Achieving success despite the odds.

Working and going to school is a common practice in the United States. It seems to be an expected norm. However, for many students from the Caribbean, this is a major challenge. This is an issue that I can personally relate to, as I am currently in the situation.

The challenges are even greater as one tries to adapt to the new teaching styles.Writing American English is a pain. Imagine learning to spell the piece of paper on which you pay your bills C-H-E-Q-U-E,then you are told that it is spelt C-H-E-C-K.

For those who did not benefit from a high school experience here, but making their way through college, the journey is even more tough. Learning becomes very independent and the role of lecturers become that of facilitators with little emphasis on "spoon feeding" students. Hmph!

Despite these challenges,joy usually comes when hard work equals good grades and a better understanding of concepts. The importance of lecturers who actually care about teaching rather than collecting a pay CHECK...can you tell that I am getting the hang of it- makes a big difference. It is at this point that I will divert to say thanks to a lecturer who is a true teacher. THANK YOU!

For those who are still not getting the hang of it here are some tips:

1. Set a goal and work towards meeting it....if you can't manage a full time career at school don't do it.
2. Ask questions....if you don't know, you don't know and maybe never will if you remain silent.
3. Read as much as possible...doing this will help you to identify differences in spelling.
4. Paint a picture in your mind as to the type of life that you want to live and work towards getting it.
5. Believe in yourself.

If these tips become the rules by which you live, surely like so many before, success will be yours....GOOD LUCK!

Making the transition between schools: Major cause for concern.

A study carried out by the Department of Education reveals that nearly 54 percent of students who drop out of school, do so between the ninth and tenth grade. This average is nineteen percent higher than the national average. The main reason for these dropouts, is the difficulty of making a transition between middle and high school.

This a major cause for concern. The high dropout rate speaks to the lack of preparation given to students. Those who fall into this category, it is claimed often end up "sitting around" instead of performing as functional members of the society.

In an effort to alleviate the problem, The Miami Herald, tells of early intervention programs which would see students being counseled and operating in more intimate settings in their freshman year. This would definitely be a plus for the society since the likelihood of having to pay more to reform dropouts, who engage in wrong doings will be eliminated.

Florida schools short on teachers.

If you were to ask young people what type of career they wanted to have when they get older, probably very few would say teaching. The reason is often a notion that teachers are underpaid and overworked. In addition, the stress of having to prepare students for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test(FCAT), instead of preparing them for life, seems to be a big issue.

Not so. According to reports carried in The Palm Beach Post, those are not the reasons given by teachers who have left the system. While these are contributing factors, the article stresses the fact that students are afraid to get into teaching because of the negative image that the media presents.

The article speaks to the fact that many universities have openings in their college of education. These openings according to the Presidents are not easily filled.

Suggestions have been made to employ media campaigns aimed at presenting the positive side of teaching. This, in order to stimulate an interest among the young, to join the profession.

While this may be a partial answer to the problem, one still needs to note that the society is filled with people who have a desire to live comfortably. Image enhancement would be a step in the right direction but, a handsome salary package would definitely make a difference.

Wellness -A welcomed addition to the curriculum.

Lets face it....America is fat. This problem for the most part occurs because of poor eating habits, and a lack of physical activity. For many, obesity begins in early childhood and develops into adulthood. It is an issue that must be addressed and Broward County officials are rising to the challenge.

According to reports in the Miami Herald, Broward County board members will vote on a policy today, that aims at addressing wellness among students. The policy, if implemented will see school's making it mandatory for all students to engage in some type of physical activity. In addition, parents would receive nutritional plans to aid in promoting healthy eating among students.

While access to healthier food choices is already in schools, these added measures are aimed at curbing the problem of obesity and other heath related problems in America.

This is a good place to start promoting wellness, since most of a child's time is spent in school. Also, peer pressure dictates to a great extent how one behaves. If a child sees his or her friends eating healthy and exercising then the likelihood of this practice continuing. Thumbs up to Broward County on a much needed measure.

Florida students become aliens in their home.

Imagine being born and raised in Florida but, when it comes to proving your status as a resident for tuition purposes, you are told that you are not a Floridian. This is the fate of some students enrolled in both universities and colleges in Florida.

A report carried in The Miami Herald,tells of a student enrolled in Santa Fe Community College who is facing this crisis. The students father who moved out of state to take on a new job claimed his daughter as a dependent on his 2005 tax-returns. As a result, the student lost her status as a Florida resident.

The report goes on to say, that unless the student can prove independence from her dad, she will have to face an increase of over 270 percent in her fees. This, despite the fact that she works and pays taxes in Florida.

This crisis represents, yet another struggle that the education system in Florida is plagued with. Already it is quite costly for young people who want to get ahead in life, by earning a college degree to pay their fees. Now, another burden has been added.....When will it end?

School grades released.

After an anxious wait, Florida public school officials finally got their grades. The fear of closing has vanished for many, as most schools in Broward and Palm Beach Counties received A's and B's.

This is a vast improvement as compared to 1999, when the grading system was implemented. While some schools fell in rank, others made drastic improvements. According to reports in The Sun-Sentinel, only about one percent of Florida schools got F.

The results as a whole are commendable and one must raise one's hat to those schools that shined in 2006.

View the grades that schools received in 2006 here.

Is the education system short changing our children?

According to the 2006 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests (FCAT) results, students in Florida are not good readers. Many seem to be struggling with this skill and need remedial help.

