2010 was a year of changes for Hoffman Education, including the launch of a new website, a Facebook page, and this blog.

Though we have changed some things on the surface, the essentials that guide us remain the same.  As you may know, I deeply believe in the power of individualized, one on one tutoring and mentoring. I continue to see the power of this approach reflected in the progress of our students.

The main thing I would like to convey as the year comes to a close is this:  we have done our best to fulfill our mission of helping each child reach their fullest potential, and we thank you for placing your trust in our ability to do this important work with your children.  When we help a student succeed, it is a remarkable joy and we are grateful for this privilege.

I hope that the opinions and information we share on these pages are helpful regarding your children and their educational milestones. If there are any questions that you have, or topics you would like covered in the months ahead, please let us know.

Wishing you joy to fill your holidays, and peace, prosperity, happiness for the New Year!

–M.H

In Part 1 of this series, we examined some of the issues surrounding the application process for SAT and ACT testing accommodations. Here is a checklist:

• Familiarize yourself with documentation requirements for each testing service, shown here for the SAT and here for the ACT. There is no pattern of consistent agreement between the ACT and the College Board, so you may want to apply to both services.

• If you need independent testing to meet the documentation requirements, make sure you work with a qualified professional who understands the testing requirements, per the testing guidelines.

• Re: in-school records, be extremely diligent about building your child’s file showing the academic impact both before and after in-school accommodations have been received. Even if your child has an IEP, a 504 plan, and a diagnosis, the testing services look for this paper trail, so start constructing it well beforehand.

• Enlist the help of your child’s guidance counselor to assemble and submit the necessary paperwork. Apply in 9th or 10th grade, to anticipate accommodations for SAT Subject Tests or AP exams that might be taken well before junior year.

• Note that it can take 7-8 weeks for a decision after each application or appeal. In our experience, many students are turned down the first time they apply, so it is important to give yourself enough lead-time. If you are not approved, appeal the decision. You are entitled to call and speak to the evaluator to learn why your child was turned down.

If you have already traveled this road, perhaps your experience can help another parent experiencing similar frustrations. Please add your story to our comments!

Still have questions? Call us … we have lots of experience with students who need testing accommodations, and are here to help.

Parents of high school students with mild to moderate learning issues often ask us how to get extended time and other testing accommodations for the SAT or ACT.  Unfortunately, it can be a frustrating, arbitrary process, with many procedural roadblocks.

While each student is different, we thought it would be interesting to discuss one client’s experience, to illustrate the process:

Marisa H. was diagnosed with a processing speed issue early in 10^th grade. Comprehensive testing was done by an educational psychologist, reviewed with her school’s Special Education committee, and she received a 504 plan with 50% extra time on tests, and several other in-school accommodations. The road to accommodations on national college tests has not been smooth, however.

• After applying to the College Board in the spring of 10th grade, she was turned down. Two appeals and extensive documentation was needed before extra time was approved, just in time for her PSAT in 11^th grade but too late for her AP exam at the end of 10^th grade. (Note:  the second appeal included an appeal letter written by the psychologist who did her testing).
• The ACT was even more difficult.  She has been turned three times so far … not because she doesn’t have a demonstrated disability with academic impact  — she does — but her paperwork has been deemed incomplete each time!  The first hurdle has been getting her school guidance department to send in a complete packet!

As a parent, all of this takes time and perseverance.  To be a strong advocate for your child, start early, learn the documentation requirements, and get advice from someone who knows the process if you need it.

In Part Two of this series, we will offer a checklist of what to do if you need to apply for SAT and ACT testing accommodations for your child.

Your high school junior took the PSAT in October, and you should have your child’s results in hand by the second week in December.  (Scores are mailed directly to the school, and the school will mail them to you).  Here’s a guide to help you interpret the PSAT score report,  and plan next steps.

