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Learn Spanish in Latin America – Much More Than Learning a Language

Many people choose to learn Spanish in Latin America because of the wide range of incredible locations in which to learn the language. Students can choose a beach location like Montanita in Ecuador, or a very historic town like Cusco, high up in the Andean Mountains of Peru. Whether you want to explore archaeological sites, experience indigenous culture, observe wildlife, or simply laze on unspoilt beaches, Latin America provides all the ingredients for the perfect learning experience.

If you want to see the jungle or have always wanted to go to Machu Picchu, then take a Spanish course that facilitates these aspirations. For example, El Paraiso Spanish Language School (Costa Rica) enables students to stay in Manuel Antonio National Park, with its beautiful beaches and extraordinary biodiversity. ACUPARI Language School (Peru) is based in Cusco, the amazing capital of the ancient Inca Empire. Some students divide their time between two locations so they can explore the natural and cultural diversity of Latin America.

Another reason people choose to learn Spanish in Latin America is the immense choice of courses available. They range from private one-to-one tuition to a myriad of specialized programmes. For example, Interhispanica (Argentina) offer Spanish and Latin American economy classes. OL? (Mexico) offer specially designed programmes for children, teenagers and seniors. Educacion Para Todos (Guatemala) offer customised programmes for social science and medical professionals. Most language schools offer special modules to meet the needs and personal interests of students.

A popular option is to combine a Spanish course with some volunteer work, either once you have finished your language course or during the time when you are not attending lessons. Typical areas of work include helping out in orphanages or nursery schools, working in local community projects, assisting with wildlife or conservation projects. Volunteer Latin America provides information on over one hundred Spanish language schools that offer volunteer work and internships. One such school is Tandem Santiago - Escuela de Idiomas Violeta Parra (Chile), which arranges internships for high school graduates and college students throughout Chile.

Many language schools enable students to combine a Spanish course with adventure and sporting activities. For example, Andean Global Studies (Ecuador) offer Spanish classes combined with diving, surfing or kiteboarding. The Mariposa Spanish School and Eco Hotel (Nicaragua) organizes horse riding trips to the Masaya Volcano. A wide range of outdoor pursuits and activities are offered at other language schools including trekking, paragliding, rock climbing, river rafting, skiing and snowboarding.

In addition to the Spanish courses, most language schools offer extra-curricular activities to suit the tastes of all students. This includes attending sporting events, jungle hikes, guitar lessons, cooking classes, movie evenings, trips to the theatre, parties, and excursions to local places of interest (archaeological sites, indigenous communities, national parks, etc).

From the evidence cited above, it is easy to understand why many people choose to learn Spanish in Central or South America. There isn’t anywhere better to combine a language course with learning new skills and having fun. For example, a Spanish course combined with Salsa, Merengue or Tango dance lessons is a great way of meeting other like-minded travellers and having fun. Many students forge lifelong friendships through such an experience.

So what are you waiting for? Immerse yourself in the Spanish language and culture of Latin America for the most rewarding educational experience of your life.

Forget about Spain, where the accent isn’t as attractive and prices far higher than in Latin America.

Stephen Knight is the webmaster of Volunteer Latin America and the main contributor to the Latin Lounge

How to Get Introduced When Speaking: 6 Tips For an Informative and Effective Introduction

When you have to speak to a crowd, how should you handle getting introduced?

1. Write your own introduction. Think about which of your many credentials or past experience examples will be most relevant to this particular audience. For example, I’m speaking at a Project Management Conference in May and I will include in my intro include the fact that I am a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). However, when I speak to groups of entrepreneurs and small business owners, I don’t include that credential in my intro because it doesn’t mean that much to that particular audience.

2. Make it short. It’s helpful if the audience has a longer bio in front of them on your handout or in the invitation they received, so then your actual introduction can be much shorter - just a few sentences.

