guide to
Schools & Education
a blank slate media/litmor publications advertising section • march 9, 2018
34 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018
How to shop for the right college BY J U DY M A R R A ZZO Nobody buys a new car without going to see cars firsthand at the various dealership showrooms. People usually have an initial idea of what kind of vehicle they want to buy from hearing reviews and seeing ads, but then they check out everything that’s available in the marketplace to see what will best fit their needs and personality. Do they want/need a truck, a pickup, an SUV, a sports car, a sedan, or a van? They look at several makes and models and visit several dealership showrooms to see the vehicles to make sure of the kind of vehicle they want and at the best price. They kick the tires and sit behind the wheel to get the feel. Armed with enough information to make a list of options in makes, models and prices, they put all of that together and figure out which vehicle best fits their needs, style and budget. They buy a vehicle that fits them the best! So why all too often do people not put the same time and effort into finding the right college? Many students apply to colleges without ever having visited the college and know almost nothing about the college campus, student population, culture, sur-
rounding area, or climate/weather. Some pick a state college because it has a cheaper posted tuition “sticker price”. Others pick an Ivy League college because they are the best colleges, regardless of how low their acceptance rate is. Or they choose only colleges that they’ve heard of before or like the mascot or sports team. The importance of visiting/touring a selection of colleges is to get a firsthand idea of what colleges are all about. “Everybody knows what motor vehicles are and the differences between a truck and a compact car, but not many college-bound high school students know the differences between the Ivy League colleges and don’t understand the college ranking systems”, says Bev-
erley Lashley, managing director at goCAMPUSing. “We take thousands of high school students to tour hundreds of colleges all across the United States, and it’s always a revelation to them to see and hear about colleges firsthand, direct from college admissions officers and college students on campus. It’s an incredible thing to watch the epiphany come over them of how colleges work, the differences and similarities, and what they are looking for in applicants.” Obviously, nobody can or should tour every college, but visiting a variety of different colleges provides the insight to know which types of colleges fit your wants and needs. Discover what academic curriculum/majors/programs colleges offer.
See colleges in urban, suburban or rural settings. Understand the differences between big, medium or small campus – in size and/or number of students. Feel the campus vibe in colleges with a laid-back atmosphere and a college with a rah, rah enthusiastic student population. And so much more. Soon it will become clear that although many colleges are different, by cost, location and offerings, you can classify and group them as fitting into very similar parameters. With this knowledge, you can quantify any tradeoffs of positives and negatives, allowing you to select “target”, “reach” and “safety” colleges to apply to without sacrificing your basic wants and needs. So go ahead and feel free to start looking at finding the right fit colleges to apply to like you’re buying a car. Every college campus is a dealer showroom. Check under the hood, kick the tires, get the feel behind the wheel, and talk about any deals and what it will take for you to drive that “college” out of the showroom floor and to the highway of a future yet to come. Judy Marrazzo is the founder and an Associate Director of goCAMPUSing, America’s Premier College Tour Company. For more information, visit www.goCAMPUSing.com or call 516-941-6992.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018 • Guide to Schools & Education
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Making Memories and Friendships That Last a Lifetime What if my camper gets homesick? Homesickness is not unusual, especially for new campers. All our staff are specially trained in what to do when a camper gets homesick and how to help your child adjust to camp life. If campers cannot adjust to camp life, we will give you a call. If not, you can assume your camper is having a great time! Can my child bring his/her cell phone? We are a screen-free camp here at DPF 4-H, and thus do not allow campers to bring their phones or any electronics. While this may be a little scary for some kids (and parents!) this is a chance for your camper to connect with nature and new friends, not the Internet. How can I communicate with my camper? Try our BunkNote system! Parents can send emails to their campers, which the camp office will print out and deliver to your child. However, since we are a screen free camp, this system is only one-way. The best way for your camper to contact you is the postal system. Do you offer any transportation? Yes! Our bus runs to and from Hicksville to Riverhead to transport campers. You can register your camper for the bus when you sign up for camp.
What do I need to do to get my camper Camp ready? Besides registering and paying for your child’s encampment, there are several medical forms that must be filled out before your child can attend camp. Forms can be found on our website. How does Camp handle Health and Wellness? All campers are required to have a physical examination and health history forms
completed prior to their stay at camp. We have our camp nurse on property at all times who is ready to help your camper with their medicine or aid with any injuries that may occur. What should my child take to Camp? We have a list of everything your should bring to camp on our website and in the Parent-Camper Handbook. All campers need bedding, personal hygiene products and clothing to last them through their stay.