• You will see scores in 3 sections: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing Skills. Absolute Scores are scaled from 20-80; percentile results are also provided, which shows how your child’s score in each section compares to other juniors nationwide.
• To convert your child’s score to a comparable SAT score, simply add a “zero” to the end of each raw score. For example, the highest PSAT a child could get is 3 x 80 or 240. Converting this to the equivalent SAT score is 3 x 800 or 2400.
• You can request a copy of the PSAT test booklet from your child’s guidance counselor. By matching the booklet up to the score report, you will be able to see which specific questions were omitted or answered incorrectly.
• The special code that is provided on the paper score report can be used to go online for detailed information on the essay section. (Note that you will need login information for your child).

The PSAT score report is a great diagnostic tool. By looking at questions answered incorrectly by section, and their degree of difficulty (easy, medium, hard), you will get a clear picture of your students’ unique strengths and weaknesses, how much work is needed to prepare for the SAT, and where to focus efforts.

The next SAT will be given on January 22 (register by December 23) and the March follows on March 12. Let us know how we can help!

Note about the National Merit Scholarship:
Your child’s total PSAT score will determine the National Merit Scholarship honors. Eligibility will be determined in Spring of Junior year, and recipients will be notified in September of Senior year. Recipients are chosen from those who score in the top 1 % of all PSAT test taking juniors, but the precise cutoff varies by state.

Here are some signs your student might need help with organization:

• Papers crumbled at the bottom of backpacks?
• Folders and binders look like they’ve been through a wind tunnel?
• Assignment requirements misunderstood?
• Project resources lost?
• Assignments incomplete or late?

Grades suffer when a student has not developed good academic habits, and has trouble keeping on top of what they have to do, and when.  Many times, these same students have no trouble learning and mastering academic content.

While frustrating for student and parent, these could be indicative of an underlying difficulty with executive functioning: the mental processes that allow us to organize, plan ahead, keep track of and manage time, remember and attend to details.  Testing would provide a definitive diagnosis; however parental involvement and a few simple items/strategies may help in the immediate:

• Use an academic planner containing month- and week-at-a-glance pages to write assignments and reminders and check off what has been completed. The month-at-a-glance feature can be used to plan and keep track of long-term projects. Parents or teachers can help “chunk” a large assignment into manageable parts with completion dates so the final project due date can be met;

• Orally restate assignment directions so your child understands them;

• Obtain a sturdy accordion folder and label pockets for a schedule, planner, each subject (for current worksheets and resources) and completed homework;

• Frequently clean out and organize student’s backpack, binders and folders. Many papers need to be saved for future tests or exams, but do not have to be carried to/from school on a daily basis.  These can be kept in a designated place at home by subject matter (e.g.: file drawer, binders, folders). Rescue those crumbled backpack papers!

Not all children welcome parental help and these interactions can be contentious.  For those requiring outside intervention, Hoffman Education offers referrals for testing as well as academic coaching, a form of tutoring that helps with organization, study skills and good academic habits.

Here’s our suggestion for a New Year’s resolution:  help your disorganized student get organized!

Let’s start with a reality check:  college admissions officers say that college entrance exams like the SAT test or the ACT test are only one consideration among many when reviewing a student’s application.

We also firmly believe that a student’s future happiness and success, no matter how you define that, does not depend on how they do on their SAT’s!  It is important to continuously remind yourself, during what can be a very stressful process, to keep things in perspective.

Having said that, we do believe in planning ahead to take some stress out of the process.  Towards that end we have assembled the following guide to answer the following questions:

Which tests should my child take?

Both the SAT and the ACT are widely accepted. To decide which test matches a students’ strengths,

To decide which test matches a students’ strengths, schedule a practice ACT in the Fall of Junior year (called a PLAN test), and compare the results with the PSAT.  Consider both the relative score, as well as individual learning strengths and personal preferences. (Note: practice tests can be taken and scored in our office, if necessary).

When should we start test prep?

Think about the specific considerations that might impact your child’s testing timeline:  extracurricular activities, early admissions, test anxiety, skill level and need for practice, score goals, and other learning issues to develop a plan that is right for your specific student.

