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One Class Increases Odds Of College Graduation For Struggling Students

Link: One Class A researcher at Ohio State University has developed a course on learning and motivation strategies that actually increases the odds that struggling first-year students will graduate. Students in academic difficulty who took the “Learning and Motivation Strategies” course in their first quarter at Ohio State were about 45 percent more likely to graduate within six years than similar students who didn’t take the class. Average-ability students who took the course were also six times more likely to stay in college for a second year and had higher grade point averages than those who didn’t take the class.

Writing About Values Lifts Some Students Grades

Link: Self-Esteem Some seventh graders who were struggling in class did significantly better after performing a series of brief confidence-building writing exercises, and the improvements continued through eighth grade, researchers reported Thursday. The students who benefited most were blacks who were doing poorly, the study found; the exercises made no difference for white students, or for black ones who were already doing well.

Experts cautioned that the writing was hardly transforming. Those who benefited were still barely getting C’s, on average, by the end of middle school. Yet the results were surprising, because interventions to improve school performance tend to have short-term benefits, and the writing assignments were simple 15-minute efforts.

Website Offers GED Support

Link: GED Support The E-Learn, Inc. web site has numerous free articles and information developed to support adult learners preparing for the GED and the networks that serve them. The articles include frequently asked questions, GED eligibility, study skills, test tips, scores and how to get motivated and manage test anxiety. Articles also address GED benefits and resources, from where to take tests and why they're valuable, to guides for finding financial aid and support.

tennessean.com: Tennessee program standardizes alternative education

Link: tennessean.com
Tennessee education officials have created the first national blueprint for alternative education programs to help at-risk students succeed in school.