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Private Tutoring: How Much is Too Much?
Does your child struggle to keep up in school? Is he performing well in one subject but not in another? If you answered "Yes" to either of these questions, you may want to consider hiring a private tutor.

Every child learns in his own way and at his own pace. Unfortunately, children who learn differently often fall behind in school because the entire class cannot be adjusted to suit the needs of one child. If you are worried about your child鈥檚 needs not being met, you may want to consider getting him some extra help outside of school.

There are many different options available for tutoring, but many parents prefer private tutoring. Before you decide, take the time to learn about the different options as well as the pros and cons of private tutoring. You should also learn about the best way to choose a tutor and how to walk the line between giving your child enough support and interfering with his in-school learning.

Types of Tutoring Available for Kids

Just because your child is not doing as well as he could in school doesn鈥檛 mean he is stupid. There are many factors that need to be considered when it comes to a child鈥檚 academic performance. For example, some children are visual learners while others can learn simply by reading a book. Some children also take a little more time to understand concepts which can make them fall behind in class if the teacher moves too quickly. No matter what your child鈥檚 individual struggles may be, getting him some help outside of school might be a good option. Here is an overview of the different types of tutoring and educational service providers you might consider:

  • Private
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Behavioral Intervention Plans

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Behavioral Intervention Plans
Children are going to act out. That is a fact of life. But when does a minor behavioral problem turn into a major issue? We explore behavior intervention plans and how they might be able to help your child curb problem behaviors in school and at home.

You have undoubtedly heard the saying, 鈥淜ids will be kids鈥. This saying is based on the reality that sometimes children exhibit bad behaviors and it doesn鈥檛 necessarily mean that they are bad kids. But some children take this saying to an entirely different level 鈥 their behavioral problems become so bad that they are becoming disruptive in school, unresponsive in social situations, or even dangerous to other kids. If your child is exhibiting problem behaviors at school, you may want to talk to his teacher about creating a behavioral intervention plan.

What is a Behavior Intervention Plan?

A behavior intervention plan (BIP) is simply a plan that is designed to reward and reinforce positive behaviors. Behavior intervention plans look different in every instance because they are customized to a specific student and toward specific behaviors. Some of the problem behaviors that a BIP can be used to address may include the following:

  • Inappropriate language at school
  • Being disruptive in class
  • Aggressive behavior toward students and/or teachers
  • Becoming withdrawn or unresponsive
  • Refusal to do classwork and/or homework

There are several important steps that must be taken in order to develop a behavior intervention plan. For one thing, you need to identify the target behavior(s) that you want to address. Does your child throw things in the classroom? Does he refuse to remain quiet while the teacher is speaking? Does he refuse to do any of his homework or classwork? Once you鈥檝e identified the problem behavior you want to address, you then need to

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Beneficial Services for Physically Disabled Students in Schools

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Beneficial Services for Physically Disabled Students in Schools
Every student has his own unique learning style but children with disabilities experience some unique struggles in school. Keep reading to learn about the rights of disabled students and the services for which they might qualify.

Things like ramps and automatic doors are basic services that can be very helpful for physically disabled students in school and the world. But many physically disabled children find that they experience a great many challenges in school 鈥 challenges that many schools are simply not equipped to deal with. If you are the parent of a disabled child, take the time to learn about your child鈥檚 rights and about the services that exist for children like yours. Once you are equipped with this information, you can take it to the school board and fight for your child鈥檚 rights.

This video explains how students with disabilities have the right to accommodations at public schools, colleges, and universities.

Laws Protecting Students with Disabilities

If you have a child with a physical disability, you understand that he experiences challenges each and every day. Many of these challenges are directly related to his disability, but there is also the issue of red tape 鈥 students with unique needs often get lost in the confusion when it comes to federal and state legislation. If you want to make sure that your child gets the services he needs to excel in school, you should start by learning about his rights 鈥 here is a summary of several important laws that protect students with disabilities:

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 鈥 This act requires that every educational institution (other than
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How Important Are Extra-Curricular Activities for College Applications?

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How Important Are Extra-Curricular Activities for College Applications?
It is never too early to start prepping for college by engaging in some extra-curricular activities that will help you to show a college admissions team who you are and what you believe in.

Every high school student in the country knows the word 鈥渆xtra-curricular鈥 鈥 it is a word that strikes fear into the heart of many. While extra-curricular activities may seem like a fun way to kill some time after school, for many students they are much more than that. They are a gold star on a college application 鈥 something that has real implications for the state of their future. But just how important are extra-curricular activities for your college application and are some better than others?

What Kind of Extra-Curricular Activities Are There?

When it comes to extra-curricular activities, the options are endless 鈥 but what really counts as an extra-curricular? Technically, it is an unpaid activity that doesn鈥檛 pertain to ordinary school classes. The activity itself may occur either in or out of school, though elective classes don鈥檛 count. For example, theater class is an elective because it takes place during school hours and it is an actual class 鈥 theater club is an extra-curricular if it takes place outside school hours and it isn鈥檛 technically a class. Volunteer work can also qualify as an extra-curricular activity.

Here are some examples of extra-curricular activities you might consider joining:

  • Special interest clubs (clubs for like-minded students, often focused around a particular subject, activity, or interest)
  • School service clubs (clubs where students engage in projects to improve the school)
  • Scholarship clubs (clubs that exist primarily for prestige, though they may also offer scholarship awards)
  • Community volunteering clubs (clubs where students engage in
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Are Service Dogs Too Distracting in a School Environment?

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Are Service Dogs Too Distracting in a School Environment?
Students with disabilities may require the assistance of a service dog, but how might the presence of a dog in the classroom affect other students? Could it be too distracting?

There is a special bond between children and their dogs but, for some children, a dog is more than just a best friend 鈥 he is an assistant for everyday tasks. Children with certain diseases and disabilities sometimes need the help of a service dog just to get through their day. The service dog accompanies them everywhere they go 鈥 even to school. While a service dog may be a necessity for the student he serves, it is possible he could become a distraction for other students. But where do you draw the line?

In today鈥檚 modern society, distractions are everywhere. Cell phones and tablets are being given to younger and younger children as society as a whole becomes progressively more reliant on technology. But what determines whether something is too distracting? When it comes to service dogs, there are some legitimate concerns regarding allergies and fears that some students may have, but are these concerns more legitimate than the student鈥檚 need for the service dog? Keep reading to learn more about this issue.

What Exactly Do Service Dogs Do?

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the definition of a service animal is, 鈥渁ny dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability鈥. Some of the tasks a service dog can perform might include pulling a wheelchair, picking up dropped items, reminding someone to take

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