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November 30, 2008

Cincinnati Schools

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Cincinnati Schools’ Green Renovation

Cincinnati School’s has in effect a long term $1 billion building project that will help to renovate and rebuild many of its older buildings. One Cincinnati School ’s elementary school, Pleasant Ridge Elementary School, has been recently featured in District Administration. This national magazine focuses on issues in K-12 education. The article from the August issue discusses the growing concern and interest in green building and environmentally friendly construction. The article states that even though the upfront cost can be more the long term benefits of green construction are quite clear. The construction of Cincinnati Schools’ Pleasant Ridge Elementary School is not only a gain for green construction strategies but it also teaches the students important lessons about the environment and responsibility.

Cincinnati Schools’ Pleasant Ridge Elementary School will be the first LEED School in Cincinnati Schools upon its completion. The LEED Green Building Rating System was devised by the U.S. Green Building Council which has helped Cincinnati Schools write its new building plans and codes. The article refers to the work of Ginny Frazier as one of the major influences on the Pleasant Ridge Elementary School project. A private citizen who lives in the area, Frazier is the head of a local group that advocates environmentally friendly building. She went to the Cincinnati Schools’ authorities and administrators with proposals on how the school in her neighborhood could be rebuilt using green materials and environmentally friendly tactics. Some of the ideas she proposed included according to the article, “geothermal heating so the new building uses the earth’s temperature for cooling and heating, using natural building materials, noxious-free cleaning products and art supplies, as well as natural water filtration systems.”

The article discusses the five key areas that the Cincinnati Schools’ Pleasant Ridge Elementary School project uses innovative techniques or old-fashioned common sense to improve the building design. The Cincinnati Schools’ Pleasant Ridge Elementary School project will improve the lighting of the schools in several ways. The lights will feature sensors that will automatically turn off lights in unoccupied rooms. Currently Cincinnati’s City Hall is using a similar system that has greatly reduced energy costs. The Cincinnati Schools’ Pleasant Ridge Elementary School will also have photovoltaic panels, which convert solar energy into electricity. Saving energy with heating and cooling systems is also a concern. All the new and renovated Cincinnati Schools will have central air systems. The article states that, “Air conditioned classrooms prevent pollution from outside, and in the end, help asthmatic children breathe easier, he says. And moisture from hot, humid days can also cause ceiling pads to buckle or gym floors to sag”

Another area the article talks about is indoor air pollution. Cincinnati Schools’ Pleasant Ridge Elementary School project is using less carpet in the design in order to help reduce pollutants indoors. Plans for reducing the amount of water use in the Cincinnati Schools’ would also be based on sensors that detect movement around sinks and toilets. The article comments on the concerns that the Cincinnati Schools’ Pleasant Ridge Elementary School project has in this area. The main concern is in using faucets that have an automatic shut off system or a push button system.

November 29, 2008

Cincinnati Schools Face Layoffs

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Cincinnati Schools have recently endured an increased number of teacher and staff layoffs. The changes being made are noticeably affecting the function of schools; many parents have perceived the losses and been able to pinpoint the changes these departures have made in the Cincinnati Schools. Before teachers, other workers in Cincinnati Schools are considered for layoff and the absence of these much-needed classroom helpers has had a debilitating impact on the learning environments.

After careful budget examination in previous years, the district has made efforts to save money and escape its financial difficulties. The budget, which rang in at a resounding $428.6 million, was seen as unacceptable. Cincinnati Schools have since been exposed to radical changes. Spending efforts have been seriously scrutinized and it has been determined that $39 million of the general budget needs to be saved. $39 million would total 9 percent of the overall budget and give the Cincinnati Schools a considerably healthier budget.

Schools officials are taking the brunt of the force when it comes to layoffs. Conditions are brutal as these teacher’s assistants, cafeteria monitors, and special-education aides are lost to the systems. Cincinnati Schools are experiencing increased mayhem in the larger classrooms where these aides were particularly needed. Keeping the order often becomes a dual effort of both teacher and assistant in a room full of thirty children. Cincinnati Schools in particular have large classrooms and utilized the position of classroom aide to benefit a structured learning environment.

