Education Programs

Archive for August, 2010

Failure to educate our country’s most disadvantaged students is the most glaring and abiding social and moral problem of the United States. For nearly 20 years, our nation has worked to improve our schools and student achievement levels. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act was to be the answer to this dilemma by holding all schools accountable for student performance using high-stakes testing.

The error in thinking is the belief that the NCLB test ratings are fair and accurate. The system does not factor out the disadvantages and/or advantages of wealth and demographics, creating an inequity in the rating of schools. Low-income schools must provide programs, such as preschool, tutoring, remedial classes, and bilingual services, to their students, as well as the cost of more administration required by the state and federal grants that make up the largest percentage of their budget. Wealthier schools that primarily depend upon local funding (generally from property taxes) for their budget have few government constraints, few low-income students requiring special programs, and flexibility in how their budget is used. This means wealthier schools can provide more educational opportunities and enhancements (i.e. access to technology, fine arts and music, extracurricular activities, teacher professional training and improvements, and teacher administrative support) that impoverished schools cannot afford.

The Dallas Schools have developed their own rating system that factors out these disadvantages/advantages, putting all Dallas schools on an even playing field. Available funding, government requirements, the educational level of students entering kindergarten, and the demographics of the community are all factored out of the Dallas schools test rating metric.

Under NCLB, all schools across the nation must test children in reading and mathematics annually between third and eighth grades. The state, using NCLB mandated measures for school performance, calculates the percentage of various student populations that annually meet or exceed the state’s academic standards. Otherwise, they must measure the progress of student “groups” towards a universal fixed point.

Dallas schools use a “value added” school rating system that provides more accurate information, measuring individual student progress from a relative starting point. They then compare the scores with the same student’s scores from the previous year. Dallas schools score higher if students on average score higher than predicted by the previous year’s test scores and if the schools’ overall performance is better than that of other Dallas schools within the same demographics. If Dallas schools perform lower than predicted, they earn a low rating.

Herbert Marcus Elementary, part of the Dallas schools system, is the ideal candidate for the NCLB program. It is located in the inner city of Dallas, the building and grounds are run down, classes are overcrowded, and it is positioned on the edge of a grimy industrial zone. With 1,140 students, almost all are from low-income families and two-thirds speak English as a second language. Even the parents average a seventh-grade education.

Under Principal Conce Rodriguez, the school has done everything right in recent years — students wear uniforms, teachers submit weekly progress reports on every student in every subject, an expanded preschool program, teacher attendance incentives, and a large tutoring project, just to name a few. A community liaison, hired by Rodriguez, has increased the PTA membership to 700 (the largest in Dallas schools) and typically 50 parent volunteers daily at the school. Student attendance is at 97 percent, one of the highest in the Dallas schools system.

Under the Dallas schools rating system, Marcus placed 19th out of 206 Dallas schools, a significant accomplishment with such difficult demographics. Under the NCLB mandated rating system, Marcus placed 76th as only “acceptable”, one step away from being rated as failing. Needless to say, the Marcus educators, students and parents are none too pleased with the NCLB rating system. Some teachers have left Marcus from sheer frustration with the NCLB system and gone to wealthier Dallas schools, where they believe their accomplishments will meet with some recognition. A terrible loss to Marcus or any impoverished school, where quality teachers are scarce.

Other Dallas schools are being similarly penalized by the NCLB rating system. Dallas schools that ranked 2nd, 5th, 8th and 16th under the Dallas schools rating system were ranked 94th, 77th, 83rd and 107th, respectively, under NCLB. Additionally, the school that placed third under the NCLB rating system in the Dallas schools ranked 25th under the Dallas schools rating system. This shows the inequity of the NCLB rating system.

Since shortly after its passage, the NCLB has been under heavy attack by Congressional democrats, Texas republican legislators, and teacher unions. Though Dallas schools educators and parents support the high-stakes testing, they see the unfairness of the rating system used. They wish to see NCLB take a cue from the playbook of Dallas schools to accurately measure improvement in student achievement and factor out the demographics.

This information on Dallas schools is brought to you by www.schoolsk-12.com.

Custom Executive Education Programs at the Weatherhead School of Management A video explaining the process and benefits of designing custom executive education programs featuring clients who have worked with the Weatherhead School of Management

  Certified Financial Planner Certification is a mark of excellence granted to individuals who meet the stringent standards of education, examination, experience and ethics. It is the most prestigious and internationally accepted Financial Planning qualification recognized and respected by the global financial community. The CFP Certification wins trust and presents opportunities worldwide. In this era of super specialization, the Professional Certification – Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Certification, gears career aspirants and existing financial intermediaries for giving comprehensive financial advisory services to individuals and make a satisfying career in the financial services industry.

