NHEG EDGuide Magazine - February 2017

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CON TENTS 

Page 07 

Page 17 

Page 25 

Pamela Clark 

Page 35 

Founder/ Executive Director of 

The New Heights Educational Group 

Resource and Literacy Center 

NHEG PAGES 

COVER: 

The trees and 

the ground 

are covered in 

fresh white 

Chief Execuve & Project Director 

Pamela Clark 

Editor 

Bill Naugle 

Cover Designer 

Marina Klimi 

Proof Reader 

Pamela Unruh 

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February 2017 

There are so many exciting things going on within 

NHEG. From an all new website, new book, new 

volunteers, volunteers earning promotions, the CLT 

coming into our community thanks to our efforts, 

tickets to live productions, in special events. We 

have a lot to be thankful for. So this month I'm 

looking forward to the year ahead with excitement 

and thankfulness. 

Pamela Clark 

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Ever Dream of having your own Radio Show ? 

New Heights Educational Group is a Resource and Literacy Center based in 

Defiance, Ohio. We share a concern with families having access to information for 

those with special needs, including Autism. 

We offer live internet radio shows to discuss various educational topics and we are 

looking for a VOLUNTEER to host a half-hour radio show. We would give the 

necessary training and the volunteer can choose the time of the show 

on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. Anyone interested in applying 

please email us at NewHeightsEducation@yahoo.com or call 419-786- 

0247 for more info. You can learn more about us by visiting our website 

www.NewHeightsEducation.org 

Please support our library and 

satellite office at: 

gofundme.com/9z4paprw 

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Exciting news: our new book titled, 

"Unraveling Reading" 

UNRAVELING READING 

Unraveling Reading is a book in response to the difficulties of reading and writing 

skills faced by children, youth and adults. The book presents strategies and guidelines of 

pedagogical activities that can be developed and applied in school environment or in the 

homeschooling approach. 

The differential of this literature is the proposal of practices and educational activities 

based on different learning styles, which advocates that each individual possesses and presents 

a proper way of learning, which can be auditory, visual or kinesthetic. An individual can 

understand the learning content solely from a style or by a mixture of them. The better strategy 

of learning will depend on how the brain captures and processes the information better, for 

example: 

· Visual learners: learning is developed more easily when the student can visualize the 

knowledge through images, images with words, pictures, engravings, graphics, abstracts in 

handouts and other materials where it’s possible to learn visually. 

· Kinesthetic learners: also known as tactile learners, these students better apprehend the 

knowledge when they can touch or feel when learning. As a teaching technique, the educator 

can apply activities in which the child can touch the materials and experiment with different 

textures and formats. 

· Auditory learners: knowledge is better absorbed when the child has the opportunity to 

hear the content studied. This student can read texts or handouts in a loud voice as a learning 

strategy. 

The student can also present other learning styles, manifested through multiple 

intelligences distributed in the human brain. In this way reading and writing skills can be 

develop through academic activities that consider capacities and abilities in: 

o Spatial intelligence: learning is most effective through the use of images and pictures; 

o Musical intelligence: the knowledge is best absorbed when there is the use of sounds and 

music during the learning; 

o Linguistic intelligence: preference for using content in speech or writing in pedagogical 

activities; 

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(continued next page)

Exciting news: our new book titled, 

"Unraveling Reading" 

On Sale Now at amazon and kindle!!! 

(continued) 

o Kinesthetic intelligence: ability to use body movement to improve the knowledge of some content; 

o Logical-mathematical intelligence: preference to use calculations and numerical data to solve problems and 

improve strategies of study; 

o Interpersonal intelligence: facility to learn and study in groups. Ability to get along with the members of the 

class, managing to capture and administrate group ideas. 

o Intrapersonal intelligence: in this style of learning, the student demonstrates ease and interest in working 

alone, using a strategy like self-study. 

In addition, the book offer instructions on how to identify in the learning environment with special 

educational needs, as well as pedagogical tips for working with students with dyslexia and reading difficulties 

based on the Brain Gym technique. 

The Brain Gym approach, presents 26 movements that can be performed by children, youth and adults, 

with the aim to enhances the learning in a ludic and dynamic way, promoting new competencies, ways of 

thinking and improvements in the writing and reading processes. Body movement promotes the development 

of new brain connections and helps students with dyslexia cope with difficulties involving laterality, sequence, 

organization and concentration. 

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Ninth Grade: The Most Important Year in 

High School MICHELE WILLENS 

Freshman year is essenal in deciding whether a student drops out or stays in school. 

Educators are increasingly focusing on the ninth grade as the year that determines 

whether a young person will move on or drop out of school. According to research 

published in the journal Education, ninth graders have the lowest grade point average, 

the most missed classes, the majority of failing grades, and more misbehavior referrals 

than any other high-school grade level. Ninth grade has increasingly become a 

“bottleneck” for students: A joint report from Princeton University and the Brookings 

Institution found “in 1970, there were 3 percent fewer tenth graders than ninth graders; 

by 2000, that share had risen to 11 percent.” 

“More and more of us are realizing that it’s the make or break year for many 14- and 15- 

year-olds,” says Jon Zaff, director of the Center for Promise at Tufts University. “It’s a 

time when the cognitive, emotional, and physical are all coming together. The schools 

are likely new environments, and the students have more autonomy and more 

homework.” 

Not only are youths entering the intimidating institution that is high school, they are 

experiencing the usual adolescent angst and depending on poor decision-making skills. 

“Students entering high school—just at the time brains are in flux—still have the 

propensity to be impulsive and are prone to making mistakes,” says Washington D.C. 

psychoanalyst Dr. Linda Stern. “They are therefore experimental and trying to separate 

and might try substances that interfere with the normal developmental process. Put all 

that together with raging hormones, the normal academic pressures, and meeting a 

whole new group to be judged by.” 

When kids fall behind and have to repeat a grade, they can wind up in a vicious cycle of 

peer judgment and low self-esteem. “We are ending up with something now called the 

ninth-grade bulge,” explains Zaff, “which means a glut of students who have to repeat 

the grade So they are stigmatized socially as well as academically, which can also lead to 

their finding it easier to just give up.” 

While she doesn't deny that the ninth grade is a pivotal moment in a student’s education , 

Diane Ravitch, author of Reign of Error, has her suspicions about the motivations behind 

schools’ growing interest in ninth-grade performance. "Many schools allow students to 

advance ready or not, and when they reach the ninth the stakes are higher. The high-stakes 

testing starts in the tenth grade so kids are being held back not for their own sake but to 

protect their school’s statistics. If the focus were really on the students, people would be 

thinking creatively about how to help them instead of thinking if them as data points." 

(Continued Next Page) 

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(Continued From Previous Page) 


Educators are honing in on three indicators—attendance, behavior, and course 

performance—that are believed to be the most accurate measurements of a student’s 

likelihood to either quit school or move on. A lengthy, detailed guide from the National 

High School Center states that “more students fail ninth grade than any other grade in 

high school, and a disproportionate number of students who are held back in ninth 

grade subsequently drop out.” The guide describes telltale signs that can be detected 

as early as the first semester of the first year in high school: The biggest risk factor for 

failing ninth, for example, is the number of absences during the first 30 days. Missing 

more than 10 percent is cause for concern. In addition, first-year high-school students 

are classified as ‘on track’ if they earn at least five full year course credits, and have 

received no more than one F per semester. So to be ‘off track’? You do the math. 

High schools are working to use this information to keep students in school past the 

ninth grade. The Everyone Graduates Center at the Johns Hopkins School of 

Education recommends something called the Freshman Seminar for students in their 

first year of high school. The program offers learning materials and training specialists 

to aid students in study and social skills. Some students use it during homeroom or 

advisory periods, some during special enhancement periods. 

“We try to build some relevance into their experience to go along with the regular 

curriculum,” says Mary Maushard, communications director for the Everyone 

Graduates Center. “So many of these ninth graders—particularly in high-poverty 

areas—just don’t see any reason to stay in school.” 

There are signs that programs and administrators are getting through to high school 

freshmen. In Portland, Oregon, Self-Enhancement Inc.–which employs coordinators to 

oversee 30 high-risk students each, in 12 public schools—takes pride in a 98 percent 

high-school graduation rate for the students it works with. Goals are set for every 

student, and the aides are available 24/7 and serve as links between child and school, 

parent and school, and child and parent. 

“A lot of what we do is to prepare the students for the ninth grade,” says Self- 

Enhancement project manager Lisa Manning. “We make sure they have cultural 

activities that engage them and that they attend a six week-summer program for the 

academics before even starting.” 

New York City’s Flushing High School, one of the city's so-called “dropout factories,” 

now hosts a program designed to keep at-risk students in school. Initiated by the Sports 

and Arts In Schools Foundation, a non-profit that works to improve low-performing 

schools in the city, and sponsored by AT&T, the program brings in a support staff to 

encourage students to participate in after-school 

activities in athletics and the arts and to work closely (Continued Next Page) 

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with low-performing students throughout the school day. 

“Just by staying on top of the students who were considered to be in trouble 

academically, we’ve had tremendous success,” says Amir Sultan, a program manager 

for the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation. “Now, some 85 percent have moved on 

to the tenth grade. That’s not only double-digit improvement over previous numbers, but 

over the other students not in the program.” 

The answers seem to be coming, however gradually, and at least the right questions 

are being asked. “The main one is what does each of these potential dropouts in the 

ninth grade need as they make this big transition?” says Zaff. “It’s a time of great 

upheaval and great opportunity” with low-performing students throughout the school 

day. “Just by staying on top of the students who were considered to be in trouble 

academically, we’ve had tremendous success,” says Amir Sultan, a program manager 

for the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation. “Now, some 85 percent have moved on 

to the tenth grade. That’s not only double-digit improvement over previous numbers, but 

over the other students not in the program.” 

The answers seem to be coming, however gradually, and at least the right questions 

are being asked. “The main one is what does each of these potential dropouts in the 

ninth grade need as they make this big transition?” says Zaff. “It’s a time of great 

upheaval and great opportunity.” 

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Chad Stewart, former Disney animator and veteran home school dad, has been working in 

the feature animation world for 26 years. He began his career as an old fashioned handdrawing 

animator (flipping pages) and made the switch to digital/computer animation 

about 15 years ago. He is now an expert in both types of animation, which allows him to 

teach students about both aspects. This business has been a whole family venture 

involving not only Chad, but also his wife Kayla and their children, who work to support 

and grow this company. Students from all over the United States and around the world 

are learning how to animate and draw through interactive, patient teaching and weekly 

feedback on their creations. Whether you are interested in a career in animation some day 

or just want to explore this animation art form, come join us for classes – we’d love to 

have you! Next session begins January 30th! 

