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Deane: To help parents better understand their children’s schools, student growth is now key in our GreatSchools ratings
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Sign up for the LA School Report newsletter.
GreatSchools.org
This year, parents’ lens on education has radically changed. Many school buildings are empty while their students sit at the kitchen table, learning on video screens. Some children have returned to school, bringing home anecdotes about masks and socially distant lunch lines. More than ever, parents can see clearly what their children need academically and socially in order to learn.
Parents have always expressed a desire for more information about their children’s schools, but this year has revealed just how vital the data are. While this moment has enabled parents to zoom in on their child’s individual learning during remote classes, when they zoom out and look at a school as a whole, a clear picture still may elude them. How can they know what makes their child’s school successful? Why might it be a good place for their child? How would they know if the school is effectively supporting all its students and thereby strengthening the entire community?
The challenge of gathering information that paints an accurate picture of the nation’s schools is not new.
For years, teachers, principals, superintendents and policymakers have used a broad set of measures and data to improve learning, but point-in-time test scores have remained the primary means by which we, as a society, measure school success. No Child Left Behind’s mandated use of standardized test scores unleashed a mounting body of evidence showing the limits of using proficiency scores to judge a school’s effectiveness, chief among them their high correlation with a student’s socioeconomic background.
Test scores tell us if students are or aren’t proficient — an important barometer at both an individual and a school level — but they never tell the whole story of what’s happening in a school. For many years, however, test scores remained the only widely available data point for all public schools in the nation.
The Every Student Succeeds Act attempted to mitigate the problems of NCLB without throwing out test scores altogether. Schools would be required to offer multiple measures of success, including growth — the academic progress a student has made in a year.
By the time the new reporting requirements kicked in in 2018, many schools, districts and states had begun to use multiple measures to improve practices, student outcomes and interventions, often with a focus on supporting disadvantaged students. The adoption of both growth data and disaggregated data for different groups of disadvantaged students was a huge step forward. Measuring student learning over time and focusing on underserved students groups offered a far more accurate picture of school effectiveness. Still, ESSA’s patchwork approach meant that this information was not widely available for all schools, and where it was, parents often struggled to understand it.
That’s why we’re excited to make a major change to how we calculate our GreatSchools ratings to focus on the core purpose of a school: learning. Drawing on expert advice from organizations working with parents, civil rights groups and academics, our ratings for every public school in the country — district and charter — for which we have available data now emphasize growth over proficiency.
By adding data about learning over time, equity and college readiness to high school equity measures, the information becomes richer and more nuanced. Ratings may rise or fall based on the new calculations, and it becomes clearer whether schools are doing a better job of serving all students. This is especially true in schools with a high percentage of low-income students or students of color; with the new methodology, their ratings are more likely to increase. We also help parents make sense of the changes to understand why a school’s rating may go up or go down and why growth is important.
GreatSchools.org
Understanding growth and equity gaps are crucial to painting an accurate picture of school quality. But as most parents and researchers agree, there’s more we can do to help families understand what’s going on inside their community’s schools. That’s our North Star. We want to find information that allows us to go deeper into the inner workings of a school and get a sense of the health of interpersonal relationships, teacher satisfaction, safety measures, social and emotional skills, prevalence of bullying, family engagement and more.
Across the country — from New York City to Illinois to the consortium of CORE districts in California — there are districts and states that have been leading the way in collecting new types of data and information from parents, teachers and students, and reporting the information along with growth, proficiency and other measures of school performance.
We need more states and districts to collect data that give families the tools to be partners in a meaningful conversation about their schools. If the pandemic has taught us anything about education, it’s that families need to be a more valued part of the learning team for a child and a truly valued stakeholder at a school.
Jon Deane is CEO of GreatSchools.org.
The best US states for Russians to live
Maria Guryeva
tutor and education consultant in the USA
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A lot will depend on which state you choose.
They all have different laws, climate conditions, population, cost of living, and even different driver’s license exams.
Among such a variety, it is very difficult to choose the right state, because you want to go to theaters and restaurants in New York, go for a morning run on the beaches of Malibu and spend cozy evenings in one of the cafes in Boston at the same time. So how do you choose a state to live in the US? We have prepared our ranking of the three best American states for life.
