According to http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.php?term=Standardization standardization is the consistency and objectivity of how tests are administered. Meaning if a test is standardized it is to be given the same way every time, under the same conditions, and scored using the same scale and system. One reason schools use standardized test is for comparison. To truly compare students scores they must know that the tests were given the same way, and of course, graded the same way. For example, if a student takes a math test and his teacher did not give him clear instructions it might cause him to score lower than other children who did receive clear instructions. So if we standardize the test and give every teacher the same instructions to read to each student it will ensure no student had an unfair advantage over another. The scores would truly reflect the child’s intelligence, or would it?

Picture by: orangeacid

Because standardized tests are often only given once in a long period of time they are subject to noncognitive factors such as illness and fatigue. If a student is sick one day or did not get enough sleep the night before the test it can highly influence their scores. Also, since standardized tests aren’t often written by the teachers directly interacting and instructing the students, information not taught in the classroom can often show up on the test. This then makes the test not an accurate representation of how well the student listens in the classroom. Also, if teachers are given the test question early or are given knowledge of the test before it is given, they may just start teaching the test instead of the curriculum. This causes students to miss out on some of the curriculum and not fully learn about the subject they are studying. Standardized tests also often do not assess higher thinking skills because most of them are multiple choice and are very general.

So if standardized tests are only accurate some of the time should schools start adopting another way of measuring progress in students? According to http://www.education.com/reference/article/standardized-testing/ a common alternative to standardized testing is a curriculum based assessment. A curriculum based assessment is one in which a student is assessed often on strictly what they are being taught in the classroom. They are often assessed on how accurate and proficient they are. Then all the scores of every student are taken and averaged to see what the normal student’s score should be around. That score is then used as the basis for what an acceptable score should be. This would be a very accurate representation of the students progress and learning abilities, but some would argue leaves little room for the regulation of teachers.

The question really lies in what we are looking to measure when a student is in school. Do we want to measure their general intelligence or how well they learn? Is it fair to grade a student on his general intelligence and not how well he pays attention in the classroom? Is a grade supposed to represent if a student does what he or she is expected too, or the amount of intelligence a student has? These are important questions to think about when debating which of these methods, or others to use.

I personally believe the worst part about Advanced Placement courses is not the coursework  or the actual exam, but the aftermath: the waiting for your score. It’s the word of affirmation you need to feel at peace about what you worked so hard for all year – and they justly make you wait for them until about, say, the middle of July. So what are you to do while you’re waiting another three to four weeks for them to be released (which has been recently changed to being only available online – no paper scores will be sent this year!)? Well, that’s why this article was written. Here’s a good ten things to do while waiting for AP scores.

#1. Spend time with your friends. (It’s Summer, after all)
#2. Get excited for other things. (There’s a bunch of concerts, such as Warped Tour, and movie releases, such as Man of Steel, among other things that are released or shown only in the Summertime)
#3. Work on that beach body. (It’ll help with your anxiety, and give you something else to focus on. Besides, a brain will never function as well as it will when you complement it with exercise and nutrition!)
#4. Go to the beach with said beach bod. (If you can go at night, try to, but not alone! Everywhere is funner at night!)

Summer: a time to forget everything you learned in school. (photo by Moyan_Brenn)

#5. Get a hobby. (If you care that much about your AP scores to even read this article, you’re probably going to need to learn to chill. Find something you love and hone your craft.)
#6. Get a job. (If there’s anything that can take your mind off of something, it’s going to be work. Unless your work is mindless, such as lifting heavy things and you’re used to that routine, you’ll be able to get your mind off of AP scores, and earn some money to do things that will also take your mind off of it!)
#7. Sleep. (Chances are you barely got any during the school year. Though you can’t make up for lost time, you can get a head start on sleeping. Break the habit of getting only four hours of sleep each night – that was so unhealthy for you anyway!)
#8. Clean your room. (You’re a teenager, so it’s probably disgusting, if we’re being honest with ourselves.)
#9. Spend time with your family. (They miss you, because all school year you’ve been in your rat’s nest of a room.)
#10. Go on a date. (Why not? It’s always nice to spend time with people you think are cool, who also think that you are cool.)
#11. Stop reading this article and do one of the top ten. Come on, it’s just AP scores. Yeah, I understand that you can save a lot of money and you want to ensure that you have those college credits, but really – it’s not that serious. It’s not serious enough to kill your Summer because school is alive in your head.

Now – with that being said! Go! Run free! The world is yours until you have to get into the “real world!”

Unlike the past, students now have the option to take their classes online or in a traditional classroom setting. Many students enjoy having the option but are unaware how each setting affects their performance and grades.