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Topics covered through the class: 

• The Principles of Animation 

• Hand Drawn animation 

• Computer Generated animation 

• Individual critiques of student work 

• Animation History 

Topics covered through the course: 

• Perspective 

• How to "See" 

• Texture 

• Line and Shape 

• Design 

• Light and Shadow 

• Silhouette 


• Weight and Balance 

• Basic human structure 

• Body language 

• Examining human walks and runs 

• Acng and Expression 

• Communicaon and the Face 

• Joint criques of student work 

• and much more 


• Character Expression 

• Shape and design 

• Personality 

• Gesture and moon 

• Structure: Skeletal and Muscular 

• Silhouee value 

• Creang a Character 

• and much more 

In the Animation Course Levels 1 & 2 the students are introduced to 

the concept of animation and physics, and applying that to animated 

motion and body mechanics. We learn how to do this through The 

Principles of Animation, ideas and concepts that were identified and 

written down by 2 of the original Disney Animators. Each week we 

will examine and explain one principle and then put it into practice 

as the student will have an assignment to create their own animation 

during the week (3-5 hours per week). Level 1 is required before Level 

2. Cost is $300 for the 12 week session. 

The Drawing Courses are aimed at introducing the different 

principles and techniques of drawing as an art form. The student 

will be introduced to the classic concepts of traditional drawing and 

how to use them to bring more life-like images to the page. These 

classes can be taken in any order. 

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DATELINE: The Ohio Department of Education 

The Ohio Department of Education is announcing that students with 

disabilities who take the Alternate Assessment for Students with 

Signiicant Cognitive Disabilities (AASCD), instead of the general Ohio 

State Tests, are exempt from the requirement that all 11th grade students 

participate in the ACT/SAT. This does not, however, prohibit a student 

with a signiicant cognitive disability from taking the ACT or SAT if the 

student and/or parent requests to participate in the test. 

The Ohio General Assembly passed Senate Bill 3 on Dec. 8, 2016, which 

provides for additional exemptions and requires the Department to 

provide guidance on test participation for certain student populations. 

(ORC 3301.0712). The Department will release additional guidance in the 

coming weeks. 

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It’s bigger than Groundhog’s Day! 

It’s bigger than Valentines Day! 

On February 1st, 2017, 

our new and Improved web site will be 

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Completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the single most 

important action you can take to get money for college. 

The FAFSA is used by schools to put together your financial aid package, including grants, work-study, federal student 

loans, and even state and school financial aid. 

If you’re applying for financial aid for academic year 2017–18, you can now submit your FAFSA starting October 

1, 2016, using your 2015 income tax return. 

Be sure to submit the FAFSA every year you’re in college. 

Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so know your deadlines and apply as early as you can to maximize 

your financial aid. 

For the most current information on this and other changes, be sure to visit studentaid.ed.gov. 

How to complete the FAFSA 

These three simple steps can make the process faster and easier. 

Step 1: Gather all the information you’ll need, including: 

· Your drivers’ license and Social Security number Your parents’ Social Security numbers and birthdates 

· Your family’s latest federal income tax returns W-2 forms 

· Bank statements Information on your family’s investments 

Step 2: Bookmark FAFSA.gov 

· Don’t fall for scams. The only site you should use to fill out and submit your application is FAFSA.gov. 

· There’s no charge for submitting the FAFSA. 

· This is where you get your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID; the user name and password give you access to the site. 

· The site also has the most up-to-date information on upcoming changes. 

Step 3: Submit your FAFSA 

· The easiest and fastest way is to file online with your FSA ID. Your application will be processed within 3-5 days. 

· You can mail in a paper application, but the processing time will take about 7-10 days. 

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NHEG’s Volunteer of the Month program recognizes the dedication and 

work of some of our most active volunteers. NHEG relies on volunteers to 

help with our education programs, our special events, public outreach, 

and other activities that help fulfill our mission of supporting literacy for 

children and adults by offering a range of educational support services. 

Contact us to learn more about volunteering. 

This month we recognize a special group of volunteers: those that have 

gone above and beyond what is needed in their everyday duties. NHEG is 

an all-volunteer organization. We have volunteers from all around the 

world! 

Mike Anderson 

Luyang Du 

Jyoti Dave 

Jyoti Khairnar 

Bill Naugle 

Maggie Spangler 

Pamela Unruh 

Roberta Perkins 

Sam Custer 

Kiyoko Green 

Robert Hall 

Khrista Cendana 

Victoria Lowery 

Priscilena Shearon 

Vanh Vue 

Savleen Grewal 

Shannon Williamson 

Kathryne Spangler 

Cuyler Spangler 

Briana Dincher 

Aditi Chopra 

Riya Chopra 

Daniela Silva 

Jon Aitken 

Marina Klimi 

Khrista-Cheryl Cendana 

Tanushree Tiwari 

Katie Gerken 

Nisha Zachariah 

Enjoli Baker 

Sathiyan Sivakumaran 

Antonn Bryant 

Jeff Ermoian 

Divya Rani 

Ranita Ashlock 

Frani Wyner 

Yanni Zack 

Bassey Arikpo 

Julia Doyle 

Robert Hall 

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Dear Fellow Homeschooler, 

Greetings! My name is Sheri Lang, and I homeschooled my three children 

from kindergarten through twelfth grade. During that time we were 

fortunate to have access to a local artist who gave art lessons to children and 

adults. One daughter recently graduated from college with double majors in 

art and theology. Another daughter is currently studying biology with an art 

minor. Although not studying art at this time, my son also benefited from 

the art lessons. 

Unfortunately many families do not have access to such art lessons nearby, 

or they may find the lessons to be too expensive to provide for all of their 

children. With these needs in mind, my daughters have created an online art 

education program which teaches children and adults at a beginner or 

intermediate level. 

This program consists of wholesome, step by step instructional videos. The 

content is sequential, each lesson building upon previous lessons. It teaches 

all the necessary foundations of drawing to help bring your budding artists to 

a more advanced level. Advanced classes will specialize in drawing people 

and horses. Once they have completed the drawing course, they will have 

access to watercolor painting, stained glass, and other more specialized 

courses. The cost is $19 per month for the whole family, which is often less 

expensive than a single class for one person. 

Check NHEG http://w ww.NewHeightsEducation.org/courses-and-classes 

page frequently for updates about this great new class. 

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Dial 347-934-0450 for Priscilena Shearon 

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Every February 2, thousands gather at Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to await the spring forecast from a 

special groundhog. Known as Punxsutawney Phil (https://www.facebook.com/punxsyphil.innercircle/), this groundhog will 

emerge from his simulated tree trunk home and look for his shadow, which will help him make his much-anticipated 

forecast. According to legend, if Phil sees his shadow the United States is in store for six more weeks of winter weather. 

But, if Phil doesn’t see his shadow, the country should expect warmer temperatures and the arrival of an early spring. 

History of Groundhog Day 

Groundhog Day originates from an ancient celebration of the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring 

equinox—the day right in the middle of astronomical winter. According to superstition, sunny skies that day signify a stormy 

and cold second half of winter while cloudy skies indicate the arrival of warm weather. 

The trail of Phil’s history leads back to Clymer H. Freas, city editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper. Inspired by a 

group of local groundhog hunters—whom he would dub the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club—Freas declared Phil as 

America’s official forecasting groundhog in 1887. As he continued to embellish the groundhog's story year after year, other 

newspapers picked it up, and soon everyone looked to Punxsutawney Phil for the prediction of when spring would return to 

the country. 

Historical Track Record of Punxsutawney Phil, 1887–2015, Courtesy of Punxsutawney Groundhog Club (link is external) 

Saw Shadow No Shadow No Record 

102 17 10 

More Winter End of Winter --- 

Punxsutawney Phil Versus the U.S. National Temperature 1988–2015 

The table below gives a snapshot, by year since 1988, of whether Phil saw his shadow or not along with the corresponding 

monthly national average temperature departures for both February and March. The table shows no predictive skill for the 

groundhog during the most recent years of this analysis. Since 1993, the U.S. national temperature has been above normal 

11 times in February and 14 times in March, below normal 6 times in February and 2 times in March, and near normal 6 

times in February and 7 times. 

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Published by 

SchoolBook 

Focus on Discipline: How One NYC Student Was 

Suspended for 30 Days by Beth Fertig 

Christina Thomas started her senior year at Abraham Lincoln High School this fall planning to 

graduate in June and head to college. She had never gotten into any trouble before. But, on the 

second day of classes, she found herself with a 30-day suspension, afraid her plans had been 

knocked off track. 

The problem was a standoff with a school librarian over computer use. Through an escalation of 

words and a possible physical altercation, Christina landed herself a "superintendent's 

suspension," the highest level punishment and one usually reserved for serious physical fights, or 

bringing guns or drugs into a school. Her case offers an example of the detrimental consequences 

of lengthy suspensions, and perhaps the missed opportunity they represent. 

The New York City public schools give out more than 50,000 suspensions each year. Most of the 

time it's for something minor, and students serve their time in school. But about 20 percent of the 

cases are known as superintendent's suspensions; they keep the student out of their school for 

anywhere from one day to several months. The students are sent to suspension centers where they 

take basic courses. 

Many juvenile justice advocates believe these suspensions are overused and disproportionately 

given to black and Latino students. With Chancellor Carmen Fariña now considering changes to 

the discipline code, they hope she will encourage principals to use removals from school more 

sparingly because students like Christina could benefit more from alternatives or even shorter 

suspensions. 

According to Christina, she was looking at job postings on Craigslist, when the librarian told her 

it wasn't an approved site under the Department of Education's Internet policy. Christina 

vigorously disagreed because it wasn't blocked, and because she considered it a good use of her 

time. But she said the librarian wouldn't budge. 

"She takes my hand off the mouse, I’m like, what are you doing?" Christina recalled. 

She said the librarian then turned off the computer monitor, but Christina turned it back on. 

Christina admits she used some curse words. And there was a real tug of war when the librarian 

unplugged the Internet cable. Christina reconnected it, and said the librarian grabbed it again. 

That's when this squabble became more serious. According to a transcript of the hearing, the 

librarian claimed Christina grabbed and twisted her hand in a way that left scratches. But 

Christina claimed she never touched her, and that the scratch came from the Ethernet cord. 

Christina was charged with threatening and injuring a staff member - a Level 5 offense under 

the discipline code. 

Her attorney, Keren Farkas of Brooklyn Defender Services, said she believes Christina could have 

been charged with lesser infractions because the injury wasn't serious. 


21

Published by 

SchoolBook 




Evidence of the Lincoln High School 

librarian's claim that she was scratched 

during the confrontation with Christina 

Thomas 

(Beth Fertig/WNYC) 

When the suspension was upheld, Christina was shocked. She worried it would affect her chances of graduating 

on time. 

"It's like they want to see students fail," she said, during a tearful interview in her lawyers office. 

The librarian declined to comment on the case. So did Christina’s principal, Ari Hoogenboom, although he 

described what kind of behavior qualifies as a Level 5 offense. 

