School Voucher Programs Should Be Clear About Disability Rights, Report Says

Good morning,

"A new report from the nonpartisan U.S. Government Accountability Office says many of the nation's voucher programs — and the private schools that participate in them — aren't giving parents the information they need to make an informed choice, especially parents of kids with disabilities." 

Today we are sharing an article from npr.org entitled 'School Voucher Programs Should Be Clear About Disability Rights, Report Says.' As a problem that some parents are facing, this article advocates for some changes that need to happen in order for students to the right assistance possible.

"School voucher programs need (at least) three key ingredients:

1. Multiple schools (don't roll your eyes, city dwellers, this one's a brick wall for many rural parents).

2. A system that makes private schools affordable for low-income parents. Choice isn't choice if it's only the rich who get to choose.

3. And transparency, so that a child's caregiver can review the options and make an informed choice."

To read the original article and learn more about the third point the article makes, visit the article link here. 

Learn more about how we specialize in helping students with learning disabilities by visiting: www.linderec.com

Are We Thinking About Reading Comprehension All Wrong?

Good morning,

Today we are talking about reading and reading comprehension in schools. For many years there has been a great emphasis on reading and learning word sets however reading comprehension has often been tested as a separate skill. New research suggests that the way our brains learn reading requires more integrative comprehension, which could require schools and teachers to rethink the way they teach reading.

"Educators and parents are obsessed with reading; and the emphasis has only grown in recent decades as reading became a defining indicator of academic success on standardized tests. Yet despite the obsession with teaching reading in the early grades, many educators don’t fully understand how the brain reads, writes Daniel Willingham, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia, in a New York Times op-ed.' 

'Current education practices show that reading comprehension is misunderstood. It’s treated like a general skill that can be applied with equal success to all texts. Rather, comprehension is intimately intertwined with knowledge. That suggests three significant changes in schooling."

To continue reading more of the article visit the original article link here.  To learn more about Linder Educational Coaching visit www.linderec.com.

Spit Test May Help Reveal Concussion Severity

Good morning,

Has your child had a concussion or suspected concussion before? Have you ever noticed them struggling in school days after their injury? If so, you're not a lone. A lot of parents have wondered when their children will return to "normal" and stop exhibiting symptoms of the concussion. Now thanks to researchers at The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda there is a new saliva test that can help determine just that.

"A saliva test could greatly improve care for 
young people who don't have obvious symptoms of a concussion, says Manish Bhomia, an adjunct assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md.'

"A lot of children get mild concussion and oftentimes it goes ignored," he says.

A reliable lab test would help ensure that children who have a head injury don't go back to school, or to the soccer field, before their brain has healed, Bhomia says.

And microRNAs offer a promising way to assess concussions in adults as well as children, says Bhomia, whose research involves a range of "biomarkers" for traumatic brain injury."

To learn more about the services we offer children visit us at: www.linderec.com 

Deciding Between the ACT & SAT

Our test prep specialist Matt is back with a blog about how to decide if the ACT or SAT is right for your child. Follow us to get updates on our weekly test prep blogs, including upcoming study schedules and prep videos!

First and foremost, students weighing which test is best for them should take a full-length practice test for each!  You want these diagnostic tests to simulate testing conditions as much as possible, so a few important guidelines are:

Take them timed!  As we discussed last time, there are differences in pacing and timing between the two tests, which factors heavily into how students score and how students feel moving through each section. 
Take them in a quiet, distraction free environment.  The “which day of the week are you” quiz can wait until you’re done.
 Make sure you are awake and fully functional on the days you take them.  These tests do eat up a lot of time, so a good goal might be doing one test on a Saturday one weekend and then the other test the following Saturday. 

After students take a practice ACT and a practice SAT, the biggest thing I look at is their overall percentile on each.  Generally, whichever test a student scores higher on in their initial diagnostic is the one I recommend focusing on most heavily.

There are, I suppose, a few exceptions to this, and I try to take the following factors into account with my students when developing a plan for test-prepping. 