 Financial Planning Standards Board India (FPSB) is the principal licensing body that awards CFP Certification in India through an agreement with FPSB, US. CFP Certification is the highest level of Certification worldwide in the field of Financial Planning with largest CFP Certificants and widely respected by consumers, professionals & industry. Education is an integral component of the CFP Certification Program and any candidate aspiring to become CFP Certificant has to register himself with any of the FPSB India’s Authorized Education Providers. However, certain candidates having specified qualifications and work experience have an option of applying through Challenge Status pathway wherein they can challenge the CFP Certification Education Programme. FPSB India is promoted by huge no. of Financial Services Organisations.

 CFP Certification worldwide is awarded by FPSB Affiliates to competent & qualifying candidates fulfilling the 4 E Criteria of CFP Certification i.e.

Education: A candidate must complete academic coverage of the Financial Planning curriculum by undergoing the 6 Module CFP Certification Education Program through an Authorized Education Provider and pass corresponding Exam 1-4 facilitated by NSE.However candidates applying through the Challenge Status Pathway are exempted from the Education Program considering their higher qualifications & work experience. Education criteria demonstrate to the public that the candidate has acquired the necessary knowledge to become a Financial Planner.

Examination: The CFP Certification Examination (also called Exam 5 based on Module VI-Advanced Financial Planning) is designed to assess the candidate’s ability to apply Financial Planning knowledge to real-life Financial Planning situations. By passing the CFP Certification Examination, the candidate demonstrates to the public that he/she has the required level of competency to practice Financial Planning

Experience: The experience requirement qualifies work experience that involves Personal Financial Planning. Candidates under the Regular Pathway may complete the experience criteria pre or post appearing Exam 5. However candidates under Challenge Status pathway need to have attained relevant experience before appearing Exam 5. The Experience criterion is designed to provide the public with the assurance that the candidate understands the counseling nature of personal Financial Planning.

Ethics: To get the CFP Certification, candidates after meeting Education, Examination & Experience criteria must agree to abide by FPSB India’s Code of Ethics, Rules of Professional Conduct, Practice Standards & Disciplinary Rules & Procedures. Careful adherence to these standards of professional conduct helps turn initial consultations into trusted, long term consulting relationships with clients and gain public confidence in the Profession.

Continuous Education:

Once Certified, CFP Certificant must fulfill the Continuing Education (CE) requirement to stay current on Financial Planning strategies, products and trends affecting their clients. CE plays a vital role in the CFP Certificants pursuit of ongoing professional competence. This demonstrates to the public that the candidate has kept himself /herself abreast of developments in the Financial Planning field.

Authorization to use CFP Marks:

A candidate fulfilling the rigorous initial & ongoing CFP Certification criteria and after paying the Annual CFP Certification Fees is authorized by FPSB India to use CFP, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER & CFP flame logo collectively known as CFP Marks in his/her publishing material and communications. To maintain the legitimacy of use of CFP Marks FPSB India publishes the list of CFP Certificants on its Website Directory. Consumers are advised to cross-check the authenticity of the Financial Planner claiming to be a CFP Certificant by referring to FPSB India website directory.

Benefits of CFP Certification:

Enhanced career and employment opportunities with Financial Services companies. Your Services are sought by banks, distribution houses, AMC, insurance Companies, equity broking and Financial Planning firms.

Personal satisfaction of achieving the Financial Planning profession’s highest standard and met the global benchmark

Satisfied clients who appreciate the comprehensive approach to Financial Planning and extend long term relationship and referrals

Your expertise and credibility as a qualified professional is instantly communicated.

More revenue streams by increasing your product and service offering to your clients.

Enhanced Social Status by joining the league of professionals.

Recognition in large no. of countries across the world.

Your credentials demonstrate trust among the financial consumers.

You have met the global benchmark for competency, ethics & professional practice standards to provide comprehensive Financial Planning services.

You join the global league of the best Financial Planning professionals.

So, become a Certified Financial Advisor now & start advising people about insurance and investing matters & also help them with everyday spending habits and short-term savings goals.

There are many reasons to get to your paralegal training certification.

Perhaps you have always been about what fascinates you are doing to lawyers and you want some of this kind of work. Or maybe you just know that you are smart and fit for the stress and hard work would come, is at about lawyers and the various situations they are with on a daily basis. No matter what your reasoning, can become a paralegal, a very exciting and very rewarding careerChoice.