Laundry is available for any campers staying for two or more weeks. What if my child doesn’t like the food? The camp can accommodate campers with special food needs. If your camper does not like the main course being offered, we always provide secondary options in our salad bar that change daily, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. For more information, visit us on our website: ccenassau.org/dpf4hcamp Jericho Office (Main Winter Office) CCE Nassau County, 5 Old Jericho Turnpike Jericho, NY 11753 Phone: 516-433-7970, Ext.11 Fax: 516-433-7971 Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/ EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. This camp is permitted to operate by the Suffolk County Department of Health and is inspected twice yearly. Copies of the inspection are available in the office or by contacting the Department of Health at 631-852-5999.
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Dorothy P. Flint 4-H Camp is a 140 acre, co-ed sleepaway camp located on the majestic Long Island Sound in Riverhead, NY for ages 8-16.
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36 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018 ADVERTORIAL
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Located in Bayside and bordering Nassau County, Queensborough is home to a community of dedicated faculty and staff, professional mentors, and a diverse student body. We offer many exciting student activities, competitive athletics programs and academic outreach opportunities extending beyond campus and into New York City. After earning an Associate’s degree from Queensborough, students transfer easily to a CUNY senior college or any other four-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Queensborough is renowned for its 35+ outstanding academic programs including 10 Dual/Joint programs and its award-winning Queensborough Academies, which feature enhanced advisement and high impact practices leading to deeper, meaningful learning.
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018 • Guide to Schools & Education
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38 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018 ADVERTORIAL
Janine Stiene, Speech-Language Pathologist, is owner and operator of the Suffolk Center for Speech And Myofunctional Therapy and Long Island Speech. Along with her exceptional group of therapists, she supports families and children across Long Island and Queens, specializing in: PROMPT, Myofunctional Therapy, Voice Disorders, Fluency, Augmentative Communications, Articulation, Auditory Processing Disorders and Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders (adults and children). Also offered is Feeding Therapy for individuals who suffer from texture and consistency aversions. There are seven affiliated offices across Long Island, with the Lake Success office being conveniently located next to LIJ on Lakeville Road. All offices offer flexible hours and scheduling including evenings as well as Saturdays. It is also one of the only private practices that participates with most major health insurance companies.
Strategies to help kids focus on their schoolwork
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ome youngsters experience difficulty when the time comes to focus on their schoolwork. Such difficulties may be linked to a variety of factors, and parents can be overwhelmed as they attempt to identify the root cause of their youngsters’ struggles in the classroom. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 6.4 million American children between the ages of four and 17 have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. ADHD most often occurs in children, and these children may have difficulty with concentrating, paying attention, staying organized, and remembering details. But not all children struggling to focus on their studies have ADHD. Parents who want to help their kids overcome their issues with regard to focusing can consider a host of approaches and strategies. Speak with a qualified healthcare professional. Because ADHD is so common, parents should seek the opinion of a licensed
healthcare professional to determine if their child has the disorder. According to the National Resource Center on ADHD (www.help4adhd. org), psychiatrists, pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, and certain licensed counselors or therapists are qualified to diagnose ADHD. Determining if a child has ADHD is a great first step toward helping that youngster overcome his or her struggles in the classroom. A qualified healthcare professional can help develop a strategy to improve focus, and that may include prescribing medication to improve the child’s ability to concentrate. Speak with your child’s teacher. Students who don’t have ADHD can still have trouble focusing on their schoolwork, and parents of such students may want to speak to their children’s teachers to solve the problem. Educators have significant experience dealing with students who have trouble focusing, and they may be able to make certain suggestions to help kids focus on their work.
