School and Learning for Tweens and Teens - Free Parenting Resources

"YourHomework was formed to offer a unique reference point on expert advice to help with your homework.  YourHomework.co.uk offers valuable expert insights on a wide variety of homework issues. We believe that confidence is key to academic success. When undertaking a home study project, it is vital to be well prepared, well informed and inspired. Our content is designed to guide you through your home-based studies, ensuring that you need never feel nervous about a homework task again."

Students are missing key concepts in history.

Tips to help your child develop important critical thinking skills.

How beauty influences attention and expectations in the classroom.

Information about the character education movement.

Help your child cope with stress.

Understand why some students are silent in class and how to encourage them to speak up.

Tips to make sure science education gets the attention it deserves.

Find out the pluses and minuses of School Based Management.

Ways to help your school decrease student violence.

The benefits of implementing a school uniform policy.

Understand the ways school safety starts at home.

A look into the difference between traditional and newer report card styles, and which is better.

Why waiting until high school to plan for college is a mistake.

Teach teens how to really listen to each other and to be bridges to professional assistance.

Understand the value of multicultural education.

Parents are the primary influence in their child's motivation to learn.

College admission tests don't measure all indicators of college success.

Tips to increase your child's learning in a large class.

Encourage your child's unique learning style.

Why environmental education should be taught in the classroom.

How an integrated curriculum increases student success.

The link between less school and lower academic performance.

Grades don't always mean students have learned all they need to be prepared for college or work.

Why grades aren't always a sign of achievement.

Is your child a global or analytic learner?  Why it's important to know.

Why children learn geometry most effectively when it is part of their daily lives.

What parents need to know to keep kids in school.

Identify the warning signs before your child drops out.

Two things you can do to keep your child from dropping out.

How to choose the right test preparation courses.

Why students drop out of college.

Tips to motivate kids to earn good grades.

Tips for incorporating art into your child's education.

Links to Supplemental Education resources from the US Department of Education.  Includes programs and frequently asked questions.

Chartering allows schools to run independently of the traditional public school system and to tailor their programs to community needs. While not every new school is extraordinarily innovative and some school operations may mirror that of traditional public schools, policymakers, parents, and educators are looking at chartering as a way to increase educational choice and innovation within the public school system.

UNCF plays a critical role in enabling more than 60,000 students each year to attend college and get the education they want and deserve. To close the educational attainment gap between African Americans and the majority population, UNCF helps promising students attend college.

Unigo.com offers reviews of college campuses from the students that attend there.  Includes photos of the campus, student videos about the school and is free to use.

Resources to help students succeed in school.  "This tool kit was developed with guidance from over 1,800 Hispanic parents at Parent Information and Resource Centers across the country."  Also available in Spanish.

The information campaign site for Title IX, which protects against sexual discrimination in any federally funded program.  Includes “10 Key Areas of Title IX” such as athletics, career education, math and science, and standardized testing.  Also features legal cases, how to take action, and a press room.

“Applying for Federal Student Aid is Easy as 1, 2, 3” encourages this information sheet from the US Department of Education.  Includes the three key steps, and where to find more information.

Why art is a necessity in education.

Discover how the beauty bias can hinder a child's academic achievement.

Understand why it's important to keep perspective when it comes to test scores.

Learn how taking a "gap year" can help some students find purpose in their studies and broaden their world view.

Discover why science is so important and ways to encourage your kids to study it.

Learn the importance of science in your child's education and get tips to make sure your school's science department makes the grade.

Identify the stressors your child faces and learn healthy ways to deal with stress.

In a time when school budgets often cover only the basics, many parent groups recognize school fundraisers as a way to pay for sports, computer, music and arts programs and equipment.  And while these campaigns can be helpful, the right planning is necessary to be really successful.  Before you choose a school fundraising campaign, be sure to review these school fundraising tips.

What school-based management is, and the reasons for and against it.

Why waiting for high school to prepare for college is a mistake.

Why No Child Left Behind means you may be able to choose a different school.

The importance of multicultural education and what you can to do make sure your child receives it.

Parents are the primary influence in their child's motivation to learn.