Check the test dates for the SAT here and the ACT here … in fact, write them down on your calendar, so that you don’t inadvertently miss the window to register (Note:  the next SAT is January 22, register by December 23, and the next ACT is given on Feb 12, register by Jan. 7).

In Part 2 of this series, we examine some of these issues in more detail.  We hope you find the information that follows on SAT and ACT testing helpful.  If you are a parent who has already been through the SAT or ACT prep process, please add your thoughts in the comments, so parents can learn from your experience!

As mentioned in Part 1 of this series, both the SAT and the ACT are widely accepted, and only one part of a larger picture when your child’s application is being considered.  High school grades, the rigor of your child’s curriculum, their extracurriculars and recommendations, etc. are also important, so bear in mind that all the eggs are not in the test prep basket.

Still, to put your child’s best foot forward and maximize test performance, it is important to consider individual learning strengths and personal preferences, to determine which test is the best measure of your child’s academic aptitude.

Developing a Testing Plan:

Most students find that:

o   The SAT is best for students with strong abstract reasoning and problem solving skills, with vocabulary, comprehension, and math sections, and a required written essay.

o   The ACT test is more academic and curriculum based, with math, grammar, reading, and science-based sections, and an optional essay. This is usually a more challenging test for students who struggle with time issues.

o   To decide which test matches a students’ strengths, compare the results of a practice ACT with their PSAT results. (Note: practice tests can be taken and scored in our office, if necessary).

When should we start? The Testing Timeline:

The optimal schedule depends on the student.  In general, beginning test prep early, to make time for regular studying and practice, is the key to achieving better results.  Individual factors such as the demands and timing of school athletics and extracurricular activities, the student’s learning style, and test anxiety are also important factors when determining test prep lead times.

Here are some guidelines:

o   If your student plays a seasonal sport or has extensive extracurricular commitments, it may be advisable to begin as early as the summer before junior year.

o   A longer period of preparation may also be necessary to overcome test anxiety, or adapt to a particular learning issue.

o   For most students, beginning teat prep in January for test dates in the spring of junior year is sufficient.

o   In the case of rolling admissions, early admission or early action applications, you may want to start earlier to insure adequate preparation for Spring of junior year, so take note of likely college application deadlines.

Planning for SAT Subject Tests

In addition to choosing between the SAT and ACT Test, there are twenty SAT Subject Tests to choose from.  Most colleges don’t require SAT Subject Tests, but more selective colleges may require two or three.

o  Check your target list of schools to plan ahead, or simply take the related test after your student finishes each subject at the end of freshman, sophomore, and junior year.

o  Be aware that your child’s classroom curriculum and the test content may not precisely line up.  To deal with that gap, your child may have to do some additional test preparation and study.

o  A list of SAT Subject tests and registration dates is here.

SAT and ACT Test prep is not “one size fits all”; Contact us for a free consultation, if you need help developing a college admissions testing plan for your child.

And, if you are a parent who has already been through this process, please add your tips on SAT and ACT test prep so that other parents can learn from your experience!

We are assembling a list of study tips.  Here are a few to start off (please add your favorites in the comments , and we will update the list as new ones are added!):

Planning Ahead:

• Buy an agenda with a calendar to keep track of due dates, upcoming tests, after school activities. Some web sites like Google offer online calendars where you can keep track of your events from any computer.

• Assignments, assignments…don’t procrastinate, they do and will add up. Use your agenda and check off each assignment as it is completed.

Goal Setting:

• Set goals for yourself. They can be little goals…for instance, if you have a lot of homework one night, you might say “I will write three paragraphs in the next ½ hour as a start.” Reward yourself after completing each goal.

Organization

• Organize your binder and your computer.  Separate files by subject, create folders. When the school year is over, move all online documents into a zip folder or separate hard drive.

Study Tips:

• Read assigned material ahead of test time.  It is no secret…familiarity with the material will help you decide what is important to study.

• Studying in groups can be a helpful way to prepare for an exam. You’ll have access to additional notes and your classmates may recall details from class which you may have forgotten. (Three heads are better than one!)