Personal preference/confidence: Sometimes I have students who felt a lot more comfortable taking the test they initially scored worse on, and feel like with practice they can do better on that one.  This is most commonly the case when students feel like they’ve forgotten a lot of the relevant math concepts tested, but with practice they could master those concepts more easily.  For example, I’ve had  students score higher on the ACT initially, but feel a lot more confident about the algebraic concepts emphasized on the SAT and want to focus on improving there. 
Logistical: Another big consideration (especially for seniors trying to prepare for these tests) can be logistical: the ACT and SAT offer different administrations throughout the year, and occasionally there are situations where a student may not have quite enough time to prepare for the October SAT, and have college applications due before the next available date.  In these cases it is important to look carefully at what the students’ various deadlines are, how much time they have before different test dates, and get a realistic sense of how much time the students will have to prepare before each test date.  Overall, however, these situations are avoidable, and speak to the importance of planning out test-prep far in advance. 


I think the discussion of ideal timelines for test-prep is important enough to merit its own blog post (we’ll probably want to get into that next time), but I do want to end with a couple thoughts and observations I’ve had pertaining to today’s topic of deciding between the ACT and the SAT.

Math counts for 25% of the score on the ACT and 50% of the score on the SAT, so (theoretically at least) students whose strong suit is math would have better chances on the SAT, and students who struggle in math might prefer the ACT.
The hardest sections to finish on-time tend to be ACT science, ACT reading, and SAT math no-calculator.  Therefore, slower readers might struggle more on the ACT, and those who need more time for math problems and feel more pressured under time might struggle more on SAT math (however, people do sometimes have a hard time finishing ACT math as well, which is why taking a diagnostic is so important)
I have had many students start off lower on the SAT and then do better on it when they take the real one (and vice-versa) so it is very often a good idea to prepare for both and take each at least once.  These tests remain an important part of the college application process, and getting the best possible score you can is definitely worth the time and effort it takes to prepare for them! 

Learn more by visiting  linderec.com 

How Making Art Helps Teens Better Understand Their Mental Health

Good morning all,

Last week we shared an article which brought to light the pressures teens put on themselves and the anxiety they can feel from college applications, testing and just schoolwork in general. It is important that in order for these anxious teens to succeed, they are able to recognize their feelings of anxiety and work to address them. One way some teens can do this is through art.  According to an article from ww2.kqed.org/ "artistic expression may decrease anxiety, feelings of anger and depression. This creative process can also enhance cognitive abilities, foster greater self-awareness and help students regulate their emotions." 

The article further goes on to talk about some of the other benefits that art expression can have on today's students. "Art teaches kids problem-solving and decision-making skills,” says Wardrip. “Creativity also promotes identity development, helping students find their ‘place’ in the world.” (To view the full article click on the link here.) 

Linder Education works to help students identify their school-related stressors and find ways of organization and expression to be able to work through them successfully in a comfortable, supportive environment. To learn more about the services we can offer your student, visit: www.linderec.com 

Anxiety Is Taking A Toll On Teens, Their Families And Schools

If you are a parent of a teenager in today's society, the following article from ww2.kqed.org entitled 'Anxiety Is Taking A Toll On Teens, Their Families And Schools' won't surprise you. A majority of American teenagers face anxiety and pressures unlike before. But parents aren't always the culprits for these anxieties- today's teenagers are often putting pressures on themselves. The big question from the article which we want to highlight is this: "How can educators and parents help kids understand there’s more than one “right” path and multiple ways of being successful in the world?" (To view the original article click here.) 