"I very strongly feel that if you lay hands on someone, if you have a fight, I think you should be suspended," he 

said. 

Hoogenboom said the school's guidance counselors help mediate when disputes are verbal, but physical 

altercations are different. He credited his approach with maintaining a safe environment. There were 19 

superintendent's suspensions last year in the school of almost 2,300 students. 

Under the discipline code, the principal has wide discretion in determining the length of a superintendent's 

suspension. In Christina's case, it could have been just six days. Hoogenboom wouldn't talk about his process, but 

he said he closely follows the discipline code. If students are not happy with his decision, they can appeal to 

hearing officers whose recommendations then go to the Department of Education. 

"They are the ones who see the range, they see the range throughout the borough," he explained. "I think it’s fair 

that if a student does one thing in one school, that the penalty be fairly similar to if he did it in another school." 


22

Published by 

SchoolBook 



Lincoln high school did offer to reduce Christina's suspension to 15 days, but she didn't want to settle. According 

to the transcript, Christina admitted to threatening the librarian but denied scratching her. The librarian 

acknowledged that Christina didn't intend to hurt her. 

"I don't think she was wrenching and twisting or turning my hand in order to be vindictive or physically malicious 

to me," she stated. "Her intention clearly was to get my hand off the computer equipment." 

Bernard Dufresne, a staff attorney at Advocates for Children, said he thought the school missed an opportunity to 

encourage a conversation between the parties in a much more constructive setting. 

"Principals in many ways see a suspension as the first option," he said, adding that suspensions were "not an 

investment in the student's academic outcomes" and that students often returned more disengaged from school. 

While the current discipline code allows for other interventions, including mediation and restorative justice, there 

are not strong incentives to encourage many principals to change their ways. 

As for Christina, she is back at Lincoln, catching up so she can still graduate in June. 


Abraham Lincoln High School principal Ari Hoogenboom (Beth Fertig/WNYC) 

23

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ECCU supports and celebrates the vibrant community of parents who have 

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Defense Association (HSLDA) and ECCU are partnering and inviting you 

to join ECCU. Joining the ECCU family is easy and immediately 

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17 

24

Public Service Bulletin Board 

Up Coming Holidays 

Feb. 02—Groundhog's Day 

Feb. 14—Valentines Day 

Feb. 22—Presidents Day 

25 25

UNITED STATES HOME SCHOOL FAMILY-TO-FAMILY 

PROGRAM 

From NHEG Director Pamela Clark: 

“As a homeschool parent myself, I know the frustraons that come from wanng to provide your children a rich and versale 

educaon on a single income. Therefore, I’m pleased to announce New Heights Home School Family-to-Family Program, an 

effort that allows budget-conscious homeschool families the opportunity to travel for hands-on learning and work programs.” 

For many of us, a hotel is simply too expensive. “This collaboraon between homeschool families gives you and your children a 

place to stay as they expand their horizons and allows you to host other wonderful families, providing unique experiences and 

stories to share. 

We currently have 10 host families located in: 

Tiffin, Ohio 

Modesto, California 

Northern California 

Fairplay, Maryland 

Copper Canyon, Texas 

Conneccut 

Pembroke, Virginia 

Peterstown, West Virginia 

More to come… 

Interested? Please read our rules to see if the program fits your family. If so, please contact us to sign up. 

Basic Procedures & Requirements 

Vising families that parcipate in the program are also asked to be a host family; however, we realize this is not feasible for 

everyone. Rest assured, no one will be excluded! 

Host family: 

In order to ensure a good fit, you can choose to talk to the families/meet in a public place before taking them to your home. 

Provide safe, clean, cost-free place for family to stay. 

Provide references (so that all families feel secure). 

Please state whether you will offer meals during a student/family visit. 

Please state if you would like to be a guide to a vising family. 

Vising family: 

NO LIMITS, 

Please indicate if your children have special needs. This will allow your host family to provide you with needed special 

accommodaons. 

It is essenal that children respect other people, their homes and belongings. Please do not parcipate if your children have not 

yet learned this valuable skill. 

26

Do you have an empty building? 

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization seeking usable space or funding to operate a curricula library and 

administrative office. 

The New Heights Educational Group, Inc. promotes literacy for children and adults by offering a range of 

educational support services. Such services include: assisting families in the selection of schools; organization 

of educational activities; and acquisition of materials. 

We promote a healthy learning environment and enrichment programs for families of preschool and schoolage 

children, including children with special needs. 

It’s so important that we find a space for our library. Some of you may think that since we have a local public 

library that is enough. I do love public libraries and have spent hours utilizing their resources. 

So how is our library different? Our library contains curriculum for all ages of students. Anyone can come in 

and for a small fee take out curriculum for a week, month, or a year and its interchangeable. If you don’t like 

the curriculum you use simply bring it back and exchange for something else. We have books for every grade 

including college and resources for teachers/tutors. Our library serves all families but with special 

consideration for home and charter school families that need help on a small budget. We also have a private 

library that serves those being tutored. This is of great urgency; we have already turned away families this 

year that need these books. 

If you have a space in a commercial/industrial/business area or a residential property in Defiance County 

that you can donate to our organization, in return for a tax deductible certificate stating the value of the 

space, please contact us via our website www.NewHeightsEducation.org or email us 

at NewHeightsEducation@yahoo.com. We would love to discuss how you or your business will benefit from 

the donation program. 

Pamela Clark 

Executive Director 

419-786-0247 

Please contact us at 419-786-0247 or email us NewHeightsEducaon@yahoo.com 

or visit our website at www.NewHeightsEducaon.org 

This is a great way you can serve the 

community and this would be tax 

deducble. 

27

We’re Looking 

(Are you the perfect candidate?) 

We are considering bringing an assessor(s) to work 

within our organization to provide online 

assessments through our website. Each year families 

could visit our site and set up an assessment time to 

have these completed virtually or meet in person, 

depending on the assessor. We would create an 

online profile for each assessor and share posters and 

flyers with the public. NHEG would receive 20% of 

each referral. 

If you are interested in partnering with the New 

Heights Educational Group, please share a resume, 

three references, an email addresses, and proof that 

you are a licensed/ certified teacher holding a valid 

Ohio teaching certificate (excluding the non-tax 

certificate issued under Ohio Revised Code 

3301.071). A brief biography with a picture would 

also be appreciated. 

We will choose from the list of responses. 

Happy winter solstice! 

· Leonard Cohen - "Winter Lady" (1967) 

· Yes - "South Side of the Sky" (1971) 

· Galaxie 500 - "Snowstorm" (1989) 

· Belle & Sebastian - "Fox in the Snow" (1996) 

· Modest Mouse - "The Cold Part" (2000) 

· Arcade Fire - "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)" (2004) 

· Fleet Foxes - "White Winter Hymnal" (2008) 

Top 7 songs about 

winter by Music 

Timers Fans 

28

By Joe Sylvester 

Dillman (left) and Weaver stand inside the Café Bat the 

Giant Food Store in Mifflinburg where the homeschool 

meetings will be held. 

MIDDLEBURG — Jeanette Weaver first homeschooled her oldest child after she and her family moved to 

Pennsylvania 10 years ago. 

Just over seven years ago, after the family moved to Snyder County from elsewhere in Pennsylvania, she joined the 

Susquehanna Valley Homeschoolers group, which includes families primarily from Union, Snyder and 

Northumberland counties. Today, the 46-year-old Middlecreek Township woman is a mentor for the group of more 

than 100 families and a big influence, said Melissa Dillman, who started the group with Jessica Epure, of Beaver 

Springs. 

Dillman, 45, also of Middlecreek Township, nominated Weaver as someone who has made a difference. She said 

Weaver is an influence on other parents in the group. 

Both Weaver and Dillman are in the mentor group to help other parents. 

“She’s really good as a mentor to other people,” Dillman said. “She’s a really good example of documenting things 

and keeping to a schedule.” 

Weaver said she schedules meetings, schedules instructors and writes class descriptions for the group. 

“When I started there were people who were happy to mentor us,” Weaver said. “The roles have reversed for me. 

After needing all that help, I’m helping others.” 


29



When they moved to Pennsylvania, her daughter’s teacher was covering material her daughter already had learned 

in Kansas. 

“I liked the teacher, but the school wasn’t serving her needs,” Weaver said. “I didn’t like the atmosphere in the 

school.” 

Her daughter, now 18, was in a class of 12 students in Kansas. Her class in the first Pennsylvania school had 25 

kids. Now her two younger children — a son, 11, and daughter, 7 — know only homeschooling. 

The homeschooling group meets about once a week, and some of the parents teach classes during the gathering. 

Weaver, who holds a degree in animal bioscience, teaches chemistry, while Dillman teaches crafts at the weekly 

meetings. For lessons at home, parents follow a curriculum. But they don’t have to be trained teachers. 

“One day a week, we meet at a church,” Weaver said. “Different people teach different classes.” 

She said some parents in homeschooling have advanced degrees, some barely finished high school. But they can 

always find others to help. 

The students range in age from preschool to high school. 

At home during the week, parents cover the same subjects their kids would have in school, but on the family’s 

schedule and as long as the students have the required 180 days of school. 

“I homeschool year-round,” Weaver said. “We can take off when we want.” 

Homeschooling parents must present an affidavit to their home school district and a plan for the school year. At the 

end of the school year, they must present a portfolio from the past year for evaluation. 

Homeschooling also includes outside activities, contrary to what many believe, Dillman said. She said one of the 

misconceptions of homeschooling is that there is no socialization with other kids. But homeschooled kids take part 

in sports in their local school districts and other clubs and activities, some through the homeschool group, both 

women said. 

“They’re allowed to play sports in school,” said Weaver, who lives in the Midd-West School District. “My 

daughter played softball.” 

Getting started in homeschooling is the toughest part, Weaver said. 


“I understand why people are scared and nervous about taking the jump,” 

30



Getting started in homeschooling is the toughest part, Weaver said. 

“I understand why people are scared and nervous about taking the jump,” Weaver said. 

She said the scariest part is “probably the idea you are solely responsible for the outcome of your children.” 

Dillman, a mother of four children, ages 22 to 10, said the homeschool decision was the right one for her. 

“I had the kids so I could be part of their lives,” she said. 

She said if they are at school, they are away from home for some 40 hours a week. 

“There is a better sense of family (with homeschooling),” she said. “I want to have better control of their lives and 

influences.” 

The homeschool classes are on the family’s schedule, too, Weaver said. 

31

Balsamic Glazed Chicken with Mushrooms 

Directions 

· 1 Pound Chicken Breast 

skinless, boneless 

· 15 Ounces Chicken 

Broth low 

sodium 

· 12 Ounces Mushrooms 

sliced 

· 2 Tablespoons Balsamic 

Glaze 

· 1 Tablespoon Living 

1. In greased frying pan, brown 

chicken 7 minutes on each 

side. 