Minimize distractions at home. Some kids may do well in class but find it hard to focus once they arrive home. That’s because home often has far more distractions than the classroom. Once the time comes for your child to do his or her homework, minimize distractions that can compromise his or her ability to focus. Turn off the television and take kids’ phones away if they have their own phones. During homework time, only allow them to use their computers for their lessons and not to connect with friends via social media. Parents also should make sure they aren’t the distraction. Let kids do their work in peace and quiet, offering to help if need be, but steering clear of kids work areas so they are encouraged to focus and not strike up conversations with mom or dad. Make lists. Some kids focus better when they know exactly what they have to do. Encourage such youngsters to make lists of their assignments and check items off as they are completed. Checking items off can give kids a sense of accomplishment, which can motivate them to stay focused on their schoolwork going forward. Encourage breaks. A breather every so often can help kids avoid growing tired. Make sure kids don’t take up another task, such as playing video games or watching television, during their breaks. But keep in mind that standing up every so often to walk around or get a glass of water can help them stay sharp and energized over the long haul.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018 • Guide to Schools & Education
Harlem Wizards Event Is A Slam Dunk For Herricks Community
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44 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018
Tips to help students choose the right major A
s recent college graduates can no doubt attest, the job market for young people can be difficult to navigate. Many recent graduates are still struggling to find full-time employment, and some might be wondering if they chose the right major. Though choosing a major is about more than just finding a job, the financial burden of earning a college degree can’t be ignored. According to the Project on Student Debt, 71 percent of college seniors who recently graduated had student loan debt, with an average of $29,400 per borrower. So while the right major should incorporate a student’s interests, skills and strengths, it’s also important to find a major that can help students earn a living after they walk across the stage and receive their diplomas. The following are a handful of tips college students can employ to ensure they choose the right major. • Don’t jump into it. Some students might want to pick a major before they ever step foot on campus. While that strategy might work for some, it should
only be employed by those students who are wholly certain a major is for them. Some students choose a major early on because they feel they may get a head start at navigating their way through a job market that recently endured exceptionally high levels of unemployment. But the pressure of finding a job should not be what drives students when choosing a major. Unless you’re entirely certain that a particular course of study is for you, give yourself some leeway and wait to choose a major. The first year or two of college is a great time to expand your academic horizons so use that time to your advantage. • Don’t procrastinate. While rushing into a major is a mistake, it’s also foolish to procrastinate with regard to choosing a course of study. According to The College Board’s annual survey of colleges, the average tuition and fees at private nonprofit four-year colleges for the 2013-14 school year was $30,094, while public four-year in-state tuition and fees averaged slightly less than $9,000 for the same year. So no matter which type of college or university a student
enrolls in, he or she will be making a significant financial commitment. Waiting too long to choose a course of study may find you paying for courses you ultimately won’t need, increasing your already expensive tuition along the way. • Use the resources at your disposal. Students undecided about a college major should make use of their schools’ career development departments to help them get on the right path. Many such departments provide assessment tools to help students find a major that synthesizes their interests and skills with a field of study. In addition, the personnel within career development departments have dealt with hundreds, if not thousands, of previous students who found themselves in similar situations, and that experience can prove invaluable to students who might feel lost with regard to choosing majors. • Know the requirements if you have a specific career in mind. While many majors are not difficult to navigate, some fields of study have strict guidelines that students should be aware of almost
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immediately. For example, students hoping to attend medical school after graduation need to determine which courses they absolutely must take in order to qualify for medical school. In addition, students with such specific plans in mind often must choose their majors as early as possible so they can plan their curriculum in accordance with the standards they will need to meet to be considered for postgraduate work. Choosing a major is a decision college students should not take lightly. But students who are unsure of what they want to study should approach the process of choosing a major with patience and an eye on finding a course of study that matches their interests with their skills.
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018 • Guide to Schools & Education ADVERTORIAL
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46 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018
How to recognize if your child has a vision problem Parents want their kids to be as healthy as possible. Whether tailoring kids’ diets to include healthier foods or encouraging their youngsters to be physically active, parents often go the extra mile with regards to the health of their children. But as hard as parents may try, some health-related issues are difficult to avoid or prevent. For example, even the most conscientious parents might have little influence over their children’s vision. Many children have a form of myopia, commonly known as nearsightedness, which progressively worsens as kids get older but eventually stabilizes when their eyes have stopped growing, typically in a young adult’s early 20s. Myopia is common and treatable, but parents should still educate themselves about it so they can better respond should they suspect their child is suffering from nearsightedness.