A testing expert, James Popham, makes recommendations about the quantity and quality of standardized testing in America's schools.

Why it's important to show enthusiasm for math and tips for helping your child succeed.

Identify the warning signs that a child may drop out and get the resources you need to keep your kid in school.

Methods and tricks for improving memory.

Learn why "flunking" a student is never the right solution.

Tips for increasing learning and reducing class size.

Understand the importance of character education in schools.

In Tips for Parents: Back to School, get 6 tips for a smooth back to school transition and setting a foundation for school success all year long.

Understand why authentic assessment is a better tool for measuring students' achievement.

ERIC provides free access to more than 1.2 million bibliographic records of journal articles and other education-related materials and, if available, includes links to full text.

Founded in 1989, Posse identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. Posse extends to these students the opportunity to pursue personal and academic excellence by placing them in supportive, multicultural teams—Posses—of 10 students. Posse partner colleges and universities award Posse Scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships.

With news, publications, model programs, family/student resources, and a separate center for students with disabilities.

With publications, a position statement on NCLB, fact sheets on such topics as multiple choice tests, retention and testing, authentic accountability, and “The Dangerous Consequences of High Stakes Standardized Testing.”

Weekly newsletters, discussion groups, a math library, and useful links to other math resources on the web. 

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the nation's leading Hispanic scholarship organization, providing the Hispanic community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. In its 34 year history, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund has awarded close to $280M in scholarships to more than 90,000 students in need.   Two-thirds of these students were the first in their families to go to college.

The Harmony Project is a non-profit organization established in April of 2001 with a vision of serving the cultural and artistic needs of underprivileged children in the Los Angeles area.

The only science contest of its kind for students in grade 5 through 8 fostering the exploration, understanding and communication of science among America's youth.

The project “works with preschoolers through early adolescents to understand what motivates students to learn and how motivation can be sustained and promoted.”  Divided into four main areas:  The Development of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation, Praise and Motivation, Motivational Strategies, and Peers and Motivation.

After more than two years of research and input from Oregonians, Chalkboard identified priority areas for our Legislative session that will help make our schools among the nation's best. With Priority Package, Take Action, Parent’s Center, and Employer’s Center sections, a site for Spanish speakers, news, and quizzes.

The Appalachian Leadership and Education Foundation (ALEF), a non-profit organization funded by foundations and companies, supports and  enables young men and women from Appalachia to pursue higher education though scholarship and leadership curriculum. The program includes an emphasis toward the preparation required to be the leaders of the next decade.  The concept of operations for ALEF is to partner with established academic institutions across Appalachia to provide the technical skills necessary as the basis for credible leadership.

What causes it, who is likely to have it, and learning ways to deal with it.  Includes Test Taking Tips.  Also available in Spanish.

“This site offers effective tips for taking action and the latest evidence of music's importance.” With a giant list of supporting organizations and artists, a tool for grading your school’s music program, and tips for taking action.

This 43 page booklet, published by the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OFFICE OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION, includes sections titled:  What is Student-Led Crime Prevention, The Six Rs of Effective Youth Crime Prevention Programming, Challenges to Implementing Student-led Crime Prevention, Model Approaches to Student-led Crime Prevention, and more.

Details eligibility requirements for both the Academic Competitiveness grants and the National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent grants signed into law on February 8, 2006 by President Bush.

The best source of information about financial aid and preparing for college on the web.  From the US Department of Education.

Case study findings from the Economic Policy Institute regarding the public vs. private school debate.

“A place for parents, educators and leaders to research information about public schools.”

How a little patience can save you hundreds of dollars on clothing and school supplies.

This article discusses the benefits and advantages of both private and public schools.

A discussion of the main differences between public and private schools.

What’s Inside:  Full-length practice tests, including writing; information about the optional writing test, strategies to prepare for the tests, and what to expect on test day.  Prepared by ACT, this 80 page guide is free of charge, but ACT advertises more if its commercial products at the end of the guide.

Search for study abroad programs by location, discipline and other criteria.

