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Every parent believes his child is the smartest in the class, but what happens when you really do have a kid who is head-and-shoulders above the rest academically? Most teachers and parents believe that to adequately challenge these children, there must be accelerated programs to accommodate them. Hence, the gifted and talented program was born.

Children who belonged in this upper echelon were usually identified in the schools, by the teachers who worked with them every day. However, many parents also got quite busy behind the scenes, ensuring their children met the requirements for special programs that would increase their odds of success later in life. In fact, numerous children are receiving preparation for gifted and talented programs long before their feet even touch the hallowed halls of academia.

Track for Success

According to an article in , many residents of the Big Apple are whipping their children into academic shape as early as their preschool years. The competition for the limited number of slots in selective elementary schools across the city has led parents into a frenzy of preparation shortly after children learn to walk and talk. It is not unusual for parents to hire tutors and test their children's IQs long before enrolling them in New York schools.

Because the competition at many of these stellar schools is so stiff, few will look at children who

It may seem that your child has barely graduated from cut and paste projects in school before reading and math facts take center stage in their education. Suddenly, you find yourself opening books every night, listening to your child sound out words, and helping them understand the stories they are studying. Does your effort really matter in the overall academic success of your child?

It turns out that the time you spend reading with your kids might have a much greater impact on their life success than you realize. According to a new report published by the , "Early Warning! Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters," your child's reading proficiency by third grade has a direct correlation to his success in high school and beyond. The study found a link between those students reading below the proficient range in third grade and the likelihood they would graduate from high school.

This webinar discusses the critical importance of developing students into proficient readers during the early years of childhood education.

Low Income = Low Proficiency

One of the most startling aspects of the study is the low proficiency rates among low-income students. Many of the children who are not able to read well by third grade end up dropping out of high school, thus directly impacting their ability to raise themselves above the poverty

Tragic bullying cases like Phoebe Prince’s story have prompted public schools to review their responsibility in preventing bullying, both on and off-campus. With the rise of social networking, cyberbullying has become a real threat, and schools are scrambling to manage the ramifications of 2.0 bullying.

According to the , cyberbullying can be defined as, "willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices." The First Amendment Center cites statistics that show one-third of teens on the Internet have experienced harassment online. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dub electronic aggression as an "emerging adolescent health issue."

This video from the PACER Center offers resources for students and teachers.

Clearly, there is no doubt that cyberbullying has become a major problem in recent years, but the question then becomes: what should public schools do about it? It does not appear to be a question with an easy answer if one considers the differing responses to the problem by public schools and the government.

On one hand, when cyberbullying affects a child's educational experience, the schools have a responsibility to put a stop to the behavior. On the other hand, much of the cyberbullying that occurs takes place outside of school, leaving schools helpless in monitoring such activity. Then, there is the first amendment guarantee of free speech. Where do we draw

We worry that our children cannot keep up globally in important subjects like math and science, but what about money management? While financial training has not traditionally been a part of the "3 R's" of education, in a world of tough economic times, it has become an essential component of a sound education.

Subsequently, some public schools are implementing financial subjects as a part of their core curriculum, while non-profit organizations are working hard to provide resources to schools to help them in their efforts. Financial literacy is slowly but surely becoming an academic catchphrase for the 21^st century.

Why is financial literacy important?

answers that question as follows: "Financial literacy is important because it equips us with the knowledge and skills we need to manage money effectively. Without it, our financial decisions and the actions we take—or don’t take—lack a solid foundation for success. And this can have dire consequences:

• Nearly half of Americans don’t expect to have enough money to retire comfortably.
• Credit card debt has reached its highest point ever.
• Forty percent of Americans can’t afford a $400 emergency expense.
• Given the above statistics, it might not be surprising that nearly two-thirds of Americans can’t pass a basic test of financial literacy.

To explore the importance of financial literacy, we turned to personal finance experts working in colleges, high schools, and credit unions. Together, the populations they serve span a broad range of ages, incomes, and backgrounds. These educators witness first-hand the

Parents want to ensure their children obtain the best education possible, but few know how significantly their input can turn a campus into a top public school. There are numerous ways parents can get involved to raise the bar for the neighborhood school system. Consider these four ideas to help your schools achieve the quality you want for your children.

Parental Involvement in the Classroom

When parents enter the classroom, they obtain a better perspective of the teacher and students' challenges. Parental involvement encourages better communication between the teacher and parent and between the parent and child. According to a study by Henderson and Berla, the benefits of parental involvement to students include:

• Higher grades and test scores
• Better attendance
• More homework completed
• Improved attitudes
• Higher graduation rates

Benefits are not restricted to students, however. The school also benefits from parental involvement in the following ways:

• More support for teachers from families
• Improved teacher morale
• Higher student achievement
• Better reputation in the community

Parents also benefit from getting more involved in school business. By becoming involved, parents develop more confidence in the school and teachers. Moms and dads also become more confident in their parenting abilities and their children's potential for success.

In this TEDX Talk, Megan Olivia Hall discusses building robust relationships with teachers and parents.

Better Nutrition and Fitness

Obesity is becoming a national epidemic in the United States, and it is no longer just