In order to solve the problem, the basic issue of qualified instructors must be addressed. If teachers are not equipped with the tools to instruct our students the issue will never be resolved.

Reports carried in The Palm Beach Post , suggest that the school system is suffering from a shortage of qualified teachers. Can we really blame the children then, for their poor performance in the recent exams?

In addition to the lack of highly qualified teachers, one needs to examine the flip side to this story. Recent reports in The Miami Herald, reveal that those responsible for grading the FCAT's may not have the expertise to perform those duties. The report goes on to say that, some who graded papers have worked as janitors and pop-corn salesmen. Others have incomplete proof of qualification. Still yet, some have documents from universities outside the United States, but nothing to show that those universities are accredited.

This issue raises a red flag in the society. While one cannot provide an excuse for teachers who have not attained mastery in their crafts, one begins to wonder if the students really performed that poorly on the FCAT's.

Where does the true problem lie.....You decide.

Parents angered by abrupt pre-K closures in Broward County.

The abrupt Friday afternoon closure of four pre-K sites in Broward County, have left parents shocked. The abrupt closures occurred eight days into the voluntary summer program. Despite the closure of these four sites, 13 remain opened. .

According to reports in the Sun-Sentinel, the closures have taken place because of low enrollment. The need to save money through mergers have also been cited as a reason for the closure.

The concern among parents, who had their children enrolled into these four facilities, is the lack of notice given about the closures. Others complained that the remaining sites are too far away. The long drive would affect their morning schedule. The fact that children would have to re-adjust to teachers and peers also proved a major concern.

Parents of the displaced children are encouraged to enroll their children into the facilities which remain. Despite this recommendation, some parents are going to opt to find child care facilities closer to home.

Ninth graders to choose majors with the new A++ plan.

The new A++ plan, which requires students in grade nine to choose majors, was signed into law yesterday by Gov. Jeb Bush. The law requires students under this new reform to take four years of courses related to a chosen major. In addition, middle school students will have to take career- planning courses, while those in high school will have to do an additional year of Mathematics

While the law will not take effect until fall 2007, it does not go unchallenged. According to reports in The Sun-Sentinel, both parents and students, think that grade nine is too early to have students focus on majors. The opinions center on the fact that this will limit students whom, it is believed should be getting a broad based knowledge at this point.

Supporters of the law however, think the initiave is a good one as too many students lack direction. This new plan then, will aid in correcting this problem.

The signing of the new law took place at McFatter Technical High School in Davie, where students are already enrolled in a program similar to the one signed by Gov. Bush.

Criminology students become real crime scene investigators.

High school criminology students from St. Thomas Aquinas High school in Fort Lauderdale are accustomed to mock crime scenes but this changed earlier today as they discovered a real body during one of their classes.

While combing through Holiday Park in Fort Lauderdale this morning, students in Sue Messengers class pounced upon the body of a dead mad. Initially the students thought that the body was another "victim" planted by their teacher and started to gather data as if they were on a real crime scene.

After moments of gathering data and taking photos-lessons that they had learnt in class- the students summoned their teacher who was able to recognize signs of rigor mortis in the body. A student from the class alerted the police who began their own investigations of the crime scene.

The body was discovered near a fenced air conditioning unit at the side of an auditorium. Police have not released any information relating to the death but, the crime scene investigators who discovered the body theorized that the man was probably homeless as evidenced by the cardboard bed and belongings. They also suspect that he died of natural causes.

While walking away from the experience with first hand knowledge, local police continue to investigate the death. View more on this story at Herald.com.

Jamaicans celebrate the success of their own.

Although the commencement exercise at Colombia University in New York took place on May 18, many in the Jamaican community are still beaming with pride, as the grandson of a Boca resident made history at the university. This mark of achievement occurred, as Saleem Josephs-a Jamaican by birth, became the first student to graduate with three degrees at one sitting.

Josephs, the eldest of three brothers enrolled in the school of Dental Medicine,graduated with the title of Doctor of Dental Medicine, while also receiving graduate degrees in business administration and public health.In addition to his three degrees, Josephs topped the 84 members of his graduating class in the areas of community health and prosthodontics, and was cited by the National Dental Honor Society for outstanding scholarship.

The success of Josephs has left not only Jamaicans in Jamaica beaming with pride but, residents here in South Florida are still singing praise. On Wednesday, one caller to the Open Line Program aired Monday through Friday on WAVS 1170 A.M radio, said that the Caribbean people as a whole should see the good in what Josephs has done and follow in his footsteps.

The Pledge of Allegiance: To stand or not to stand?

Reciting the pledge of allegiance in schools has been a common practice for years, and standing has been used as a mark of respect while performing this ritual. This requirement however, is no more thanks to a law suit filed by a 17 year old student from Boynton Beach High School. The decision to file the suit was made by the teen after his Mathematics teacher berated him in front of the class.

The decision to have students stand when reciting the pledge was deemed unconstitutional by a federal judge, who stated that the constitution allows a student to sit quietly while the pledge is being recited. This period of silence must be honored if the student cites personal or political beliefs as the reason for his or her decision. The judge's decision also extended to the right of students to refuse to say the pledge without first getting the permission of their parents.

While one has the freedom to make decisions not to stand for the pledge, and the issue of reciting the pledge in general was not put to question, an interactive poll on the web page of the Palm Beach Post would suggest that people are not against the pledge being recited in schools.