tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post7495032707365251922..comments2024-03-19T05:14:54.748-04:00Comments on Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Skip high school. Go straight to college. Here’s how!Lisa Nielsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07759123507185453030noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-79231564138722160412013-05-21T15:27:49.419-04:002013-05-21T15:27:49.419-04:00As the parent of a child who went through online s...As the parent of a child who went through <a href="obridgeacademy.com/our-families/independent-study/" rel="nofollow">online schooling for middle school</a>, I really appreciate you taking the time to write a post about the alternatives to traditional education. In my daughter's case, she was actually advanced beyond her school's curriculum, and wanted to finish middle school at her own (much faster pace). I'd recommend it to anyone (I'm looking at you in the above comment, Haras Rasul)<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08225320777528229821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-88600061917738773982013-05-08T15:30:37.204-04:002013-05-08T15:30:37.204-04:00There are ways to be able to work out a payment pl...There are ways to be able to work out a payment plan for your child to attend college. You should talk with your the college financial aid department to understand all your options. They have affordable loans, grants, scholarships, or options to work at the college to help pay tuition. Even as a single parent, I'm assuming you will eventually send you child to college. Whether you pay for it now or later may not make a huge difference, but it will give your child a tremendous jump start for the future.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-64753846021693588932013-04-25T13:02:33.935-04:002013-04-25T13:02:33.935-04:00Do you have to be smart in middle school? for ex. ...Do you have to be smart in middle school? for ex. would they need your scores or anything? im in colorado and im 13 years old i want to skip highschool but i dont know exactly if i can study hard and take the colleges placement test? would that help??please help me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03889453797358206543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-3199047024883210322013-03-29T20:37:35.788-04:002013-03-29T20:37:35.788-04:00I would like to respond to a few comments.
First,...I would like to respond to a few comments.<br /><br />First, thank you to everyone that took the time to read my article. I appreciate this and I am thankful to Lisa Nielsen for providing me the opportunity to tell my story.<br /><br />To the Anonymous single mom: I have researched scholarships online in the past. I found there are scholarships that are need or merit based for students in elementary, middle and high school to attend private institutions as well as scholarships and grants for college students. I did not intend for my story to sound easy or that everyone could do it. What I was trying to convey was that it was an option. In my opinion that is something "The Innovative Educator" presents. I personally know several students who could qualify with test scores and do have the ability to afford the costs, but their parents won't consider it. The parents still feel like getting a high school diploma the traditional way is the only way to go. I understand that my path is not for everyone but I hope I have reached at least one student who didn't realize the route I found was possible.<br /><br />John Alex: I couldn't agree with you more about the classroom today being very different. I was never taught cursive writing and have been doing all of my work on a computer since third grade. When I took the SAT and ACT test's essay portions and had to hand write them it was very strange! I had to focus on my ability to print legibly while also creating the essay. I also had to learn how to sign my name for things like my I.D. and bank account information. My mom was shocked that all this time she never realized I was missing a few basic skills, yet creating a Power Point presentation in elementary school was a piece of cake. For people who are out of touch with schooling systems I think they would be very surprised. The most recent thing that bewildered my mother was that I did not know how to address an envelope for snail mail. Technology is taking over! <br /><br />Warner and Andi: You have to do what makes you happy! My father was steered in a direction with his education that he was not satisfied with. He ended up going back to school for a different degree so that he could go to work everyday with a smile on his face. This is the reason he encourages me to follow my dreams. <br /><br />Anonymous regarding Rate My Professor: Personally, I have really enjoyed the professors I chose who received high ratings. I took one class where the professor wasn't rated nearly as well because it was the only class I could get at the time. This professor is the first one that I really did not care for and would avoid in the future even though they teach some courses I need. For me it has been a great tool and the information has been accurate. We did discuss in my home the idea that there may be professors who want to be recommended highly on the website to ensure their classes are filled and sought after. None of my college courses have been easy A's. The difference for me has been the helpfulness, clarity and fairness of the Professors. <br /><br />Here is an example. The professor that I don't really care for lectured a class from 3:30 to 5:20. Following is an assignment of 70 questions that is due by 11:59 that night. I took another course after his from 7:00 to 9:50. This didn't leave me much time to finish his assignment. He didn't always finish his lecture on the topic during class but still wouldn't change the due date. I don't have any real responsibilities other than school. Several of the students in that class had jobs like servers at restaurants from 6:00 to 11:00 after his class. Others had children and families that required their attention. For this reason alone, I wouldn't recommend this professor and can see why others didn't. I would love to be able to speak with students face to face who have taken the professors but I don't know anyone on campus. The reviews I read online seem like what I would hear from an acquaintance at the school.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09323290556557734682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-91620047222443941712013-03-29T09:48:53.404-04:002013-03-29T09:48:53.404-04:00The only thing I would caution readers about regar...The only thing I would caution readers about regarding this really excellent post is that Rate My Professors can be a very misleading source of information regarding professors. The ratings tend to be very bi-modal (i.e. very low and very high scores at the same time) and bad ratings do not necessarily equate to a bad professor. I would only use this source if the ratings are universally bad. Also, universally good ratings can simply mean that a professors too easy and not very engaging. My advice would be to ask other students who did well with the professor and ask their opinion. As always, caveat emptor!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-76068762028019093602013-03-29T02:56:23.701-04:002013-03-29T02:56:23.701-04:00Wow!!! My daughter 'hates' school... she&#...Wow!!! My daughter 'hates' school... she'll do 'anything' not to have to go back to 'prison'...