2. Add 1/3 cup broth; simmer 3 

minutes or until cooked 

thoroughly. 

3. Remove from pan and set 

aside in a glass dish. 

4. Add mushrooms to frying pan; 

brown slightly. 

5. Add remaining broth and 

balsamic glaze; simmer until 

mushrooms are cooked. 

6. Add tapioca flour and stir 

constantly for 2 minutes. 

7. Pour mushrooms and sauce 

over chicken; serve with grilled 

asparagus and Garlic Mashed 

Cauliflower. 

Prep Time 

Cook Time 

20 Minutes 

15 Minutes 

26 

32

Meatball Sub Soup 

Meatballs: 

1 lb. ground beef 

1/2 c. Italian bread crumbs 

2 cloves garlic, minced 

1/4 c. fresh Italian parsley, chopped 

1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 

kosher salt 

Freshly ground black pepper 

2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 

1 large onion, diced 

1 large clove garlic, minced 

1 28-oz. can crushed tomatoes 

3 c. low-sodium beef broth 

1 c. milk 

2 c. shredded mozzarella 

1/2 c. grated Parmesan 

1 tsp. dried oregano 

kosher salt 

Freshly ground black pepper 

uee slices, for serving 

Baguee slices, for serving 

Directions 

1. Make the meatballs: Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

F and line two baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Make meatballs: In a large bowl, combine ground 

beef, bread crumbs, garlic, parsley, and crushed 

red pepper flakes and season with salt and pepper. 

Roll into meatballs and transfer to one prepared 

baking sheet. Bake unl browned and cooked 

through, 15 minutes. Heat broiler. 

2. Make the soup: In a large pot over medium-high 

heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook unl so and 

golden, 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook unl 

fragrant, 1 minute. Add tomatoes, chicken broth, 

and milk and sr unl combined. Add the 

meatballs and bring to a simmer, then add half the 

mozzarella and Parmesan. Season with oregano, 

salt, and pepper. 

3. Ladle soup into four oven-safe ramekins and top 

with a baguee slice. Top with remaining 

mozzarella and broil unl browned and bubbly, 2 

to 3 minutes. Serve hot. 

TOTAL TIME: 0:40 

PREP: 0:30 

LEVEL: EASY 

SERVES: 4 

29 

33

Kids recipes: Sunny Side Up Tostada 

Servings 2 

· 4 cups (1L) full cream milk 

· 2 cups elbow macaroni 

· 2 cups grated cheddar cheese 

· 

1. Gather your three ingredients. 

2. Place milk into a small saucepan and 

bring to the boil over a medium heat, 

taking care not to boil over. 

3. Add the pasta and return to the boil, 

reduce heat to simmer for 8 minutes. 

4. Stir through grated cheese and leave 

to sit for 2 minutes. Serve. 

· This mac and cheese is easy - but don't turn the heat up too high and burn it. 

· The milk gives this a creamy starchy sauce and you can use your favourite cheese for 

this recipe. 

· For an extra boost of flavour I add two teaspoons of chicken-style stock powder to 

this recipe. It gives it a lovely depth of flavour. You could also use Vegeta. 

· You can add any number of things to this recipe for the last 5 minutes of cooking - 

cooked bacon pieces, frozen peas or even blanched broccoli. 

34

Presidents’ Day Facts and History 

President’s Day is an official holiday celebrated at the federal level across the United States and at the state level in 

most states. The purpose of the holiday has changed over the years, but today, it is seen as a time to honor the lives of 

two important American presidents–Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. 

President’s Day is held on the third Monday of February every year. The date was officially established in 1968 by a law 

signed by President Lyndon B Johnson. Prior to that time, the holiday was held on February 22 in many states. The 

date was chosen as it coincides with George Washington’s birthday. 

Federal employees have President’s Day off, and state government offices are closed in all of the states where the date 

is an official holiday. Public schools are usually closed in honor of the occasion, but most private companies and 

service businesses are open. 

After the date of President’s Day was moved to a Monday, creating a three-day weekend, retailers in the United States 

began to use the annual event as an opportunity to boost sales. Stores typically run sales events throughout the 

weekend with a focus on selling off any remaining items from the winter season to make way for spring and summer 

inventory. 

Many communities throughout the United States hold special celebrations on President’s Day. Festivals and parades 

may be held, or communities and civic groups may stage historical reenactments, pageants or plays that honor 

President Washington and other U.S. presidents. Because of the patriotic aspect of the holiday, homes and businesses 

may fly the American flag in honor of the day. 

Children often learn about the history of the presidents that are celebrated in their states on the days leading up to 

President’s Day. Special projects and assemblies are often used to make learning about the presidents more enjoyable 

for kids. 

35

We have a huge collection of data regarding various disabilities and how to manage the 

education of your kids with various disabilities ranging from Autism and ADHD to 

Prader-Willi Syndrome. We have hands-on experience in dealing with kids from 

various backgrounds. If you have any questions or information to contribute, 

please contact us. 

Autism spectrum disorder 

ADHD 

ALS 

Bipolar disease 

Cancer 

Celiac disease 

Cerebral palsy 

COPD 

Cystic fibrosis 

Down syndrome 

Driver education 

Dyslexia 

Disabled persons 

Edward's syndrome 

Fragile X syndrome 

Hearing loss 

Irlen syndrome 

Neural tube defect 

Paralysis 

Phenylketonuria 

Prader-Willi syndrome 

Rett syndrome 

Sickle cell disease 

Spina bifida 

Spinal deformity 

Stroke 

Tay-Sachs disease 

Traumatic brain injury 

36

Official Implies Homeschool Programs are Inferior 

In late November, Little Rock School District Superintendent Mike Poore wrote to area homeschooling 

parents inviting them to enroll their children in public school and promising to provide a “more 

rigorous curriculum.” 

by Scott WoodruffContact attorney for Arkansas 

The implication, obviously, was that the public school would provide a better curriculum than 

homeschool families—an astonishing and unsupported assertion. An apology was subsequently issued, 

but the district never withdrew its claim that its curriculum is more rigorous. 

Is the public school curriculum really more rigorous? Let’s do some quick fact-checking. 

For many years, all Arkansas homeschool students were required to take standardized tests. They 

consistently out-scored their public school counterparts. In 2009, the largest-ever national study of 

homeschool students showed that the average homeschooled 8th grader scored at the 12th grade level. 

In 2010, public schools in Arkansas (and most other states) skidded into the befuddled Alice-in- 

Wonderland world of Common Core. Justifiably skeptical homeschooling families stuck with what 

works. As a consequence, homeschool students nationwide outscored others on all three sections of 

the important SAT college admission test for 2014 (the last year for which results are available for 

comparison) by significant margins. 

Poore’s claim that the public school curriculum is more rigorous cannot be taken seriously 

37

38

It's the start of a new year, which can only mean one thing- new adventures! Whether 

you're traveling with your squad or doing a solo run, find out how you can get going and 

exploring in cities across the U.S. with HI USA hostels. 

Groups Stay FREE in January and February 

At HI USA, we believe experiences should be rewarding - not costly. 

That's why, we are offering groups across the country FREE overnight 

stays at HI USA hostels in January and February through our Great Hostel 

Give Back program. APPLY NOW 

Charlotte D. McGuire of 

Dayton (Montgomery Co.), 

past NHEG radio host on 

politics, has been appointed to 

represent District 3 on the 

State Board of Education. She 

will assume the seat on 

January 6, 2017, and must run 

in November 2018 to retain the 

seat for the full term 

commencing January 1, 

2019. McGuire is replacing 

Congratulations Charlotte 

39

Happy Valentine’s Day 

2017 

40

41 31

HomeSchooling 

In Ohio, parents interested in educating their children at home may do so by notifying their local school 

district superintendents and meeting the requirements of Ohio law to homeschool. If requirements are 

met, the district superintendent releases the student from required compulsory school attendance. This 

excuses the student and family from school attendance requirements in state law. 

Parents or guardians who decide to homeschool their students are completely responsible for choosing the curriculum 

and course of study. They select the curriculum and educational materials and take responsibility for educating their 

children. There is no state financial assistance for families who choose this option. Visit our Frequently Asked 

Questions. 

If a homeschool student returns to a public school, the district superintendent determines the appropriate grade level for 

the student. 

REQUIREMENTS TO HOMESCHOOL 

Parents should start by notifying the superintendent of the school district where they reside about their intent to homeschool 

their child/or children. 

Parents agree to: 

Provide 900 hours of instruction per year; 

Notify the superintendent every year; and 

Provide an assessment of the students work, this link will provide the O.R.C. requirement. 

a. have an Ohio licensed teacher administer one of the nationally normed tests, such as TerraNova, Stanford, Iowa 

b. keep a portfolio of students work, have an Ohio licensed teacher provide a written assessment of the students work 

c. the student can take the Ohio achievement tests with the public school district classroom 

Many parents think that online schools fall into the category of homeschooling, this is NOT true. In Ohio, some online 

schools are considered community/chartered public schools. If the online school is out of state and you have to pay 

tuition, or for the curriculum, you must register as being homeschooled with your resident district superintendent, this is 

still considered homeschooling. 

COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS 

Great news for homeschool students! Ohio’s new College Credit Plus program gives students in grades 7-12 the chance 

to earn high school and college credit simultaneously by taking courses at participating Ohio colleges or universities. 

Tuition is free if your homeschool student takes classes at a public college. There may be modest fees for private college 

credit. The deadline is April 1 for homeschool students to let the Ohio Department of Education know they want to 

participate in College Credit Plus next school year. Click on College Credit Plusfor more information. 

SPORTS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES 

Legislation allows homeschool students the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities in public schools. An 

“extracurricular activity” is a pupil activity program that is run by a school or school district and is not included in a graded 

course of study. Activities include any offered at the school that the student would attend if enrolled in the public school 

district where the family resides. If the school district does not offer a particular activity, then the student may request to 

participate in another district’s program. The superintendent of the other school district may choose to allow the student 

to participate as an out-of-district student. 

Home-educated students must meet the same nonacademic and financial requirements as any other student 

participating in the activity. Fees and ability in sports, where there are cuts, apply. 

EDCHOICE SCHOLARSHIPS 

An EdChoice Scholarship allows students who are eligible to obtain scholarships to attend a nonpublic schools 

participating in the EdChoice program. Eligibility is based upon the performance of the public school building to which the 

student would be assigned or low income. EdChoice Scholarships are available to eligible home-schooled students who 

wish to enroll in a participating nonpublic school. 

42

Help us Reach Our Fund-raising Goals 

Please collect the following items and share with NHEG to help us reach 

our fundraising goals. 

