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Monthly Planner - November
Over the next several weeks the amount of information you receive
regarding the private school admissions process will increase
exponentially based on the number of students you are having apply for
admission and the number of schools each student is considering. If you
have not adopted a system to manage this influx of paperwork, establish
one immediately. Confusion is not conducive to good decision-making.
During this evaluation period, knowing what to look for in a school that
will best meet your student’s needs is most important.
On a very personal level, know how your student learns and processes
information. Are they an audible, visual or a kinetic learner? Make sure
that the schools you are considering recognize and incorporate teaching
methods that are best suited for how your student processes information.
Also based on your student’s interests - music, dance, drama, athletics,
journalism, leadership, etc. - inquire about the extracurricular
activities at the school. Will your student be able to participate in
established enrichment programs that they are interested in at the schools
you are considering?
On an academic level, there are surveys that have been conducted on "what
makes a good school." Their findings have stated that the two most
important ingredients needed for a successful academic learning
environment is a well-managed school administration and parent
participation - simply put "quality education comes from a real
partnership between parents and professionals working together"
(1)
I strongly recommend that you take the time to read one of these reports
produced by The Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards & Student
Testing - CRESST, A research unit of the UCLA Graduate School of Education
& Information Studies, in its entirety, entitled "What Makes A Good
School?" (For your convenience a link has been established at the end of
this newsletter)
It goes into detail about other vital aspects of a good school including:
"a broad curriculum, a philosophy that states all children can learn, a
climate conductive to learning, and an ongoing assessment program."
In the book Politics, Markets, and America’s Schools written by John Chubb
and Terry Moe (Bookings Institution, July 1990) (2) a well-managed school
is defined as having "a clearly defined academic mission, motivated
leadership, and teacher participation in decisions." This book stresses
"parent-student choice."
Remember school information sessions, open houses and social activities
that are now being sponsored by educational organizations and schools are
established forums for you to ask questions. Attend as many as you can and
make sure you come away feeling confident your questions have been
answered. Use them also to network with other parents, who are another
good source, with varying perspectives, on issues you might not be
considering.
A good opportunity for your student to evaluate the schools you are
considering is to visit a prospective school during actual school hours.
This opportunity is not always "advertised" to all families during the
admissions process. If it isn’t call the main office to see if such a
program exists at the schools you and your student are interested in.
These "shadow programs" match your student with a current student
attending the prospective school with the same interests, and allows your
student to accompany their host to classes, breaks and lunch. These visits
are usually scheduled for half day and will mean your student missing time
from their school but are highly recommended and encouraged.
If the private school admissions process is overwhelming to you and/or
your student seek help now. There are professional educational consultants
who specialize in helping families find the best possible schools for
students. It is still early enough in the process to get sound advice.
If you need a referral to an educational consultant in your area contact:
Independent Educational Consultants
Association (IECA)
3251 Old Lee Highway, Suite 510
Fairfax, VA 22030
800-808-4322 or 703-591-4850
www.iecaonline.com
"The Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) is a
non-profit, international professional association representing full-time
experienced independent educational advisors. Chartered in 1976, the
association's headquarters is located in the Washington, DC area. IECA
sponsors professional training institutes, workshops and conferences,
publishes a directory of qualified consultants, offers information to
students and their families regarding school selection issues and works to
ensure that those in the profession adhere to the highest ethical and
business standards."
AdmissionsQuest.com, (www.admissionsquest.com) an Internet service for
families and students around the world who are looking for the best
private schools, has complied "Eleven Questions to Ask Before Hiring An
Educational Consultant." This is an excellent checklist to follow when
interviewing for a consultant. It warns against believing in any
guarantees, it stresses that the consultant be professionally certified
and it recommends getting services associated with fees in writing. A link
to the list has been established for your convenience @
www.admissionsquest.com
Remember -- when hiring an educational consultant just like when selecting
a private school for your student, you become a consumer paying for a
service - Buyer Beware!
(1) WHAT MAKES A GOOD SCHOOL? A Guide for Parents Seeking Excellence in
Education. The Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards & Student
Testing - CRESST. A research unit of the UCLA Graduate School of Education
& Information Studies.
http://www.cse.ucla.edu
(2) Politics, Markets, and America’s Schools written by John Chubb and
Terry Moe (Bookings Institution, July 1990) ISBN: 0815714092.
Alice Dickerson, author,
"I’m going to high school. A Guide to the Private High
School Admissions Process"
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