Unfortunately, the layoffs in Cincinnati Schools are seriously impacting the students in other ways. While the absence of teachers’ aides may prove to be an incredible inconvenience, it pales in comparison to the shocking neglect that the music departments in Cincinnati Schools are now facing. Schools are returning instruments and losing their music programs in general as music teachers are considered for lay off as well. The VH1 Save the Music Foundation has given $1 million in instruments to 39 schools but will no longer fund band unless a school has hired a certified music teacher. This kind of selectivity will serve to injure the student public educational experience. The arts are being disregarded as unimportant in the Cincinnati School budget reconfiguration and the effects are devastating.

Studies support the existence of a strong connection between arts courses and academic achievement. These studies point especially to the dramatic improvement in student math scores when music is placed into the curriculum. Over time, the more that music and math are studied along side one another, the more elevated the math scores become. Comparatively, students who did study music scored 61 points higher on the math section of the SAT and 63 points higher on the verbal than did students who were never exposed to music courses in their time at school. This shocking statistic, provided by the 2001 College Bound Seniors National Report, should give Cincinnati Schools’ District Officials a pause as they consider which programs and instructors to cut next from their places of learning.

November 28, 2008

Cincinnati Schools Curb Spending

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The Superintendent of the Cincinnati Schools recommended a budget for the 2007-2008 school year that is lower than the current budget by about $308 thousand dollars. This budget will mean that the Cincinnati Schools must continue to curb their spending, and direct the majority of the funds towards the educational basics: teachers, supplies and buildings. This budget focuses support on the Cincinnati Schools’ five year strategic plan. This plan was unanimously approved by the Board of Education in April. Cincinnati Schools believe that if they direct resources to the best teaching practices, then academic performance of students will improve. The budget also means the Cincinnati Schools need to balance a reduction in staffing.

The Cincinnati Schools made a commitment in 2004 that they would undertake efforts to lower costs dramatically, and to make sure staffing was in line with enrollment. Personnel cuts were made in the 2007-2008 General Operating Budget to make sure that this goal was accomplished. The new budget also reflects reductions in spending that are non-personnel related. It includes operational costs that the Cincinnati Schools made possible by closing two elementary schools and merging two others.

In order to achieve this budget and to make it workable the Cincinnati Schools used a zero-based budgeting process again this year for expenditures which were not personnel related. Each expenditure had to go through a justification process to ensure that it was necessary to support operations and education. By using this method the Cincinnati Schools were able to offer a slightly lower the budget without jeopardizing vital functions.

Through these measures, the district is able to keep spending slightly below last year’s. The cost-reduction measures also make it possible for Cincinnati Schools to extend the life of its most recent operating levy. The Cincinnati Schools approved a levy in November 2000 that was supposed to last for four years. But without further cost cutting procedures there will be shortages in the 2008-2009 school year. The recommendations show the Cincinnati Schools’ commitment to supporting the strategic plan through better academic processes and better management efficiency. There were several priorities to be implemented through continued, redirected, or grant funding. Federal funding for Cincinnati Schools will now be pooled with the general operating fund to support better strategic planning which will do away with the need for duplicate bookkeeping.

The Budget Commission of the Cincinnati Schools contributed greatly to the development of this budget. Also, an advisory group of parents, teachers, and administrators provided information, ideas, and feedback to ensure that despite the budget cuts the education of the children of Cincinnati Schools would not be adversely affected.

November 27, 2008

Classical Home Schooling

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You’ve heard of classical music, regular movies, classical cities, anyhow have you heard of classical homeschooling? Yes, there is such a thing, and its completely distinguished in this season and age where increased parents are making the ruling to homeschool their kids. With public schools filling up, scaled-down and curtailed created and energetic teachers, and deeper kindergarten violence endlessly, its not surprising that greater little kids are coughing up their K-12th grade intellectual acquirements in their home sweet home.

You must headmost empathize with what a classical education is in order to empathize with this manner of homeschooling. The essential theory behind classical learning is this: the coaching and course of study manner must transform with the cognitive evolvement of the youngling. The spokespersons of the classical manner of knowledge believe that single technique of schooling cannot be eminent for a 5 moment old and additionally be used on a teenager. Because of that, there are three courses of coaching that are tackled throughout the youngster’s knowledge process: Trivium, Analytical, and Abstract.

Trivium is tackled during the grade school years and is particularly centralized on clear and distinct thinking. During this time, the teacher spotlights on getting the pupils to memorize facts and data about certain categories.

