If you have a child who is not achieving in the classroom, there is a reason. The reasons are myriad. Lack of ability is not one of them. — Sharon Marshall Lockett

Dear Educator,

I have wonderful news I can hardly wait to share. I won the Author 101 contest! I've never won an author contest before. In fact, I've never entered an author contest before. I'm so excited I'm quoting me this month. The quote is from my "soon to be published" book.

Winning means a new book contract with Adams Media and marketing through Rick and Robin of Author 101 for a book entitled Home, Sweet Homework! Check out http://www.author101.com/contest.tpl to get the scoop.

My writing deadline is September 1...I'll finish just in time to help you kick off a new school year. Home Sweet Homework! offers SCORE's success strategies to parents, empowering them to help their children with homework. I know you're all opinionated about this topic, and I'm eager to hear what you have to say. If you're thinking, "I hope she tells them...," send your thoughts to me. I'm an e-mail away.

Remember...our Summer Institute early registration deadline is June 1. See Upcoming Workshops for details.

My new book will be written to parents. This month's article is written to educators. Read on...for SCORE's top ten tips to make homework happen.

Oh...and before you hear from me next month...get some "R and R." Have a wonderful summer, whether you choose to spend it working summer school, building your personal skills, exploring the big world outside of your classroom, or forgetting about the joys of education for a while.

For kids!

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

(Somewhat) Painless Homework: SCORE's Top Ten for Teachers

1. If you assign it, you must truly believe it will benefit students.
2. If it's worth their time to do it, it's worth your time to enforce it.
3. If they didn't do it, don't let them sneak out of the classroom without facing you.
4. Figure out a way to give a second chance.
5. Find a way to make the third missed assignment cost them something valuable.
6. Remember the power of the phone call home.
7. Remember the power of the threat of a phone call home.
8. Create a system for a "study buddy."
9. Set up an after school program where everyone has a place to do homework.
10. Empower your students with study skills.

Yes, it's "short and sweet" this month. You're got a graduation to produce, a school year to close, and another school year to plan. Oh, and I've got a book to write!

SCORE periodically offers centralized workshops...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.

Attend the Summer Institute: July 26 –August 2, 2006

Get on the Fast Track to student success! Learn all of SCORE's effective strategies at once. Bring your family on a working vacation in Southern California, half way between the beaches and Disneyland. Register for all 6 days before June 1 for a 20% discount!

You receive 1) one each of all of SCORE's publications (worth $1,000), including the newly-revised Accelerating High-Risk Youth: A Leader's Guide; 2) six exciting, interactive days of in-service; 3) continental breakfast and lunch each day. Register now to receive our Early Bird Special Price.

SCORE 101: Adoption Workshop: July 26–28, 2006

• 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!
I am glad I found another way to touch the life of a child and help them develop into a great individual.  All children can and will learn–no exceptions!
I can’t wait to go back to school and get started.  I’m leaving the workshop with a “do-able” plan and look forward to the upcoming technical assistance.

Use SCORE to plan your reform with your site restructuring team. We can come to you!

Tell us what you need at http://www.score-ed.com/contact.htm

Study Skills: July 31–August 1, 2006

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!
It’s very exciting to think about the students using these ideas not only for better grades, but for life experiences.
SCORE is a tool I can and will use.  Thank you.
SCORE is great.  I already see a difference in my students.
Well done in a productive balance.

Train your entire faculty! We can come to you.

Tell us what you need at http://www.score-ed.com/contact.htm

Crisis, Grief, and Loss...and How to Help Your Students Through It: August 2, 2006

Grief is a fact of our students' lives (not to mention our own!).

When they are grieving, the way they learn changes. That means we need to reach them differently.

Attend this SCORE workshop to learn:

• How to read the subtle signs of a student in crisis
  (you already recognize their "not-so-subtle" messages!)
• What to do about it, both in and out of the classroom
  (you may gain validation and ammunition!)
• Where to go to find help
  (help for them is also help for you...your job will be so much easier!)
• How to change your teaching content and methodology to accommodate crises
  (and we teachers are always looking for a new strategy!)

Do you have a student in mind? They're invited! Listen to what students say:

I learned that grief will not go away, and when you go through depression do something.
I learned to be responsible and make good decisions.
This week I know not to take my anger out on someone else and not to argue so much.
I think you should go over this every year because it can help other people like it helped me.
I think that if it wasn’t for me, my friend would’ve joined his mother on the other side.
(Student participant one year after training)

We can come to you!

Tell us what you need at http://www.score-ed.com/contact.htm.

Director's Guide

SCORE's Director's Guide provides schools seeking to improve achievement and test scores with a comprehensive management plan, including staffing and implementation strategies. It assists school leadership teams in creating a school culture that inspires excellence in both students and staff. It shares information about the original program, evaluation findings, needs assessment, budgetary guidelines, and a suggested timeline for program implementation. Implementation models, syllabi, and a plan for systemic change are included.

This is available only to those who complete the Adoption Training. See you at the Summer Institute?

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 in-services, 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