California
California is one of the best US states to live in
California is one of the best, most colorful and diverse US states. Here you can meet a person from absolutely any corner of the earth. As a rule, ambitious people come here, confident in themselves and looking forward to their success. There are cities in California for any type of activity: IT specialists and programmers live in San Francisco and San Jose, in the same San Francisco and Los Angeles there are a lot of opportunities for artists, musicians and actors, in Sacramento and San Jose there are great private clinics, and San Diego has the best vacation spots and great weather all year round.
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Education
California has some of the best universities in America. It is here that many go to get a diploma from an American university. Among the most famous universities in the state is Stanford. The state has its own very popular network of public UC universities. Among the most iconic representatives of the chain are UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego.
Real estate and salaries
As one of the best states in the US to live in, California cannot boast of low real estate prices. Demand here outstrips supply, so houses and apartments are incredibly expensive. Of course, the cost will directly depend on the city and region in which the property will be located. If you want to buy a house by the sea, then get ready to shell out a large amount. At the same time, you will have to look for an option for a long time, since good houses on the coast are rarely sold.
Mortgage rates in California are also higher than in any other state. And the average rental of a house will cost $2,500. However, this does not prevent California from being in demand and one of the best US states for life, because the salaries here are appropriate. Average salary ranges from $60,000 to $90 000 per year depending on the city of residence.
Read also : Features of life in Los Angeles for Russians
Florida
Florida is one of the most comfortable states to live in
Statistics show that more than 6,000 people move to Florida every day. This is not at all surprising, because this is one of the most comfortable and best states for living. Here, taxes are low, rent is relatively inexpensive, and real estate costs several times lower than in California. There is no income tax in Florida, and you can also profitably invest in housing. Now the demand for it is growing. And this means that in the future housing can be profitably sold or rented out.
In the largest cities of the state – Orlando, Miami and Tampa – the sector of finance, logistics, real estate and insurance is developed. Miami is one of the most popular resorts in America, and Orlando is home to the largest Disneyland in the states. The diverse infrastructure and warm climate attract many people who want to call Florida their home. nine0005
Education
Florida is considered one of the best states in the US to live, not only because of the warm climate all year round and unique nature reserves. Education here is also one of the best. Especially this state is suitable for those who want to get an education in the field of engineering and technology. But in other specialties, you can also find worthy universities here. Florida universities are notable for their unconventional approach to education. It implements the latest training protocols, develops technologies and conducts research. Among the most prestigious are the University of Florida in Gainesville and the University of Miami in Miami.
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Read also: The Work and Travel USA program – what it is and how to use it
Real estate and salaries
The average cost of a private house in Florida, according to experts, is $241,000 dollars. Some mistakenly believe that real estate here is very expensive. But in fact, in Florida you can find decent housing for $150,000 and $10,000,000. For those who agree to live outside the center and do not need hundreds of square meters, the cost of an apartment will not be more expensive than in Moscow. At the same time, the average salary ranges from $60,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on the city of residence. nine0011
New York
This state can be considered the best place to live because it is the economic and industrial center of the United States. New York State is not only the largest US metropolis that never sleeps, but also quieter and more measured towns like Rochester, Albany or Syracuse.
By the way, from its northern side, the state overlooks the incredibly picturesque “Great Lakes”, which are a real paradise compared to the noisy and fast “Big Apple”. nine0005
Read also : What professions will be relevant in the future
Education
In New York, not only in the city, but also in the state itself, there are some of the best universities and liberal arts colleges in the United States. The undisputed leader of the rankings is Columbia University, which is located in the very center of Manhattan. Others include NYU, Fordham University, Pace University, as well as the Juilliard School for Musicians and the Parsons School for Designers. After graduating from one of these educational institutions, the doors of any company, theater or studio in America are opened to students. nine0005
New York State also hosts prestigious universities, such as Cornell University, another Ivy Leaguer, in Ithaca.
In Rochester you will find an excellent private university, the University of Rochester in Rochester. and in the towns of Clinton, Poughkeepsie, and Saratoga Springs, the liberal arts colleges Hamilton, Vassar, and Skidmore College.
Real estate and salaries
The cost of real estate in New York is growing every year with a constant progression, which means that such an investment will definitely be profitable. If we consider buying and renting, then, as statistics show, the latter will be much more profitable. Demand for rental housing is always higher than for purchase. On average, renting an apartment can cost you between $1,700 and $3,000, depending on the number of rooms and location. The average salary in New York is around $79000 per year, but university graduates typically earn $90,000 or more per year.