The Analytical development comes next during classroom and builds upon those essential essentials and gets the students to know the details and spurs eminent thinking and intelligence just about the facts.

The final background, abstract, is harnessed during the pricey classroom years and halos the pupils to think out side of the box on the subject matters and be able to articulate their head and feelings on the categories being learned.

Classical education spotlights deeper heavily on history, art, the culture of Western Civilization, and the progression of a biblical worldview with Theology being the instructor of the sciences. For this reason why this manner of coaching is very leading with Christ followers looking to homeschool their youngsters.

There are scads of supplies out there to assist you knowledge your children at home sweet home with the classical knowledge techniques! Be acquainted with fun!

November 26, 2008

Christian Home Schooling

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The standards and motivation for a Christlike homeschool is dominated by the juvenile’s work that is based from the Testament, wherein the course of study of the lad should be left in the moms’ control.

As seen in all Christlike homeschools, parents educate the word of the lord, to cultivate their young people for favorable Christianly understanding, and impart values that are critical in their traditional affairs as well as when they establish age of consent. This facet of teaching is not found in the course of study at most every public school.

Christian like homeschools are particular for each house. Some perfectly prepare their homeschooling environment and curriculum to look very similar a “junior high school”, definitive with textbooks, desks, flag salute, and yes, recess.

Others create homeschooling in their everyday activities, concluding not so much in employing workbooks, essential texts and schedules. Here, both kids and dads grasp through experiences; teaching, intellectual acquirement and being trained is part of their prevailing schedule by choice of a closely regulated public school session.

Whatever is each families homeschool style, their ground is all uniform, that of giving their children eminent pointers while at the same time instructing in them how to arise to become significant thinkers and individualistic persons that are observant and conscious of the choices they formulate.

Families that homeschool cut down its atmosphere to fit both their viewpoints and style; there is no inapt or precisely way to define and formulate an encompassment for their home sweet home Christianlike method of schooling.

Christian homeschoolers give the go-ahead to the moms to express God’s word to their adolescent children. It is a setting of religious and upstanding positive reinforcement through which youngsters are being taught seriously in the testament of God, above all to statute and think as Christly followers.

Typically, the course of study in a Christian homeschool invests a considerable amount of time in the study of the God’s word, wherein the focus is the Lord’s good book.

Christians opt for to school at home in order to broaden the mind of their young people. It could be said that they predominantly do this because of their good faith that the Almighty God’s schedule is revealed through moms raising and coaching their own youngsters. In fact, Christians firmly respect that it is the way of the Bible; there is no other academic organization than this. Christ followers without doubt affirm that the Almighty God did not even hint at schools to be attended by His congregation; that schools were a product of the individual.

November 25, 2008

Christian Education Programs For Children

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There has been considerable discussion about the separation of Church and State. A fine line has been drawn between the education options open to parents who want their children to be trained under the guidelines set by the locally recognized school system qualifications but allow the students to be educated in a church school environment instead of the over-crowded conditions found in the public school system.

The curriculum offered in the Christian education programs for children that attend private schools is very similar to that offered in the public school system. There are many additions though, that make attending school in a Christian environment very appealing to parents. Students are afforded an education that is more personable and complete. Christian school teachers find the time to cover a broad spectrum of courses and some of those courses are not available through the public schools.

The Bible is a standard textbook at a private school operated by Christian church organizations. The basic teachings of the Bible are included in the day to day operations at the school and teachers rarely worry about drugs or guns being present in the classroom or on the school campus. Children learn in classrooms that are cool and comfortable in the summer months and warm in the winter.

Private schools can operate on a religious program that is not endorsed by State law. The bare mention of God is prohibited in the public school system and the Ten Commandments have been removed from Government buildings. Children are free to discuss religion and learn about the history of the world through the teachings that are written in the Bible.

A Christian school education offers children the opportunity to participate in sports programs that are very competitive and many students earn scholarships for college through the excellence of their participation in these sports. The children receive a well-rounded education that includes academics, cultural and arts programs in the curriculum that is offered.

A Christian education path allows students to join bands and participate in band competitions. There are also opportunities for children to take piano classes from teachers who are at the top of their field in the musical world. The Christian choral groups learn to raise their voices high to promote and praise God for the glory of being alive and loved. Parents place their trust in the Christian school programs and they are never let down in any way.