3. Practice. Find out who will introduce you and go over it with him or her on the phone or in person when you arrive early to the event. Ideally, have her or him practice reading it, in case there is difficult pronunciation or unusual emphasis required. For example, at a recent meeting I attended, the keynote speaker (legendary speaker Jim Cathcart, http://www.cathcart.com/) was introduced with a long list of all the unusual jobs he has held and the final words, “he may not be able to hold a job [pause] but he can hold an audience.” This last line got a laugh as planned and which required practice for that pause to be effective.

4. Bring copies. In fact, bring two copies of the introduction to the event, to use “just in case.” It should be printed on one sheet in large font so the person can read it easily without glasses. (I also include the phonetic spelling of my name - as in “Gilda”is pronounced “Jilda” in case a different person introduces than the one I talked with earlier).

5. Be confident and not cocky. While you are being introduced, look humble and smile gently. If you’re uncomfortable looking at the audience during the intro which is praising you, then look at the introducer or somewhere just off to the side of the introducer (where it will not look like you are deliberately avoiding eye contact).

6. Have a backup plan. In the rare case that you have to introduce yourself, you need to be ready. This happened to my colleague, Lynn, at one of the first presentations she made to a professional group nearly 20 years ago. Lynn provided a written introduction to the client who agreed to introduce her. But when it was time to start, the client simply said, “Lynn will introduce herself”! Luckily, despite her surprise and relative inexperience, Lynn was able to recover, introduce herself and go on with her talk as planned. You can be sure that since that event, Lynn always brings a self-introduction with her!

If you follow these tips, your introduction will help put you on the path to a successful presentation.

Gilda Bonanno is a speaker, trainer and coach who helps people from all walks of life improve their communication and presentation skills. Receive a FREE Special Report, “Six Mistakes to Avoid in Public Speaking, So Your Presentation Sparkles” by visiting www.gildabonanno.com/newsletter.aspx> You’ll also be subscribed to Gilda’s free twice-monthly e-newsletter containing presentation skills tips.

Online Degrees - How to Find the Best Online Bachelors Degree Programs

If you are at a time in your life where you are working on bettering yourself and your career, one of the top things that you could do is obtain a college education. Having a bachelors degree is especially valuable to your future, because without one, you are going to be unable to get the highest paying jobs, or progress to your full potential in your working and personal life.

In order to strengthen your standing in the line of business you have chosen and advance up the ladder of achievement, a bachelor’s degree is essential. The difficult part is putting everything into perspective to have the time to take classes.

It is for this exact reason getting a degree online is chosen so frequently. Making use of the Internet to earn your bachelors degree has a number of advantages, all you have to do is enroll to take your classes online. getting the work done is your responsibility and the online school’s website will provide all the examinations that you will be taking. Your bachelors degree can be earned in full over the Internet without having to go to a physical school address.

This is advantageous it allows you to work at your own pace. Another advantage is that the classes can be taken as you are able to afford them. This allows you to hold down a job, undertake family commitments and all the other responsibilities you have in your everyday life. Or you could choose to do an accelerated bachelors degree program which offers the opportunity to complete your degree in the quickest time possible.

In order to find the online degree that you want to earn with the least amount of effort, first make up your mind what you want to achieve. Decide what type of program and degree are you going to pursue? Next, investigate the best online schools that offer this particular degree. After this there are a number of additional things you must do.

First of all, confirm that the college you are going to look in to is accredited and recognized. An accredited online university or college will offer you a bachelor degree that will transfer well no matter what situation you find yourself in.

The next thing to check is if it is possible to attain financial aid if you require financial assistance.

Thirdly, examine the way that the preferred online school operates and check if it meets your requirements. For example, do they have online forums, or is communication all via email? Are there certain online places you need to be at a specific time and date, like online classes or forums, or are you able to complete all of the work at whatever time best suits you?

To ensure that you are able to continue on your selected program, you must ensure that you are comfortable with the structure that the online program provide. The program should accommodate you and your needs rather than the other way around.