Online classes are more convenient than traditional classes, especially if the student is in college. These classes also teach the student more self discipline because they must set aside time each day to complete assignments and study without the immediate assistance of a teacher. It also allows students to work at their own pace and not be held to the time limits of working in a traditional classroom setting. Another advantage to taking online classes is that the selection of courses is much wider than in a traditional school. It is difficult for high schools and colleges to offer every course a student can be interested in or in need of. However this action is much more possible with online courses. Although online classes do teach students more self discipline it also leaves them more room to procrastinate if they are not motivated enough to complete assignments. They also require the student to be responsible for their own learning. The student must become an active learner and find out the best ways that they can retain and remember information. This is not necessarily a disadvantage in the long run, but can be an obstacle for the student when they are just starting their classes.Also, because students do have to teach themselves to a certain extent, online classes can be more time consuming than traditional classes. One of the more controversial arguments when it come to online classes is that students do not interact with each other face to face. Some parents feel this can be crippling to the student later in life when they must get a job and interact with coworkers and peers on a daily basis. Some online instructors do what is referred to as a collaboration assignment. This is where a student must interact with another to complete a project. It is kind of like a group work in an online setting. Usually students communicate over the telephone and through email.

Picture by: hpeguk

Most students still take traditional classes. Face to face interaction is obviously the first advantage of traditional classroom setting. This gives a student the opportunity to ask questions whenever they need, listen to lectures, and develop a relationship and trust with a teacher that some would argue cannot be made in an online setting. Traditional classes also give students structure and consistency that is not found when taking online classes. Students are forced to participate in classes every time they are scheduled, possibly making them learn things they otherwise might not have. Traditional classroom settings also have a more disciplined, less distracting environment. There is no television or internet to distract them in the classroom. The classroom isolates the students from their daily lives, giving them an opportunity to really focus in on the material being given to them. Some argue that traditional classrooms do not allow students to have a deeper understanding of the material because students are to act as receivers of information while teachers do the deeper thinking and connecting for them. Students read textbooks and are given lectures and notes that already contain the answer. They simply have to look and find the answer instead of really searching and trying to figure it out for themselves. Students may also have an instructor that teaches a different style than how they learn. For example, a student may be an auditory learner and have a teacher that gives him notes and textbook assignments everyday. This can create a struggle to learn material and be very discouraging to the student.

So to conclude, the best type of class to take is really dependent on the student and there preferences. They should look at the pros and cons of both traditional and online classes and see which is going to be more beneficial for there learning type and personality. They might even take both types of classes at once to get each experience!

1. Taking the Right Classes

Students who have an interest in college should take more challenging classes while they are still in high school. An example of a more difficult class is an Advanced Placement class where students are prepared all year in a high school environment to take a college level exam at the end of the year. If the students pass this exam with a specific score they are rewarded a college credit. Advanced Placement classes challenge you not only in intelligence but also in work ethic. Most AP classes require a lot of work inside the classroom and at home. If students don’t feel comfortable taking AP classes they should consider taking honors classes. Honors classes are a step up for regular classes and a bit more challenging.

2. Great Study Habits

Picture by: lethaargic

Practicing good studying habits while in high school will help students not only then, but also when they transition into college. The first step to developing good studying techniques is to know your learning style. Some tips for better a better studying experience according to http://www.gearup.wa.gov/resource/good-study-habits include completing difficult tasks first, giving yourself plenty of time,and taking short breaks in between studying. Memorization techniques may also be used. One of these techniques is chunking. This is when a student analyzes a small part of whatever they may be studying instead of trying to learn the whole piece of information at once.

3. Extensive Writing Skills

Many times in college students will be asked to express their intelligence or opinion on a certain subject through essays.Being able to communicate effectively through writing is a very important thing to learn before college. Some tips for better writing include learning transitions, expanding your vocabulary, getting other peers to edit your writing, and proofreading. Also students should feel free to write as many drafts as they need before creating the final copy. The more times a student revises the more accurate and fluent the paper will become.

4. Agenda/Planning

Keeping an agenda or calendar will help to make sure students don’t forget important dates, homework, or important events. Also,if students write down what they have to do a certain day then it gives them a more realistic expectation of how much time they are going to have to set aside because they will know how many tasks they need to complete. It also helps students to know which tasks they need to complete first making it more likely that due dates will be met!

5. Guidance Counselors

If still in high school students should always refer to their guidance counselors if they have an unanswered question about college. Most high school counselors can be extremely helpful in helping you choose the correct college, helping you fill out an application, and even assisting you in finding scholarships. Guidance counselors also help students create their high school schedules which, referring back to the first tip, is very important in preparing for college. Students should create a good relationship with their guidance counselors so they can feel more comfortable asking questions or asking for assistance.

