a special request to the San Diego schools, when your child’s assigned school does not offer specific coursework. These requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. If the GATE program is not offered in your child’s assigned school and your child qualifies, again you may request a transfer to a school that does.

Other than in the Charter Schools, applications to San Diego schools by March 15th for the following school year are given priority.

Though the Choice Program offers a great opportunity to all San Diego schools students, there are a lot of choices. With 212 public schools, including the 31 Magnet Schools and 35 Charter Schools, investigating the schools and their offerings can be overwhelming and time consuming for the parents.

San Diego schools officials offer the following advice:

• All schools offer the required basic coursework, so do not get caught up in “only one school will do” — look at the many other schools, too;

• Look beyond test scores — schools have a lot more to offer, such as specialized education programs;

• Visit the school campus — what looks good on paper may be different in reality, sometimes better and sometimes worse;

• Talk to parents and educators at the school, find out first-hand; and

• Ask if they offer parent seminars and tours before the application deadline.

If you are interested in applying for a transfer to any of the San Diego schools, begin early, list the criteria you wish to be provided by the school, look at all the available schools, choose those that seem to fit your requirements, and then thoroughly investigate each one. It is a lot of homework for the parents, but it can be the best foundation they can give their children.

This information on San Diego schools is brought to you by schoolsk-12.com.

The san jose unified school district wins honors for its board of education driven public engagement model

The San Jose Unified School District has enacted a unique plan to build relationships with the local community in order to overcome an old negative image.

The Past Negative Image of the San Jose Schools

A series of teacher strikes, bankruptcy, and changes in leadership gave the San Jose Unified School District a bad reputation among the local community. Students weren’t achieving state standards and many parents and teachers didn’t know what to do to fix the situations. The San Jose Unified School District faced the daunting task of regaining public trust and integrating itself into the needs of the community.

The Board of Education Driven Public Engagement Model

The solution that San Jose came up with was not an easy one, nor a quick one. It involved finding new ways to communicate with parents and other area residents in a way that allowed all voices to be heard and real data to be collected about the school district’s problems.

Focus Groups

The San Jose Unified School District organized a series of focus groups to identify what needed to be done. These focus groups were able to pinpoint the factors that bred mistrust and disinterest in the community. Eventually, the school district was able to say that the basic factors contributing to the problems in the district came from three sources: lack of school – community interaction, low student expectations, and uninvolved or uninformed parents. With this information, the Board of Education turned to business and civic groups to try to find ways to eliminate these factors.

The Goal

The Board of Education Driven Public Engagement Model has both short and long term goals. In the short term, the San Jose Unified School district sought to create a plan that would make the local community want to send their children there. In the long term, the school district hopes to engage the community in order to accomplish their goals of improving student performance while building up a network of tools and strategies for communication with the public. Superintendent Don Iglesias explained: “The program was developed to increase parent and community participation and understanding within our school district.”

Successful Components of the Model

District communications are at the center of the Public Engagement Model and conferences between school and community members are held on a yearly basis. Called “community conversations,” these conferences have allowed the school district to hear the thoughts and opinions of over 6000 people. In addition, annual surveys for parents, teachers, and students help identify the issues to be resolved and help all members of the community feel a commitment to the success of the San Jose Unified School District.

Evidence That It’s Working

Improvements in student achievement across the board are clear in the 30 California Distinguished Schools and 11 National Blue Ribbon Schools in the district. In addition, the new relationship with the community has also had its rewards. First a $165 million bond issue and then a $429 million one have shown overwhelming public support for the San Jose Unified School District, as the local community shows the new found trust and high expectations it has for area schools. As Superintendent Iglesias puts it, “Through this project, we have learned what strategies work from a public standpoint, and parents feel heard and respected.”