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High-Dosage Virtual Tutoring Bolsters Literacy Skills in Young Readers In a groundbreaking revelation, young children in the process of learning to read have demonstrated remarkable advancements following their participation in an intensive virtual tutoring program. These findings, unveiled today, appear to challenge established notions about the most effective methods to enhance academic performance. The program, known as OnYourMark, is specifically designed for students who faced significant difficulties in adapting to remote learning during the pandemic. Astonishingly, the research was conducted by experts who traditionally advocate for in-person tutoring, making these results all the more surprising. The study, conducted across 12 elementary schools in Texas within the Uplift Education charter network, revealed that more than 1,000 students in grades K-2 who participated in the OnYourMark program outperformed their peers on literacy assessments. This translated into significant gains, with kindergarteners showing an extra 26 days of progress in letter sounds and first graders gaining 55 extra days in decoding skills when working with a dedicated tutor. Second graders did not experience the same level of improvement. Although virtual tutoring proved somewhat less effective than in-person instruction, this model could represent a breakthrough for schools in rural areas and those encountering difficulties in recruiting tutors. Many school districts have faced challenges in their pandemic recovery efforts due to the scarcity of qualified educators or volunteers. Research by Loeb and others has revealed that only a fraction of students in need take advantage of on-demand virtual tutoring programs. OnYourMark Education, a nonprofit organization, differs significantly from the virtual models that were traditionally criticized by researchers like Loeb. This program is available four times a week during regular school hours and employs tutors who undergo training in the science of reading, including college students, retired educators, and those with experience in other virtual tutoring companies. When the program was initially piloted with Uplift, Sjoblom had concerns about whether tutors could build strong relationships with young children remotely. The program's format was adjusted to 20-minute sessions, allowing tutors to engage in informal conversations with students before focusing on decoding and fluency, which proved to be more effective. Currently, OnYourMark serves 22 schools across seven states, with plans to expand its reach further. The nonprofit received $250,000 in funding from Accelerate, an organization supporting effective tutoring programs, and is a semifinalist for the Yass Prize, a $1 million award recognizing successful education providers. Susanna Loeb's team employed two widely used assessments, Dynamic Indicators of Basic Literacy Skills (DIBELS) and MAP Reading Fluency from NWEA , to assess the program's impact. The results showed that kindergarteners assigned to OnYourMark recognized 3.5 more letter sounds per minute compared to students without tutoring, and first graders displayed improvements in sound mastery and decoding skills. Although the one-on-one model yielded the strongest results, the program remained effective when students worked in pairs with a tutor, making it a practical option in cases where staffing challenges exist. The outcomes among second graders were less significant, attributed to their delayed exposure to foundational skills due to the pandemic's impact. Despite the challenges, achieving these results with a startup program is indeed impressive. Future research will focus on identifying the specific skills that tutors should emphasize when working with second and third graders. OnYourMark effectively meets the needs of the Uplift network, offering tutoring for younger students, who are often overlooked by many tutoring companies that primarily target higher grade levels. This initiative provides support to a high-poverty population that may not have access to private tutoring, thus ensuring young readers receive the assistance they require. Ultimately, this program has been integrated into the school day, underscoring its high priority in educational support.

Teachers, despite being among the most highly educated professionals in the nation, are experiencing a pronounced decline in their earnings. On average, their income lags significantly behind that of similarly educated workers, a trend that has persisted since 2010. While over 95% of elementary, middle, and high school teachers hold at least a bachelor's degree, their full-time, year-round earnings in 2019 were $53,800 for elementary and middle school teachers and $57,840 for high school teachers, both falling short of the earnings of their similarly educated counterparts in other fields: Biological scientists ($69,880) Urban and regional planners ($79,790) Physical therapists ($81,580) Statisticians ($96,320) Even among those teachers who furthered their education with a graduate degree, their earnings still trailed behind those of equally educated professionals: Elementary and middle school teachers ($61,130) High school teachers ($64,340) Both newer and more experienced teachers faced the earnings disparity when compared to their similarly educated peers. For instance, teachers' income was surpassed by the following professionals, many of whom also possess graduate degrees: Judicial law clerks ($77,960) Biological scientists ($76,260) Geoscientists and hydrologists ($111,100) Moreover, teachers' earnings were lower than occupations with a significantly lower percentage of advanced degrees, such as: Human resources workers (19.4% with a graduate degree; $77,430) Accountants and auditors (27.4% with a graduate degree; $84,050) Registered nurses (12.6% with a graduate degree; $82,210) The earnings gap persisted across age groups, impacting both younger teachers (aged 25-34) and older/middle-aged teachers (aged 55-64) with at least a bachelor's degree. The earnings disparity is evident for both male and female teachers, although women bear the brunt of it, given their higher representation in the teaching profession—comprising 80% of elementary and middle school full-time teachers and 56% of high school teachers. Notably, teaching stands as the second-most common occupation among women in 2019, second only to nursing. What's particularly alarming is that while median earnings for most full-time, year-round workers have rebounded since the Great Recession, teachers have experienced a continued decline in their earnings. Median earnings for all full-time, year-round workers increased by 2.6% since 2010, reaching $50,078 in 2019 dollars. In contrast, elementary and middle school teachers saw an 8.4% decrease in their median earnings, dropping from $57,180 to $52,368 in 2019 dollars. High school teachers also faced a decline of 4.4%, decreasing from $59,529 to $57,033. With nearly 3 million full-time teachers, they constitute 6.7% of the total college-educated, full-time workforce and 9.8% of workers holding a graduate degree. The statistics emphasize that the return on investment for teachers pursuing higher education is notably lower than in many other professions. The data presented in this report draw from the American Community Survey and detailed tables. An interactive data visualization, available below, allows users to explore and compare teachers' earnings with those in various occupations. It enables users to examine median earnings for workers with different levels of educational attainment and specific demographic groups, including men, women, and age categories. For occupations like teaching, where at least 90% of workers possess at least a bachelor's degree, the visualization also provides insight into the change in median earnings from 2010 to 2019.