It is important not to delay or postpone your expiration into online degree programs as the right choice is essential to your success. The earlier you start reseaching the various courses and how they operate, the sooner you will hold the knowledge you need to select and enroll into the online program that is best suited to your situation and start your online learning experience. And don’t forget the earlier you get started, the earlier you will finish and have the education and qualifications you require to build a successful career in your selected profession.

John Maxted is an online education expert who loves helping people with education. The free information he offers on online courses and online bachelors degree programs is certainly worth browsing at => www.BetterOnlineDegrees.com

Information Technology Degree - A Stepping Stone to Obtain Higher Educational Degree

Over the years, information technology has turned out to be a career path which has been growing especially in the area of health care. The online information technology degree program has been a way towards becoming a professional. This approach is actually had been quickly expanding today, like at the project rate of 18 percent until the year 2014. This number is according to the United States Bureau of Statistics. Federal authorization about confidentiality and electronic record custody in health care are both compelling the development in this particular area.

Furthermore, the business world is in great need of information security. A lot of universities and colleges are now offering online associate, bachelor and master’s degree in information technology science with specialty in the following fields:

• Information systems security

• Internet systems development

• Networking

• Desktop operations

The coursework is made up of classes in:

• Software security

• Operating systems

• Computer programming

• Systems analysis and design

• Project planning

• Core business principles

• E-commerce

• Health care management

All of them depend on the specialty of the student. Classes are made available online for the students to complete the coursework conveniently. The instructor and the students are connected through the virtual world or the internet and both need to be online when classes are on. These online classes thus make obtaining a degree in information technology and furthering any degree a very good option for persons who presently have careers and cannot possibly attend classes through traditional universities and colleges. Aside from that, online also eliminate the gap of geographical locations of the aspirants as well as the financial restraints.

An associate information technology degree and other courses offered online can lead to an entry level position which can earn as much as 30,000 thousand dollars for a start. For bachelor and master’s degree holders, the salary can be higher. Perceptibly, a degree in information technology, either health care or business related, place an individual in great position with regards to opportunity, employ-ability and financial standing.

Indeed, the world of computer has turned to be a popular area of study. There are different computer schools which provide bachelor, master’s and even doctorate degree programs which will provide students the experience and background which are both necessary for employment in the different areas of computer. The courses offered by universities and colleges, especially online, will be the ones to prepare the graduates for the ability in different computer technology fields and for the post-graduate certificates into specialized fields of the computer technology.

The online programs for a bachelor degree among computer technology schools guide the students for entry level positions in terms of electronic technology as well as for the choice of advancing the study towards graduate level. The master’s degree aspirants in computer technology courses are intended to expand knowledge in the following areas:

• Design

• Information systems

• Analysis

• Graphic and media applications

• Management and more

A computer technology program highlights the study of programming languages, software and operating systems. Specialities are accessible in programming, information security, web development and information technology. The aspirants who specialize in fields of computer systems may expect to learn about the base of the application software.

When it comes to doctorate degree offered by computer technology schools, there are different disciplines. The doctorate degree in the field of computer technology is intended for those who are willing to do research within the computer technology field and is normally needed for teaching courses in information technology in a university level. On the other hand, the aspirants for a doctorate degree in computer technology should be prepared for the requirements involved in this particular degree since it is the highest level of study compared to associate, bachelors and master’s degrees. It could be that you need to complete the information technology degree before you can proceed to doctorate or masters degree study.

Ces Peroy manages several websites on different topics such as distance learning education. She is a professional engineer turned website designer. She is passionate in helping others through community service and building educational sites for others to learn from.

Get Free Online Courses and Be Assured of a Great Future

Together with the present condition of the global economy, freebies may seem to be very attractive to anybody. The free online courses are among the many free offers that you can find in the virtual world today. And along with the increasing popularity of internet and the benefits being proven by online education, a free online course is now catching the attention of numerous aspirants. Positively, a good education is not always about enrolling in high-priced universities and colleges. Instead, it is a practical way towards obtaining a degree which you have been eyeing on.