November 24, 2008

Choosing To Earn A Criminal Justice Degree Online

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One of the most overriding instincts in human nature is the desire to make a difference in the world. Just about everyone has the urge to positively influence their surroundings for the benefit of society. Many people choose to perform this service in the field of criminal justice. Individuals with the drive and ambition for this type of work can be seen in many arenas. Some are police officers, others are attorneys with special training in the criminal justice field, and still others benefit society by serving as probation officers hard at work to assist ex offenders in starting their new lives.

The desire to change the course of a chosen career isn’t unusual in today’s employment climate. More and more people are choosing to reroute the path of their lives and for those interested in criminal justice the way to go is to obtain a criminal justice degree online. There are many advantages to deciding to go for a degree in this manner. Studying online makes it possible for the student to further their education without the need to rearrange their entire work, family, and social schedules. Most criminal justice degree online programs are geared to be a study at your own pace curriculum. These types of programs are usually more affordable in terms of tuition and books as well. All of these benefits add up to create a better environment for the student to reach their goals and be ready to assist in making the world a better place with their criminal justice degree.

Like with any major decision, choosing which institution to study with should be a decision made with all of the facts checked out. The first thing to do is to be sure the school is accredited and any degree awarded from it is viable to employers. An easy way to do this is to check with the Better Business Bureau and companies and organizations that consistently hire people with criminal justice degrees. Look closely at the classes offered and at the tuition rate. Choosing to obtain a criminal justice degree online is an investment in your future and should be given your full attention before blindly signing on the dotted line. Most online educational institutions are legitimate, but it is important to do your homework first.

Receiving a criminal justice degree online prepares the graduate for several key functions in their new career. Criminal justice majors learn to be involved in a wide variety of services in the justice world. They are taught to be involved with supervision duties like probation, and assist in the incarceration system. Students are also taught to effectively interact with police at the apprehension level and to work closely with the prosecution. Newly degreed criminal justice professionals will need to learn quickly, communicate well, and have well honed problem solving skills to be successful. The ability to work well in a team environment is also helpful.

A career in the criminal justice field is rewarding in many ways. The graduate has a large range of opportunities open to them. Social service, working to protect the population, and personal enrichment are just a few of the benefits professionals in this field cite as reasons to work in this service. There are never enough caring, well trained people in this challenging field. A criminal justice degree online program is an excellent way to be prepared for the trials and rigors of your new career, all without sacrificing your current way of life. Taking advantage of this unique educational tool will have you well prepared for your new life and lead to exciting opportunities in the criminal justice field.

November 23, 2008

Choosing The Right Online Business Degree Program

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You know you want to enter the fast-paced world of business, so you’ve decided to enroll in an online business degree program. It’s certainly a step in the right direction, but if you haven’t checked out the various online programs available lately, you may be surprised by the many choices now available. It’s certainly a good thing to have so many choices, but it can also be daunting.

The reason so many cyber-schools are now offering a variety of different degrees in their online business degree programs is because there is so much diversity not only in what companies are looking for, but in they type of students that are enrolling in the programs. Businesses are becoming more and more complex, and more specialized every year and colleges and universities are meeting the need by developing specialized programs that address the needs of particular business models and types of industries.

Online Business Degree Programs Are Becoming More Specialized

If you aren’t sure what industry or type of business you eventually want to settle into, a business administration degree may be the right approach. You can get a Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree and even a Master’s Degree in this area, which offers classes in everything from finance and marketing to leadership and management. On the other hand, if you know that you want to go into either a specific division or type of management (human resources, for instance), you can enter a more specialized online business degree program in order to obtain an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management.

Some of the most popular business degrees in today’s corporate marketplace include:

Accounting Degrees

These can range from Associate’s Degrees to Bachelor’s Degrees and beyond. You can also get a broad-spectrum degree, such as Private Sector Accounting, or become an Accounting Specialist by taking more advanced courses to add to your expertise.

Administrative Office Management

This is a great online business degree program for anyone who wants to become an office manager. Learning all of the ins and outs of spreadsheets, graphics, accounting basics and everything else needed to organize and communicate information clearly is the core of these programs.

