A master can tell you what he expects of you. A teacher, though, awakens your own expectations. — Patricia Neal

Dear Educator,

As a staff developer, I work hardest during the summer while you're off vacationing. Then, when you're working hardest getting a new school year up and running, I get to play.

Last month while you put into practice the things we worked on all summer, I spent two weeks in Italy and the Greek Isles. It was my first ever visit to Europe, and I will be forever in awe. To see a few photos, go to: http://www.score-ed.com/pics/summer2005/.

I am reminded of the need to find balance in our lives...balance between work and play, balance between mind and body, balance between curricular and co-curricular.

We cover that in our Motivational Curriculum. It's easier to teach than to do, but I'll try harder from now on.

May you find the balance between respect and relationship...between content and application...between excellence and passion in your classrooms. May all your students SCORE...for college, career, and life.

Sharon Marshall Lockett, Director
SCORE... For College and Career
sharon@score-ed.com

Dear Sharon, 

How do I get students motivated enough to attend an after-school tutorial program?

This is a challenge in every school.  Especially in high school, so many things, both good and bad, vie for a student’s time. Try these Top Ten ideas from SCORE:

1. Pair students with a “big brother” or “big sister” whose assignment is to get them to your program.
2. Call students the night before to remind them to attend.
3. Send students a “call slip” during their last class period with a reminder.
4. Serve food. They’re always hungry!
5. Make tutoring the ticket to motivational, after school, or sports activities.
6. Remember...tutoring is not "another class," but preparation for effective class participation.
7. Infuse study skills into each tutoring session.
8. Assign tutoring to "atone" for tardies or missing assignments.
9. Celebrate the little milestones...an improved grade, a conquered test, a completed assignment.
10. Did I mention food?

Do you have a success story, idea, or question to share with SCORE readers?  Send it to sharon@score-ed.com. 

SCORE offers centralized workshops twice each school year...or SCORE can come to you!  If you have more than 10 staff members to train, fill in the information on our contact form and we will send you a Training Options flyer, personalized to your site.

You can register now for the fall workshops:

Study Skills: October 25–26, 2005

You will gain skills and resources to:

• Increase student retention
• Improve reading speed and comprehension
• Identify learning preferences
• Enhance student interest level
• Help students listen and ask effective questions
• Teach effective memory techniques
• Improve test scores

I left thinking I had a wonderful few days.  I got home and realized it had been a life-changing experience!–High School Teacher

Crisis, Grief, and Loss…and How to Help Your Students Through It: November 30, 2005

Crises are a part of everyone’s life; everyone, at times, needs help.  Crises, although traumatic, are not an excuse for failure.

• Learn classroom practices to keep students on track
• Learn how to help students control anger
• Learn to read the subtle signs of a student in crisis…and what to do about them.

Learning to read the subtle signs of crisis has been invaluable to me.  I can help my students both emotionally and academically now!–Middle School Teacher

SCORE 101:  Adoption Workshop:

• Re-think the way you do business with a focus on “What Works” for reaching high-risk students.
• Discover SCORE’s proven strategies for creating systemic change.
• Develop a customized program to accelerate the achievement of high-risk youth.
• Receive curricular materials to assure successful implementation.
• Leave with an Action Plan tailored to your site.

SCORE has helped us to focus the many facets of our educational program to provide a more concerted effort toward higher student achievement.  Classroom teachers are enthusiastic!–Site Administrator

Smarter, Not Harder! is the latest addition to the SCORE study skills collection. It is designed to help students assume personal responsibility for their learning by understanding their intuitive approach to learning as it relates to their teacher's intuitive approach to teaching. Students can then "Give the teacher what he/she needs" in order to get better grades.

Have Your Students:

• Take the Teen Personality Profile to identify their own personality type
• Read the section for their personality type
• Begin putting the principles into practice

At School And At Home, Smarter, Not Harder! Will Help Your Students:

• Improve their study skills
• Get along better with their teachers
• Communicate with their parents
• Relate better with their friends

SCORE Celebrates 25 Years of Improving Student Achievement!

SCORE is a comprehensive systemic change program, validated for effectiveness by the United States Department of Education. SCORE provides inservices, technical assistance, and field-tested materials, all proven to result in increased student achievement. To request specific information related to your site, visit: http://www.score-ed.com/contact.htm

• SCORE is not a "packaged program;" rather, school teams design a custom implementation that meets the SCORE success criteria and allows local ownership.
• SCORE is successful in helping language minority and Title I students achieve university eligibility by the time they graduate from high school.
• SCORE empowers students through a variety of strategies, enabling them to adapt learning to their strengths and their teacher's presentation style.
• SCORE's Study Skills curriculum is unequalled, and should be made available to all students. SCORE's primary focus is grades 6–10, but it has been adapted to meet the needs of both older and younger students.
• SCORE's Guidance Curriculum, available only through the SCORE 101 workshop, empowers schools to meet accreditation criteria and empowers students to take personal responsibility for their learning.

What do Others Say?

While school reform is a hot topic of conversation, many educators have not implemented practical programs that can help students live up to their full potential. I strongly recommend SCORE for your school. This is too good a program not to give it to everyone!

Maeva K. Hutter
Title 1 Coordinator
Willard Intermediate School

I can't say enough about how SCORE has positively impacted our Indian Education program. The SCORE program builds pride back into our students by helping them see good points, bring out their strengths, and talk about what they do well while they achieve success in school. Students have recently commented that they wish all their classes were taught like the SCORE class, "school wouldn't be boring." This is the most comprehensive model of student assistance that I have ever used. Yokoke, thank you to the SCORE staff for all of the support that we receive in helping our American Indian students realize their dreams.

Michael Folsom. M. S.
Counselor, Indian Education
Huntington Beach Union High School District

The SCORE staff, eager to support you in your quest to improve academic performance, is always as near as your mouse click, fax, or phone number:

Educational Innovations/SCORE
30100 Town Center Drive
Suite O, PMB 379
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
http://www.score-ed.com

949-363-6764 Voice/Fax

sharon@score-ed.com