School uniforms might seem like a restriction, but come with many positive outcomes. (Photo credit: Mr Moss)

Every school must make a decision about what dress code policy they will enforce. Although many schools do not require students to wear a uniform, some schools do to respect the idea of equality. School uniforms not only preserve equality but also make a bold statement about pride; something that students forget to display on a daily basis. Students may view school uniforms as a restriction but uniforms aren’t as bad as people make them seem.

School uniforms are no different than team sport uniforms. They help promote a good sense of belonging to a community or a team. When everyone wears the same outfit, it’s easy to see where they are from.  School uniforms also manage to eliminate many problems, such as fashion obsessed students wasting nearly an hour to decide what to wear to school in the morning. School uniforms also leave no room for a student who cannot afford designer shoes to get picked on. Yes, perhaps uniforms don’t allow students to express themselves, but students have the entire weekend to express themselves plus holidays. School isn’t the place to express yourself anyhow. School is a place to learn, grow, and build character. School uniforms are also a way to organize the students. Everyone is expected to look, act and dress the same way creating a sense of equality. Wearing a uniform that is designed to match the school’s colors reminds you that you are proud to be a part of your school. They make the students look clean cut and ready to participate with their classmates. According to 19 Action News, school uniforms have the ability to improve attendance. That’s a big plus!

School uniforms will also eliminate the problems that teachers have with students not wearing clothing that’s school appropriate. Many teachers have issues with students sagging their pants or girls showing their shoulders and waists. With school uniforms, teachers do not have to waste class time to tell a student to fix their pants or to find something to cover themselves up with. When a student violates the dress code, behavioral issues also arise. Students who violate the dress code are more likely to talk back to the teacher and refuse to do what the teacher asked them to do. Uniforms can easily eliminate these problems.

Uniforms also promote discipline. Schools who require uniforms are usually very strict and do not have time for bad behavior. Limitation on the dress code also helps limit bad behavior. The biggest downfall of uniforms is that it goes against freedom, but this problem can be solved by allowing students to choose from multiple uniforms. If you do not feel like wearing the red polo, wear the green one instead. You still have freedom but to a certain extent.

If you have to wear a uniform, don’t feel disappointed. In the long run it will be worth it and if students at other schools can do it, so can you.

As we grow up, we’re going to start realizing that there’s a whole world that we don’t know. This world is accordingly the real one, most likely considering the fact that once we understand this stuff, we will never go back to the days where we received an allowance, where we don’t have to do our own grocery shopping, and where we don’t have to do our own taxes. These are all things that adults do that young adults don’t necessarily have to do yet. And yes, although we are growing up and transitioning into adulthood – let’s just take a moment to review things that real adults do that we frankly have no clue about.

And no, watching adult swim does not make you more refined. (photo by rotokirby)

1. Baby birthing or true monetary pet ownership
2. Have a laundry schedule (we go by if we have clean underwear or not)
3. Be responsible enough to actually use our savings accounts (but we really wanted to go out that night!)
4. This one is taken from thoughtcatalog, since I thought it was too funny: “Stay in hotels on vacation instead of your friend’s cool floor.”
5. Actually go to sleep. (Literally, it’s only unbearable to have little to no sleep when you have school or work. Otherwise, sleep is for the weak!)
6. This one was also taken from thoughtcatalog: “Ask their dads for a favor without using a baby voice.”
7. Oh, and this one: “Keep important documents in a file cabinet/not throw them away in a feng shui attack.”
8. Cross-stitch, scrapbook, or something that’s crafty but also takes a ridiculous amount of free time.
9. Say, “I’m too tired, not tonight, honey.”
10. Sneaking out doesn’t exist in adulthood.
11. Fast food joints every social outing will kill you.
12. Losing weight isn’t necessarily cosmetic, it could actually be for health purposes.
13. The house is not going to clean itself (and yes, those “diet” sodas that are unhealthy for you are going to pile up on your kitchen counter if you don’t take care of it!)
14. Pop culture becomes cool when you’re an adult. (I’m drowning in the mainstream while someone is playing “Cry Me a River” in the background of my slow demise.)
15. Use Credit cards responsible so as to increase our credit scores, so we can make real purchases like…
16. Buying a home.
17. We can’t spend the entire day at the mall, or pool hopping, or the movies and it be okay.
18. Sometimes, modest truly is hottest. (My generation can’t seem to stop paying 50$ for a pair of shorts that covers one butt cheek.)
19. Speaking of fashion, my generation has also yet to realize that everywhere is not an appropriate place to wear 5″ tall heels. (If it’s questionable, you wear it to the club!)
20. And most importantly, we have yet to learn that is okay to be a kid. Because even though we’re legally adults at 18, we don’t know much of the world. We still act like the children we have been our entire lives. And there is nothing wrong with that.

