Talk to Your Children

The more parents talk to their children the better. Especially from birth to preschool, talking will help their brains develop faster. Scientist have found that the amount of words a baby hears by the age of three is related to how well the child does academically by age nine.

While many people agree sending your child to preschool at age four is important, parents can help their children to succeed academically by talking to them as often as possible. Children even at the age of 18 months old can be many months behind in their brain's development if parents don't make a habit is speaking to their children directly.  

So what can you do? Putting your baby in front of the TV is not going to work. You have to speak with your baby, show them an object and then speak the word. You can read to them out loud. All these things help you baby increase their vocabulary.  

Read more: http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21596923-how-babbling-babies-can-boost-their-brains-beginning-was-word?fsrc=scn/fb/wl/pe/inthebeginningwastheword

Universities that Accept Undocumented Students

Here is a list of universities that accept undocumented students:

Freedom University: http://www.freedomuniversitygeorgia.com

Notre Dame University:

In 2013, Notre Dame University announced that it will follow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) guidelines issued by the Department of Homeland Security to address undocumented applicants.  The university will no longer treat undocumented students as international students. 

Admissions: http://admissions.nd.edu/admission-and-application/

New York Universities: http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/scmsAdmin/uploads/004/486/access_to_postsecondary.pdf

Illinois Universities:

• Chicago State University
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://csu.edu/Admissions/documents/JohnADMISH200912301010911.pdf
  • Under Citizenship, check the option that states: “Requesting consideration under Illinois Public Act 93-007”
• Eastern Illinois University
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://www.eiu.edu/~admissions/pdf/eiuundergradapp.pdf
  • Check the option that states: “Illinois House Bill 60 (undocumented)”
• Governors State University
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://www.govst.edu/uploadedFiles/Apply/gsu_undergraduate_application.pdf
  • See note #4 under Instructions. Under Citizenship Status, check “Undocumented”
• Illinois State University
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://admissions.illinoisstate.edu/downloads/undergraduate_application.pdf
  • See question 8 and check the option that states: “I am requesting admission as an “undocumented” student who lives in the United States with no documentation stating U.S. citizenship or legal residency”
• Northeastern Illinois University
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://www.neiu.edu/DOCUMENTS/Admissions%20-%20Docs/Undergraduate_Applic...
  • Under Citizenship Status, check the option that states: “Non U.S. Citizen (select if other categories do not apply”
• Northern Illinois University
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://www.neiu.edu/DOCUMENTS/Admissions%20-%20Docs/Undergraduate_Applic...
  • Under Citizenship Status, check the option that states: “Non U.S. Citizen (select if other categories do not apply”
• Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admission http://admissions.siuc.edu/pdfs/2010-2011app.pdf
  • Under Citizenship, check the option that states: “Requesting consideration under Illinois Public Act 93-007”
• Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admission http://www.siue.edu/apply/pdf/2011-2012-SIUE-undergraduate-application.pdf
  • Answer questions 8 and 9. Under question 9, check the option that states: “Requesting consideration under Illinois Public Act 93-007”
• University of Illinois at Chicago
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://www.uic.edu/depts/oar/forms/application_undergrad_freshman.pdf
  • See question 8. Check the option that states: “Non-citizen”
  • Also, complete the Illinois Residency Affidavit Formhttp://www.usp.uillinois.edu/residency/Affidavit.pdf
• University of Illinois at Springfield
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://www.uis.edu/admissions/documents/2010-2011UndergradApplication.pdf
  • Under General Information, answer questions under the option that states: “I am requesting consideration under Public Act 93-7”
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://admissions.illinois.edu/application/pdf/app10_f.pdf
  • Check option “H: Noncitizen” on question 10 and answer question 27
• Western Illinois University
  • Complete the Application for Undergraduate Admissionhttp://www.student.services.wiu.edu/admissions/pdf/application.pdf.
  • Select the option that states: “Requesting consideration under Illinois Public Act 93-7”

What's Next?

Get comfortable asking for help. Planning for college is not something you do by yourself— it’s really a team effort. But it is up to you to put together your team. That means talking to the adults in your life who can help—from your parent, guardian or other family member to your teacher, school counselor, college coach, and mentors at local community organizations.

Meet Your School Counselor and College Coach

Seek guidance and get answers to your questions. School counselor and your college and career coach are two of your best resources when planning for college. Counselors and college coaches have information about admission tests, college preparation and your education and career options. They are aware of colleges that admit and grant institutional aid to undocumented students.

Take the right classes.