When choosing a state to live in the US, you need to start from personal preferences: pay attention to the climate, study the infrastructure, look carefully at career opportunities. If you are going to start your immigration journey by entering a US university, carefully study the educational and funding opportunities in each state.
For a good undergraduate list of universities, book a consultation with Study America educator, Berkeley California alumnus Krista Wright. Krista has been helping students get into American universities for over 10 years and will be able to find ones that will give you funding. nine0005
To sign up for a consultation with Krista, please follow the link : https://study-america.org/consult-kristawright
Our expert Ksenia Guseva will help you create a personalized list of universities for masters and graduate students. Ksenia entered the magistracy at Duke and Boston University, but decided to send her to the University of Toronto. During the consultation, Ksenia will carefully study your area of interest, analyze all preferences and help you find those universities that will fully meet your career ambitions and life plans. nine0005
You can sign up for a consultation with Ksenia at the link : https://study-america.org/consult-ksenia-guseva
Read also:
Information for students of different grades
8-9
I’m in 8th or 9th grade
10-11
I’m in high school
Hello! It’s good that you looked at our page. Perhaps you are already thinking about how great it would be to study in the USA? It’s time to find out what it takes! The sooner you start moving towards your goal, the more likely you are to achieve it. nine0133
After completing the seventh grade, you can become a member of one of our programs. We will be waiting for you! But that doesn’t mean you have to sit back! There are many things you can do right now to prepare for the launch.
EducationUSA Russia would be delighted to be your guide to the world of US higher education. We are convinced that studying in America is an incredible opportunity and perspective. Not only will you become an excellent professional, but you will also become fluent in English! In addition, you will have invaluable experience of living in another country. nine0005
First, you need to do well in school. It may sound trite and everyone says so, but think about the fact that you are not studying for grades, but for the sake of a wonderful future in which you are a student at an American university, perhaps one of the most famous in the world. It’s worth it to start doing homework, right?
Second, you need to learn English! After all, it is on it that your future training in the USA will take place! And thirdly, we advise you to lead an active lifestyle! Use all available opportunities to get new experience in what interests you. You can become a volunteer and help others, you can play sports or be creative. Do not forget about books – this is the most affordable way to expand your horizons and learn what others do not know. Learn to be the best! nine0005
Be sure to discuss your plans for studying in the US with your parents. Their support will be very important along the way! Tune in to the fact that a lot of time and effort will be devoted to preparing for future admission. Starting from the 8th grade, we will be waiting for you at our programs, but for now you can explore the rest of the site! We have prepared a lot of interesting and useful information for you.
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Are you a student in grades 8-9?
We are glad to see you on our page! It is very similar to the fact that you are already thinking about your future. Maybe you still don’t know who you want to become and in which country you plan to continue your education, but you are already one hundred percent sure that you want to be a great specialist, earn good money and live a bright, eventful life. nine0133
What do you need to become a student of one of the US universities?
First, you need an excellent certificate and really strong knowledge of the subjects. So now you need to spend more time studying. Try to improve those grades that you are dissatisfied with.
Secondly, you must know English well! So keep improving your language level.
Besides, be active, be interested in new things! This will also come in handy when applying, because US universities take into account not only your grades, but also extracurricular achievements. Sports, art, volunteering… Choose what is closer to you and spend your free time with benefit! Do not forget about books – this is the most affordable way to expand your horizons and learn what others do not know. Learn to be the best! nine0005
And, finally, the main component of success is understanding WHAT, HOW and WHEN to take in order to enter one of the American universities. On the EducationUSA Russia website, you will find specific tools that will help you figure it out. Participate in our programs, they will lead you in the shortest way to successful admission to the university of your dreams!
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Are you a 10-11 grade student?
School is coming to an end, and very soon your life will change, because you will make all the important decisions on your own. Probably, you came to our page because you think about your future: you decide in which country you will continue your studies, which university and which specialty you will enter. We will try to help you make a decision. On our website you will find all the necessary information about education in the USA! nine0133
Your chances of getting into your desired US university are best if you apply for admission while you are in your senior year of high school, that is, in the fall of your 11th grade.
