The Nation's Report Card

You've heard it said at places beyond Disneyworld: "It's a small world after all." In the shrinking of our interpersonal distances, we need an ever- greater understanding of our global economy, our inter-national dependence, our world community. That's why the recent release of the nation's report card is so discouraging. The National Center for Education Statistics found that students in grade four had the highest scores since 1998 on their civics test. However, high school seniors had scores lower than the 2006 results. The test measures knowledge of civic life, our political system, our Constitution and principles of democracy, world affairs, and the roles of citizens in a democracy.

Of particular concern is the fact that less than half of seniors tested were studying international subjects.

What's a Parent to Do?

First, if you describe yourself as an activist, you can actively petition, along with other parents, to have global studies included in your school's  (or, even better, your school district's) curriculum.

In an interview with edutopia ( www.edutopia.org/seven-educators-global-learning ), Barbara Chow, former director of education for National Geographic, reminds us of the importance of being connected to the world. Global studies, she insists, "can be taught easily and integrated into reading and math. If you're going to read," she asserts, "you can read about the world."  Thus, parents hoping to broaden their child're view of the world can choose reading material with a civics thrust.

Similarly, for math, parents can supplement the formal tutoring program with at-home exercises that use global numbers. At Think Tutoring, we don't rely only on traditional approaches to learning. We believe math doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, our dedicated, state-certified teachers know that math can even be fun. After diagnostic assessments to identify your child's strengths and weakness, our tutors will develop a customized learning plan.

You can add to that plan by applying global awareness at home. To illustrate, Greece's financial problems have been in the news of late. If  you hear a statement like this on the news:

            Greece's national debt is  €300 billion

you can engage your family to find the dollar-equivalent of those 300 billion euros. (If one American dollar equals approximately .70 of a euro, then the Greek debt would be approximately $413.5 billion).

Given our own economic worries, the words of former president Bill Clinton lend further importance to global studies: “The global economy is giving more of our own people, and billions around the world, the chance to work and live and raise their families with dignity.”

For more information on how Think Tutorings math, reading, study skills and SAT Prep programs (serving Florham Park, Morristown and other Morris County NJ communities) can help your child carry himself in and out school with dignity, call us at 973-593-0050.