This is something here at Linder Education that we take very seriously and strive to help each student that comes through our door understand. Success has a variety of measurements and can be unique to each individual person. If your child is suffering from school-related anxiety and  you want help not only academically but for the big picture, contact us today! We are here to help:

www.linderec.com

Brain Games & Training Your Brain

Good morning,

Today we are sharing an interesting article from NPR which talks about brain training. Many popular brain training "games" and programs are out there designed to help users increase brain function. Kara Blacker, lead author and a researcher at The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine in Bethesda, Md. talks about their findings. "Our hypothesis was that training might improve fluid intelligence or IQ," Blacker says. "But that's not what we found." They found that although one method (dual n-back) did show significant improvements in their working memory and changes in their brain activity, neither test made the study participants any smarter. (Click here to read the article in it's entirety.)

Maskot/Getty Images

What does all of this mean? Helping your student learn and improve can't simply be downloading a "brain game" or computer program- it's not enough. While it certainly may help their memory skills and provide some encouragement, it takes a lot more work and possibly professional guidance to help students succeed. If you are looking for somewhere to begin to help your child's success in school, contact us today! www.linderec.com 

Learning More about ADHD

Good morning all,

If you can, take a moment to watch this TED talk and learn more about ADHD. Here at Linder Education we're so lucky to be able to help kids embrace their brains and learn the strategies to manage weaknesses and amplify strengths. Learn more about how we can help your child with ADHD here: http://linderec.com/ or call (703) 270-9129 today!

Watch the TED talk here: http://bit.ly/2ldCFyX

Learning With Podcasts: Getting Students Excited Again

Each student is unique which means that every student also learns differently. For some students, learning through podcasts has become a great tool to engage their minds in a different manner which allows them to become engaged and excited about learning again. 

In this article from KQED news high school English teacher Michael Godsey talks about how listening to podcasts helps his students read and learn. 

"When he first started teaching with podcasts, students were applying English Language Arts critical thinking skills to podcast episodes, much like they would after reading a book. However, the more he taught with podcasts, he began to discover that his students were learning in ways he hadn’t anticipated."






To learn more about Linder Education and the various methods we use to help our students achieve success in and out of the classroom, visit www.linderec.com 

We're Hiring!! Join Our Team Today!

We're hiring! Know someone with experience working with students with learning disabilities? Send them our way! We pay great, have awesome clients, work more like 30 hours a week and laugh a lot.

Looking for someone with lots of tutoring/mentoring experience. We specialize in working with families with children that have ADD, ADHD, executive functioning issues, and/or behavioral issues. Our work ranges from organizational help to subject tutoring and study skills. We work with elementary through college students.

We are currently looking for a new full time addition to our company. We are open to a variety of applicants if they feel they would fit with our company, but we always have particular need for those with experience:
1. Teaching/tutoring in high school math and science
2. Special Education
3. Dyslexia

It is important that the person can manage the relationships with the student, the parents, and the teachers. Must be personable and extremely responsible.

Salaries would begin at 40k a year, and depend on experience and specialities. We offer good benefits. Applicants must commit through the coming school year, and we are most interested in applicants that would be looking for a career with our company. We were voted Best of Arlington in 2016, and Best of Northern Virginia in 2017. Over the coming years, we look to expand our business locations and offer increasingly specialized services for those with disabilities. We pride ourselves on our positive work environment, and a great work/life balance.

We are open to applicants interested in part-time work as a contractor during the school year for hourly pay ($30-40 an hour), but our preference is a permanent addition to the team.

Please carefully review our website and email a cover letter explaining your experience, what you can offer to Linder Educational Coaching, and why you are a good fit with our educational philosophy. Include a resume and three references to Kristin at: info@linderec.com

Learning More About Dyslexia And How Linder Can Help!

Good afternoon all,

Today we are sharing an article from childmind.org about one of the most-common learning disabilities we see in children today, Dyslexia. "Children each learn and develop at their own pace, and reading is no different from other skill building. It’s common for kids to find reading challenging at one point or another. But if learning to read becomes an ongoing struggle that leaves a child falling behind his or her peers, it’s possible that he or she might have dyslexia."