Pay attention to the necessary components of success:
– Excellent certificate and really strong knowledge of the subjects! If for some reason this is not possible, remember that high scores in TOEFL, SAT, SAT Subject or ACT
– Perfect English can save the situation! Study on your own or under the guidance of experienced teachers, find conversational English clubs in your city. There are many possibilities, choose the one that suits you best. nine0005
Extracurricular achievements! Be active, be interested in new things! This will also come in handy when applying, because US universities take into account not only your grades. Sports, art, volunteering… Choose what is closer to you and spend your free time with benefit! Do not forget about books – this is the most affordable way to expand your horizons and learn what others do not know. Learn to be the best!
– Admission Information! To do this, participate in programs from EducationUSA Russia, they will lead you in the shortest way to successful admission to the university of your dreams! nine0005
If you are already in the 11th grade and you are afraid that you will not have enough time to prepare, consider taking a gap year – a year of break between school and university. Some high school students make such a responsible decision in order to prepare well for entering the USA and plan their time wisely.
And most importantly, don’t worry if you still haven’t decided who you want to be. This will not interfere with the preparation for admission to US universities! You can enter American universities without choosing a specialty, and you can decide on a profession by the beginning of the third year. However, during your studies, you will have time to do much more for your future if by the first semester you still know your direction: business, natural or engineering sciences, design and architecture, social sciences or another. nine0005
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About us
EducationUSA Russia is the official source for information on higher education in the United States.
4500
accredited universities
1700
universities have master’s and postgraduate programs
25
years of experience Our consultants have over 30 years of experience and know how to help Russian students understand the variety of choices and become students of American universities. Most importantly, they will help you and answer your questions, regardless of which Russian city you live in. nine0005
It is important to know that in the US there is no single state official university ranking. This means that in any of the states you can find excellent accredited (you can check accreditation here) educational institutions that will be leaders in one direction or another and will be able to offer you such unique programs that you will not find in other universities.
The choice of an educational institution should be approached very carefully. You have to like the state itself, the climate, the location of the campus. nine0005
If you like the pace of a big city, pay attention to urban campus – campuses of colleges and universities located in large cities, and if you prefer the regularity of country life, choose rural campus or suburban campus – campuses that are located in nature.
Finding the location of the university is very important, but it is much more important to find a university where students are interested in the same things as you. Such a university will definitely appreciate your achievements and want you to study with them without fail. nine0005
EducationUSA Russia will teach you how to understand the diversity of American educational institutions and will help you on your way to your dream.
There is still time – develop yourself, learn to think, train the necessary skills. Do not forget that in order to enter the United States in the future, you need to study and improve your English right now.
How is the education system in America?
What is the American school like? What are the types of educational institutions? What exams do I need to take, how do I choose a university? You will find answers to all these questions below! nine0005
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US schools are different from Russian ones
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Secondary education in the US consists of three levels
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Grades in the US are both numbers and letters!
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When applying to American universities, you must pass tests
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In the USA, all colleges are divided into 2-year and 4-year ones
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In the US higher education system there are two levels:
First, American students study for 12 years, not 11, as we do. nine0005
Secondly, in the USA there is no single standard for schools, there is a curriculum in the most general form, and each school decides everything else for itself. What textbooks to take, how and how many hours to teach a particular subject, what additional classes to include in the schedule – all this is at the discretion of the educational institution. And this means that American schools are distinguished by an incredible variety of programs and teaching methods!
