Scott Parks is the education columnist for the Dallas Daily News. He had some interesting items on his January 2007 wish list for the Dallas schools. Some are poignant and in dire need. Some are possibilities during this new year. Others are down right wishful thinking without much chance of succeeding, regardless of the need. Here are only a few items from his wish list for 2007:

The middle school model was conceived in the 70s and implemented throughout the 70s and 80s across the nation. It was thought that middle schools would provide a nurturing bridge between the early elementary school experience and high school. Unfortunately, many education experts now consider the experiment a failure with their poor performance and uprooting children twice during their turbulent and challenging adolescent years. Middle schools now are being viewed as the weak link in the educational chain by many.

Prior to the implementation of middle schools, these grades were either part of the elementary school experience or an expanded high school environment. Now, education leaders across the nation (including the Boston schools) are looking to return to those earlier models.

Kindergarten through Eighth Grade Model

With this model, the Boston schools would expand their elementary schools to include kindergarten through eighth grade. Many Boston schools educators believe this would deliver a supportive structure that would foster longer-term relationships between the teachers and their students. The thought is to use the earlier school experience to extend the nurturing that the middle school model was suppose to provide but hasn’t.

The push to integrate the middle schools with the elementary Boston schools is gaining momentum. Parents are especially in favor of the K-8 model for the Boston schools, wary of sending their children to the current middle school environment - especially within the urban areas.

Many Boston schools leaders and educators are familiar with the middle school struggle to raise achievement levels. They believe the K-8 model will keep the students and their families not only involved with their Boston schools but also connected on a more positive level.

Upper Grades Model

Others support the upper grades model of integrating the middle schools with the secondary Boston schools. The largest proponents of this model are the high school teachers, especially those teaching ninth graders. These Boston schools teachers currently must hustle to get new ninth graders, who are not prepared, up to par for the high school experience. They would like to have these students earlier.

Many educators believe the upper grades model creates a consistent environment from seventh through twelfth grade and more accountability for student outcomes. This potential model for the Boston schools emulates some of the elite private and public schools, offering the best opportunity for students from lower income families where college is not generally presumed. With a rigorous six-year curriculum and encouragement, more of these students are hoped to continue their education at a college or university.

The upper grades model is currently gaining more traction than the K-8 for the Boston schools, since some schools are expressing interest in expanding their schools to include both middle and high school grades. Two high schools that are considered to be better achieving Boston schools would like to include middle school grades under their roof and control. Additionally, a Boston schools middle school also has expressed interest in expanding its curriculum to include high school students.

The upper grades model is not new to the Boston schools, which has two such schools in operation for several years and are quite successful. Also, there are three competitive admission exam Boston schools that use the model, offering college preparatory curriculum for Boston’s top scoring students. One is the renowned Boston Latin School, whose students have the expectation that they will continue on to college or another higher form of education after graduation.

This only reinforces proponents’ belief that if it is good to focus on academic achievement from sixth through twelfth grades for the elite students within the Boston schools, then educators and parents should have the same high expectations for all students.

Whatever model is chosen by the Boston schools, the city is ready for the discussion. Last fall, the Boston schools named a 17 member Middle Grades Task Force. Their recommendations are expected to be delivered to the Boston schools leaders in the spring.

The middle school years are very difficult for Boston schools students at such sensitive ages of adjustment from children to young adults. Regardless of which model educators, leaders and parents back for the Boston schools’ students, they all agree that any transition should take place either before or after these years - not both.

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College life and all the perks that come with it should all be taken in moderation. Many students are not sure how to handle the freedom of college life. Many of them no longer have curfews and it is very easy for them to stay out late and hit every party they hear about. Most dorms have resident assistants and they try to keep track of everybody and their activities, but they have their own lives to live as well.

College student’s number one goal while in school should be to focus on their education, but even the school makes it difficult for them to do that at times. There are many groups and clubs that students can join. These clubs have meetings and activities of their own as well. Even professors and instructors encourage students to join clubs and spend time on extracurricular activities. For some students, these activities are too much of a distraction and they live the college life without getting the college education. Students do require social interaction, but it is very easy to get caught up in what is happening on campus instead of their courses.

College offers a completely different routine for many students. For many students, living with a roommate in a dorm is the biggest change of all. Children fight with their parents their whole life to have their own bedroom just so they can have their own personal space, then the next thing you know you have to share that space with a roommate when you move to college. The biggest change of all for some students is having to manage their own time. They are use to being told when and what to do. In college, there is none of this. You set your bedtime, you get up in the morning and you set your class schedule. Students should be aware of this when they are choosing classes and class times. “Procrastination is the thief of time” and many students fall subject to this. Students should begin by developing a schedule and should stick to it.

Drinking and partying is another subject that should be considered here. These are perhaps the number one activities that students should do in moderation. College parties are open to anyone. There are many students that are underage, but they have friends who are not. Underage drinking is a huge deal and should be taken very seriously. If college students do not learn moderation in enjoying alcoholic beverages and partying, they will see a sharp down turn in their education. There is nothing wrong with a few drinks, when you are of age, and spending time out with friends, just don’t do it when you have a midterm the next day.

Spending money that students don’t have is another important subject. Many parents will get their students credit cards when they move away from home. This only makes it harder for students to manage their money. Sure, they might need it for emergencies, but it will be very tempting to use. If they don’t have the cash to spend, then they will be tempted to charge it. There are many students who live college in major credit card debt, not to mention student loan debt.