"If you're a student with a learning disability, many challenges lie ahead of you, including researching and selecting a college that best suits your requirements. Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities or ADD highlights more than 1,100 two- and four-year institutions in the U.S. and Canada that offer programs for students like you."

If you can't afford to buy this book new, look for it on used book sites online such as amazon.com or ebay.com, or ask your local library.

This site from PBS Kids Go includes a game called “To Cheat or Not to Cheat,” and kid-targeted advice on time management, test stress, and dealing with teachers.

“Improves learning by building capacity in schools, families, and communities through applied research and development. The Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory (NWREL) provides research and development assistance to education, government, community agencies, business, and labor.”  With publications and resources for educators, parents, policy makers, and the public.

Members and educators page with activities, booklists, and professional development resources; a parents’ page with information on parental involvement, parent-teacher conference pointers, and homework help.  Also discusses issues in education and has multiple other resources.

“More and Better Mathematics for All Students.”  The site offers curriculum focus points, resources and tips for parents to help their children with math, answers to questions, advocacy resources and more.

Parents page from the National Character Education Center with articles, tips, programs, and seminars.

Sponsored by the US Dept. of Education.  Huge resource for programs and publications, annual reports, various data tools, and a useful “Fast Facts” feature.

Learn how to fund a study abroad program and read personal accounts of other students' study abroad experiences.

"My Wonderful World is a national campaign to give kids the power of global knowledge."  This campaign seeks to increase global awareness through geography.  With a parent action kit, links to other great resources, and "games and cool stuff" for kids. 

Featuring “interviews with young artists, music mentors to answer questions, contests and all kinds of resources to help students enjoy and maybe even consider a career in music.”  Also includes advocacy and research, and a special section for educators. 

A recent study shows that music lessons help kids remember better.  Also discusses the value of music education.

From the National PTA, this article highlights ways to help your new high school student avoid the freshman blues.

Free memory-improving games for kids. 

From Houghton Mifflin, featuring articles in .pdf format such as “How Much Homework is too Much?” and “MegaSkills for Hispanic Parents and Children.”  Check out the minibooks and videos, and kids can enjoy the early childhood activities.

Statistics and imperatives for advancing math education; from the US Department of Education.

The LiteracyCenter.net serves as many as 1.7 million free literacy lessons a day to children in more than a 160 countries with safe learning activities for parents and teachers to share with young children. All online lessons are free of advertising and free of charge.  Also available in Spanish, German, and French. 

An article for kids including the who, what, and why of cheating and its consequences.

A “School Violence Prevention, Safety and Security Resource.” The Parents’ page “covers how to improve the general safety of schools, dealing with natural disasters, and gang violence.” Also includes useful information for schools and students and features a Safety and Security Directory with “hundreds of links to sites dealing with school violence and safety, plus a buyers’ guide for security products.” 

Details programs that are working to keep the arts in schools, presents research, lists resources, and has a great “Get Involved” page.  Sponsored by the Ford Foundation.

Eligibility and requirements for the Academic Competitiveness grants and National Science and Mathematics Access To Retain Talent grant from the US Department of Education.

Strategies for improving your child’s memory.  Includes a 10 question quiz to help you learn what type of learning style works best for your child. 

Statistics regarding the increasingly competitive global economy, where the US fits in, and information about the Commission on the Future of Higher Education and its designated tasks.

Understand the opportunities studying abroad offers, learn how to find financial aid, how to find a program and more.

“Empowering girls in math, science, and technology.” Features include news and events, programs, volunteer opportunities, and an activities section just for girls.

"Future Educators Association (FEA), is a professional organization that suports more than 20,000 students who are interested in education-related careers.  Through FEA, these students get a realistic vision of what it means to be a teacher.  The FEA program provides members with:

• Scholarship opportunities
• Hands-on career exploration activities
• Unparalleled professional learning opportunities at the annual national conference
• A connection with peers worldwide through FEAConnect, and online community just for FEA members."

School Help: How to save on school supplies and what’s a good idea to splurge on.

A description of the three main types of financial aid available for private school students.  From the National Association of Independent Schools.