Healthcare Reimbursement

This is one of the fastest growing and most specialized business programs you can major in, and the demand for individuals with this type of training will continue to be strong in the foreseeable future. As insurance plans become more complex, the coding systems and reimbursement paperwork becomes more complex as well. Insurance companies, hospitals, clinics and doctors’ offices are all looking for qualified experts in the healthcare reimbursement field.

Human Resources Management

With increasing competition for employees in every business sector, qualified human resources specialists are in demand to help companies recruit, train and retain the most qualified candidates. A degree in this specialized business area will also prepare you to handle workplace ethics situations, contract negotiations, grievances and dismissal policies.

Network Management

This is an online business degree program that builds on computer networking to cover various aspects of network systems management for larger companies.

Many colleges and universities now offer a dozen or more ways to get a degree, whether an Associate’s, Bachelor’s or Master’s, that will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to get ahead in the private business or public service sector. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that “a business degree is just a business degree.” Instead, take a look at the wide variety of specializations now available to find the one that’s just the right fit for your goals. Since an online business degree program can be studied at your own pace while you are working, it’s one of the best and most efficient ways to invest in your career.

November 22, 2008

Choosing The Right Educational Video Games For Your Children

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Video games are among the most popular toys today. Children of all ages spend a lot of time engrossed in the latest action-packed video console or computer game. For this reason, it is important to choose video games that are educational, rather than those that contain violence or other content not suitable for children. There is a host of video games on the market perfect for children. These games incorporate education into the fun of video games, giving both parents and children lots of safe, educational options to choose from.

Though there have been serious concerns over the past few years surrounding the adverse affects of frequent video game playing on children, playing video games can have some positive effects as well. First, games can provide children a fun and social form of entertainment, especially when played in pairs or even teams. This allows children who share similar interests the opportunity to learn from each other while having fun in a pressure-free environment. This also helps to encourage teamwork and cooperation, two attributes that are essential to a child’s social education.

Video games can also make children feel more comfortable with technology. This may not be as much of an issue as it used to be, as many children are now learning basic computer skills at a young age, but it is still an important factor since technology changes so frequently. It also gives them the opportunity to share their knowledge with other children, and to learn from their experiences in a particular game or format.

Playing educational video games can also help build a child’s self-esteem as he or she masters more and more different levels in a particular game. More importantly, it can also teach children to feel good about having fun in a non-competitive environment.

However, the main goal of educational video games is, of course, to help educate. Educational video games can improve the development of math, reading, and problem-solving skills. This kind of practice –practice that your children will want to take part in– can help them with their schoolwork, as well as help them to catch onto particular subjects more quickly.

Video games can also help the improvement and development of eye-hand coordination, as well as fine motor skills. This will be very important to any child’s future, and can be instrumental in developing a child’s interests and special skills. This is also a good way to encourage your child to use different parts of his or her brain.

No matter which educational video games you choose, be sure they do not contain any features that would not be suitable for your children. Since the objective is to learn, they should help build useful skills and be thought-provoking. These games will also provide your child with hours of fun, while helping to build some of the most essential basic skills.

November 21, 2008

Choosing Home Schooling Over Traditional Schooling

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There are millions of children in the world who are going through home schooling for various reasons. Some parents would rather the teaching fall into their own hands. Others have children with special needs that require their own personal attention and home schooling is the only way to manage. Other parents find that their children have behavioral problems in traditional schools, but can learn easily when home schooled. No matter why your child needs home schooling, you should choose the best home schooling program for him or her.

The way to know you are getting the best home schooling program available is to talk to an educational expert. Call your public school system and ask to talk with the expert in this area. Most large school systems will be able to point you in the right direction.

You should also ask for information from many home school programs. That way you can analyze each program and find out which ones will be best for your child. The most important thing is to make sure your state approves the particular program you choose however. This can be very important because you don’t want your child to fall behind or to not be acknowledged for years of hard work.

Price should have the last to do with which home schooling program you choose. You must know that home schooling can be expensive. However, when you think about it, the cost is not much different than costs you would incur if your child when to a traditional school. You won’t be paying for those expensive dresses for dances, book fees, or field trip costs. You can take your own trips, at any time of the year, which can be more fun overall.

So, choose the best home schooling you can, using knowledge that you collect. Ask a ton of questions to ensure you are getting the best educational opportunity for your child.

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