TerraCycle 

Outsmart Waste 

Cell Phone Brigade® E-Waste Brigade® Inkjet Brigade® Laptop Brigade® 

DONATE YOUR OLD CAR, BOAT OR RV Make a Car Donation | Make a Difference 

Call 1-800-240-0160 and a friendly car donation specialist will schedule your 

pick-up appointment. 

A public charity 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization 

43

Charlotte McGuire 

CHARLOTTE McGuire 

44

10 Amazing Scientific 

Discoveries Of 2016 

JONATHAN H. KANTOR 

Throughout the year, papers are published and patents are filed for any number of new ‘things’, but 

occasionally something truly incredible comes along. This list compiles some of the most amazing 

discoveries science has made in the first six months of 2016. 

10. Slight Genetic Mutation 800 Million Years Ago 

Leads 

Researchers found that an ancient molecule, GK-PID, is the reason single-celled organisms started to 

evolve into multicellular organisms approximately 800 million years ago. The molecule has been 

found to be like a molecular carabiner able to pull chromosomes together to latch them onto the inner 

wall of a cell membrane when division occurs. This allows cells to copy properly and avoid 

becoming cancerous. 

The fascinating discovery indicates that the ancient version of GK-PID did not behave in the same 

way it does currently. The only reason it became capable of working like a genetic carabiner is due to 

a single mutation that copied itself, suggesting that multicellular life is the result of a single, 

identifiable mutation. 

9. New Prime Number Discovered 

Mathematicians discovered a new prime number in January via the Great Internet Mersenne Prime 

Search. The new prime number is 2^74,207,281 – 1. 

You might be asking why there is a project to determine such a number. Modern cryptography 

requires the use of Mersenne Prime numbers (Of which only 49 have been discovered) and other 

complex numbers to encode data. The new prime number is currently the record holder for the 

longest prime and is almost 5 million digits longer than its predecessor. The total number of digits in 

the new prime falls just under 24,000,000 making “2^74,207,281 – 1” the only practical way to write 

it. 

(Continued Next Page) 45

10 


Amazing Scientific 



8. A Ninth Planet Was Discovered In The Solar System 

Before the discovery of Pluto in the 20th century, it had been theorized that a ninth planet, Planet X, 

existed beyond Neptune due to the gravitational clustering that could only be caused by a massive 

object. It was then believed that this planet was found in Pluto, but that never fully quantified the 

gravitational distortion until scientists at the California Institute of Technology presented evidence 

that a ninth planet truly does exist with an orbital period of 15,000 years. 

The astronomers who published their discovery have calculated that there is “only a 0.007 percent 

chance, or about one in 15,000, that the clustering could be a coincidence.” Presently, Planet Nine 

remains hypothetical, but astronomers have calculated its orbit to be quite massive. If it does exist, 

the planet would likely be approximately 2–15 times the mass of Earth and orbit between 200 and 

1,600 Astronomical Units (AU) from the Sun. An AU is 150,000,000 kilometers, which means that 

the planet could orbit as far from the Sun as 240,000,000,000 kilometers. 

7. Nearly Eternal Data Storage Method Discovered 

Everything degrades eventually, and there is no way to store data on one device for truly extended 

periods of time. But that may no longer be true due to a discovery made by the University of 

Southampton. Scientists have successfully used nano-structured glass to create a process for 

recording and retrieving data. The storage device is a small glass disk about the size of an American 

quarter that can hold 360TB of data and remain intact up to 1,000°C. This means that its average 

shelf life when held at room temperature would be approximately 13.8 billion years (Roughly the 

same amount of time the universe has existed). 

Data is written on the device using an ultrafast laser via short and intense light pulses. Each file is 

written in three layers of nanostructured dots that are only 5 micrometers apart. When read, the data 

is realized in five dimensions: the three dimensional position of the nanostructured dots as well as 

their size and orientation. 


46

10 





6. Cavefish That Can Walk Up Walls Shows 

Similarities 

As science has learned over the past 170 years, vertebrate life on land evolved from fish that swam in 

the seas of ancient Earth. That is of course until researchers from the New Jersey Institute of 

Technology discovered a Taiwanese Cavefish that is capable of walking up walls and has the same 

anatomical capabilities as an amphibian or reptile. 

This is a huge discovery in terms of evolutionary adaptation because it can help scientists to better 

understand how land-dwelling tetrapods evolved from prehistoric fish. The difference between the 

cavefish and other fish species that can move on land is its gait, which amounts to a “robust pelvic 

girdle” when climbing. 

5. Private Company SpaceX Successfully Lands 

A Rocket Vertically 

In comic books and cartoons, you usually see rockets landing on planets and moons vertically, but in 

reality, achieving this feat is incredibly difficult. Because of this, government agencies like NASA 

and the European Space Agency have developed rockets that are either ditched in the ocean for later 

recovery (an expensive undertaking) or they are purposefully burned up in the atmosphere. The 

ability to successfully land a rocket vertically means that it could be cheaply and easily be reused, 

which would save an incredible amount of money. 

The private company SpaceX successfully landed a rocket vertically on April 8, and they did so on 

a floating autonomous drone ship. Their success will save money and also time between launches. 

CEO Elon Musk made this achievement a longstanding goal for the company, and even though his is 

a private venture, the technology will eventually spread into government agencies like NASA to help 

push space exploration forward. 


47

10 





4. Cybernetic Implant Helps Quadriplegic Man Move 

His Fingers 

A man who has been a quadriplegic for the past six years has been able to move his fingers due to the 

implantation of a small chip in his brain. 

Researchers at Ohio State University were able to build a device that, once implanted, sends signals 

to a nearby terminal, which transmits that information to an electronic sleeve worn on the man’s arm. 

The sleeve then uses wires to stimulate specific muscles to cause the movement of the fingers in realtime. 

The patient was even able to play Guitar Hero, much to the surprise of the doctors and 

scientists in charge of the project. 

3. Stem Cells Injected Into Stroke Patients Re-Enable 

Patient To Walk 

A clinical trial held at Stanford University School of Medicine injected modified human stem cells 

directly into the brains of several chronic stroke patients. The procedures were all successful with no 

negative effects described from the injection and only mild headaches as a result of the procedure, 

which was performed on mildly anesthetized patients. All 18 showed significant healing long after 

any healing is expected following a stroke (a period of six months). This included increased 

mobility and actually allowed for patients who were previously limited to wheelchairs to walk again 

freely. 


48

10 





2. Carbon Dioxide Pumped Into The Ground Can Be 

Made Into A Solid Stone 

Carbon capture is an important part of maintaining the balance of CO 2 emissions on the planet. 

Whenever fuels are burned, all of the CO 2 that was stored within is released into the atmosphere. 

Humans have been causing this problem for a long time, and we are seeing the effects of global 

climate change. Scientists in Iceland may have found a way to permanently capture carbon emissions 

so that they do not go into the atmosphere further harming the greenhouse effect. 

CO 2 was pumped into volcanic rock in Iceland, which sped up a natural process that turns basalt into 

carbonate minerals, which then become limestone. This process normally takes hundreds of 

thousands of years, but the scientists in Iceland were able to do it in only two years. The result is 

carbon capture into a rock that could be stored underground or even used as a building material so 

that the captured CO 2 never reenters the atmosphere. 

1. Earth Has A Second Moon 

NASA scientists discovered an asteroid that has been captured and is in stable Earth orbit, making it 

a constant near-Earth companion, or a second satellite. There are a lot of objects orbiting this 

planet—space stations, man-made satellites, and lots and lots of junk—but only one moon that we 

can see. Now, NASA has confirmed the existence of 2016 HO3. 

The asteroid orbits very far from Earth and is more gravitationally affected by the Sun than Earth, but 

it does orbit Earth as well along its orbital path of the Sun. Don’t get too excited about walking on it 

one day, as it is considerably smaller than our natural satellite with dimensions of 40–100 meters 

(130–350 ft) across. 

2016 HO3 is in a fairly stable orbit around the Earth and Sun but will depart in a few centuries 

according to Paul Chodas, manager for NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Objects (NEO). Chodas also 

revealed that 2016 HO3 has been a stable quasi-satellite of Earth for more than a century. 

49

Help homeschooling families 

harmed by fires and tornados 

The Home School Foundation (HSF), HSLDA's charitable arm, is reaching out to 

homeschooling families in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee who have lost 

school supplies, valuables and even homes in the recent tornados and wildfires. We need 

your help to best assist them! 

Earlier this year, when massive flooding affected thousands of families in Louisiana, we helped 

43 homeschooling families replace their destroyed curriculum and school materials. One 

family we helped shared just how significant this support was: 

We just wanted you to know how much your grant has meant to us. We have been waiting 

on FEMA since August to 'give' us money to rebuild our home with no recourse. As a result, 

we are paying for the rebuilding of our home out of our own pocket, so your grant to replace 

our schoolbooks was a huge blessing. We cannot thank you enough! 

—the Truesdell family 

This kind of help is possible because of caring, generous friends like you! 

Your gift enables us to help homeschooling families affected by these recent 

disasters. 

Thank you! 

50

51

ART RESOURCES 

SPECIAL NEEDS 

MATH RESOURCES 

READING RESOURCES 

MUSIC RESOURCES 

HISTORY RESOURCES 

NHEG website membership is only $25 per year. That comes to $2.09 per month. $2.09 a month 

will open the doors to many resources for the parent and student, either home schooled, charter 

schooled, or public schooled. We have built up a wonderful library of resources and have the ability 

to help students and families get the materials they need to succeed in their endeavors. One of our 

goals is to help remove as many roadblocks as possible to allow our students to show their 

capabilities. 

52

53

As a parent you work hard to provide a beer life for your child(ren). We work hard to 

make sure that you have the knowledge and resources you need to educate your 

child. This organizaon is the first of its kind. We are building gateways and resources 

to empower you and your child(ren) to achieve your goals and dreams. We believe that 

parents should be the caretakers of their children not a school or educaonal system. 

We work with the enre family unit and provide fill-in-the-gap type learning when 

reaching students. We have seen incredible advancements with students that 

parcipate in our program. Students being tutored normally jump 2 years in a 9-month 

period. The most we have seen is 3- and 4-year advancements with a science and math 

student that suffered from seizures when younger. This was accomplished in a lile 

over a year’s me. We have worked with students from all backgrounds and 

disabilies/special needs. If you really want to make a change and stop the cycle of bad 

grades, depression and students that are about to give up, we can help. We have 

helped many families and have seen amazing changes. 

NO LIMITS, JUST GOALS! 

WE BELIEVE, DO YOU? 

54

Colleges of Distinction's Diana Biffl just published a great new article on the CLT! Read it 

here: http://collegesofdistinction.com/resource/new-kind-college-entrance-exam/. 

55

U.S. Department of Education Awards $245 Million 

to Support High-Quality Public Charter Schools 

Contact: Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov 

The U.S. Department of Education announced today new grants totaling approximately $245 million 

under its Charter Schools Program (CSP), which funds the creation and expansion of public charter 

schools across the nation. Today’s grants are being awarded to state educational agencies and 

charter management organizations. 