We will learn in due time.

I do not believe for a second that there is such a thing as a talentless person. There has never been one occasion that I have heard of or talked to someone who, after coming out of the conversation, I could say the person had no giftings. However, there is such a thing as having potential and never diving into the water deep enough to hone your ability. For whatever reason, you’ve been honored with a gifting – whether it be a natural music inclination, stewardship of your household, or even a talent for spreading joy with your contagious smile.

Every talent should have it’s chance to be honed. (photo by sunshinecity)

As many religious analogies have suggested, such as the Parable of the Talents in Christianity, without honing your talents or zeroing in on them in an effort to grow and become better, those talents or giftings will virtually be of no use. In fact, in the Parable of the Talents, the man who kept the one talent instead of investing in it was basically condemned by the master who gave it to him for not unspoken investing purposes. It is, in any part of life, unjust to not blossom and bloom where you are gifted.

For example, believe it or not – I absolutely don’t enjoy writing. Yet, not only is it my job but I have received awards for it and have been told how others dream of me pursuing a career in journalism or at the very least communications. However – that is not and has never been my dream. I do, however, understand that writing will be my way into the world. It will be my method of getting where I want to go in life. But that’s not why I should hone my talent – that’s not why I don’t find this job mundane. Writing is a gifting that I have been blessed with. My motivation for pursuing this talent of mine is different. I understand I can reach an audience for a greater good.

Of course, it’s not easy to convert your talent into something you dislike into something you enjoy. With anything, a substantial amount of hard work, dedication, and motivation have to be present simultaneously so as to achieve a “full effect.” To help you out, I’ve scoured the internet for help. I’ve found two links that I found particularly useful: one being 99u’s “Call of the Wild: Jack London’s Advice on Honing Your Craft,” the other being redlemonclub’s “15 Reasons to Stay Focused On Developing Your Craft.”

Point is, you all have a talent. Perhaps even more than one. But it is useless unless you do something with it. Unless you realize the potential you have through it. Would child prodigies be child prodigies without zeroing in on their craft? Or for that matter, finding it? Chances are, no. Not at all. I’m not saying you’re going to have the ease and the brilliance of a child prodigy. You’re going to have to work for it. You’re going to have to develop a passion for it, so you can use it for a greater purpose – whether or not that purpose is clear just yet.

I remember sitting down and telling my parents I was thinking about going to a trade school for business or computer science. They were beyond displeased. And why? I questioned – I knew little about trade school other than the fact that it was cheaper and faster than a four year university. My father had gone to a trade school to receive a certification in computer science – and then stated that no one takes the certification seriously because it’s from a trade school. So why all the hate on trade schools? Are they not credible?

Is an education less credible if it’s not from a college? (photo by sa_ku_ra)

Let’s analyze this from some different perspectives.

As according to But I Did Everything Right Or So I Thought, students cite two main reasons as to why they would choose a trade school over college. Number one is the cost, and number two is the time – the reasons I had previously stated for my thought process. It’s no wonder that our generation thinks about trade school more than college – we simply want the instant gratification and the instant dive into the work force.

And as we look at the perspective given to us by the economy, we need people to do the jobs that trade schools train them to do. We need people to be the electricians and the manufacturers, the cosmetologists and the businessmen. Really, all of these things are needed – there are some, whether less abundant or more abundant, demand for these jobs that trade schools offer. Not everyone was meant to go to college – or complete it. For some reason, we have conditioned our children and this generation to believe that college is the only way to go.

There is hefty consideration into what our parents say as well. My dad completely convinced me against trade school – even though part of me is still attracted by the low cost and short amount of time. However – not all parents have this viewpoint. As according to Yahoo! Answers, Prof. Cochise states, “The contempt and disdain that is directed toward vocational education is pernicious.
It is also quite narrow-minded. I would much rather one of my kids was a good electrician than another mediocre Sociologist major competing for a job at McDonalds or a call center.”

And finally, what truly matters besides our own take on trade school: do jobs look down on the certifications? For some reason, college course credits do take precedent over trade school course credits. However, this does not mean you can’t do a job. You have the hands-on training that frankly, sometimes, college doesn’t offer.

So there’s four of some perspectives on trade school we can look at. Ultimately, you’re a legal adult when you go to school (unless you’re some sort of child prodigy) – and it is your choice. No one can make you go to college, just like no one can make you go to trade school, and no one else can make you go get a job.