Articles written by Barbara Pytel

The second born is the true perfectionist. This person attends to details, strives for perfection and reads the fine print. "Good enough" is never good enough.

Jun 9, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Can all those hours on a computer at school and at home be injuring middle school and high school students? Many say, "yes."

Jun 7, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

The first born lives in a world of conditional love. Always thinking that love can be lost at any moment the first born interacts cautiously with others.

Jun 6, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Economist Thomas S. Dee of Swarthmore College has been examining data on eighth-graders since 1988. He has documented the effects of male and female teachers.

Jun 5, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Many schools offer algebra for high school credit in 8th grade to give students a head start on math. A novel approach to use with beginning algebra is Algebra8.

Jun 4, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

The only child has to figure out how to do things alone. There is no playmate. Adults are too intrusive. So, the only must create a playmate.

Jun 3, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Schools in remote or rural areas have decided to cut petroleum costs by switching to a four day school week. No school on Friday!

Jun 2, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

A private, West Hollywood elementary school has decided to battle obesity. The district has developed a fresh, whole food approach to hot lunch.

May 31, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Initially, you may be very impressed with this list of schools...until you find out Newsweek's formula to determine who gets on the list. You'll be surprised.

May 30, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

The SAT is suspicious that students are using accommodations to get better scores when only borderline disabled. So, they are denying applications when the LD apply.

May 28, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

With more and more emphasis on testing and "scores", more and more schools are reducing recess time. For students in only third grade, this could be detrimental.

May 24, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

If you are a school district and have a shortage of teachers in special education, math and science, what do you do? Be creative! Use subsidized housing as bait.

May 23, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Parents can help their children with a bullying situation. Here are some tips.

May 21, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Actions or the lack of them speak loudly to students. Students quickly figure out what Teacher #1 will tolerate and what Teacher #2 will not.

May 21, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Autism seems to be on the rise in schools. It causes verbal, social and emotional problems. Boys are four times more likely to have autism than girls.

May 20, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Red Flag! SAT scores drop. Is it the new test or is it a trend?

May 18, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Phil Rynearson, 4th and 5th grade teacher in Rochester, MN, has decided to try an experiment. Let's allow kids move as much as they want in the classroom.

May 16, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Should cell phones be allowed in school? They could be used for safety reasons but they are also being used for harassment and drug deals.

May 15, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Schools are becoming pro-active in warning students about predators on sites like MySpace and Facebook. Parents need to become aware of the dangers, also.

May 14, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

No Child Left Behind has been in place for several years. Goals are not being met by many schools. Is the federal government really going to enforce the penalties?

May 10, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Stanford University, a top-rated California university, is offering a virtual high school curriculum. It is only for the "gifted."

May 6, 2006 - Barbara Pytel

Dyslexia is a very frustrating disability. For one form, Scotopic Syndrome, there is a successful, non-traditional approach with no doctors, no surgery, no medication.

May 2, 2006 - Barbara Pytel