Secretary of Education Arne Duncan gave a speech in March about the importance of civics education in our public schools. He said, "A foundation in civics is not a luxury but a necessity. Students today absolutely need a sense of citizenship, an understanding of their history and government, and a commitment to democratic values. They need to know their rights – and their responsibilities. Civics cannot be pushed to the sidelines in schools.” Duncan went on to share some statistics: “Nearly two-thirds of Americans cannot name all three branches of government. Yet three in four people can name…

The average parent in the Chathams can expect to pay approximately $30,000 a year or more for their child’s college education in 2012. That’s after the endless dollars spent on ruggedly demanding camp in Maine, the Haitian humanitarian venture, the gap year researching the mosquito on Nantucket, the pre-college math camp at the University of Southern California and the unpaid internship in New York City. These are all admirable attempts to simulate a relevant life, and makes for great college essay topics and interview conversations. John Dewey, the 20th century advocate of learn-by-doing …

Academic tutoring is big business in the Chathams. A simple Google search for tutors in Chatham generates about 54,000 results. From private tutors to tutoring centers, families pay a significant amount of money to supplement their children’s education.  Individual remedial tutoring is not only relevant in our town. Strong patronage of the tutoring business can also be seen across the country. While slightly off the highs of 2007, tutor industry statistics still tout a robust business.  The hourly pay for a tutor varies among regions, but according to the Education Industry Association $45 to…

With daylight savings time here, spring is in the air, and with it, educational testing. Food can be an important part of test preparation, and research suggests that a healthy breakfast has a significant impact on academic achievement. A good breakfast goes a long way on a typical day of school.  Add pre-test butterflies to the equation, and healthy nutrition can make all the difference in performance. Some advocates say that a little nutritional planning, starting the week before a big exam, can significantly enhance test-day alertness and mental agility. It is recommended that test-takers …

What was to be a thought-provoking night out turned out to be a haunting night instead, and I've barely had a full night's sleep since. Discussions have been plentiful, whether in the gym, at the hairdresser's or shopping for groceries. Neighbors and friends are eager to talk about the Feb. 24 screening of "Race to Nowhere" in Chatham, and the follow-up panel discussion. Complicated and profound questions now seem to arise from casual conversations daily. For example, "If everyone in an accelerated class is receiving remedial tutoring, is it an accelerated class?" "When does a boy become a …

Teens seem to find their own little ways of bonding.  They tend to unify in common struggles and age-appropriate challenges.  This is when social networking can add value to the life of a teen. On Tuesday, 11th graders in New Jersey began three days of testing for the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).  The HSPA replaced the High School Proficiency Test (HSPT11) in 2002.  The test fulfils a state law that requires public high school students to demonstrate the "mastery of skills" needed to function in society before graduation.  The HSPA measures the 11th graders' achievement in …

There are some new buzz words in town. First, "Race to Nowhere." This is the title of a little American documentary getting a lot of international attention. The movie is a call to parents, educators and policy makers to reconsider how we are preparing our kids to become responsible, leading contributors in society.  The movie emphasizes the negative repercussions of the incessant, resume-building-achievement-culture, driving kids to excel in academics, sports, music, etc. from the time they are toddlers. As a result, any hint of failure or rejection can become catastrophic events in the …