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Pythagorean Theorem: Possibly the Bablyonian Theorem? The Pythagorean Theorem, which is often associated with Pythagoras, is actually documented on an ancient Babylonian clay tablet known as IM 67118, predating Pythagoras by more than a millennium. This tablet, believed to be used for instructional purposes, dates back to 1770 BCE, centuries before Pythagoras' birth around 570 BCE. In another tablet from approximately 1800-1600 BCE, there are inscribed squares with labeled triangles inside. These inscriptions, using the base 60 counting system employed by ancient Babylonians, reveal their knowledge of the principles that would later be known as the Pythagorean theorem, albeit without that specific name. Mathematician Bruce Ratner, in a paper on the subject, concludes, "The Babylonians knew the relationship between the length of the diagonal of a square and its side: d=square root of 2. This was probably the first number known to be irrational. However, this, in turn, means that they were familiar with the Pythagorean Theorem – or, at the very least, with its special case for the diagonal of a square (d2 = a2 + a2 = 2a2) – more than a thousand years before the great sage for whom it was named." So, why is the theorem attributed to Pythagoras? The lack of surviving original writings from Pythagoras himself plays a role. Our knowledge of him is primarily passed down through others, particularly the Pythagoreans, a group connected to the school he established in what is now southern Italy, known as the Semicircle of Pythagoras. While this school was secretive, the knowledge gained there or developed was disseminated and often ascribed to Pythagoras himself. "One reason for the rarity of Pythagoras' original sources was that Pythagorean knowledge was passed on from one generation to the next by word of mouth, as writing material was scarce," Ratner explained. "Moreover, out of respect for their leader, many of the discoveries made by the Pythagoreans were attributed to Pythagoras himself; this would account for the term ‘Pythagoras' Theorem’." Although Pythagoras didn't originate the theory, his school played a pivotal role in popularizing it, and it remained associated with his name for millennia to come.

With college application deadlines looming, parents and high-school seniors face a dilemma. The federal financial-aid process's shifting timeline adds uncertainty to an already challenging decision-making process. Explore options and expert advice on managing college applications and financial aid in these uncertain times.

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Unveiling the Magic of CVC Words: A Fundamental Building Block in Reading and Writing CVC words, or Consonant-Vowel-Consonant words, play a pivotal role in early literacy development. These three-letter words form the foundation of reading and writing, making them an essential part of any beginner's language journey. In this article, we'll explore the significance of CVC words and provide a list of common examples to aid educators, parents, and young learners. What Are CVC Words? CVC words are simple words comprised of three primary components: Consonant (C): The first letter in a CVC word is a consonant. Consonants are the speech sounds produced when airflow is obstructed in the vocal tract. Examples include "b," "c," "d," and "f." Vowel (V): Following the consonant, there is a vowel. Vowels are speech sounds produced without any significant obstruction of airflow. Examples include "a," "e," "i," "o," and "u." Consonant (C): Finally, another consonant follows the vowel to complete the CVC word. The Significance of CVC Words: CVC words are the stepping stones that young learners use to unlock the world of reading and writing. Here's why they are so important: Phonemic Awareness: CVC words help children develop phonemic awareness, which is the ability to recognize and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in words. This skill is crucial for reading and spelling. Decoding Skills: Learning CVC words provides a strong foundation for decoding unfamiliar words. Once children grasp the CVC pattern, they can apply it to new words they encounter. Fluency Development: CVC words are often introduced early because they are easy to sound out. This helps young readers build fluency and gain confidence in their reading abilities. Building Vocabulary: Many common words, including nouns and verbs, follow the CVC pattern. Mastering CVC words expands a child's vocabulary. Examples of CVC Words: Here's a list of CVC words that you can use for teaching and practice: bat cat dog pen map sit bug top hop run How to Teach CVC Words: Teaching CVC words can be an engaging and interactive process. Here are some strategies: Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with CVC words and pictures to reinforce the connection between letters and sounds. Word Families: Teach CVC words within word families (e.g., -at, -an, -ig) to show patterns and facilitate learning. Games: Engage children in games like "Word Bingo" or "CVC Word Scavenger Hunt" to make learning fun. Read Aloud: Choose books with CVC words to read aloud, helping children see these words in context. Writing Practice: Encourage writing CVC words by providing worksheets and tracing activities. Phonics Apps: Use educational apps designed for phonics and CVC word practice. In Conclusion: CVC words are the cornerstone of early literacy. By mastering these simple words, young learners build the skills needed to become confident readers and writers. Whether you're an educator, a parent, or a young learner yourself, CVC words are a critical part of the exciting journey into the world of language. Remember that learning CVC words should be a positive and enjoyable experience. Through creative teaching methods and practice, learners can quickly grasp the magic of CVC words and set a solid foundation for their language skills.