I began with the idea that I could improve education. Hopefully, I have had a small impact. While continuing to provide services to students in need, I want the logo to emphasize the idea of learning, without any suggestion that learning ends with graduation. We need to be "lifelong learners," to use the parlance of our time. Supporting Education is already working with adult learners in a variety of commercial and private settings, and the logo now better reflects our vision of learning. Thanks to artist Lane Shull for another amazing logo. Hope you like it. 

David

I just finished the CNN special on college admissions. The reporter concludes that there are significant problems with the "meritocracy" or merit based system used for admissions.
I recommend watching the show, or reading a synopsis. It certainly provides some eye-opening understanding of the problems in how students are being selected. There is a growing educational gap in accessibility. That will hurt the progress of our country, and of society, in the long run, I guarantee it.

For more information:
http://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2019/10/02/cnns-fareed-zakaria-examines-elite-college-admissions-from-the-inside/

With the cost of college climbing, parents and students are always looking for new ways to save. Many people do not realize the amount of money available for students' standardized test scores! There are many ways to improve those scores, including a call to Supporting Education!
For more information:
​https://blog.prepscholar.com/guaranteed-scholarships-based-on-sat-act-scores

There are many strategies, methods, and "tricks," so, consider tutoring!

David

One situation to seriously consider, whether attending college or trade school, is whether you ever intend to retire. It's not going to be easy, if you are not already wealthy or an heir to wealth. If you are going to retire, consistently investing into some kind of retirement plan is going to be a requirement. There is no telling whether Social Security will hold out, nor whether any jobs will have pensions in the future.  The National Institute on Retirement Security has found 66% of working Millennials have NOTHING saved for retirement. Please, do your best to not spend every penny, every paycheck. 

(NOTE: Edited excerpt taken from an article by By Deacon Hayes , Contributor |Aug. 28, 2015, at 8:55 a.m.)
"With the total amount of student loans topping $1 trillion, it is no wonder that people are looking for alternative ways to pay for college. According to Mark Kantrowitz, publisher of Edvisors, a site that helps students figure out ways to pay for college, 2015 college graduates will leave college with an average of $35,051 in student debt – a record high...
Here are six things college students can do that may help cut down or eliminate the amount of student loans they need to take out as they work toward their degree.
1. Work while attending school...
2. Sign up for a work-study program... 
 3. Apply for scholarships... 
4. Apply for grants... 
5. Set up a crowdfunding site... 
6. Take advantage of employer reimbursement programs... 
Just because student loan debt is on the rise in America, it doesn’t mean you have to join the debt party. Take advantage of one or more of the opportunities above to help pay for your college costs and minimize – or eliminate – the amount of money you’ll need to take out in student loans."

A new article published in The Atlantic investigates the crisis facing the growing number of people on the autism spectrum: 
'What kind of government subsidies can they expect for housing? Programming? Medication? And then they have more existential concerns: What constitutes a meaningful life for an adult with autism?"
The article tells the story from the perspective of one family who is coping with these questions. 
Read more, here>> https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/02/lack-services-adults-autism/582586/

According to a new article published by CNBC, college graduates now expect to earn far more than reality has in store for them. The poll suggests grads expect to earn about $60,000 per year, when in fact that is 25% higher than the actual number of $48,000.
Read more in the full article, here:
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/15/college-grads-expect-to-earn-60000-in-their-first-job----few-do.html
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When I was in college, my roommate was on his computer, and I asked what he was doing. He said he was on the “web.” I paid no mind. As I scoffed, he stated that one day soon, I would be on the computer every day. Not even truly understanding what he was up to, I looked at the screen, saw words, in a dot matrix printer typeface, and said my goodbyes. As a result of my immaturity and/or apathy to hearing about “boring computers,” I missed out on a variety of opportunity, from stock investments, to work related skills, to understanding how the world would operate in the very near future. Within a year, I was using email. It was so foreign then, but also useful. I have made efforts to catch up, though I was reluctant to learn programming, and didn’t employ enough technology in my classrooms. I began to investigate ways to connect students with information about technology. I would teach them what to look for in tech careers. I have encouraged participation in CTE programs. I kept students aware of tech, to help them understand the importance of being willing to change how you interact with the world. Our next step is 5G, a real change in how we will interact with the Internet of Things. It’s exciting, and will require learning, for which I am now ready, after blowing it the first time. 

(EDIT: Mike Rowe, of the television show Dirty Jobs, has created a scholarship for TRADE SCHOOL students. Check it out: www.nationalmeritscholarships.com/mike-rowe-scholarship.html)
A few generations ago, the question was usually, "Military or a trade?" The concept of college was of this place where the real brainiacs went. There was little chance of being accepted, and only a handful of people ever obtained a bachelor's degree. 
By the 1950's, it was generally acceptable to think, "Military, a trade, or college?" The three options had respect. The three had promise of a career, benefits, and retirement. 
When I was young, the question had seemed to become, "Which college are you attending?" It seemed only a handful would not be taking the college route. Most, at least in my school, were heading to college. At least, they were going to pay that first semester or two of tuition.  After that, many students would find that college was not for them, or college found they were not for college. 
Well, after a generation and a half of telling kids they must go to college, we're coming out of the haze, it would seem. I suppose enough years of struggling to find an adequate plumber, electrician, or carpenter for under $100 per hour will do that.
Read more about the resurgent perspective, here: 
​https://www.wearegenerationt.com/blog/how-community-colleges-are-rebuilding-the-skilled-trades

There is concern, at least among some, that there is not enough funding for early childhood interventions and special education services for young children. 

The article states, "the state does not invest enough in the Early Intervention (EI) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) children need once they are diagnosed with disabilities and delays. As a result, more children are referred for EI/ECSE, but most receive less than the recommended levels of service."

It would appear, given the substantial and well-researched benefits of early intervention, there is work to be done in the state legislature.  Funding should be increased. 

Read the full article, here:
Children's Institute (childinst.org)
Ed. Note: Supporting Education LLC has no affiliation with the Children's Institute)


-David
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