The CSP supports the creation of high-quality public charter schools by providing start-up funds for 

new charter schools, strengthening accountability for charter school performance, sharing leading 

practices that enable school success, and ultimately, improving educational outcomes for students 

from high-need communities. The CSP has invested over $3 billion since the program’s inception in 

1995 to states and charter school developers. In the past decade, CSP investments have enabled 

the launch of over 2,500 charter schools, serving approximately one million students. Through the 

CSP, the Department is committed to supporting the continued growth of excellent public charter 

schools that are closing equity gaps and improving student outcomes, and these schools’ community 

engagement and public accountability. 

“Ensuring that all students have access to an academically challenging and engaging education is 

critical to preparing them for college and career success,” said U.S. Secretary of Education John B. 

King Jr. “Innovative charter schools are continuously developing new and impactful practices to close 

achievement gaps and provide all students with the skills and abilities they need to thrive. We are 

proud to support these efforts along with strong charter school authorizing and accountability, 

particularly given these grantees’ commitment to communities facing steep academic challenges.” 

This year’s state grant program awarded approximately $177 million in new grants to eight states. 

The investments will enable each state to run its own grant competition for charter school operators 

to support approximately 490 new and expanded public charter schools. 

This year’s CSP 

replication and 

expansion program 

awarded 

approximately $68 

million in new grants 

to 15 high-quality, 

non-profit charter 

management 

organizations that 

serve students from 

low-income families. 

Today’s grantees 

have demonstrated 

success in serving 

students with 

significant 

educational needs 

and today’s grant 

awards will enable 

these organizations 

to open and expand 

approximately 180 

new schools. Some 

of these charter 

management 

organizations are 

new CSP grantees, 

such as The Friends 

of the Bronx Charter 

School for 

Excellence, whose 

Bronx Charter School for Excellence was selected in 2012 as a National Blue Ribbon School. 

Today’s investments will enable their expansion from two schools to nine schools, ultimately serving 

approximately 3,000 students in New York and Connecticut. Today’s grantees also include IDEA 

Public Schools—a two-time prior grantee under this program, a 2015 Bright Spot in Hispanic 

Education, and the recipient of the 2016 Broad Prize for Public Charter Schools. IDEA will use today’s award 

to support the creation of 18 schools in Texas and Louisiana serving over 14,000 students. In addition, 

this funding will enable IDEA to evaluate its growth and expansion strategies, including its impact on 

student outcomes, college readiness and teacher and student retention. 

56

NHEG has the opportunity to win some classroom supplies. 

Please vote for us! 

https://www.educents.com/wishlist/index/index/wishlist_id/26794/ 

This is our referral link. http://www.educents.com/signup-bonus.html?r=270976 

We will receive $10.00 in Edubucks credit once someone uses this URL to create an account and 

make a purchase of $25 or more on our site. 

Help us save even more on educational products! 

57

NHEG Organizational Chart 

58

Teen Drug, Alcohol Use Continues to 

Decline 

By Evie Blad 

Teenagers' use of drugs and alcohol showed a steep decline in 2016, new data show, dropping to rates 

the nation hasn't seen since the 1990s. 

The data comes from the University of Michigan's annual Monitoring the Future study, which surveys 

about 45,000 8th, 10th, and 12th-grade students in some 380 public and private schools nationwide. 

"Considerably fewer teens reported using any illicit drug other than marijuana in the prior 12 months—5 

percent, 10 percent and 14 percent in grades 8, 10 and 12, respectively—than at any time since 1991," 

the university said in a news release. "These rates reflect a decline of about one percentage point in 

each grade in 2016, but a much larger decline over the longer term. In fact, the overall percentage of 

teens using any of the illicit drugs other than marijuana has been in a gradual, long- term decline since 

the last half of the 1990s, when their peak rates reached 13 percent, 18 percent and 21 percent, 

respectively." 

Here's what the data show: 

Marijuana use still poses a concern for researchers, especially among 12th-grade students. The 

percentage of 8th and 10th graders who reported use of marijuana within the last year declined in 2016. 


59

Teen Drug, Alcohol Use Continues to Decline 

By Evie Blad 


Alcohol use also continued a downward trend. 

"For all three grades, both annual and monthly prevalence of alcohol use are at historic lows over the 

life of the study," the study found. "Both measures continued to decline in all three grades in 2016. Of 

even greater importance, measures of heavy alcohol use are also down considerably, including selfreports 

of having been drunk in the previous 30 days and of binge drinking in the prior two weeks 

(defined as having five or more drinks in a row on at least one occasion)." 

Tobacco use declined in all forms, including drops in reported e-cigarette and hookah use, which had 

increased in previous years, the data show. 

"Cigarette smoking among teens in grades 12, 10 and 8 continued a decades -long decline in 2016 

and reached the lowest levels recorded since annual tracking began 42 years ago," the study found. 

60

Please Check It Out: 

The website link below has a drop down list. Customer can choose our name from the list for a 

portion of their purchase being donated to us. 

http://www.123contactform.com/form-1237983/Bonus-Bucks-Registration-Form 

You will find your organization listed under the drop down box. 

Missed a show? Visit our website. 

As they explore a new topic on education every week. . . 

61

Month: 

American Heart Month 

An Affair to Remember 

Month 

Black History Month 

Canned Food Month 

Creative Romance Month 

Great American Pie 

Month 

National Cherry Month 

National Weddings Month 

Weekly Celebrations: 

3rd Week International 

Flirting Week 

February 2017 Daily Holidays 

1 National Freedom Day 

2 Ground Hog Day 

3 The Day the Music Died 

4 Thank a Mailman Day 

5 Super bowl Sunday 

6 Lame Duck Day 

7 Send a Card to a Friend Day 

8 Boy Scout Day 

9 Toothache Day 

10 Umbrella Day 

11 Make a Friend Day 

12 Abraham Lincoln's Birthday 

13 Clean out Your Computer Day 

14 Valentine's Day 

15 Singles Awareness Day 

16 Do a Grouch a Favor Day 

17 Random Acts of Kindness Day 

18 National Drink Wine Day 

19 National Chocolate Mint Day 

20 Cherry Pie Day 

20 Love Your Pet Day 

20 President's Day 

21 Card Reading Day 

22 George Washington's Birthday 

23 Tennis Day 

24 National Tortilla Chip Day 

25 Open That Bottle Night 

25 Pistol Patent Day 

26 National Pistachio Day 

27 No Brainer Day 

28 Mardi Gras / Fat Tuesday 

62

Reviews for 

‘Unraveling Reading’ 

I learned a lot, and I was so glad that 

I read it. We often forget that the 

student’s whole body contributes to 

their learning, and the brain exercises 

are such simple things that can make a 

huge difference! I think it provides a 

lot of easy to follow strategies for a 

variety of readers and learners to 

follow without shying away from 

technical terms. Also, I like that it 

provides insight into the way students 

learn and think, and that it reminds the 

reader to encourage and be positive 

when teaching. It’s important to not 

only know strategies but the rationale 

behind them. I think the opportunity 

to link to videos demonstrating the 

strategies would enhance and take 

advantage of its e-book format. As a 

writing instructor, there are things that 

I could share with my adult students 

who may have struggled with reading 

in high school or have re-entered 

college after some time away and are 

struggling with college-level texts. 

I’m also much more aware of learning 

disabilities that students in my class 

are struggling with or may not even 

realize that they have. I’ve read a bit 

about the cognitive science approach 

to literature (why we read fiction, how 

fiction affects our brain); so many 

parts of this book were right up my 

alley. 

Sheila Wright 

Unraveling Reading: 

I grew up attending public school, where my classmates 

and I would sit through the same lessons, use the same 

books, and be educated in the same, cookie-cutter way. 

However, there was a select group of students who 

would be removed from our classroom each day after the 

pledge and morning announcements. These were the 

students who weren't built to be taught in a traditional 

classroom, and special contract teachers were brought in to 

work with them each day, one-on-one and in small groups, 

in a different location. They came to be known as the 

"Speech kids," and even though we saw them each 

morning, played with them on the playground, and even 

hung out with them playing sports after school in our small 

town, they were segregated from their peers throughout the 

school day when learning was taking place. It made me sad 

for them; I felt like they stood out, that other kids our age 

labeled them unfairly. 

Unraveling Reading made me realize that these "Speech 

kids" were more than likely just as smart as we were. They 

were being taught the same material we were, only in a way 

that suited them. I grew up believing that there was just one 

style of learning, and if you couldn't grasp that style, you 

were isolated from your friends and classmates as 

punishment. My hopes are that, by publishing Unraveling 

Reading, there will be less of that segregation, and more 

celebration of student uniqueness and individuality! Having 

a chance to read this book really made me aware that there 

are several types of learning styles, and even though I am 

not an educator by profession, I was still able to take away 

some tips for working with people regarding the different 

styles. I believe this could be useful when teaching a coworker 

a task, a friend, or even maybe when working with 

my own children with their life skills. 

Great job Daniela! You've definitely spread the word on the 

endless possibilities of education. 

Jenni Schreiber 

63

64

We Need HELP! 

Do you want to be my Assistant? We need an Assistant to 

Magazine Editor 

· Following up with proofreader to make sure that the 

magazine is received and that they stay on the schedule that is 

provided.Article - (free reader - politically correct/neutral 

viewpoint) 

· Matching pictures with articles that we are currently 

running 

· Reporting back to Bill on what has been accomplished 

consistently 

· Research and ensure that the included video, and music 

are free versions and in mp3 format. 

· Helping to create pages or filling in for magazine editor 

when necessary 

· Checking in with founder/director for comments of the 

month and other important information needed 

· Need to use checklist for items needed/may need to help 

create it. 

CONTACT NHEG 

65

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If you are a non-profit organization please contact us directly. 

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Please view our Business Advertisement Insertion and Terms and Conditions Forms above: 

66

Freedom Alert! Diploma Law 

Change and Legislature in Session! A 

message from Mike Donnelly 

Dear HSLDA members and friends, 

The Ohio Legislature convened this week for its 2017-2018 legislative 

session. Throughout the session, HSLDA will be tracking and analyzing 

legislation that could affect your right to homeschool. HSLDA is 

committed to keeping you informed with email action e--lerts and updates 

as needed so you can protect your homeschooling freedom. 

In the 2015-2016 legislative session that just closed, the Ohio legislature 

passed and the governor signed Senate Bill 3. This bill revised the diploma 

fairness law which recognizes parent-issued diplomas. When the diploma 

fairness law was originally passed, some homeschooling parents as well as 

local school officials were wary about the option to have the local 

superintendent sign a homeschooled student's diploma. Senate Bill 3 

removed this option, recognizing that parent-issued diplomas need only 

be accompanied by the excuse letter for the final year of home instruction. 