On the other hand, it is not real situation at all. There are free online courses offered in which every part of the learning process is made by professionals who are certainly dedicated in the area of learning and are unquestionably aware of it. Thus, whatever it is that the learner wants to study about, there is also a corresponding online degree that is intended for you and the best thing about it is that it is free.

More often than not, the requirements on getting enrolled into an online college or university are far lesser than the prerequisites in campus-based degree programs. Probable students require a diploma or an equivalent degree they have obtained upon finishing high school. These free online degree programs are created for:

•Degree aspirants who have busy working schedules and could not actually attend any campus-based class

•Degree aspirants who want to expand their knowledge but do not have the funds to attend a university or a college.

Some students and college degree aspirants cannot attend traditional institutions for the reason that they already have priorities rather than just attending classes. Some have families to take responsibility of while some have demanding work schedules. Some have both, thus getting a free online education in terms of funds and time is probably the best option there is.

Among the things which you have to learn about free online education and going through a free online learning is this. In a free online education, the aspirants are engaged into the entire process of any topic which they will be trained for. It is the other way around when you will be taking free online degree. It is usually made up of merely one or two topics. Take for example, upon discovering a free online class like in computer subjects, it could only lecture on the fundamentals such as taking a single part and placing them back together soon after while still being able to learn the other portions.

Even so, when these students are able to find free online degrees about computer, they will not just gain knowledge of taking the portions apart and putting them back as a whole. They will likewise find out about the different portions of the computer, the fundamental functions of each part as well as the various portions as one device. Possibly, you might not have started learning about it for now but when you already have explored about free online degrees, you would know the distinction which it can do you and your schedule – the positive effects of it. Here is the difference.

• The free online class are designed to educate about the general and fundamental knowledge to students

• While, the free online degrees are made to instruct regarding the details – the advanced knowledge regarding a subject, such as detailed knowledge on a given subject. With that, it allows the students to relate the subjects to other parts.

Altogether, free online courses are not difficult to find and to pursue. All you have to consider is the course which you want to take up for months. Also, do not fail to ensure that you have signed up in an accredited online university. This will guarantee you an education that is worth your effort, fund and time; which could be your ticket to a bright future or a great career in time.

Ces Peroy manages several websites on different topics such as free online courses, small business web hosting, business from home work and many more. She is a professional engineer turned website designer. She is passionate in helping others through community service and building educational sites for others to learn from.

Sources For College Money

So you need College Money.For yourself, your spouse, or your kid who is quite content to live at home for the next 40 yrs.You have the choices of scholarships, grants, or loans from either government or private sources. Naturally the scholarships and grants are the preferred route since neither has to be repaid. Not everyone can qualify for a scolarship or grant, therefore the need for student loans.

Grants are sourced federally, state, or institutional. The federal grants are all based on financial need and tax documents are required as proof of family earnings. The most common of these is the Pell Grant which tops out at $5350. The TEACH grants max out at $4000 and the recipient is required to teach low-income students for a minimum of 4 years. Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants also max out at $4000 and are available to the neediest of the Pell Grant applicants. The Academic Competitiveness Grants only provide $750 for the first year and $1300 for the second. Finally we have the National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent is for 3rd & 4th year students with a GPA of 3 and above who are majoring in the sciences or a critical foreign language.

All states have some kind of financial aid program for college students. You can check the state you’re interested in for college money by going to http://www.students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public?topicID=25&operation=topic .

Scholarships are far too numerous to list here and they are available to a much more diversified group of people than grants. Many of them are keyed to those with the greatest financial need, but there are those that only require something specific, like left-handed cow milkers. It will take a lot of research and time spent filling in applications, but it is time well spent. You want to be wary of scams that promise to find you a scholarship for a fee. Most of these only provide you with a long list of scholarships and you can get those off the internet for free. Time spent building your profile will reward you many times over. Apply to all that you are elgible for and have a reasonable chance of being considered for.

