Colleges With Small Class Sizes

Colleges With Small Class Sizes

“Small” is not a word many students hear when colleges talk about their class sizes anymore, and when they do use that word – they’re most likely using it incorrectly. Major budget cuts have forced many colleges to cut costs. The easiest and most effective way for colleges to do that was by slimming down on their staff (both professors and administrators). The national, public universities were hit harder than private universities, and research universities were hit the hardest. See more from Varsity Tutors here on budget cuts leading to larger class sizes. But, not all schools have increased their class sizes, and ... Read More About Colleges With Small Class Sizes

Why College Grads Face A Tough Job Market

Why College Grads Face A Tough Job Market

Employment rates and starting salaries for graduating college students entering the job market have fallen drastically in the last few years, according to an article in the New York Times. Only 55.6% of 2009 college graduates found jobs that actually used their degrees; 22.4% are unemployed, and 22% are working jobs that do not use their college degrees. Students were surveyed in the spring; so these numbers could have changed by their graduation dates. However, 90% of graduates in 2006-2007 had jobs (that were relevant to their degrees) during the spring before their graduation. The median starting salary for 2009 and 2010 college graduate ... Read More About Why College Grads Face A Tough Job Market

How Bill Gates Influences Education Reform

How Bill Gates Influences Education Reform

Education funding may be down in the past few years, but one private donor is starting to pour more money back into education – that one donor is Bill Gates. Gates is cracking his piggy bank to the tune of $373 million in 2009 for education and an additional $78 million to advocacy, according to an article in the New York Times. The $78 million poured into advocacy was four times the amount the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation spent in 2005 on advocacy. The money donated on education and advocacy do not go to the same areas. The advocacy money funds grassroots organizations that Gates and his wife support. For example, the Gates Foun ... Read More About How Bill Gates Influences Education Reform

Why The Arts Are Crucial To Education

Why The Arts Are Crucial To Education

Save the arts – that’s the mantra of many educators. But, after all, it could be the arts that save us. Funding for arts education is consistently cut and decreased when budgets become tighter. Some administrators and educators don’t believe it’s as important as other subjects, and it’s incredibly more difficult to measure the effects of an arts program. But, a presidentially-appointed committee on arts education is trying to change the perception of arts education, according to an article in the Washington Post. The committee is arguing that arts education can help students at all levels find their voice and h ... Read More About Why The Arts Are Crucial To Education

Analyzing Math Anxiety

Analyzing Math Anxiety

Researchers at the Numerical Cognition Lab and The University of Chicago have been analyzing the causes of math anxiety.  This is a situation familiar to many K-12 students, who seem to freeze when they see a math problem.  Their research shows that the anxiety of math teachers and parents can rub off on their students, ultimately affecting their learning. Fortunately, proven classroom methods have also been tested to reduce students' anxiety of doing mathematics.  These tips include: Focus on learning the process behind math concepts, rather than merely trying to get a right answer. Similarly, don't refer to the tex ... Read More About Analyzing Math Anxiety