In addition, Senate Bill 3 allows a homeschooling parent to assign the 

state seal of biliteracy to the student's diploma in the same manner as 

school districts and chartered nonpublic schools if the student qualifies. 

Please visit our website, send us an email, or call us at 540-338-5600 if 

you have questions! 

We greatly value you and your support—it is a privilege to serve you! If 

you or someone you know is not a member of HSLDA, will you consider 

taking a moment today to join or recommend us? Your support for our 

work enables us to defend individual families threatened by government 

officials and protect homeschooling freedom for all. Join now >> 

Very truly yours, 

67

February 2017 Crossword 

68

MISSING 

MISSING 

69

We received permission from Hillsdale College in Michigan 

to share their courses on our website. Each link offers a 

group of classes. 

Some of the non-credit courses being offered: 

Course Catalog 

· An Introducon to C.S. Lewis: Wrings and Significance 

· Winston Churchill and Statesmanship 

· The Federalist Papers 

· A Proper Understanding of K-12 Educaon: Theory and Pracce 

· The Presidency and the Constuon 

· Great Books 102: Renaissance to Modern 

· Constuon 101: The Meaning & History of the Constuon 

· Great Books 101: Ancient to Medieval 

· Economics 101: The Principles of Free Market Economics 

· History 102: American Heritage, From Colonial Selement to the Reagan Revoluon 

· History 101: Western Heritage, From the Book of Genesis to John Locke 

· Other Lectures and Programs 

· Hillsdale Dialogues: A Survey of Great Books, Great Men, and Great Ideas 

Kirby Center Lectures Archive 

Hillsdale College on YouTube 

70

The Only Radio Station you will ever NEED! 

NHEG RADIO 

NHEG Radio….Quality Radio….Informative Radio 

Hi Victoria, 

Great job this week! Your voice was loud enough and again I did not hear any 

back-ground noise. In my opinion, teen dating abuse needs to be 

discussed more often because dating generally starts during the 

teen years and they need to be more aware of what is 

acceptable and not acceptable. 

Sincerely, 

Shannon 

71

72

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Products 

Handmade cards 

Company Overview 

Send us addresses of any child that may need a card. 

General Information 

Kindcards22@gmail.com for cards and to send a message or write us 

on here. 

Mission 

To promote hope! 

CONTACT INFO 

@KindCardsForSickKidsAndSoldiers 

kindcards22@gmail.com 

STORY 

73

By: Khrista Cendana 

What is the definition of a latchkey child? A latchkey is a child who returns 

from school to an empty home because their parent or parents are away at 

work, or a child who is often left at home with little parental supervision. 

I never stayed home alone when I was young. I began to stay at home by 

myself when I was in high school, but that was because I knew what I was 

doing already. I took care of myself and knew what was like right or wrong. 

Parents who leave their child or children alone thinks they will become 

independent and will take care of themselves properly. They want their kids 

to take responsibility at an early age, but do so without really thinking about the consequences. The following are 

the pros and cons of a latchkey child: 

Cons: 

· Burglary 

· Tragedy 

· Kidnapping 

· Loneliness 

Pros: 

· Independent 

I really don’t like the odds of leaving a child alone. I would rather leave my child with a babysitter or if I can’t do 

anything, stay at home. There are hotlines for those with depression issues that one can use: 

· National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

· The Samaritans 

· Crisis Text Line 

These hotlines are a mere prime example of where a child or someone could talk to someone if they’re depressed 

or something else. One can find more hotlines out there. 

If you’re thinking of making your child independent, try to think about their safety. What do they need to do if they 

have no one to contact or go to? Now that we are in an era of technology, what can you do to make a child stay at 

home safely? Here are some helpful suggestions that you can do: 

· Let the child walk with a group of kids and their parents. 

· Buy the child a smartphone and put a tracking device on it so you’ll be able to know where the child is without 

worrying. 

· Teach the child what is right and wrong. 

· Let someone you know pick them up from school and bring them home. 

· Put a security camera inside the home to keep an eye on them. 

What will you do? Some kids will tell you the truth; some will just simply lie. You must be able to trust them. 


74

By: Khrista Cendana 

These suggestions will make your child or children remain at home safely. 

However, there are is other news that having a latchkey child is now a 

criminal. Some states may not like it if someone finds out that you’re making 

a child be independent. It is already the year 2017, where there is a lot of 

criminal offenses and ticketing happening rather than before. Make sure it’s 

all right to let your child stay at home by themselves in your particular state. 

Always ask the child if he/she wants to be left alone at the house. If you 

don’t ask, what if they get scared and get into a panic mode? What will you 

do? Some kids will tell you the truth; some will just simply lie. You must be 

able to trust them. 

(Continued From Next Page) 

Website/links used: 

http://www.latchkey-kids.com/home-alone-children-age.htm 

Is having a latchkey kid now a criminal offense? - OneNewsNow.com 

The New Latchkey Kids - Parents 

Latchkey Kids - tribunedigital-chicagotribune - Featured Articles from … 

Latchkey Kids Legal Age Limits Listed By State 

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 

Calling the Hotline - The Samaritans 

Crisis Text Line 

75

Yanni Zack 

12/11/16 

Assistant Virtual Development Director 

Teaching and Education Department 

And assist with classroom research 

Ranita Ashlock 

Jyoti Khairnar 

12/12/16 12/19/16 

Hr Coordinator 

Assistant Accountant 

Satwik Chinta 

12/21/2016 

Graphics Designer 

Sujan Reddy Annem 

1/3/17 

Online Math Tutor (Geometry, Algebra, Calculus) 

Riya Chopra 

1/6/17 

YouTube and Website Video Updater 

Danielle Pickering 

1/10/17 

Proofreader/Editor 

Sadia Eijaz 

1/16/17 

Magazine Editor Assistant 

Student Leadership Council 

New and Returning Partner Teacher 

Heather Ruggiero 

1/9/17 

Language Arts Topics 

76

By Carol Barnier 

A Teachers 

Perfect Homeschooling. 

...and Other Great Myths 

Do you have an image of the perfect homeschool? Do you find this picture eats away at you on those 

days when your own homeschool falls far short of the mark? Do you picture darling, inquisitive, 

obedient, tidy and grateful children? You may imagine the perfect mother who has daily meals planned 

and prepared in advance, and whose chores routine is so consistent that the floors seem to scrub 

themselves. And the lesson plans, while written out in triplicate for a full year in advance, are actually 

hardly needed at all because Mom has the ability to turn any of life's events into teaching moments. 

I will admit to biting into this apple every fall. I am always tempted to believe that this year I've got it 

more together than in previous years. But things seem to have a way of – I don't know – getting away 

from me. 

Case in point: several years ago, I was taking my daughters with me to the poll to cast my vote in the 

presidential election. Here was a great teaching opportunity. I wanted to drive home the point of the 

privilege, not only of voting, but of doing so without threat. As I pulled into the parking area, I pointed 

at some trees that lined the far side of the lot. I explained that if we were in another country with less 

freedoms, there might be people hiding in those trees with guns, ready to shoot us if we got into a line to 

vote. I wanted them to understand what an amazing accomplishment it is that every four years there is 

this massive transfer of power and that it is a peaceful process. 

Power transfers regularly all over the globe. I wanted to illustrate to my children the unique process of 

checks and balances our forefathers put into place that has resulted in the civil transfer of power through 

election today. 

I think my 11 year old "got it," but it's possible that my 4 year old has come away from the experience 

shaken. She believed I was telling her there were literally, in those trees, armed men prepared to stop us 

from voting. I quickly explained that I was speaking of countries far away... not here, where we have no 

such fears. But by that point, she was already scanning the area looking for the glint of someone hidden 

in the trees. She continued to voice concerns about whether or not we should dare to go in. Even as we 

walked by the laughing and unconcerned fellow voters scarfing up goodies from the bake sale table we 

passed, she didn't let go of the concept. It is clear my impromptu attempt at a civics lesson did not hit 

home with her. 

Such unplanned turns in our well-planned paths are in fact the actual stuff that make up a homeschool 

day. There was a time that I agonized over this fact. I feared that the lack of a traditional flow to my 

children's schooling routine would somehow damage them. But there is an amazing revelation that has 

begun to permeate the deep recesses of my mind. 

Homeschooling works! The socialization fears turned out to be laughable. Homeschooled children 

perform exceptionally well by every measure of success. Each new piece of research confirms it over 

and over again. 


77

By Carol Barnier 

A Teachers 

Perfect Homeschooling. 

...and Other Great Myths 


So I've learned to release a giant sigh because for now I know that... 

In spite of yogurt-filled (or yogurt spilled?) days and broken appliance interruptions, my children still 

learned. 

In spite of my personal aversion to algebra and inability to find magnetic north, my children still learned. 

In spite of a month of chaotic schooling because I had a virus that had me bedridden, my children still 

learned. 

Finally I have learned that there is a valuable and soul-satisfying "quality time" that can only come from 

"quantity time." No, I don't have the perfect homeschool. But I do have the peace of mind in knowing 

that homeschooling, with all its learning diversions, is perfect for us. 

78

79

Interested in Volunteering? 

hp://www.volunteermatch.org/ 

search/org100190.jsp 

or 

hp://www.chrisanvolunteering.org/ 

org/new-heights-educaonal-groupinc.jsp#fq=content_type:opportunity&f 

q=org_nid:433070 

Contact our HR Department 

at HR@NewHeightsEducaon.org 

80

A great organization and 

one of our newest partners 

81

Volunteer positions that need 

to be filled: 

New Teachers and Tutors 

Teaching Assistant/Substitute 

Class and Radio Monitors 

Radio Host Assistant 

Magazine Editor Assistant 

Photographer/ Artist 

Graphic Designers 

Communications Director/ 

Secretarial 

Fundraising Campaign Manager 

Partnership Builder/Assistant 

Book Agent 

HR Coordinators 

Virtual Development Directors 

Internet Radio Hosts 

Logo Design and Branding 

LMS Assistant/Classroom Building 

More opportunities can be found 

here: 

www.volunteermatch.org/ 

82

We have 42,150 listens now as of 

December 30, 2016 

Download the free Ohio Department of 

Educaon mobile app 

Ohio families can now get the latest 

educaon news, search for schools in 

their neighborhoods and look at their 

schools’ report cards right from their 

smartphones. The Ohio Department of 

Educaon haslaunched a mobile app 

for iPhone and Android. 

83

84

Nation's Schools Get Middling Grade on 

Quality Counts Report Card 

Nation's Schools Get Middling Grade on Quality Counts Report Card 

Overall, the nation’s schools earn a C on the latest Quality Counts report card, with variations among 

some states. 

By Sterling C. Lloyd and Alex Harwin 

As a new political and policy era dawns in Washington, the status of the nation’s schools 

remains stable, though still earning a grade of C from Quality Counts 2017, the 21st 

annual report card issued by the Education Week Research Center. 

