SAT Prep Classes 2012 Schedule

Is Your Child Ready For Algebra?

Known as a "gateway course," algebra is the foundation for higher-level high school math and science classes and thus a critical stepping stone to student's success. Make sure your child is ready by having them take a href="http://www.fit4algebra.org">FREE Algebra Readiness Check-Up!

Weak algebra skills can lead to:

• Lower ACT/SAT^® scores
• Limited access to colleges and universities
• Restricted careers

Experience the New Book Adventure!

• Parents, Teachers and Students can view sample reports
• Parents and Teachers can change quiz parameters (change the passing score, number of attempts)
• Registered users can create their own booklists from the 8,000 titles on Book Adventure
• All questions for a quiz are viewable for a registered Parent/Teacher
• There is a new “Super Teacher” feature that allows librarians, media specialists or other administration type user to see information on more than one Teachers’ students/classes/ accounts
• And more

Win a FREE Month of Tutoring with Sylvan Learning Center!

Don't miss this great opportunity!

1st prize:

Start school one step ahead with a free month of Sylvan Tutoring! 4 weeks of tutoring, 4 hours per week. Tutoring for all subjects available including: Math, Reading, Writing, College Test Prep. Every student can excel – Start Smart this school year!

2nd Prize:

Share the brain power with 5 of your friends (that are not currently using Sylvan). Invite 5 of your friends to Sylvan for a free Sylvan Skills Assessments (valued $95)!

ENTER THE CONTEST NOW

SAT Free Diagnostic Tests

Are you ready for the SAT? If you need more help, enroll with Sylvan Learning of South San Jose.

* Personalized instruction in a small group setting
* Real results - Build the confidence to increase your score
* Thirty lecture hours focused on the exact skills your teenager needs
* Three timed practice tests
* Expert instructors know the test and understand the challenges of preparing for college
* Specialized tutoring available in specific subject areas

Free diagnostic tests will be held regularly.
Please view our 2011-2012 SAT Schedule.
Call us for more information
(408)448-8100

Share Sylvan's Success with Your Friends & Families!

Your child's education and success in school and in life is important to you. Share that success with other families that might benefit from Sylvan services!


And, if a family you refer enrolls in one of our programs, you each get a FREE WEEK of services.

It's a win-win! Download the flyer below, write your name as the referrer and pass on the gift of learning today!

Referral Rewards(907 KB)

Introducing SylvanMathPrep.com: Sylvan’s New Online Homework Support Service

Finish your homework faster and easier! With SylvanMathPrep.com, you’ll see short videos, corresponding to the exact pages and concepts in your textbook, that explain the math lessons you’re studying.

SylvanMathPrep.com presents math problems in a new way, shows you the work so you can see how to do it, and provides practice problems (with the answers!), so you can master the concepts in no time!

Contact us for more details on how you can get started!

Getting ready for the SAT or ACT? SylvanMathPrep.com can help you study for the math portions of these tests as well. Contact Us Today!

10 Best Websites for Kids (from MSN)

"While it’s ultimately up to parents to individually decide what is and isn’t appropriate for their sprouts to see, if your kids are interested in sniffing around online, as a starting point they can’t go wrong with these age-appropriate online destinations."
(link)

UC Regents OK Admissions Overhaul

"The board approved these changes today

-- SAT subject tests will no longer be necessary.

-- The pool of applicants who will be considered will widen, but the number guaranteed entry into one of the university's nine undergraduate campuses will shrink."

Click here to read the full article.

SAT Changes Score Reporting Policy

The College Board has announced that, starting in March 2009, high school juniors taking the SAT will have the option to select which of their scores will be sent to colleges. This new policy, according to the College Board, is intended to ease the stress associated with taking the SAT and college admissions. You can read the College Board policy here.

According to an article in the New York Times, this policy has stirred up controversy among high school counselors and college admissions officials. Some say that this new policy will only increase the level of stress associated with the college admission process. Several highly selective colleges have already indicated that they will not accept Score Choice; they will require students to submit all scores for review. Click here to read the full text of the Times article.

DrRickBlog.com Offers Education News, Tips, and Expert Advice

Looking for advice on homework, writing, test-taking, and other educational topics? For creative ideas and tools for students from pre-K to high school? Hear the latest ideas and advice from education expert Richard E. Bavaria, Ph.D. (aka “Dr. Rick”)!

In his new blog - DrRickBlog.com - Dr. Rick will discuss the latest issues in education and offer tips and tools for students from pre-K to high school.

DrRickBlog.com will include current and relevant news articles, reference lists with additional resources, and many other exciting sections as the site continues to expand. Serving as a supportive destination for parents and educators to visit all year long, all are invited to post their own feedback and views!

Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS)

The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) provides reliable and timely data on the mathematics and science achievement of U.S. 4th- and 8th-grade students compared to that of students in other countries. The study released on December 9th is the fourth comparison of mathematics and science achievement carried out since 1995 by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA), an international organization of national research institutions and governmental research agencies. In 2007, 36 countries participated at grade four and 48 participated at grade eight.

According to the study:

• Students in grade four rank eleventh among the nations participating in TIMMS while students in grade eight rank ninth among the nations participating. Both showed improvement over 2003 results.
  
• The average mathematics achievement of U.S. fourth-graders in 2007 was 11 score points higher than the average score in 1995 (529 v. 518).
  
• The average mathematics achievement of U.S. eighth-graders in 2007 was 16 score points higher than the average score in 1995 (508 v. 492).
  
• In 2007, the average mathematics scores of both U.S. fourth- and eighth-grade students were higher than the TIMSS scale averages.
  

The full text of the report is available online at http://nces.ed.gov/timss/

Best High Schools: Gold Medal List

This top 100 list of high schools is from US News & World Report, Dec. 4, 2008. "We looked at more than 21,000 public high schools in 48 states. The following are the 100 schools that performed the best in our three-step America’s Best High Schools analysis."

The Test Passes, Colleges Fail

We have been hearing a lot over the past few years that the SAT is not a good predictor of college success and that it is a socio-economically biased test. More colleges have been moving to an SAT-optional admissions policy. The SAT is easily vilified, but does that make it a bad test? Does that mean there is data to support the fact that it is not a useful admissions tool? The New York Times ran this article, which provides a good look at the counter-argument for using the SAT as an admissions tool, supported by data from the SUNY system, the largest public college system in the country. The data suggests that the more a college increases the average SAT score of incoming freshman, the more the college increases its graduation percentage. The article was written by Peter Salins, political science professor.

The Great Homework Disconnect

Sylvan Learning and National Education Association research finds attitudes about homework levels vary sharply between teachers and parents. Click here to read more.

Eye on Education – Diploma to Nowhere

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded a study on the preparedness of American students for college after graduating high school. The results are eye-opening to say the least. Just some highlights:

• 34% of students entering college need to take remedial courses
  
• 43% of students at two-year schools
  
• 29% of students at four-year schools
  
• An estimated $2.3 – $2.8 billion is spent annually to remediate these students
  

Education is a Shared Responsibility

To help students learn the skills, habits and attitudes for lifelong success, teachers need your assistance and input. Parent/teacher conferences are excellent opportunities to create ongoing dialogue with your child's teacher and gauge your child's academic progress.

Join Sylvan Learning in celebrating NEA's American Education Week (Nov. 16 - 22) and ensure your child reaches his full potential this year. Need a few tips to help make your teacher conferences more effective?

Getting Ready: Write notes to yourself about your child’s personality, learning difficulties and study habits – aspects you feel the teacher should know.

Helpful Questions to Ask at the Meeting: What is your classroom homework policy? How do you accommodate for learning styles?

During the Conference: Ask your most important questions first – in case time runs out; and ask the teacher for specific suggestions on ways to help your child reach his/her potential.

After the Conference: Develop an action plan, then work with your child to implement it. Stay in contact with the teacher and continue to discuss your child’s progress.

For more tips on Effective Parent/Teacher Conferences, click here.

Sylvan Online

The benefits of Sylvan. The Convenience of Home. That's the idea behind our online instruction. Students can enroll in Academic Reading, Math Essentials, and Algebra 1. The start up kit includes software, headset with a microphone and a computerized writing tablet. All you need is an internet connection. It works best with a high-speed connection.

Instruction is always easy to schedule with flexible times and almost daily instruction. So, now you must be a little interested in seeing how this program works. Log on to sylvanonline.com and click "View the Sylvan Online Video
Demonstration". Sign up for Sylvan Online and receive a $100 discount when you enroll in one of the online programs. Call us for more details.

Growing List of Useful Website Links

General sites

• Merriam - Webster's dictionary

• The Moonlit Road: Ghost stories and Southern folktales.

• How Stuff Works

• Arts Alive: orchestral instruments and instrumentalists.

• Smithsonian: American history timeline - 1500 to present.

• Word Central: A place where kids can learn how much fun words can be!

• Online Writing Assistant

• TeacherTube.com: videos of great classroom lessons.

Science-themed websites

• Chabot Space and Science Center – Oakland

• Computer History Museum – Mountain View

• Seymour Marine Discovery Center – Santa Cruz

• Exploratorium – San Francisco

• Chem4Kids

• Fear of Physics

• The Human Body

• The Most Wanted Bugs

• Hubble Space Telescope

• History of the Universe

Parent Resources from Sylvan’s Website

• Sylvan Learning Center’s website

• Parent Resources

• Daily Learning Tips