One of the most important things to realize when first speaking about Dyslexia is that 'Dyslexia is not a reflection of a child’s intelligence — in fact it’s defined as a gap between a student’s ability and achievement.' With the right help and patience a child with Dyslexia can flourish academically. That is where we can help! At our Lit Lounge for Literacy and Dyslexia we can work with your child to help them achieve success.

We look at each child as a whole person, not just as a student. When there are gaps between students’ goals and their achievements, we help them bridge those gaps. Linder EC is specialized in helping students with ADD/ADHD, executive functioning issues, Dyslexia, Autism, depression, anxiety, other disabilities, and behavioral issues. Our holistic approach emphasizes the development of good students, but more importantly, happier and healthier individuals ready to embrace the challenges of life.

So what are you waiting for? Contact us today at: http://linderec.com/ to learn more!

To read more about Dyslexia and how to better understand it, click here for the full article. 

How to Survive the College Admissions Madness

Good afternoon all,

We are continuing our string of articles for our upcoming college students who are thinking about applying to colleges this fall. Each college admissions process can be rigorous and seem overwhelming but if you and your student begin to prepare early enough and know what to expect, it can help the process become much smoother. This article shared from The New York Times was published a few years ago but still has relevance and resonance for many students today. It talks about some students' challenges and handling rejections from colleges. It is important to meet with a professional who can help your student understand the best plan of action for their success.  "For every person whose contentment comes from faithfully executing a predetermined script, there are at least 10 if not 100 who had to rearrange the pages and play a part they hadn’t expected to, in a theater they hadn’t envisioned. Besides, life is defined by setbacks, and success is determined by the ability to rebound from them. And there’s no single juncture, no one crossroads, on which everything hinges." (To read the full article, click here.) 

At Linder Educational Coaching we can help your student prepare not only for college but also for life in general by working on organization, timeliness, study skills, prioritizing and more. If you would like to get some extra help for your child contact us today at: www.linderec.com. Linder Educational Coaching is a different approach to all aspects of education. Our program has made a name for itself here in Northern Virginia for its results working with kids of all ages. Our educational coaches are known to be invaluable mentors in the lives of the children they work with, helping instill an appreciation of education and opportunity.

Tutoring Can Help Your College Student Succeed: Twelve Reasons to Start Early

Good afternoon,

We know that it's never too early to start preparing your child for college. With college applications getting more complex and entrance standards constantly being raised, it's natural for parents to focus mainly on admission. However research has shown that focusing as much on how to be successful in college, not just how to get into college successfully, is just as important. In an article from 'College Parent Central' they talk about how important it is to get tutoring for your student well before they start their college applications.

"College parenting means being concerned about many things when your student heads off to school.  Naturally, one of the major areas of focus is your student’s academic success. You want your student to learn.  You want your student to get good grades.  You want your student to take the appropriate courses to be able to find a good job or get into a good graduate program.

Working with a good advisor will help your student make the course and schedule choices that are appropriate.  Learning in those courses and achieving good grades includes many factors. Some of the most successful students may be those who have mastered three important skills.  They understand the differences between high school work and college level work; they have learned the skill of good time management; and they seek the support or help that they may need early in the game."

If you are looking for some help for your upcoming college student and want them to be prepared for college academics as well as organizational, time management and other relatable skills, contact us today! www.linderec.com 

In The Age Of Screen Time, Is Paper Dead?

Good morning,

Does your school-aged student still prefer to take handwritten notes or do they prefer PowerPoint presentations? Do their learning preferences change from age to age? Today we are sharing an article from npr.org which talks about a current debate happening all over our educational systems today. Is the paper and pen now obsolete? Do kids prefer screens over paper? In this article, 'In The Age Of Screen Time, Is Paper Dead?' a few facts about paper learning are brought to light.

"1.) 96 percent of parents think that paper is "an essential part of children being able to achieve their educational goals.

2.) Among junior high and high school students, 70 percent prepare for tests by taking handwritten class notes, and 60 percent make and use flashcards.

3.) 50 percent of seventh- and eighth-graders agree they "learn information best if they write it down by hand.

