General Education Advice

Latest headline on my twitter feed: “Youth baseball brawl among parents goes viral as police search for suspects Police in Lakewood, Colorado, are still investigating those involved in a fight that broke out at a youth baseball game. Footage of the incident has gone national and, according to reports, the altercation broke out after disagreements […]

Although I realize saying SAT and good news in the same sentence seems strange, the August SAT date is a great option for many students.  Junior year is really busy.  So upcoming juniors now have the option of preparing for the test in the summer and then taking the August test.  Seniors – who need […]

Summers in Connecticut – particularly near the Shoreline – are idyllic.  During a typical summer week, most teens work a few hours in part time jobs, have a dozen or so hours of high quality fun, and then immerse themselves in “fun” that amounts to immersion on their phones/computers. Spending some time in productive activities will […]

“I don’t want to create stress.  We’ll deal with college stuff later.” As a father of three, I don’t want to create stress for my children either.  I do think that some kids are stressed about important things.  And, I fully understand the desire to delay dealing with anything anxiety provoking. Nonetheless, I know the following from […]

“Summer vacation has not been at the center of any debates about the American school system. But, Gladwell argues, it really should be. High performing and low performing schools record the same or very similar levels of improvement over the course of a school year. In other words, a student from a top school and […]

Miami University Merit Aid and SAT awards When I started educational consulting in 2000, conversations about college centered around admission.  Cost was mentioned but it was a distant second.  Today, cost seems to be of greater concern to most parents than admission. Our SAT class has always helped students gain admission. But now it is […]

SAT Scores and Merit aid I used to be far more self-conscious about suggesting test prep.  Highly mindful about appearing self-serving and, perhaps due to a Catholic upbringing, guilty about appearing to seek financial reward.  I still have my hang-ups about appearing self-serving but I  am no longer as bashful about money because there is […]

Premise 1: Connecticut suburban schools are stronger than most schools in most states. Premise 2: The SAT (and ACT) is a national test. Premise 3: Those in the top 10% of schools such a Guilford High School, Daniel Hand High, Lyme-Old Lyme High School, East Lyme High School, Old Saybrook High School, Valley Regional High […]

The current college admissions testing reality is far more student friendly than in the past. Choice of Test:  All colleges will take the SAT or the ACT.  In my estimation, the differences in scoring well on one and not the other have always been overstated but psychology the ability to choose makes a big difference. […]

A local Connecticut high school revealed eligibility for National Honor Society: anyone with a 90 average and above could apply.  That seems sensible.  90 is the beginning of A range.  A- and A students should be eligible for the NHS.  Back in the 1980s-1990s, A students were top students, perhaps the top 10-15% of the […]