Whichever financial aid you are after, you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can do that online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov .

Loans can be federally funded, such as the Stafford Loan and the Perkins Loan or there are many sources in the private sector. The Government loans will always be the better deal if you qualify.

If you are saving up be aware that money in an IRA or a 401K is not counted against financial aid qualifications. Just don’t cut yourself short when you take college money out. Leave some for retirement. You can put up to $55,000/yr in a Coverdell IRA, but if you can do that you probably don’t need financial aid. Another thing to do is pay down debt. Credit card debt makes it appear to the decision makers that you have more money than you actually do.

I am James Mizzell, owner of where you can get a ton of info concerning debt relief.

Origin of the Universe

Science follows logic. Science believes in what can be proved. Science calls something a theory only if it can be replicated. Anything that is observed is not believed by science unless it can be observed again and again under the same circumstances. That is the basis of science. Science analyzes everything and then says that may be because of this, that happens. If it is proven science says that if this and that will happen.

These are called laws of science.

Singularity and laws of science-

While speaking of origin of universe scientists believe that in the beginning there was nothing. Not even space existed. What existed was singularity with zero dimensions. What existed before that singularity is not at all known. Please note that no body knows what existed before singularity. At zero time, the singularity started exploding. Let us not call it zero time but the minimum time that passed after zero. This explosion created all this mass in form of heavenly bodies that we observe. As these bodies traveled outward they created space. Therefore an infinite mass and energy was created from a point with zero dimensions called singularity. This is the origin of universe as believed now.

Will you believe this? This defies all the laws. Mainly the laws of conservation of mass and energy are violated here. But cosmologists have no other theory to explain about the origin of universe. At the time of Big bang the energy produced was so much that even today the stars are traveling outward defying gravity. Nothing is stopping. Everything is expanding. It is the expanding universe. You may find this difficult to believe but this is happening. That is why most of the scientists who study the universe and what it is, start thinking of god. Because nothing else can explain about how the universe originated.

How space was created?

When we look around us we take the space for granted. We know that space is the distance between tow objects. Or what lies between two objects. As things are scattered in the world there is space that occupies that. It is true for outer space that lies between tow stars. This space is three-dimensional. Was this space there since eternity? Who created the space? If no object is left in the cosmos what would happen to the space? Will it still remain? How Space Was Created?

We know that at the time of Big bang everything exploded out of a point called singularity. What most of us do not realize is that at that time there was no space. There was only this single point in the cosmos and nothing else. It is difficult to imagine and understand, isn’t it?

As the mass and energy exploded out space was created. At this time there are billions of stars that are running away from us. The universe is expanding. This is creating more and more space. What lies beyond this space? Is there another cosmos/universe or more space? No body knows the answer to this question. According to Einstein one can never reach the edge of the space. This space is something like the surface of the earth. There are no edges. It folds on itself. So if you start looking or the edge of the space you will come back from where you began. Of course the distances are so vast that it is impossible for any mortal to think of doing this. Billions of light years make a very huge distance. This distance is unimaginable.

Next time you look at the sky begin thinking about the space, the stars and what lies beyond everything. You will forget your problems at home and work because you will feel you are so small compared to what is happening out there.

The author writes text messages and advises for internet and social networking content like myspace quotes and myspace comments. He also writes quizzes on subjects like personality, etc.

How to Find the Best Nursing Program

Nurses are the unsung heroes of the medical profession. Not only do they do the bulk of the dirty work, but they also deal more closely with patients. They provide comfort, advice and understanding, as well as a wealth of real world experience.

If you decide to become a nurse, the first thing you will have is do is select a nursing school. Though nurses are not required to attend school for as long as doctors, they are nonetheless highly skilled and educated individuals.