• Most teachers hold review sessions a couple of days before important tests. Be sure to attend! Sometimes the questions they go over will resemble questions on the test.

Taking good notes:

• The important thing to remember is to not write down EVERY WORD the teacher says. Use abbreviations and symbols to speed up the process. Here are some examples: @ = at, w/ = with  (do you have any to add?)

• When taking notes, use only one side of the paper, this makes notes easier to read and to re-organize.

• Always date your notes. Keep math notes in one place, history notes in one place, etc. Give each day’s note a header. Take good care of your notes, for later use at midterms and finals.

Test-taking:

• If you have a very important equation, formula, or definition to remember for a test, write it down on the test paper as soon as you receive it. Find a corner or edge to jot it down as a reminder to yourself.

• Sometimes you have to guess an answer but the trick is knowing how. First, eliminate answers you KNOW are wrong and then make your guess from the remaining answers. Your first choice is usually correct, so go with your gut.

Homework:

• Always write-out complete solutions for math homework;  no shortcuts… pretend your homework is like a test!

Important Skills:  Vocabulary

• When you encounter a new word, look it up in the dictionary and write it down. Keep a running list or pile of flash cards for future use. Increasing your vocabulary is important for writing well, for speaking well…not to mention, you will need to learn those words for the SAT’s!

Important Habits:

• A healthy diet leads to an alert mind. Eat breakfast every morning to maximize alertness for your morning classes, and avoid a heavy lunch that will slow you down and make you sleepy in the afternoon.

• Adolescents need nine hours and fifteen minutes of sleep.  Lack of sleep can cause irritability and an inability to focus, so whether you’re up late studying or chatting online with friends, enough sleep is important for any student.

What are your best organization tips, and how do you like to study?  (P.S.  If you have a student who needs one-on-one help with study skills and organization, give us a call!)

While searching a popular online photo library for images to use on the new website, terms like “school”, “education”, and “student” turned up many attractive, successful looking kids from which to choose.  Then we searched “learning disability”.   Up popped image after image of wheelchair-bound kids, a total disconnect with the reality of LD.

The fact is, kids with learning differences typically have average to above average intelligence, and simply process information differently.  Maybe it is the use of the term “disability”, but one thing is clear:  confusion about LD persists.

This is consistent with some troubling national trends. Last month, the Roper Organization released a national poll on how Americans view learning differences.

While 8 out of 10 Americans agreed that children with LD are “just as smart as you and me”, a disturbing number were sadly misinformed, associating learning differences with laziness, a poor home environment, and other negative factors.

Even my work with families and schools in the Tri-State area occasionally turns up bias, and unnecessary obstacles: from the client with processing speed issues, whose teacher derisively refers to his need for extra time, to the College Board and the ACT, who routinely turn down requests for accommodations.  At the very least, you would expect educators and school administrators to know that people learn in different ways, wouldn’t you?

How is it that in 2010, these myths and misperceptions exist?

Some day, all children with LD will have their struggles identified early, will routinely get the help they need, and the need for advocacy will be a thing of the past.  For now, I guess it just means we have much more work to do.

By the way, which kid pictured above has a learning disability?  For all we know, they all do.  -M.H.

We can help young kids develop math literacy from an early age, by using everyday situations to teach the most elementary concepts…money (financial literacy), cooking (measurement), even football season gives ample opportunity to reinforce basic math concepts.

As kids get older, the concepts become more challenging, but there are many excellent online reference tools. Here are 3 online math-oriented websites that we’d like to share:

The Khan Acadamy has literally thousands of videos organized by subject. You have to see it to believe it…and if your kids don’t know about this site, they should!

Shmoop is known for their lively and fun approach; check out their math section, which spans Arithmetic through Geometry.

Drexel Math Forum provides an exhaustive list of math resources organized by subject and level, Arithmetic through Calculus and beyond!

When math is taught well, we can create kids who love math — or at least don’t feel negatively about it.  As educators, we strive to teach the why over the how, so that math  concepts make sense.

What is it about math that is so intimidating, why do you think so many students lack math confidence?