Middle School » Carol J. Carter

Adolescents Involved With Music Do Better In School

CAROL’S SUMMARY: Studies show that participation in music, such as music lessons or attending concerts, has a positive effect on academic performance in reading and mathematics.

Questions to consider:
1. Why do you think this is?
2. Is your child involved with music?

ARTICLE:

From Science Daily, February 11, 2009

ScienceDaily (Feb. 11, 2009) â€” A new study in the journal Social Science Quarterly reveals that music participation, defined as music lessons taken in or out of school and parents attending concerts with their children, has a positive effect on reading and mathematic achievement in early childhood and adolescence. Additionally, socioeconomic status and ethnicity affect music participation.
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Study: College success starts early

CAROL’S SUMMARY: Study shows that how a student progresses in elementary and middle school is a major factor on college preparation. High school can not be solely responsible for preparing students for college. Preparations need to be made early on by raising the level of rigor at each educational level.

Questions to consider:
1. What can you do to help your student prepare at an early age?

ARTICLE:

College preparation begins in elementary and middle school, too, authors say
By Tara Malone
Tribune reporter
December 11, 2008

Fewer than 2 in 10 of the nation’s 8th graders are on track to be academically prepared for college, and high school may be too late to bring them up to speed, according to a study released Wednesday.

The report found that how students fare in middle school is a leading predictor of their ability to succeed in college or the workplace after high school. Research by Iowa City-based ACT suggests that students who are not academically prepared going into high school are unlikely to make up ground even with rigorous schooling and academic help. The trend cut across demographic and economic lines.

Visit www.chicagotribune.com for the entire article

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Cuts could affect class sizes Schools

CAROL’S SUMMARY: Education budget cuts will most likely equate to elimination of jobs and less teachers means larger class sizes. Educators and teachers both agree that larger classes result in lower quality education.

Questions to consider:
1. How many students are in your childâ€™s class?

ARTICLE:

Educators say almost any drop in funding will mean more kids per teacher
By Lisa Schencker
Jennifer Flitton doesn’t teach her 25 sixth-graders about the science of heat by just opening a textbook. The Eastwood Elementary School teacher gives them feathers, cork, packing foam, hot water and thermometers and tells them to decide for themselves which material acts as the best insulator. Read the rest of this entry »

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