Choosing a nursing school depends on a number of important factors. To begin with, you will have to decide whether you want to pursue a degree that will put you on the path to becoming a registered nurse, or would you like to take an alternate route? For example, there are specialized program that allow students to work as volunteers while they attend nursing school. While gaining that all important registered nursing degree may be the most direct route, others paths may actually provide you with more real world experience. So, you need to decide what is important to you.

Create a List

It is always a good idea to write a list of your top schools and then compare their pros and cons as dispassionately as you possibly can. Below we will discuss some of the most common factors that will help you make your decision. While some of them are purely practical, others are more difficult to determine.

Nursing School Location

If you are a person who does not want to relocate or simply does not have the money to do so, location will be a key factor. But it doesn’t mean that you should simply choose the school that is closest to you and forget about it. In fact, if you only have 3 or 4 nursing schools to choose from, it is even more important to do your research and learn everything you can about these schools. And even if can’t move, it may still be worth it for you to travel an extra ten of fifteen minutes every day to a school that is more appropriate to your needs.

Nursing School Specialties

Like most schools, nursing schools often have certain fields of specialty and subjects and areas that they excel at. Therefore, it is imperative that you choose a school that has a good reputation in your own prospective field of study.

Size of the School

Nursing is a profession that requires students receive proper instruction at every stage of their education. After all, they are dealing with life and death and one minor mistake can be critical. Therefore, the size of the nursing school is often a major factor for potential nursing students. While this does not mean that large nursing schools are necessarily inferior, it is important to research the student/instructor ratio. In fact, it may be the case that a larger college with larger classes may in fact have more teachers and thusly students will receive more individual attention. Note: make sure you check into the ratio for both clinical and classroom instruction.

Clinical Rotation

Clinical rotations give students the opportunity to apply what they learn in the classroom in a real hospital setting. It is probably the most important teaching time that an instructor can provide. Although all nursing schools provide their students with clinical rotation time, you should make sure that you get as much time as you possibly can. This is the sort information you will most likely have to obtain from current students or recent graduates. So talk to them. Ask them if they think they’re getting enough hands-on experience?

NCLEX Exam

This is the test that all nurses must pass in order to become licensed nurses. Therefore, it is essential that you discover what the school’s pass rates for the exam actually are. These rates are a good indication of how well the school prepares students for a career in nursing.

Tuition

As with any other colleges, prices vary greatly between public and private schools, and for in-state and out-of-state students. Inevitably, this will be one of the biggest factors in your choice of schools. So take your time and remember that financial aid is always available if you qualify.

Brent McNutt enjoys talking about dickies scrubs and landau scrub jackets and networking with healthcare professionals online.

Most Frequent Obstacles When You Are Learning English

Out of all of the languages there are in the world, English is one of the most difficult to learn. There are many reasons why English learners have such a difficult time learning the language.

The following lists the most frequent obstacles when you are learning English:

1. Motivational Obstacles: There may be external reasons why someone may not want to learn or enjoy learning the English language. This can include: school conditions, job reasons, other activities taking up too much time, bored with the method of instruction, and a lack of an adequate support system. As well, many learners have low self esteem. They develop such self defeating thoughts as I can’t learn, I am stupid, I am wasting my time, and I am too old to learn.

2. Organization Obstacles: Teaching methods and learning materials are not adequate. A learner may also not know what they should study to learn English.

3. Unreasonable Expectations: Some learners go into an English learning program expecting to pick up the language quickly. They become frustrated and begin to lose interest.

4. Method of Learning: Many students do not take advantage of new and innovative methods of learning. Instead of reading texts and doing writing exercises, learners now have a wealth of learning resources on the internet as well as electronic learning devices that allow them to learn anywhere and anytime. There are also chat rooms that allow English learners to meet and chat with other online English learners. One can also enlist the services of an online English language teacher.

5. Pronunciation: Some learners find the English language difficult because the pronunciation can vary depending on how it is being used. For instance, some letters are silent and other letters are pronounced several different ways. Consonant and vowel sounds can also vary such as the words ‘the’ and ‘thought.’ The differences in pronunciation can be frustrating to learn.