4.) College students like paper, too: 81 percent, for example, say they always or often use paper tools to prepare for exams." (To view the full article click here.)

At Linder Educational Coaching we recognize that learning for each student is different and a variety of methods and tools can be used to achieve success. Whether you prefer your child to use paper or a technology, we can accommodate! To learn more about our services and how to set your child up for success, visit: www.linderec.com 

Exciting News.... New Website!!

Hi everyone!

In case you haven't seen it yet, we are thrilled to announce the new online location for Linder Educational Coaching: www.linderec.com! We have a brand new website which is very user-friendly so you can find the information you need to get your child started!

At Linder, we look at each child as a whole person, not just as a student. When there are gaps between students’ goals and their achievements, we help them bridge those gaps. Linder EC is specialized in helping students with ADD/ADHD, executive functioning issues, Dyslexia, Autism, depression, anxiety, other disabilities, and behavioral issues. Our holistic approach emphasizes the development of good students, but more importantly, happier and healthier individuals ready to embrace the challenges of life. Learn more today by visiting our new site, or contact Kristin directly at: info@linderec.com

What are people saying about us?

Here at Linder Educational Coaching, we work hard to continue to improve our programs, curriculum and workshops to meet the needs of each student that comes through our door. Instead of simple subject tutoring, we focus on creating an independent and resourceful individual. We teach the skills to be successful in academics, from organization and study skills to memory techniques and test taking strategies. We tailor study methods and techniques to the individual learner. 

So you might be wondering, what do people have to say about us? Here are a few testimonials from past clients!

"High school was a much more difficult transition for our son–and thus for our whole family–than we could ever have imagined. In middle school, our son was an honor roll student, active in sports and extracurricular activities.  That changed in high school. After the first quarter of freshman year, we realized that middle school simply had not prepared him with the study skills he would need to succeed in high school. Tests were difficult and time management challenging.

Linder Educational Coaching was the right solution for our family. Kristin and her colleagues worked with us to assess skills gaps in core subjects; remediate needed skills; build capacity to track assignments; teach study skills for daily, weekly and test prep approaches; and refer us to other professionals. We persisted with the coaching and continued his sophomore year.

After first quarter of his sophomore year, we see a stellar report card and have achieved a sense of calm in our family again.  Most importantly, his self-confidence increased. Linder was an extension of our family approach and made a huge difference." - Kris Kurtenbach

"Kristin has been working with our kids and the results have been positive and beneficial for them as well as us, as parents. Her focus and dedication is unmatched and in the process she has taught the kids how to study and to become more educationally independent. This has resulted in higher self esteem and confidence of the kids. Her sessions include goal setting and structure and the lessons go beyond specific subject or test based prep. The positive results include well-rounded study habits, preparation for future higher education, and life skills. We cannot more enthusiastically recommend Kristin Linder and we continue to trust her with our most prized asset – our children." - Dean Yeonas

Want to read more or learn how we can help your child this school year? Visit us online at: www.lindereducationalcoaching.com

'Social Camouflage' May Lead To Underdiagnosis Of Autism In Girls

Good morning,

Today's article share from npr.org brings light to increasing realization about Autism: more boys are diagnosed than girls, but not because girls with autism aren't out there, they are just able to better blend in socially. "Boys appear to be more vulnerable to the disorder, but there is some evidence that the gender gap may not be as wide as it appears. That's because the symptoms of autism are often less obvious in girls than they are in boys. Girls can be better at blending in, says Dr. Louis Kraus, a psychiatrist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, who specializes in autism."

Photo credit: NPR.org

It's also no secret that the earlier intervention a child with Autism receives, the better chances of future success. "A late diagnosis of autism is a setback for any child, psychiatrist Kraus says, pointing to research that shows the earlier the diagnosis and intervention, the better the outcome.
'You can always make up academics. That's never a huge worry if you fall a little behind with academics," he says. "What is much, much harder to do is make up social development.'