To get into college, start by taking the right classes in high school. Find out what classes you need to meet entrance requirements and sign up for them now. Lock in requirements. You may not need them to finish high school, but most colleges require three to four years of math, English, science and social studies. Plus, most want at least two years of the same foreign language.

Take high school courses that count towards your college degree.

Take the ACT and SAT seriously.

How can Parents and Teachers work together?

The experts all say that parents and teachers need to work together to improve the education of the children.  No one would publically speak out against this idea.  It makes a lot of sense for parents to be on the same page with teachers about what their child needs to do outside of the classroom.  Is it enough for parents to know what Johnny or Sally homework is that night?  Is it enough to reduce TV watching and making sure their child reads every night?

Certainly this would be a great start for all parents.  Most parents do not have time for more than that.  A lot of parents don't know how the education process even works and don't know how they can participate.  Education is both a science and an art.  The science of teaching children is complex and important.  In one classroom each student is different, every student learns differently and are at different educational levels.  Factor in if your student does not speak English.  Pretty complicated stuff.  

Should parents leave the education of their children just in the hands of the teachers?  The most effective way to improve the education of your child is to somehow work in partnership with the teacher.  But how?  

1. Talk with the teacher about your child's educational needs.  Every parent has the ability to make a big difference in their child's education.  Doing the basics like reducing TV watching, making sure homework gets done, getting enough sleep is a big help.   

2. Get educated about education.  There are a lot of new ideas about education.  Some ideas are good, others are just fads.  Learn what works and what is not proven. 

3. Get active. There is a big push to do something to improve the education system locally and nationally.  Often parents don't speak out in support or against these ideas.  The problem is these ideas are not being questioned by parents in general.  Politicians , school systems, unions, business leaders are all debating what needs to be done to prepare children for the future.  Parents need to be a part of the discussion . 

The future is bright, help shape it by letting yourself be heard. 

How to find money for College

The United Negro College Fund's Patterson Institute surveyed African American students and parents about preparing for college.  The study was funded by the Sallie Mae Fund after studies showed that white Americans are twice as likely as black Americans to earn a college degree by the age of 29. 

The survey showed that black Americans have high hopes for college but they don't know enough about how to pay for it.  The fund created the African American Initiative, as a way to improve student access to college. One of the ways is to provide a scholarship directory where people can look up information about scholarships.  Searching the directory is free.  The directory is geared for African American students, it has more than 300 scholarships.  You can search by requirements like GPA (grade point average), interests and by application deadline.    

There are also many organizations that provide scholarships and/or links to scholarship resources. Some sites to check out are:

• Sallie Mae Scholarship Search
• www.collegefund.org (Native American)
• www.college-scholarships.com
• www.fastaid.com
• www.fastweb.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.gmsp.org (Gates Millennium Scholars)

• www.hsf.net (Hispanic)
• www.uncf.org (African American)
• www.studentaid.ed.gov
• www.scholarships.com
• www.review.com

Chicago Selective Enrollment High Schools

October is the month that starts the Chicago Public School selective enrollment process. The process is very competitive, so it is ver important keep track of dates, fill out the application before the deadlines, make your school choices and have a back up plan.

What is a selective enrollment high school? 

Selective enrollment high schools are schools that are designed to meet the needs of academically advanced students. The schools offer a challenging program with mainly honors and advanced placement (AP) courses. Thousands of parents and their children apply for these schools but there are not enough seats. 

What does CPS base its decision on who gets to attend these selective enrollment high schools?     

The decision is made at the central office and they look at three key things: your student's 7th grade scores, their 7th grade standardized test scores (like the ISAT) and their selective enrollment test scores.  Your student must do well in all three areas to have a chance.  

What is the minimum 7th grade standardized test scores must my student have to be invited to take the selective enrollment test?   

In order to take the selective enrollment test your student must have a minimum of stanine 5, in both reading and math, on the student's most recent standardized test. English Language Learners or Special Education students with an existing IEP meet our minimum requirements for examination if they have a combined stanine of 10 in reading and math. All IEPs must be on file prior to the application deadline in order for students to receive testing accommodations. There are no retroactive accommodations.

How are the available seats in a school allocated?    

The first 30% of available seats at each school are filled strictly according to the student scores – also referred to as the “rank” score – the seats are filled by the top-scoring students. The remaining seats are equally distributed among four "socio-economic" tiers and are filled by the highest-scoring students in each tier. 

What are these four "socio-economic"tiers?

