Reading skills predict college attendance Reading skills matter when it comes to getting into college. This isn’t new information, but a study just published its sobering findings. As Michael T. Nietzel’s headline in Forbes sums these up, “Teenage Boys’ Lower Reading Skills Helps[sic] Predict Why Fewer Males Attend College” (June 11, 2020). Reading scores for […]
Read MoreSummer is the perfect time for college-bound seniors to begin working on their application essays. For many, though, getting started is a major hurdle. Parents so often try to help, but even the best parental nudging can create added tension, as we hear regularly from our CT and NY families. The Learning Consultants has the […]
Read MoreA few years ago, Kaleigh Moore wrote a story for Inc., in which she headlines a study that found the majority of employers–73%–favoring job candidates with strong writing skills (https://www.inc.com/kaleigh-moore/study-73-of-employers-want-candidates-with-this-skill.html). Fast forward to May 2020. And the impact of COVID-19 on the economy has surely upped the ante for workplace communication skills. With companies shifting […]
Read MoreAcademic Ramifications of COVID-19 School Closures Just what are we going to do about “covid slide?” After about 8 weeks of “remote learning” in CT and elsewhere, many educators have begun asking this question. Despite the tremendous efforts of everyone involved, our kids just aren’t learning as much remotely as we’d hoped after CT schools […]
Read MoreCT parents, like those across the country, have suddenly found themselves “home schooling.” Many are trying to juggle work, parenting, and education all from the confines of home. But, this isn’t “home schooling.” It’s “CRISIS schooling,” as one principal from Arizona puts it. And this is far more stressful, even “trauma-inducing.” So how can parents […]
Read MoreSchools in CT may be closed indefinitely, but teaching and learning continues, thanks to teacher dedication and innovative technology. It didn’t take long, though, to realize the challenges with remote learning, like time management. Writing instruction presents another main challenge for teachers–essentially ensuring that writing assignments lead to genuine learning and don’t devolve into busy […]
Read MoreBegin Early When it comes to writing college essays, starting early is key. The best college essays–the ones that really stand out–take time to write. Unfortunately, many high school seniors realize this too late. They procrastinate and end up with a rushed essay that doesn’t reflect their best efforts or selves. The typical CT student […]
Read MoreOver the next two weeks–and possibly longer–CT students will have a lot of time on their hands. They’ll need and want purposeful activities to fill the hours previously jammed with homework, sports, after-school activities, and socializing. But, these weeks out of school don’t have to be an educational wasteland. Learning can continue even though schools […]
Read MorePunctuation matters more than you might think on the SAT. Especially now with the combined writing and language score, students who aim for top schools and need near-perfect SAT scores should invest some time brushing up on their knowledge of essential punctuation rules, including comma usage, the difference between colons and semi-colons, and the purpose of dashes.
Read MoreThese days, if you’re a good writer, you’ve almost certainly future-proofed your career, according to Forbes writer Greta Solomon. The ability to write well “is one of the best ways to remain consistently employable,” says Solomon. Especially in a global economy (“How Mastering Writing Skills Can Future-Proof Your Career,” Forbes, Aug. 9, 2018). Here, […]
Read More