What causes myopia? When a person has myopia, light entering his or her eye is focused incorrectly. Nearsighted people usually have an eyeball that is slightly longer than normal from front to back, and the light rays that make up the images a nearsighted person sees focus in front of the retina instead of directly on it. The result is that objects that are far away appear blurry. Are there indicators that a child is nearsighted? Kids likely won’t tell their parents that they are struggling to see distant objects clearly, so it’s important for parents to look for indicators that a child might be struggling with myopia. Kids who are nearsighted might squint to see objects that are far away, including the television. One of the telltale indicators is how a child behaves in the classroom. Children who tell
their teacher they need to move closer to the chalkboard should be taken to the eye doctor. Parents who suspect their child might be nearsighted can talk to their child’s teacher and ask if the teacher feels the child might be struggling with his or her vision. Such struggles can affect how a child performs in school. Children who get frequent headaches might also be suffering from nearsightedness. Doctors recommend that kids have their eyes examined at six months, three years of age and prior to entering the first grade. But even if kids have passed previous eye examinations at each of those benchmarks, it’s best to take them for another exam the moment a vision problem is suspected. Is myopia preventable? Since it is often inherited, myopia is not preventable. However, treatment can significantly
minimize its effects. Children who appear to be struggling to see distant objects clearly should be taken for an eye exam. That exam may include an eye pressure measurement; a refraction test, which is used to determine a correct prescription for eyeglasses; a retinal examination and a visual acuity test, which measures sharpness of vision at close and far distances. When a child is diagnosed as being nearsighted, the doctor will likely prescribe eyeglasses or contact lenses. LASIK surgery can correct vision, but many surgeons are reticent to recommend such surgery until a patient’s eye has fully developed, which does not occur until after childhood. Are there other symptoms of childhood vision problems? There are additional symptoms of childhood vision problems that might not indicate
Extracurricular activities need not involve sports R are is the child today who returns home immediately after school. Many school-aged children now have busier schedules than their parents. Involvement in an extracurricular activity can help kids make friends while they learn about responsibility. Some extracurricular activities even allow kids to apply lessons learned in the classroom in real-world situations. Many students play a sport as their extracurricular activity. In fact, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations, participation in high school sports increased for the 23rd consecutive year in 2011-12, when nearly 7.7 million student-athletes participated in high school athletics. High schoolers in Canada also frequently turn to sports, where School Sport Canada reports that more than 750,000 school-aged students participate in sports. Such heavy participation in sports can make it easy for parents to encourage their youngsters to go out for a school team. But not all youngsters want to play sports, and even those who do might not be able to make a team. But lacking the desire or
talent to compete in high school sports does not mean students cannot participate in extracurricular activities. The following are a handful of extracurricular activities that can benefit students even if they don’t require them to lace up their cleats.
VOLUNTEERING Volunteering is a great way for schoolaged kids to spend some of their free time. Student volunteers can often pick when they want to perform service, and that can make it easier on kids who want to focus on their performance in the classroom. For example, students can focus on their studies on weekdays and volunteer on the weekends. Many organizations, from animal shelters to hospitals, accept student volunteers, who can learn about the benefits of helping others and the importance of making a positive impact in their communities. Volunteer organizations do not typically require a long-term commitment, so students will not have to continue to volunteer if an organization is not what they hoped it would be. But parents should discuss kids’ interests with them before choosing a volunteering
opportunity. For instance, youngsters who love the beach might be best suited to an organization devoted to cleaning up the beach, while animal lovers would likely love to volunteer at a local animal shelter. Finding the right organization will benefit both parties, and parents will be happy to have fostered a sense of responsibility to the community in their youngsters. MUSIC Some youngsters might not know the difference between a first down or the first inning. But many kids who are not inclined to play sports may be inclined to play a musical instrument. And some kids are inclined to play both a sport and try their hand at music. Many school music programs have fallen victim to governmental budget cuts, leaving students who want to play an instrument without a proper introduction to music or an opportunity to play. Parents must therefore make that introduction on their own, discussing kids’ attitudes toward music with them. That discussion should include asking kids if they would like to play a specific instrument or be part of a
nearsightedness, but might indicate another problem that should result in a trip to the eye doctor. For example, a child might close one eye when watching television or reading. This could be indicative that vision in one eye is poorer than the other. Young children who struggle to color within the lines might have an issue with their hand-eye coordination. Poor hand-eye coordination could be the result of a vision impairment. Children who tilt their head to one side to improve vision might be suffering from a vision problem that makes it difficult for them to look directly down. Vision problems can negatively affect how a child performs in school as well as in social situations. Though such vision problems are not always preventable, parents who can identify them can greatly minimize their effects.