CPS no longer considers race as a selection factor.  Instead CPS has divided the city into four (4) tiers based on the socio-economic conditions of the city called tiers.  There are four (4) tiers.  Tier one (1) represents the poorest areas of the city.  Tier four (4) represents the most affluent areas of the city. The idea is the top students in poor neighborhoods compete against students from other poor areas to qualify to enter one of these selective enrollment high schools. The same is true for students living in areas that are less poor compete with students from the same economic level. To find out what tier you are in and a more complete explanation about tiers from CPS click here.  

Do I need a back up plan?

Yes.  Even very good students might not get selected.  You need to apply at other good quality CPS or private schools.  International Baccalaureate (IB) programs are good alternatives for motivated students.  They are just as competitive as the selective enrollment and provides a great preparation for college. 

Where can I get more information? 

Important CPS Dates: See Important Dates Link:

Selective Enrollment schools -http://www.cps.edu/Schools/High_schools/Pages/Selectiveenrollment.aspx 

Online web application for Selective Enrollment High Schools -https://apply.cps.edu/# 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Lincoln Park High School IB -http://www.cps.edu/Schools/Pages/school.aspx?id=609738  

and

http://www.lincolnparkhs.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=169933&type=d&termREC_ID=&pREC_ID=349763 

NOTE: Lincoln Park has its own application forms for the Performing Arts Magnet Program and the College Prep/Double Honors/Advanced Placement Magnet Program. LPHS applications will be available October 1, 2012- -December 14, 2012. Applications for the International Baccalaureate Program will be available on line from the the CPS Office ofAccess and Enrollment.

Get a Lot of Rest

Research shows that people perform better if they get plenty of rest.  Most people need at least six to seven hours of sleep. A lack of sleep affects your ability to focus and control your emotions.  More sleep improves performance. The Stanford Sleep Disorder Clinic and Research Laboratory has found that brain performance improves with more sleep.  Basketball players were 9% more accurate after sleeping 10 hours.

Besides sleeping, the brain needs other kinds of rest.  One excellent form of rest is being in nature.  Research shows that people who hike in nature are better able to solve problems.  Disconnecting from TV, work, stress and getting plenty of sleep is what you need to perform better in school.

After School Activities Can Help

Parents who are looking for activities after school for their children have a lot of options. Research shows that spending time with your children helps your child in many ways including academic.  You can garden together, jog while they ride their bike or do arts and crafts at home.  Anything that can take them away from video games and the television is always a good thing.  

Some parents can't spend time with their children after school.  So the next next best thing is after school programs operated by community organizations, schools, or city services like the parks.  See the list below for some ideas: 

After school programs for CHA residents:

http://www.thecha.org/pages/youth_opportunities/114.php

After School Matters - free programs for teens:

http://www.afterschoolmatters.org/#

Chicago Public School After school programs:

http://www.cps.edu/Programs/Before_and_after_school/Pages/Beforeandafterschool.aspx

Boys and Girls Clubs

http://www.bgca.org/Pages/index.aspx

YMCA

Find your local YMCA (on the right side) for fun and educational after school programs. 

http://www.ymca.net/

8 Ways to Make Your Student a Better Reader

Being able to read well is important in every grade and in every subject.  Many students graduate from high school without reading at their age level.  That will affect their ability to go to college, get a good paying job or enjoying things that are not taught in schools.  Parents can help by making reading a high priority.  Here is a list of things you can do to help your student be a good reader:

1. Make reading interesting: Find books that are related to their students interests.  If he likes sports then get books about sports.
2. Start reading from the beginning of birth: Parents should start reading with their children from the very beginning in order to get your child to read on their own eventually. 
3. Make reading a habit: Set aside time every night (weekdays, weeknights, holidays, every day no exceptions) to read.  
4. Read with your student: If your student does not see you reading then she won't think reading is important.  Every adult should read with their children.  This should not be left to one adult in the household, it should be a family effort. 
5. Make reading available: Make sure their are books (real books or ebooks) are around the house.  You can buy books at stores, like used book stores or borrow books from the library for free.  
6. Have reading activities: At dinner talk about what everyone is reading.  Talking does many things. First it tells your children that reading is important. Second it improves your student's vocabulary. Third it helps your student understand what they are reading by answering questions. 
7. Read outside the home: Ask teachers about what reading exercises are being done at school and how you can help at home.  When you are outside have your student read signs, read museum displays and at the supermarket read the labels.  
8. Watch less TV: Reading should not compete with TV watching (and video games). 

Remember, reading is very important for your child's future.  If he or she is a good reader they will do better in school, will be able to understand other subjects like math and science.  And reading is fun, it takes the reader to new worlds, travel back in time or even learn to be a better athlete.