Borrowing more student loan money than is necessary is another mistake that many college students make. Students should not borrow money and take out loans just because they qualify for it. Get as much as you need to pay for your tuition and books. If you only need $2,000, don’t take out $5,000. You will simply end up spending that $3,000 on frivolous and unnecessary purchases.

Students should also consider their eating habits while in college. Eating at the cafeteria may not be the best food in town, but at least it will be the healthiest. Many college freshmen pack on the “freshman 15″ during their first year of college. These students are usually guilty of too much junk food and not enough real food. Work in exercise into your daily schedule and you won’t have to worry about gaining a lot of weight while you are going to college.

Taking everything in moderation from partying and drinking to spending money will ensure that your college years are successful and as stress free as you can make them. Get together with your friends and talk about what you can do to save money together, but still have an active social life.

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Campus Tours - How to Book One

Campus tours are an important part of choosing your college. You will want to be sure to visit several college campuses while you are looking and planning for college. You may find that the one college you thought was right for you, isn’t right at all. The best way to see a campus is when students are actively working and going to class there. Visit while school is in schedule instead of summer or winter breaks.

Between high school, your job and your parent’s job, you may find it difficult to plan a good time to go visit campuses. Late summer and early September before your senior year of high school is usually an ideal time. If you are going to miss any school, be sure that you inform your school and professors ahead of time. Fall semesters and spring semesters are the best seasons to visit college campuses because the campus will be active and you will be able to get a taste of the school and how things work. Students should also consider visiting campuses before they apply. You should make certain that the college is a good fit for you before applying and paying application fees.

Many colleges have new student conferences after students have been accepted to the college. These activities are very involved and students even have the opportunity to stay in the dorm rooms at some campuses. They may have several activities for students as well as parents. Students are generally placed in groups with current students of the college and they learn about the history of the school and everything there is to do there.

Many students often wait until they have received their admission letters to decide which college they want to attend. This can put you in a tight time frame because most colleges do not send out there admission letters until April and may require a response by the first of May. This does not give you a very large time frame to visit several campuses, especially if they are out of state. Many colleges will invite accepted candidate to spend a few days on campus and will encourage them to enroll then. This is a good opportunity to see the college and make comparisons between the schools that you have already toured or accepted you.

The worst time to plan a campus tour is around holidays. The campus is generally shut down and the majority of the students are not there either. You may not even be able to get into some of the buildings during these periods either. Thanksgiving, Christmas, winter and spring breaks and the summer should be avoided. Exam weeks and weekends are also not very good times to visit. Check with admissions offices and they will be able to set you up with a date and possibly a tour guide. There are many students who work as guides and show prospective students and parents around the campus at specified times.

While you are on campus, this is a great opportunity to ask questions. The tour guide is usually a student and they will be happy to answer any questions to the best of their ability. If you are interested in the social life around campus and what activities and entertainment are available, the tour guide should be able to help you. If you have any questions regarding admissions, enrollment or financial aid, the tour guide will direct you to the appropriate offices.

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Budgeting to Live While at College

Apart from tuition and books, living away from home during college can be expensive. Students will want to develop a budget and stick to it. College life can still be fun if you are frugal and smart with your money.

Students may find that their biggest expense while going to school is actually food costs more than anything. First year college students that live on campus are generally required to purchase a meal plan. If you are forced to pay for it, then students should use it. Why pay for food when you it is already paid for? The next best thing a student can do is to get a small refrigerator and buy your own food. If you eat a lot of snack foods, buy them in bulk versus the convenience store or vending machine. You will pay a lot more for food at those stores. For students that enjoy coffee and bottled water, they can also buy that in bulk. Buying a $3 cup of coffee and a $1 bottle of water can be very expensive on a daily basis. Learn to cook simple meals on your hot plate in your dorm room. If you can boil water, then you can cook a lot of simple meals. Plan to go to the grocery store once a week and stick to your list. Don’t waste money on extras that you don’t really need.

College life is not cheap and many parents are surprised at how expensive it is for students to live on their own - even in a dorm room. Many students will have to get a part time job while they are attending school to pay for the necessities and food that they need on a daily basis. This will make a dramatic difference in the cost of living while at college. Students will need to learn to change their ways when they are living at home. Students may not be able to afford the same brand names that they used when they lived at home.

Students that are working will need to figure out what they make on a weekly basis. They will need to assess their bills and what they need to make sure that they are paid. If students rent a house or an apartment, then they will have to assess the extra expenses they will incur. They will have to pay for utilities, their Internet, cable, cell phone, gas, insurance, car payment and any other expenses that they may have. They will then need to see how much money they can afford to spend on entertainment or shopping later. The student’s first priority should be to have their bills paid before they even think about spending money on entertainment and other activities. Many students do not realize how many bills they have until they are paying them all on their own.

Going out and having fun is a part of college life and students will need social interaction. Students should get together with their friends and decide how they can all save money together. Students that enjoy eating out should invite friends over for pot-luck dinners and share in the expense of the meals. A good idea for students is to save half of their money and the other half they can use for entertainment purposes.

Having a back-up plan while you are in college is an absolute must. Many students will apply for student loans and pay for their tuition and then spend the rest of the money frivolously. This is not a good idea, as unexpected events occur such as your car breaking down or your computer crashing. These are events that you will want to be sure that you have money in savings to pay for these events.

Budgeting while in college will take a plan and dedication and students will have to be diligent about their finances. Students that are capable of saving money wisely will be successful while they are in college.

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