This article from FinAid.com, features information on scholarship programs, tuition payment plans, education loans, and alternatives to education loans and payment plans for private elementary and secondary schools.

Math challenges for families, in both English and Spanish.

Teaching and Learning resources from federal agencies.  With science experiments, activities, and visualizations, simulations of key math concepts, online challenges for students, activities for families, language arts resources, and themed history activities.

Funded by the US General Services Administration, this site offers free publications on everything from “How to Maintain Your Tires” to “Caring for a Loved One.”. A huge, comprehensive resource for free publications.  Try searching for “school,”  “math,”  “homework,”  “pediatrician” or any other applicable topic.

"Farm to School programs are popping up all over the U.S. These programs connect schools with local farms with the objectives of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias, improving student nutrition, providing health and nutrition education opportunities that will last a lifetime, and supporting local small farmers."

How to homeschool, subject toolkits, making the decision to homeschool, making homeschool connections, and books and materials from Pearson Learning Group.

Essential information about the No Child Left Behind act.

Designed for K–12 students of all interest, skill and ability levels, ExploraVision encourages kids to create and explore a vision of future technology by combining their imaginations with the tools of science. All inventions and innovations result from creative thinking and problem solving.

The Edible Schoolyard, in collaboration with Martin Luther King Junior Middle School, provides urban public school students with a one-acre organic garden and a kitchen classroom.

10 tips for an easy transition back to school.

From the University of Wisconsin Madison’s School of Education.  Features author and illustrator links, a comprehensive listing of books for children and young adults, and an Intellectual Freedom department.

Information for students, parents, and educators about the SAT and other college board tests, how to plan for college, find and apply for college, and how to pay for college. The site also includes a link to information in Spanish.

College Summit is a national nonprofit organization that partners with schools and districts to strengthen college-going culture and increase college enrollment rates, so that all students graduate career and college-ready.

From How-to-Study.com, this resource includes a checklist for identifying test anxiety, and tips on what you can do to relax for that next test.

Features a “floor plan” with rooms representing links to information.  Go to the library for a comprehensive list of resources about the prevention of school violence, or try the auditorium where you can watch videos, view plays, or listen to speakers.  The Parenting Resources section is a great stop for parents.

"Rethinking School Lunch builds on the premise that hands-on experience growing and preparing food is a powerful way for children to discover that healthy food tastes good, and to learn about the cycles, seasons, other processes of nature, and the relationship between the health of natural and social systems."

Bullying is a common experience for many children and adolescents.  Surveys indicate that as many as half of all children are bullied at some time during their school years, and at least 10% are bullied on a regular basis.

Six tips for easing the transition to a new class or school. 

Questions and Tips for Parents, Schools and the Community. This guide is actually four checklists in one:  Academic Curriculum and Achievement, Helping Parents and Students, Teacher Training and Quality, and Measuring the Progress of Students with Disabilities.

"Inspiring tomorrow's audiences” with resources for schools, arts organizations, artists, and advisers and policymakers.

“Take advantage of the huge children’s arts resources pages of kids' coloring pages and coloring printouts, children’s free arts and crafts projects and ideas, paper folding projects and origami project ideas, kids' drawing lessons, articles for parents to involve their children in the arts, articles on how art heals and how to get children involved in community service, how to design and decorate your children's rooms, and much more.”

"This toolkit also is a resource for Dropout Summit conveners and community leaders bringing the parent voice into the planning process and the development of local and state action plans addressing the dropout crisis."

“The goal of this campaign is to make sure that you—parents and concerned citizens—know that you are potentially the best and most powerful supporters of arts education. We have supplied you with information and resources on this website that help establish the place of the arts as both a full academic subject area and as uniquely empowering activities that carry over into other areas of life and study.”

The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships and other support for the American Indian students. The Fund disburses approximately 6,000 scholarships annually for American Indian students seeking to better their lives through higher education. The Fund also provides support for tribal college needs ranging from capital support to cultural preservation activities.

From the US Department of Education, No Child Left Behind--Also available in Spanish.

This article, from Scholastic, discusses the ways kids cheat today and what parents can do to discourage their kids from cheating.