Paralegal certification is granted by three organizations of professionals. They are the National Association of Legal Assistants, the National Federation of Paralegal Associations, and the American Alliance of Paralegals.

Paralegal training certification is not the same as has just completed a Paralegal Certificate Program. A Paralegal Certificate provides a diploma or certificate to someone who has completed a study. ParalegalCertification is only one of the three above-mentioned organizations and the requirements are given strictly for completion.- Discount airlines

For example, the NALA’s (National Association of Legal Assistants) certain standards that they need for certification. They are combinations of education and experience. It is a two-day test will be offered three times a year for assistants who want to meet these criteria and participate in the study. If they pass the exam, a paralegal, you use theDesignation Certified Legal Assistant or Certified Paralegal.- Discount airlines

The AAPL (American Alliance of Paralegals) manages the alliance with America Certification Program. There is no test to pass, has received this certification. Each time a paralegal five years experience in the field of education and certain is complete, they are then eligible to apply for this certification.

And finally, the Nation Federation of Paralegal Association offers (NFPA)and called the Paralegal Advanced Competency Exam Examination (PACE). This test provides to those who pass on to use the designation Registered Paralegal. Again, there is a required combination of work and educational experience. READ MORE http://www.paralegaljobs.bankcreditsite.com/paralegal-training-certification-improve-your-job-prospects/

You’ve seen that guy. He hangs out at your local gym, and spend more time touching up his hair in the wall length mirrors and smoothing down his moustache than anything else. He’s rocking a little Buddha belly over his cowboy belt, and looks arrogantly down the length of his nose at everybody else except his client, whom he has struggling to do one arm pushups in the corner. Ok, maybe he’s only at my gym, but I’m sure you have your own variation at yours. He’s the ‘local sketchy trainer’, and when you look at him you can’t help but wonder if he’s actually qualified or simply a complete hack, a confidence man that’s conned a couple of naïve innocents into handing over their cash for a couple of months before they quit in disgust. So how to tell if your trainer is actually qualified to train you? The first and simplest step is to ask for their qualifications. Confused by the seemingly endless acronyms that they then give you? Here’s a breakdown of what it all means.

Certified Personal Trainer (CPT): This the ‘gold standard’ of personal training certification programs and is issued by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). If the trainer has a CPT after their name, you know they’re good to go. If you want a little more info, ask were they earned their certification; they should be from an NCCA-accredited organization like the National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association (NESTA), National Exercise Trainers Associaton (NETA), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) or the Cooper Institute (CI).

Certified Fitness Instructor (CFI): If you’re looking to join an aerobics class, check to see if the trainer is certified. Remember, just because the class has fifty people doesn’t mean anybody knows what they’re doing (though it’s a good sign). Make sure the class is taught by a certified fitness/health instructor, with the best being an ACE or ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine)-certified instructor.

Exercise Specialists (ES): These guys are a little more technical, and provide a wider range of training, from exercise assessment, training, rehabilitation and lifestyle coaching for those at risk of cardiovascular, pulmonary or metabolic disease. Look for an ES certified by the ACSM!

Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP): Another ACSM certificate, the RCEP performs exercise testing, prescription, counseling, education and evaluation, and must have a Master’s Degree in exercise science, exercise physiology or kinesiology.

Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS): The Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist is for trainers who put together and then implement strength training and conditioning programs for athletes in a team setting. It’s the only one of its kind from the NCCA.

So there you have it. The trick is to know which agencies can certify trainers, and which certificates to look for. That way, when you approach a trainer and ask them what their qualifications are, your eyes don’t need to glaze over when they begin to spout acronyms. Listen for the right ones, and denounce the fakers with righteous zeal and scorn should they fail to make the list!

will I be able to find a job. I have not been in anymore trouble and I have a very good reputation in the community.

What are the best well known, accredited personal certification program that for a fixed single price include a complete package of:

1) adequate home study materials including practice tests and quizes
2) at least a few days of live training
3) taking the actual certification test(s)

All of the programs I found charge separately for all 3 items and this makes the whole process that much more complicated and less assured. However if it is true that all of the more accredited certification programs sell each of these items seperately, then I guess that is the only way for me to go.

Any ideas?

I’ve tried looking around and I’ve discovered Utah State which has what I want. However, I am having trouble finding other institutions with good Elementary Education programs for undergraduates. If anyone can help I would be much obliged, thanks