6. Grammar: Nouns, adjectives, and adverbs can be very confusing to an English learner because they are different than most other languages. There is no specific order to grammar in the English language. Understanding the various sentence structures and when to use them can take some time to learn.

7. Verb Tense: The English language has a broad connotation of verb tense which makes it difficult to learn. For instance, verb tenses such as ring, rang, and rung, can be complex to the new English learner.

8. English Slang: The English language contains a lot of slang which becomes mixed with regular English phrases. This requires the English learner to understand all of the jargon which can be complicated. An example of English slang is the phrase: ‘brain wash.’

Because the English language is one of the most widely spoken languages, learning the Language has many benefits for one personally, socially, and in the work place. It is important to seek out the new, creative, and fun, methods of learning English. The result will be immense satisfaction once you have conquered the language.

Learning English online is fast and fun. Learn at your own pace with free English classes and all the materials you will need plus translation tools like our English to Spanish translator and English dictionary.

Students Say African American Achievement Equals Expectations

The numbers are sometimes dismal. The African American achievement gap that almost disappeared in the 1970s and 1980s has widened again between White students and people of color.

Many theories have been attributed to the declining levels of African American achievement from apathetic parents, to violent communities, to negative images seen in the media. However, if you talk to many students they will say the low expectation levels that educators have toward economically-disadvantaged students is what has led to the wider achievement gap, according to a study by scholar Kati Haycock.

Students in economically-disadvantaged schools say they are given teachers who are not knowledgeable about the material they are teaching, counselors who place them in lower-level classes because they underestimate their potential and principals who dismiss their concerns about the quality of the education they are receiving. Some say they drop out because they are bored out of school by the low-level work.

In her study, Haycock stated that in urban middle schools she observed many coloring assignments, rather than writing or Math assignments. She also discovered many coloring assignments in urban high schools. Students who were assigned to read the book To Kill a Mockingbird were told to color a map based on the book, after they completed the reading.

Haycock believes to increase African American achievement, and achievement in other minority groups, “Clear and public standards for what students should learn at benchmark grade levels are a crucial part of solving the problem. They are a guide—for teachers, administrators, parents and students themselves—to what knowledge and skills students must master.”

The different expectations seem evident in Klein Independent School District in the Houston area where African American achievement in Math and Science between students at the more affluent schools versus those at less-affluent schools is evident. At the more affluent Klein High School and Klein Collins High School, 69 percent and 67 percent of African American students, respectively, passed the Math portion of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. However, at the less affluent Klein Forest High School only 53 percent passed.

On the Science portion of the TAKS test, 75 percent of African Americans at Klein High School passed, while 72 percent of African Americans at Klein Collins High School passed. Nevertheless, at Klein Forest, only 62 percent passed.

Despite the subpar numbers in Science and Math, African American achievement in English/Reading and Social Studies in Klein are extremely high, with 92 percent, 87 percent and 92 percent of African Americans passing the English/Language Arts/Reading portion at Klein, Klein Forest and Klein Collins respectively. The numbers in Social Studies was similar with 93 percent passage at Klein and 91 percent passage at Klein Forest and Klein Collins.

To combat the declining levels of African American achievement, University of Illinois associate professor Alfred Tatum created the African American Adolescent Male Summer Literacy Institute in Chicago where he encourages his students to question what they learn in school and “fight against ignorance and shallow thinking.”

The students focus on different authors, such as Claude McKay, Richard Wright and Gwendolyn Brooks, and then they write expressing their thoughts through short stories, poems and letters to future program participants.

Many participants of the program who thought that they would be bored like they are in school, have been captivated by the power of words and the knowledge they receive from Tatum, who has shown them that greatness can be achieved if we expect and demand it.

Todd A. Smith is the web master for ; Regal Black Mens Magazine For more information on this subject visit our ; Community Section To read about ; African American achievement

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