Linda Mocilnikar's Blog

Posted by Linda Mocilnikar

An October 17th article points to a recent trend in high school juniors and seniors taking the ACT (American College Testing Program) in addition to, or instead of the SAT

(Scholastic Aptitude Test). Discussed are some of the differences between testing formats, scoring, and the content assessed. Take a look at the article for yourself and let me know what you think.

Posted by Linda Mocilnikar

The SAT is popping up in major new outlets and community press everywhere. I found the following four pieces while researching an article, theSAT Reasoning Test, for Parenting a Gifted Child column for suite101.com.

Washington Post, April 2006: "Scores for new SAT come in, but [the] real test Is deciphering them"

Daily Times - Salisbury, Maryland, October 14, 2006: "SU wants to make SAT optional"

ABCnews.com October 8, 2006: "The beginning of the end of the SAT?"

Rutland Herald - Rutlant, Vermont, October 18, 2006: "The life of a Junior: SAT's and big decisions

Posted by Linda Mocilnikar

There are lots of opportunities in the elementary years to identify the stress triggers in your child. As I've encouraged in many of my articles, talking to your children is the best way to anticipate and then address situations requiring parental direction. Here's an example: say your 3rd grader is working on a science project and even though he is following the schedule you and he created to ensure his finishing a day early, he get stressed out whenever you, however innocently, ask him about his progress and need for your assistance. What can you do? Try Asking him:

• What is (fill in name here) doing her project on?
• Have you seen (fill in another name here) project?
• What has (fill in teacher's name here) said about the projects lately?
• Has anyone turned his or her project in early?

Once you've gathered information, you can combine it with what you know about your child's personality to uncover the foundation of his stress. Maybe someone has chosen the same topic, your child feels that another student's project is better than his, the teacher used a project organized differently than your child's as a good example, or someone finished early causing your child to feel behind. Now you can address the fundemental cause of your child's stress instead of the symptom of stress itself.

Posted by Linda Mocilnikar

In 1973 Rachel Robinson, wife of Baseball legend Jackie Robinson, established the jackie Robinson Foundation. Read the JFR mission statement.

At 12:01 am on October 15, 2006 scholarship applications for the will be available online. Following is the criteria for applying:

• Be a high school senior, accepted to a four-year accredited college or university.
• Be a minority student and a citizen of the United States.
• Have demonstrated high academic achievement and financial need.
• Show evidence of leadership potential and interest in their communities.

**For more information, visit the Frequently Asked Questions section of the website.

**NOTE: as of this post, the FAQ reflects the dates for last year's application

Questions, comments, suggestions? Please emailme.

Posted by Linda Mocilnikar

I had read Leave No Gifted Child Behind Susan Goodkin's Washington Post article when it first came out last December and, at the beginning of this new school year, have recalled its relevance. Ms. Goodwin addresses what is probably the most debated issue in gifted education since the January 8, 2002 passing of the No Child left Behind Act, that is, NCLB's impact on the education and achievement of gifted students.

For those of you whose children were in gifted programs prior to January, 2002, please take a minute to reflect on the types of curriculum and learning your child was exposed to prior to the implementation of NCLB and compare that with the education he or she receives today. What changes has NCLB brought to your child's classroom? Please email me with your stories and observations.