Foreign language study urged for school kids
The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages recommends students have the opportunity to learn another language as early as possible in grade school.
"Research corroborates additional benefits, including strengthening of literacy in students' first language, raising standardized test scores in other subject areas and developing comfort with cultural differences," according to a statement by the council.
The American Educational Research Association examined the "earlier is better" approach to language education last spring and concluded:
For more information, go to www.aera.net, the American Educational Research Association site.
Source: Gannett News Service
CHECK ELIGIBILITY ONLINE
HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS PREP FOR FEDERAL AID
A new online tool aims to to help families prepare financially for college before a student's senior year of high school.
Called the FAFSA4caster, it provides high school juniors with an early estimate of their eligibility for federal financial aid, which could include a Pell Grant of up to $4,310, based on financial need.
The FAFSA4caster is intended to simplify the financial aid process by calculating a student's eligibility for federal student aid, including grants, and reducing time needed to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA4caster allows for an easy transition to the online version of the federal application. The FAFSA4caster is available in both English and Spanish, at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Education