choir. In addition to giving kids a creative outlet, music may even benefit them in the classroom. Stanford University researchers found that musical training improves how the brain processes the spoken word. In addition, in an analysis of data on more than 25,000 secondary school students, researchers at the United States Department of Education found that students who report consistent involvement in instrumental music during middle school and high school perform significantly better in mathematics by grade 12 than those who do not participate in music programs. WORKING Many students live in communities that allow them to work once they reach high school age. While working might not be as fun as playing an instrument, getting a job can teach high school students valuable lessons they will carry with them throughout their lives. Even though high school students only work part-time, such a work schedule can still teach them the importance of money management and the valuable lesson of reaping what you sow. High school students can save their money to finance their college educations or purchase their first cars, each of which can teach them the value of saving money. Working in high school also can prepare students for college, where many will need to work in order to support themselves.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018 • Guide to Schools & Education
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Tips for adults returning to school
A
dults return to school for a variety of reasons. Some might be spurred by a desire to pursue a new career, while others might go back to school to learn more about their existing field and improve their career prospects. While their reasons for returning to school may differ, many adults find themselves battling some nerves as they begin the process of going back to the classroom.
Feelings of doubt are common among adults returning to school. But there are steps all adult students can take to reduce their anxiety and make the most of the often exciting experience of going back to school. Start slow. Unlike more traditional college students, adults returning to school tend to have significant responsibilities, including families and careers. Juggling
work and family is difficult on its own, but doing so along with college coursework is even harder. Adult students returning to school after a long layoff would be wise to take things slowly at first so they and their families can gradually adjust to their new schedules. Many schools now offer online courses, which can be especially beneficial for working professionals. Have a plan. Many adults only return to school when they know exactly what they want to study or which courses they need to take to complete a degree or earn a certificate. If you have not already mapped out such a plan, do so before enrolling in any classes. The cost of a college education has no doubt increased considerably since you last stepped foot on campus, so you don’t want to be signing up for costly classes that will not
Sport Psychology
help you accomplish what you hope to accomplish by returning to school. Research your options. Just because you are an adult returning to school does not mean you are ineligible for scholarships or other forms of financial aid. The United States Department of Labor maintains a scholarship search engine at www.careerinfonet.org where students of all ages and academic levels can search for scholarships, grants and other financial aid opportunities to determine if they are eligible for some help paying for tuition. In addition, adults returning to school may want to discuss their plans with their employers, especially if they are looking to continue working in their current fields. Employers may have programs in place to subsidize employees looking to continue their education.
Don’t be discouraged. Many adults mulling a return to school are hesitant to do so because they feel as if they will be the only older students in classrooms filled with millennials. However, the National Center for Education Statistics predicts a 14 percent increase in enrollment of students 25 and older between 2011 and 2021, suggesting that adults going back to school are unlikely to be the only graybeards in their classrooms. Returning to college as an adult can be both exciting and overwhelming. But adults need not be nervous about returning to the classroom, even if it has been quite some time since they last stepped on a college campus.
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48 Guide to Schools & Education • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 9, 2018
How to determine Determining the if returning to right amount school makes of homework financial sense
tuning assignments to be as effective as possible, while others feel homework diminishes interest in learning, especially time-consuming or especially difficult assignments.
for need-based aid when returning to school than they were when they initially enrolled as young students. Older independent students may also be allowed to borrow more than younger students who are considered dependent. Rules regarding eligibility for financial aid varies depending on where a person lives, but those in the United States can visit www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information, while Canadians can learn about financial aid at www. canlearn.ca.
