First, this question: should there be a national standard for graduating high school students? Should students have to pass a rigorous test in order to graduate? Some people say that a test is an objective measurement of how well a student knows certain material; others argue that some students don’t “test well,” and that grades, schoolwork and teachers should determine whether or not a particular student graduates, and not a standardized test. Others say that many standardized tests are inherently biased.

Another educational debate rages over vouchers. A school voucher is when the government pays part or all of a student’s private school tuition. Let’s say it costs a city $10,000 to educate a child per year. With a school voucher, the government would pay ten-thousand dollars of tax money for a child to go to a certain private school instead of giving that money to the public school the child would otherwise attend. Some people insist that this is only fair; if parents work hard to pay taxes, why shouldn’t their tax dollars go to the school of their choice? Other people say that vouchers take away desperately-needed public school funds, and that it’s the duty of all citizens to pay for public schools through tax dollars whether or not they have children attending one. Public schools, this latter group would argue, are as crucial to a functioning democracy as anything else that tax money could pay for.

Other education issues: should uniforms be required at all public schools? Should teacher tenure be done away with? If so, teachers would have to be reevaluated throughout their careers and schools could fire any teacher deemed inefficient no matter how long he or she has been teaching. Also, should schools address the challenge of childhood obesity, and what’s the best way to address this problem? Should sex education programs be implemented in classrooms, and at what age? And then there are the thorny issues surrounding charter schools, with passionate defenders on both sides: how much money should charter schools be allotted? How should they be regulated?

In the end, perhaps all education issues come down to this: parents want only the best for their children, teachers want to be treated fairly as professionals, and we all know our society depends on the answers at which we arrive.

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• Effective Educational Services For Students With Special Learning Needs (0)

Their parents are frustrated in their attempts to find suitable education for their child. They’ve tried working through the public schools. They have hired tutors. Parents are calling for real solutions.

In order to thrive, these students need special educational methods that address their unique profile of strengths and needs. But even more importantly, these children require a new mindset of success.

Educational therapy offers help and hope to children and adults with learning challenges such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and learning disabilities. Educational therapy is an appropriate and highly successful approach to helping students of all ages achieve their maximum potential.

Educational therapists use state of the art educational programs and methods that have been proven to teach students with learning problems the skills they require to be successful. Educational therapy shows students how to overcome their learning problems and lead successful lives.

All throughout the school years, foundations for future success are laid down. Not only are students learning essential skills such as reading, they are also learning to value education. But most importantly, they are learning to believe that they are successful students!

When students experience repeated frustration and failure, they develop self-doubt along with dislike or distrust of educational experiences. These negative views influence how much students can learn, at every level from elementary school through college!

Special needs students experience three major problems with learning:

Teachers and tutors use the same methods for every child. Children are unique and each learns in his or her own way. Teachers and tutors usually do not understand how to modify their approach to address different learning styles.

Teachers and tutors only teach subject matter. Students who experience repeated academic failure lack the underlying foundational skills to be successful students. They often don’t know the best study methods, how to manage their time, or what the real secrets are to academic success.

Teachers and tutors do not address the root cause of continued academic failure—learned helplessness. When students experience failure after failure, they develop a mindset that they are “stupid” and “can’t learn.” They give up on ever being a good student! But, when students believe they can succeed, they begin to try. When they believe they can learn, they begin to study. When they believe they can have impressive futures, they make powerful choices. Students have the right to believe in their innate intelligence and skill!

Educational therapists generally begin their professional careers in special education, child development or counseling. The Association of Educational Therapists is the national professional organization that sets the training standards for educational therapists. There are three levels of membership in the Association of Educational Therapists: Associate Professional (introductory level), Professional (experienced), Board Certified (seasoned).

According to the Association of Educational Therapists: “Regardless of previous background, all Professional members of the Association of Educational Therapists (AET) have met rigorous professional requirements in the academic areas of elementary and/or secondary education, child development, educational assessment, learning theory, learning disabilities, and principles of educational therapy. All members have a B.A. degree and are required to hold a Masters Degree or equivalent in post-BA course work. They have completed at least 1500 supervised direct service hours, and are required to complete 40 clock hours of Continuing Education every two years.

To become a Board Certified Educational Therapist (BCET)®, a member must meet the following additional requirements: Masters Degree (required); one year membership in AET at the Professional level; 1000 hours of professional practice; formal written Case Study evaluated and passed by the AET Certification Board; a written examination that demonstrates professional expertise in educational therapy.”

To locate an educational therapist near you or obtain more information about educational therapy, visit the Association of Educational Therapists website.

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