The C corresponds to a score of 74.2, which is nearly identical to the 74.4 the nation 

posted in 2016, when it also received a C. The steadiness of national results, 

notwithstanding, a handful of states saw their scores increase or decline by a full point or 

more. 

Quality Counts grades the states and the nation on educational performance across a 

range of key indicators, issuing overall A-F grades based on a traditional 100-point 

scale. 

The overall grade is based on three custom indices developed by the Research Center: 

• The Chance-for-Success Index uses a cradle-to-career perspective to examine the role 

of education in promoting positive outcomes throughout an individual’s lifetime. 

• The school finance analysis evaluates spending on education and equity in funding 

across districts within a state. 

• The K-12 Achievement Index, last updated in 2016, scores states on current academic 

performance, change over time, and poverty-based gaps. 

Massachusetts takes first place among the states for the third year in a row, with a B and 

a score of 86.5. It’s followed by five states earning grades of B: New Jersey (85.6), 

Vermont (83.8), New Hampshire (83.4), Maryland (82.8), and Connecticut (82.7). 

At the other end of the spectrum, Nevada is at the bottom of the list as it was in 2016, 

receiving a D and a score of 65.0. Mississippi (65.8) and New Mexico (66.3) also receive 

grades of D. Grades and scores for those three states remain relatively unchanged from 

last year’s outcomes. 

Overall, the majority of states (34) land grades between C-minus and C-plus. 

Interactive Map 

(Continued next Page) 

85



(Continued from previous Page) 

Montana saw the biggest improvement between 2016 and 2017, with a gain of 1.3 points. 

New Hampshire and South Carolina also post increases of about one point. The uptick 

for New Hampshire places its overall score in the top five for the second time 

since Quality Counts’ revamped grading framework was introduced in 2015. By contrast, 

Alaska (-1.2) and Kansas (-1.0) are the only states to see their summative scores drop by 

a point or more. Alaska’s decline can be attributed to a substantial drop in its results on 

the Chance-for-Success Index, while Kansas experienced a marked fall-off in school 

finance. 

Chance for Success 

For the 10th year in a row, the nation earns a C-plus grade on the Chance-for-Success 

Index. Performance is strongest for indicators related to educational foundations in early 

childhood where the nation earns a B-minus. By comparison, the U.S. receives a C and a 

C-plus for the school years and adult outcomes, respectively. 

State Grading Data Download 

Grading Summary (2017) PDF 

Chance for Success (2017) PDF 

School Finance (2017) 

PDF 

K-12 Achievement (2016) PDF 

The 13 indicators that make up the Chance-for-Success Index capture opportunities for 

children to get off to a good start, move smoothly through K-12 education, and ultimately 

achieve positive educational and workforce outcomes as adults. 

For a decade now, Massachusetts has stood at the top in this category and continues to 

lead the nation with a grade of A-minus (91.0). New Hampshire is the only other state to 

earn an A-minus (90.3) and is followed by three states at B-plus—New Jersey (87.8), 

Connecticut (87.4), and Vermont (86.8). New Mexico scores lowest, the sole state to 

receive a D (66.4). In all, 28 states have grades of C-plus or lower. Montana saw the 

largest increase (1.9 points) while Alaska experienced the most substantial decline (-3.4 

points). 

The nation’s grade of C for school finance has remained the same for the past seven 

years, although its numeric score has dropped by half-a-point since last year. 

School Spending 

The school finance analysis examines two critical aspects of school spending. Of the 

eight indicators in this category, four assess school spending patterns, while the 

remaining metrics gauge equity in the distribution of funding across the districts within 

(Continued next Page) 86



(Continued from previous Page) 

The finance indicators in Quality Counts 2017 are based on the most recent data 

available from the federal government, which are from 2014. Quality Counts does not 

report raw spending data. All expenditures are adjusted by factors such as regional cost 

differences, in order to facilitate apples-to-apples comparisons. 

Wyoming regains its spot at the top of the rankings after slipping to second place in the 

2016 report. It posts an A-minus (89.5) followed by four states with grades of B-plus: New 

York (88.7), New Jersey (88.1), Connecticut (87.4), and Maryland (86.6). Idaho is the only 

state to get an F (58.9). 

Montana and New Hampshire each improved by two points while Kansas and Virginia 

each saw their scores tumble by two or more points. 

The analysis finds that states generally did better on measures of equity than on overall 

spending. In fact, nearly half of the states (24) receive an F for spending. The U.S. 

average for per-pupil spending stands at $12,156 after adjusting for regional cost 

differences. Vermont spends the most at $19,654 per student, while Utah ranks last at 

$7,038. 

Nationally, the Research Center’s equity analysis continues to find wide disparities in 

funding patterns across districts in many states. The Wealth Neutrality score indicates 

that just one state, Alaska, provides higher funding for property-poor districts than for their 

wealthier peers. 

The District of Columbia and Hawaii do not receive finance grades because they are 

single-district jurisdictions. 

K-12 Achievement 

The nation earned a C-minus for K-12 Achievement. Its letter grade has held steady over 

time. Numeric scores have inched up from 69.7 in 2012 and 70.2 in 2014 to 71.0 out of 

100 in 2016. The achievement index, which counts for one-third of this year’s overall 

grade, gauges states’ performance on 18 indicators. Results for this category were 

published in Quality Counts 2016, and remain unchanged because they rely heavily on 

National Assessment of Educational Progress results, which are released every other 

year. Other elements of this index include high school graduation rates and Advanced 

Placement exam scores. To score well on this index, a state must demonstrate strong 

academic performance, combined with improvements over time and progress toward 

narrowing poverty-based achievement gaps. 

Massachusetts (85.2) ranked first for K-12 Achievement, posting the only B. It has been 

the leader in the rankings for nearly a decade. New Jersey (81.0), the only other state 

with a grade higher than a C-plus, earned a B-minus. Mississippi (60.0) and New Mexico 

(61.8) received the nation’s lowest grades at D-minus. 

Across the three indices in the Quality Counts report card, the nation receives its lowest 

mark in K-12 Achievement as scores in this area are dragged down by current academic 

performance. On the other hand, it fares best in the Chance-for-Success category, 

87

Our New Year’s Wish for you; 

When you are lonely, we wish you 

Love; 

When you are down, we wish you 

Joy; 

When you are troubled, we wish you 

Peace; 

When you are empty, we wish you 

Hope; 

May you be surrounded by 

Happiness, Peace and Joy; 

Happy New Year to all our NHEG 

family and friends !!! 

88

RHODES SCHOLAR’S MOTHER HELPED HIM WITH AUTISM 

BREAKTHROUGH 

Kelly Fleming remembers the low point of raising her son, Jory. 

He was eight years old when he spent an entire morning, afternoon and evening wailing uncontrollably. 

She still doesn’t know what set off the boy, who has autism and a metabolic disorder. 

But the tough times seem more bearable now, at the high point. Last month, Jory, who is 22 with a 

feeding tube inserted in his stomach and braces on his legs, was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship 

In between came Ms. Fleming’s decision to give up on her own dream of practicing medicine, home 

schooling Jory, learning to read, a bird named Federer and finally college and a dog named Daisy. 

“All children have amazing minds,” Ms. Fleming says. “Their brains are right there for developing and just 

like any other child you have to find a way to make that human connection.” 

About 50,000 children diagnosed with autism turn 18 every year and about one-third enter college, 

according to a 2012 study in the journal Pediatrics. College administrators say few graduate without 

support. 

“They can have a lot of trouble with things like knowing when to interject during a conversation or to take 

the initiative and talk to the student sitting next to them in class,” said Ilene Gonzalez, autism services 

associate at California State University, Long Beach, one of a handful of schools with dedicated staff to 

help autistic students succeed. 

On the long day of Jory’s epic meltdown years ago, college was the farthest thing from Ms. Fleming’s 

mind. Even though his public school had assigned an aide to stay with him all day, the aide frequently 

took him out of the class to calm his outbursts. 

“He wasn’t learning, he wasn’t really doing anything,” Ms. Fleming said. 

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She had recently finished medical school and faced a choice. She could go to her residency or homeschool 

her son. “It was the hardest decision of my life,” she said. 

She chose her son. 

But Jory couldn’t read, and she didn’t know where to start. 

After an aborted effort to teach him Latin, Ms. Fleming threw the books out the window and let Jory’s 

sense of curiosity guide her. Ever since he was a toddler, he had spent hours looking out the window at 

birds. 

“I think I was first drawn to them because compared to their surroundings they are very disconnected,” he 

said. “They can escape their immediate surroundings and that’s something I wanted to be able to do.” 

The Flemings bought a cockatiel Jory named after his favorite tennis player. He studied Federer’s 

movement so intently his mother said they started to communicate. 

Before long, her once nearly nonverbal child was telling the family stories about his bird. 

Soon, he began to devour books. One day, Ms. Fleming was a third of the way down a page she was 

reading to Jory when he asked if he could he turn the page. 

It turned out Jory didn’t read from left to right but from the center of the page toward the top and bottom 

at the same time. 

“I don’t really see the words,” Jory explains. “I see a moving image of what’s going on on the page.” 

Jory says he doesn’t see a word like “progenitor.” Instead, he sees an Italian pizza chef who works in a 

hole-in-the-wall restaurant in New York City and makes the world’s best submarine sandwiches. 

“It’s a quick mental snapshot that I think is the result of my autism,” he says 

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. “Language is difficult for me, but images are easy.” 

His fascination with birds led him to the beach, which soothed him. There, he would watch the birds, 

which led to an interest in the ocean and then more broadly to geography and geophysics. 

Though Ms. Fleming had never thought her son would go to college, he applied to the nearby University 

of South Carolina and was accepted. He lived at home in Columbia and stayed mostly to himself on 

campus. 

But Jory had a secret weapon, a service dog named Daisy. “I’m flying blind,” when it comes to reading 

people, he says. But Daisy broke the ice and as one conversation led to the next, Jory’s confidence grew. 

Between his stellar grades and community service, Jory won a series of scholarships, which led him to 

apply for the granddaddy of them all, the Rhodes. 

His essay on how 18th-century British geographers connected philosophy and science with firsthand 

observation earned him a spot as a finalist and two days of interviews in Atlanta. 

After the interviews ended, he texted his mother at the hotel where they were staying that he was ready to 

leave. Then a second text came, almost as an afterthought. 

“I won,” it said. 

Jory will head off to the University of Oxford in England later this year to study geography—along with 

Daisy and his mom. He hopes to one day go into public service, where he hopes his proficiency with 

imagery can help him visualize and solve complex environmental problems. 

“My mom put so much effort into developing me, not only through teaching but to give me the mental 

strength and ability to control my autism,” Jory said. “Her example has propelled me toward public 

service.” 

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NHEG EDGuide Magazine - February 2017

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