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hen the financial crisis of 2008 first arrived, many people found themselves in the unemployment line. For some, unemployment proved a brief bump in the road, while others endured several years of unemployment before landing on their feet. Some men and women who lost their jobs as a result of the economic downturn have still not found gainful employment. Many individuals who find themselves out of work or unsatisfied by their current professions consider going back to school to pursue an advanced degree or to begin studies in an entirely new field. An advanced degree can help men and women further their careers, while changing careers is often facilitated by a degree in a different course of study. But the decision to return to school involves more than a person’s career goals, especially if that person has a family or other significant financial obligations. The cost of a college education is considerable, but men and women can take steps prior to enrolling to determine if returning to school makes financial sense for them. • Determine your eligibility for aid. Adults thinking of going back to school may be eligible for financial aid. Older students returning to school won’t have to worry about their parents’ income disqualifying them from financial aid, and they may even be more eligible
• Discuss financial aid with the university you plan to attend. Unlike high school students who apply to multiple colleges, adults going back to school typically value proximity when looking for a college or university in which to enroll. So it’s easy for adults to visit their local college or university’s financial aid office in person to discuss opportunities for grants or scholarships. Financial aid officers can point you in the right direction if you decide to fill out loan applications or help you find any scholarships that might be available to adult students. Financial aid departments can be invaluable resources to students of all ages, and gaining a greater understanding of the grants and scholarships available to you can help you determine if returning to school makes financial sense for you and your family. • Determine how quickly you can repay student loans. Few students can afford to attend college without borrowing money. While younger students have a lifetime to repay student loans, older students don’t have that luxury. As a result, older students must determine when they can realistically expect to pay off their loans before they borrow any money. If loans can be repaid long before retirement, then a return to school might make financial sense. But men and women who crunch the numbers and realize they will be forced to make loan payments during their retirement years might want to reconsider. A good rule of thumb for adults considering a return to school is to borrow less the closer you are to retirement. Many adults decide to return to school years after they established themselves in the professional arena. But as much as such decisions can reignite a forgotten passion or lead men and women down an exciting new path, returning to school must also make financial sense.
Ultimately, homework is a way for teachers to measure how well their students grasp lessons and concepts. Parents of struggling students can always ask for additional work to help kids better understand their coursework.
What is the right amount of homework?
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tudents spend roughly six hours in the classroom each day while their parents could put in eight hours at the office. When a family returns home in the evening, homework is probably the last thing they want to worry about. Still, homework is part of many families’ daily routine, and chances are it is not going anywhere soon — no matter how much kids complain. There’s no denying homework can be a chore, but how much homework is assigned could make a difference in a student’s overall academic performance. Parents, students and educators have long debated the homework issue, and that debate has included discussions on determining the right amount of homework and if homework has any actual benefits on student performance.
Is homework beneficial? There are various points of view regarding the benefits of homework. The prevalent philosophy in education for decades has been that students learn better when lessons are reinforced through homework. Yet new findings indicate that homework may benefit certain age groups and grade levels more than others. According to Harris Cooper, Ph.D., a psychology professor at the University of Missouri, the benefits of doing homework seem to depend on the student’s grade level. After reviewing more than 100 studies on the effectiveness of homework, Cooper found high school students who do homework outperform those who do not on standardized tests, and those who do homework earn better grades. Homework is only half as effective for middle school students, while at the elementary school level, homework has no apparent measurable effect on achievement. Still, some educators are reluctant to stop assigning homework. Some teachers assign homework, but only after fine
Homework assignments are on the rise, and that increase may be fueled by certain factors. Intense pressure on educators to meet national testing standards likely influences the number of worksheets and assignments teachers send home each night. If students do not get work finished in the classroom, they usually must complete it at home. In addition, the idea that excessive homework is synonymous with a rigorous education is common among some parents, who may feel that extra schoolwork will get their children into top colleges and universities. According to Bruce Ravage, the executive director of Park City Prep in Bridgeport, Conn., homework is only given in his school to reinforce and review what students learned in the classroom. He says the charter school has been emphasizing the quality of homework assignments over the quantity. The National Education Association suggests 10 minutes of homework per night for first-graders is sufficient. This amount of homework should increase by 10 minutes per grade level, so second graders would be assigned 20 minutes per night, third graders 30 minutes, and so on. However, the NEA said there should be a cap on homework so that it does not exceed two hours per night.
Parental assistance Parents should be available to provide guidance and help with homework when necessary. But parents also should be careful not to do the homework for their children, which only undermines the purpose of the assignments. If homework appears burdensome or a consistent source of struggle for students, parents should speak with their children’s teachers to discuss both the amount and type of homework given. The homework debate figures to continue with each new crop of students entering school. Educators and family can continue to work together to help students make the most of their educations.