Sunday, October 1, 2023 | 
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Nicole Shepard

Massive open online courses, or MOOCs, make it possible for many people to go to school who previously thought they didn't have the time or money to.
Education
With so many free and cheap online courses now available, anyone can go back to school
With so many free and cheap online courses available, anyone can go back to school.
By Nicole Shepard
Sleep deprivation has become so prevalent around the nation that many think an extra hour or two of sleep will improve grades.
U.S. & World
Why Zzz’s get degrees: The case for later school start times
Researchers found what students already knew, that school starts too early.
By Nicole Shepard
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U.S. & World
A new way to prevent date rape
NCSU students develop new date-rape drug detection device.
By Nicole Shepard
Teacher Talking To Elementary Pupils In Classroom
U.S. & World
For the first time in American history, non-Hispanic whites will be outnumbered in public schools
Educators and administrators of public schools face new challenges as the demographics shift away from a white majority.
By Nicole Shepard
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Education
The costs of back to school are increasing for parents
Back to school costs are getting steeper every year
By Nicole Shepard
Gym class could save sixth graders from depression.
Family
This class may be the key to lowering depression in middle school
Adding focused cardiovascular fitness into sixth graders’ gym class and recess can help stave off depression during adolescence.
By Nicole Shepard
alarm clock
U.S. & World
How to get last-minute college financial aid
Here’s three ways to pay your college tuition.
By Nicole Shepard
Saving money now and knowing your costs can be simple steps to saving for retirement.
Family Life
6 ways to prepare for retirement
6 steps to remove the dread of retirement planning.
By Nicole Shepard
How early is too early to teach children sex ed?
Education
Should sex ed begin earlier?
Georgetown research shows that sex education for prepubescents better prevents STDs, unwanted pregnancy and risky abortions.
By Nicole Shepard
It turns out students are actually eating healthier lunches, according to a new study.
U.S. & World
Healthy lunches may be winning over students
New research shows an upswing in healthy school lunch consumption among middle- and elementary-schoolers.
By Nicole Shepard
School's just around the corner and it's time for kids to sharpen their math schools.
Family
6 ways to sharpen your child’s math skills this summer
Keep your kids from falling behind in math this summer by using these everyday activities.
By Nicole Shepard
College students read in the library.
Education
How much is your diploma worth? Money magazine creates a new college ranking system
Money magazine created a unique college ranking system to rival US News and World Report’s traditional list.
By Nicole Shepard
Children read books together in class. A new study found that fourth and fifth graders really need more reading instruction that people once thought.
Family
Symbolic meaning: Your fourth grader needs more reading instruction
New study finds that fourth and fifth graders need more reading instruction than previously believed.
By Nicole Shepard
More than 60 percent of students are disadvantaged, according to their principals.
Family
You think your student is well off? The principal doesn’t
A survey of 29 countries found that American principals think that more than 60 percent of students are disadvantaged, which may harm education quality.
By Nicole Shepard
A student studies hard to complete graduation requirements.
Family
In high school, higher standards lead to higher dropout rates
The high school class of 2014 saw more dropouts than that of 2013 because of new exit exams and course requirements.
By Nicole Shepard
A teen remains puzzled as he tries to figure out his finances.
Education
Most American high schoolers don’t know how to manage money
New research puts American teens at the lower end of the spectrum for financial literacy. Research sparks debate over education reform.
By Nicole Shepard
In this May 1, 2012 photo, teacher Kayla Morrow writes on a board as she leads an Advanced Placement government class at the Academy for College and Career Exploration in Baltimore. In May 2012, 2 million students will take 3.7 million end-of-year AP exam
Family
Are Advanced Placement courses worth it?
AP classes have endured scrutiny over the last few years, causing students, parents and admissions officers to ask if they’re still worth it.
By Nicole Shepard
Children who don"™t exercise their brains during the summer months may suffer from "summer slide" "” returning to school knowing less than before they left. However, understanding how and why summer slide happens can ameliorate its impact.
Family
Stay smart: 3 ways to academically engage your kids this summer
Summer is prime time for kids to slip behind in reading, math and science. Here are some ways to help prevent that.