<br /> Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06857117845902834968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-68468579118076139902013-03-27T08:22:47.222-04:002013-03-27T08:22:47.222-04:00For many people to walk into a classroom today the...For many people to walk into a classroom today they may not recognize it as it was when they were in school. The classroom has changed as technology has changed. It is not uncommon to see second grade students using the Internet to communicate with students across the country, or to see high school students using PowerPoint to present a research project.<a href="http://www.baystatetech.org" rel="nofollow">School of Technology Ma</a>John Alexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12100503522721198425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-74232011752986801332013-03-25T18:26:39.666-04:002013-03-25T18:26:39.666-04:00I don't think this is for me but If your happy...I don't think this is for me but If your happy I'm glad.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-34990399649068486492013-03-25T15:46:35.703-04:002013-03-25T15:46:35.703-04:00I would be thinking of doing this, because I heard...I would be thinking of doing this, because I heard, it's a very friendly area to make new friends and actually be yourself then be in a cramped up high school, with immature people. I'm actually thinking of doing it. It seem's Pretty fun, when I read this blog about what you are doing. I love this article that you had posted. You made it so interesting. I like how you added what you been through when you were just 14. Going through many schooling. able to skip a grade. getting a high enough score to even take college-level classes. Not many 14 year-olds can even do that. I'm very happy for youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-46485947662161366652013-03-25T13:03:29.578-04:002013-03-25T13:03:29.578-04:00I think people should follow what their dreams are...I think people should follow what their dreams are. And if it is possible, go for it. She chose to work hard to get where she is now. <br />THe reason I say go for it is because if you work really hard and then aren't happy with where you turn out, what was the point?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-33901665392620815792013-03-24T21:39:25.543-04:002013-03-24T21:39:25.543-04:00This is a wonderful option for those who are able ...This is a wonderful option for those who are able to do it. Not everyone can even if they want to and their parents want them to. The reasons are that not all 14-year-olds will score high enough on a PERT, SAT, or ACT to gain access to college-level courses even with a 4.0 grade point average. And even if they do score high enough, and the parents are willing to allow this option, there is a matter of affordability. As stated in the article, Manatee County only pays for 2 courses per term, so Rylie's parents had to pay for her other three courses for each term, plus fees and books. Although this is a state college and the tuition is comparatively low, it still costs over $300 per class, not including books. To receive the AA, which is equivalent as a dual-enrolled student to a high school diploma (achieved simultaneously), requires 60 credits. To accomplish this in 2 years will still cost approximately $5,000 without financial aide, which is generally not available while a student is still technically in high school. It still boils down to ability, motivation, and MONEY. Not quite as simple as Rylie makes it sound, but glad it worked for her. As a single parent there is no way I could afford this route for my child.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-60915788548951902532013-03-24T12:16:03.136-04:002013-03-24T12:16:03.136-04:00Congratulations! I am so happy for you, I have alw...Congratulations! I am so happy for you, I have always known that you would be a success story though I was only there for a part of your journey I wish you have a happy and profitable life. We have not talked in a long time but know you have the support of old friends as well as newAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-28654981480957627422013-03-24T11:47:03.621-04:002013-03-24T11:47:03.621-04:00Nope, Deven, I don't think I missed the point ...Nope, Deven, I don't think I missed the point of the post; I simply chose to address what occurred to me as I read it - that there are now many "learning options." Rylie did what she needed to do for herself; from your postings I know you did what worked for you. And I did what worked well for me. Nothing missed.Branzburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02958536497477359917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-74958830614537079392013-03-24T10:27:04.422-04:002013-03-24T10:27:04.422-04:00I'm struck by your choice of the words "g...I'm struck by your choice of the words "go through" and "get through" for the student role in education. Unfortunately, that is what it amounts to in far too many cases; a process that one must endure and tolerate to reach some higher goal. You seem to have missed the point of this article, that one does not have to "get through" high school to achieve college. <br /><br />Anonymous's comment that Rylie is "one of a kind special," is also interesting in that what Rylie is saying is that she is not special and should not be one of a kind. <br /><br />For decades we've known that school does not work for some students, yet for most people it is impossible to imagine a different way of proceeding.<br /><br />Every student should question whether the format, location, and process of education they are involved in is right for them and working for them. Every student should consider alternatives that might be more efficient, more effective and more enjoyable. Parents must be open to alternate pathways. Just as their are multiple methods and routes to travel to a location, there are multiple modes and pathways toward learning. Deven Blackhttp://educationontheplate.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8318734518772387227.post-2550472900736069582013-03-24T08:13:58.586-04:002013-03-24T08:13:58.586-04:00This is quite an interesting story. I am always am...This is quite an interesting story. I am always amazed by the myriad of ways people can approach education in the US; traditional school, alternative schools, home school, etc. Although there are certainly more choices after high school (e.g., traditional college, online college, nights, weekends, summers, blended, and so on) there seem to be more and more - such as this one - for high school as well. In NYC there are quite a number of ways to go through high school - traditional comprehensive, small, transfer, YABC (Young Adult Borough Centers). One I know of is totally individualized and self paced; others team up with local NGOs to offer internships integrated into the fabric of the school. Blended learning courses are being used, providing flexibility to students who want and need it. (I met a young woman at a transfer HS last year who had a small child and a waitress job she kept up with her work in a blended learning class at home, checking in with her teachers once a week or so. Without a course like that she would have needed to drop out.) This all contrasts to many countries where there is only one way to get through the educational system; good for some, but not for many. We do have a long way to go, but it is heartening that there are more and more educational opportunities for students.Branzburghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02958536497477359917noreply@blogger.com