Today, there are an increasing number of academic and community programs geared to help teens and young adults with autism catch up on their social development."

At Linder Education we can help you and your Autistic child get back on track. We cater to students with ADD, ADHD, other LDs, behavioral issues and problems with executive functioning by helping to focus on organization, planning for the week and month, study skills, test-taking skills, subject comprehension, and independence. All of which can help them in and out of the classroom.  To learn more about the services we offer visit:  http://www.lindereducationalcoaching.com/

We're All Born With Mathematical Abilities (And Why That's Important)

Good morning,

Here at Linder Education, we see a variety of children who struggle in various subjects, concepts or with learning abilities. It is no secret that a majority of today's children and students can struggle at some point with mathematics. Math is difficult for many children and today's article share from npr.org talks about how math skills are even more important than ever and how we can possibly re-shape our children's future in mathematics from as early as birth.

"Being literate with numbers and math is becoming increasingly important in modern society — perhaps even more important than literacy, which was the focus of a lot of educational initiatives for so many years.

We know now that numeracy at the end of high school is a really strong and important predictor of an individual's economic and occupational success. We also know from many, many different studies — including those conducted by my MU colleague, David Geary — that kids who start school behind their peers in math tend to stay behind. And the gap widens over the course of their schooling." (Npr.org)

To read the entire article visit the article link here.

If you feel that your child has misunderstood mathematics or is struggling to grasp some of the basic concepts in math, it's not too late! We can help your child learn their strengths and weaknesses and how to develop strategies to improve upon them. After all, we believe that each person learns differently and needs to find a way to use his/her natural abilities in school.

To learn more about our services, including private coaching, visit: http://www.lindereducationalcoaching.com/

A Few Spots Left! AP Prep Class!

Good morning,

We have a couple of spots left in our AP Prep class this summer, and one slot left in our Study Skills Crash Course. Let Kristin know ASAP if you would like your child to join! Email Kristin@LinderEC.com or call Kristin directly at (703) 270-9129.

To learn more about our classes and what we offer visit our informational guide here! or visit www.linderec.com.

As individuals, those at Linder Educational Coaching have a collection of very different backgrounds individually with school and learning.

As a group, we provide a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and ideas to every client. We love our job and the challenges and rewards it brings, and appreciate all our current and future clients for trusting us with their children.

Meet The Hub Manager Cali Johnson!

Good morning all!

Today we want to share a little bit more with you about The Hub, and it's manager Cali Johnson. In case you aren't aware, The Hub provides an after-school solution and a path to success for your student. Conveniently located next to Harrison Shopping Center, The Hub has a per-visit fee where students check in with a professional coach to:

• Privately review grades
• Address any missing assignments
• Review teacher websites and Blackboard
• Update student calendars and agenda
• Create a to-do list for that night of both assigned homework as well as needed studying

Once students are checked in, they:

• Hand over their cell phones and computer so that they can focus on their work (we have WiFi and computers if needed for their assignments)
• Grab a free snack and drink if they want
• Choose a space to work
• Ask any questions they have about their work
• Stay as long as they like

How do we keep all of this running smoothly? One reason is our wonderful manager Cali Johnson!

"I grew up in a small town just south of Charlotte, N.C. After high school I attended Clemson University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Animal and Veterinary Sciences.

Shortly after graduating from Clemson, I accepted a position managing Morningside Training Farm, a large three-day eventing facility, which brought me to the Northern Virginia area and eventually led me to Linder Educational Coaching.

During my time at Clemson I worked multiple jobs for barns in the area to pay for board, lessons, and competitions within the sport of eventing. Time management and organization became very important to maintain my work schedule, juggle my riding and competitions, and keep up with a demanding school schedule.

I am excited to be a part of the Linder Educational Coaching team and look forward to working with students at The Hub to develop strong workmanship and organizational skills that they will use both in school and later on in their chosen career paths."

To learn more about Linder and The Hub, visit us online at: http://linderec.com/