Supporting LGBTQ+ Students: A Closer Look at Challenges and Solutions
Education is of the utmost importance. It equips our children, our communities, and our world at large with the knowledge and skills necessary to be resilient, equitable, and future-ready. Yet education can be hindered or even denied for LGBTQ+ students. Research reveals that, for these students, “the vast majority experienced harassment or assault during in-person school, and many heard school employees use homophobic language.” A student survey from the 2021-2022 school year showed that more than 80% of nonbinary or transgender students “cited depression, stress, or anxiety as obstacles to learning.” In this article, we’ll explore the pressing need for enhanced understanding, acceptance, and inclusivity for...
Summer Reading Readiness: The Key to Fluency and Comprehension
Summer Reading Readiness: The Key To Fluency and Comprehension Books wield incredible power. They can transport us to new worlds, impart knowledge and wisdom, and connect us more fully to each other and the world around us. Reading teaches, entertains, and empowers us all. During the summer months, students have extra time to dive into the world of books and harness these benefits. This is particularly crucial for those in rural areas, where resources may be limited, as summer reading programs can be a vital tool in maintaining and improving literacy rates. In this article, we'll explore why summer reading is so essential, how to promote...
Graduation Denied: How Issuing Your Own Homeschool High School Diploma Can Help Your Child Stay on Track
The traditional high school experience may not be for everyone. Some students may struggle to keep pace, while others may face unique challenges that make on-time graduation challenging. Reasons can range from personal or familial circumstances and learning disabilities, to simply needing a more flexible schedule. Whatever the reason, if your child is struggling to graduate on time, they are not alone. In the 2019-2020 school year, 14% of US students did not graduate high school on time. In the state of Georgia, there were even more high schoolers (16%) that did not meet the traditional timeline. Not graduating on time can present many challenges for...
Barista Source Academy Project
Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation Announces New Workforce Development Partnership March 22, 2023 – The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation announces a formal entrance into a strategic workforce development partnership with Barista Source, LLC, to form Barista Source Academy. The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation operates Tiers Free Academy Homeschool Cooperative, Georgia’s largest homeschool cooperative. The cooperative provides an alternative pathway to a high school diploma for youth and adults in rural Georgia communities. Since 2015, Tiers Free Academy Homeschool Cooperative has worked with parents and guardians to award over 500 high school diplomas to deserving students. The lack of a high school diploma is the first hurdle that many job seekers in rural communities encounter...
From Public School to Homeschool: How to Transition Smoothly
The transition from public school to homeschool can be accompanied both by excitement and eagerness, as well as fears and frustrations. You might be thinking that these feelings are felt solely by the parents, but often, the students experience this same mixed-bag of emotions as they make the big transition, too. After all, the homeschooling experience is drastically different than what they have come to know and expect each day. Giving yourself and your child grace through the transition phase is paramount for setting yourselves up for success as new homeschoolers. While it may seem like you should jump right in on day one, often...
Prevention-Focused Community Policing
Prevention-Focused Community Policing “If you want to go fast, go alone,” says an old adage. “If you want to go far, go together.” When it comes to policing in America and the relationships between police and the communities they serve, it can be said that we have a long way to go. And as wisdom dictates, the best way to bridge that distance is with collaboration and partnership. That spirit of togetherness is what community policing is all about. Here’s a deep dive into the aims and approach of community policing, the importance of a focus on prevention, and how police and communities find pathways to meaningful...
Why a Homeschool High School Diploma Outweighs a GED
In spite of the fact that the national graduation rate is at an all-time high, over a million students drop out of high school each year in the United States. Although Georgia's graduation rate has also risen substantially in recent years (up to 84.1%), the state is still home to many, many individuals whose economic and professional opportunities are limited by not having a high school diploma. For those individuals, options to finish their education have historically been limited to two options: re-enroll in a full-time high school program, or get a GED. GEDs are a common alternative to a high school diploma for people...
Why Literacy Matters—and How You Can Help Your Child Improve
Literacy is an essential part of childhood education. In many ways, it's the foundation on which many other forms of education rely. But learning to read is hard, particularly for students from underprivileged backgrounds or rural communities, where schools tend to have fewer resources. Sometimes, kids need a little extra support developing their reading skills. In those cases, summer reading programs can be immensely beneficial in helping students to get caught up and maintain fluent reading comprehension. The Importance of Literacy According to experts, literacy is a key predictor of academic success. Students with strong literacy skills tend to do better in school and have a higher...
New Year, New You: It’s Never Too Late To Graduate
New Year, New You: It's Never Too Late To Graduate The new year is a time of possibilities. It's an opportunity to reimagine who we are, to examine our long-term goals, and set intentions for how to get closer to them. For many people, those goals include continuing their education. Particularly for non-traditional students or adults who didn't finish high school, earning a high school diploma can unlock a wide range of professional opportunities and set them on the path to achieving their goals. Still, that's often easier said than done. Returning to school as an adult or a non-traditional student can come with a lot of...
How homeschooling will help your child to experience more real-life, practical social experiences
When I first decided to homeschool my two children, the question that I got asked the most was "How will you socialize them?" My response was always "They are children--not animals. We socialize animals. We create social experiences for children." And the person who asked the question always stared at me with a blank look. Homeschooling is quite possibly one of the best ways for children to experience real-life, practical social experiences, and yet, for some reason, homeschooling tends to grow the most criticism in that very regard. Homeschooling offers children the opportunity to experience daily life alongside their parent or guardian. Whether they find themselves...