Interestingly, some disciplines in the natural sciences are not required to be studied in American schools, such as physics or biology. However, it is quite possible to enter a university to study these sciences if you pass special tests well and demonstrate knowledge of the necessary disciplines. nine0005
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Elementary school starts at the age of 5-6. At this age, kids, as in Russia, learn to read, write, count, and also go in for drawing, music and sports. Then at the age of 11-12 comes the time of middle school – middle school. All schoolchildren study mathematics, history, natural sciences and English, in addition, there are elective disciplines, for example, foreign languages. In high school, which starts at the age of 14, there is a choice: students decide for themselves what they will study (except for some compulsory subjects). This imposes even greater responsibility, because now students independently and with the help of school consultants form their own schedule, choose exactly those subjects that are interesting to them and necessary for their future studies at the university, and therefore for their future careers. nine0005
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In educational institutions: both in schools and universities, they use a letter grading system from A to F. A is “five”, F, respectively, “one”. For each grade, except for F, the teacher can add + or -. Intermediate grades are put “in letters”, and the average score of the certificate is calculated in numbers. Most universities invite applicants to study, whose average school score is not lower than 2.7 (the maximum average score is 4. 0). For American students, their final grades are very important, because a high GPA in high school significantly increases the chance of being accepted into a prestigious university. nine0005
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One of them is the TOEFL English test, which shows whether the level of English is high enough for the applicant to be able to successfully study in this language. Another standard test – SAT or ACT – determines the degree of development of skills necessary for studying at a higher education institution. These are reading comprehension skills, analysis skills, and argumentative writing skills. When planning admission, you can independently choose which test you will prepare for, and then take it – SAT or ACT. For American universities, they are equivalent. Grades in the certificate are also important, because they show how good knowledge of the subjects the future student has. nine0005
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A special place among them is occupied by two-year colleges with the word community in their names. Community Colleges offer a wide variety of majors, have lower entry requirements, and cost less than four-year bachelor’s degrees. Each Community College has a partnership with a sufficiently large number of universities (these can be 4-year universities or colleges) to which you can transfer after graduating from a 2-year college and complete your studies with a bachelor’s degree. Four-year universities are represented by private or public universities. nine0005
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Undergraduate programs are available to those who have graduated from high school and are striving for a bachelor’s degree. Community Colleges are included in this first stage of higher education. After 2 years of study, the graduate receives an associate degree, then transfers to a 4-year educational institution and completes his studies for another 2 years. To get a bachelor’s degree, you need to unlearn a total of 4 years (Bologna system) and gain a certain number of academic credits (120 – 130) – credits in subjects. nine0005
Graduate Programs is suitable for those who already have a bachelor’s degree and intend to improve their educational level or become a subspecialist in some direction. Graduate Schools also offer Ph.D. for those who want to become a research scientist. Apply for a Ph.D. programs are available with a bachelor’s degree.
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How do students live in the USA?
We only know about the extracurricular life of students in the USA from films. nine0012 Where do they live? Where do they have lunch? How do they spend their free time?
What is an American university?
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A university in America is not just a stand-alone building
02
There is no official ranking of universities in America
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Student safety is a priority for US universities University
05
Teachers are interested in students’ success
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Extra-curricular life of students in the USA is full of events
This is a whole complex (campus), which has libraries, a gym, computer laboratories. All of this can be used. Be sure to have a hospital (not just a first-aid post). The cost of education includes everything, including accommodation on campus in comfortable hostels. You must choose a university thoroughly: you must like the state itself, and the climate, and the cuisine, and the place where the campus is located. If you like the pace of a big city, you should pay attention to urban campus – college and university campuses located in large cities, and if the relaxed pace of country life is closer, you should consider rural campus – campuses located in nature. nine0005
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This means that in all states you can find really excellent and, importantly, accredited (you can check the accreditation here) educational institutions where your child will develop under the guidance of very strong teachers.
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There is a stereotype that American universities are located in unsafe and criminal areas. This is fundamentally wrong. Most colleges and universities are located in calm and quiet places where everything is conducive to comfortable study. Student safety is very important for US educational institutions – all campuses, residences and city buildings are guarded around the clock. nine0005
As regards the observance of the rights and interests of foreign students, in America this is at the highest level. Every university where foreigners study has a department for working with international students. You will receive information support on education, career development, housing, finances and health, as well as, if necessary, you will be provided with specialized psychological assistance to facilitate the process of adaptation.
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American universities usually provide their students with a hostel, where they try to provide the most comfortable conditions. Most university residences are modern residential buildings, fully equipped with furniture and new appliances. Students can live in single rooms or in rooms for several people, and residences usually have a friendly and safe environment. By the way, students living in a hostel can use the university bus, which takes them to study for free! If for some reason the hostel option does not suit you, you can always rent an apartment on your own or with another student. nine0005
Meals in the US are usually included in the cost of living. On the territory of the university there is a canteen, as well as a cafe where you can buy something extra for yourself from food or just have a good time between classes. Contrary to stereotypes about unhealthy American food, many students choose healthy and balanced nutrition
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In American universities, teachers are like teachers in school: they are not distant carriers of knowledge, but active participants in the learning process. It is important for them that students show good results, so they try to make learning interesting and effective.