By Nicole Shepard
Special needs children are being left behind as a result of Common Core standards neglecting them, some say.
Family
Common Core accused of leaving special-needs students behind
Special-education students fall behind at an unprecedented rate since the widespread implementation of Common Core standards.
By Nicole Shepard
It's an easy trap to fall into and it looks like grade inflation is a growing trend.
U.S. & World
Why grade inflation is likely here to stay
Four adjunct professors come forward as the culprits behind grade inflation.
By Nicole Shepard
A mother assists her son with an assignment. Studies are reporting that it may not be useful for parents to help their children with homework.
U.S. & World
To help or not to help: The homework question
New research runs against the grain of popular belief, saying that helping your kids with homework is detrimental to their education.
By Nicole Shepard
LaRue Urquhart teaches her Spanish Class at Bingham High and is among 7 Utah teachers to achieve master teacher status through National Board Certification, which many consider on par with a doctorate.
Education
The answer to better schools in America is better teachers
Education reformers are asking for the U.S. to follow the teacher qualifications found in Finland and Singapore.
By Nicole Shepard
Vanya Shivashankar, fourth from right, 13, of Olathe, Kan., and Gokul Venkatachalam, right, 14, of St. Louis, are greeted onstage by their families as co-champions after winning the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, Thursday, May 28, 2015, at N
Education
How texting can help your child become a Spelling Bee star
Studies from the U.K. and Tasmania show that the more creative “text speak” children use while texting, the better they perform on spelling and grammar tests.
By Nicole Shepard
Republican Reps. Glen Casada of Franklin and Rick Womick of Murfreesboro confer on the House floor at the state Capitol in Nashville, Tenn., on Tuesday, April 15, 2014, after the chamber approved Gov. Bill Haslam's bill to grant free tuition to community
Education
Tennessee looks to prevent ‘sticker shock’ in higher ed by offering first two years free
Tennessee is the first state in the U.S. to offer free college credit through the state’s community colleges to its high school grads.
By Nicole Shepard
Programs which emphasize less lecture time and more outside of class learning are more enriching for students.
Family
No lectures or tests spurs ranking of ‘best’ teacher education program
According to US News & World Report, an education program with no in-class time took the top spot.
By Nicole Shepard
A plus grade in the notebook
Family
Give them an A: Research shows why starting with an A grade is better for students than earning it
Research says that it may be time to change the traditional grading system, saying students will work harder to maintain a good grade that to try to earn one.
By Nicole Shepard
In this Saturday, May 31, 2014 photo, the Starbucks logo is seen at one of the company's coffee shops in downtown Chicago. Starbucks is announcing a new program to help its baristas earn an online degree. The company is partnering with Arizona State Unive
Education
Starbucks offers free college education to thousands of employees
Starbucks redesigns tuition reimbursement plan to better serve its employees.
By Nicole Shepard
Chris Boston looks over a screen shot on his computer of the phony Facebook account that was set up in his daughter Alex's name Thursday, April 26, 2012, at their home in Acworth, Ga. The Boston family this month filed a libel lawsuit claiming two classma
Education
New curriculum helps prevent bullying while creating socially aware citizens
A new program teaches kids to be civically minded while teaching them skills to cope with and prevent bullying.
By Nicole Shepard
A student sits alone at a desk in a hallway. Research shows zero-tolerance programs like detention or suspension is more likely to land a child in a juvenile detention center.
U.S. & World
Zero-tolerance behavior policies in schools prove harmful, study says
Further research shows that zero-tolerance programs are more likely to land a child in the juvenile justice system than programs that encourage better learning environments.
By Nicole Shepard
Eighth-grade Boyle County Middle School Science classes watches a plastic bottle launch, Monday, June 2, 2014., outside near Boyle County Middle School in Danville, Ky. The students were learning about Newton's Second Law of Motion. The rockets were made
Family
Middle school on repeat: Why some parents want their children to take 8th grade twice
With mounting pressure to impress universities, parents are choosing to have their middle schoolers repeat the eighth grade.
By Nicole Shepard
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