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Grade Skipping: 5 Reasons Your Child Shouldn’t Skip a School Grade

Grade-skipping can sound like a fast track to academic success, especially when your child seems bored or underchallenged. But while the idea of advancing a grade may appeal to parents seeking to match a gifted student’s academic pace, the long-term social, emotional, and even academic impacts deserve a closer look. At The Tenney School, where individualized instruction is at the heart of what we do, we believe there’s often a better path forward that doesn’t involve skipping critical milestones.

What Is Grade Skipping?

Grade skipping is a type of academic acceleration that allows academically gifted students to bypass the coursework of one or more school years.

The Alternative to Grade Skipping!   The Tenney School offers personalized one-to-one instruction, allowing students to be challenged and supported at their own pace without grade skipping.  

Why Do Parents Grade-Skip Their Kids?

There are two main reasons why parents grade-skip their kids.

  • Their gifted child is not adequately challenged in their current grade. They grasp concepts before their peers and quickly get bored in class and when doing tasks such as homework.
  • The parents feel teachers don’t pay special attention to their gifted child, which is true. Research shows that only 23% of teachers focus on academically advanced students, while 60% consider struggling students a top priority.

Although grade skipping was popular in the past, the numbers have significantly dropped over the years. Nowadays, only about one percent of students’ grade-skip. The significant drop is due to the emotional and psychological effects grade skipping has on young children.

Here are five problems your child might face when skipping grades in either private or public schools.

1. Trouble Adjusting To a New Academic Rigor

As students advance in grades, their workload is bound to increase. A child who previously breezed through work may face unprepared academic pressures. The drastic transition can be overwhelming for your child, who might struggle to adjust to the new academic pace in the higher grade.

2. Social Isolation

It is natural for a grade-skipped student to feel like the “new kid” in class and withdraw since they do not fit in. It may be difficult for them to make friends and relate to their peers, leading them to dread going to school.

3. Difficulty Staying at the Top of the Class

Students may find it challenging to maintain their excellent academic performance. The student may fall behind in a higher grade despite excelling in their previous class. This transition might discourage students, causing them to lose interest in learning and stop putting in the effort.

4. Emotional Unpreparedness

As a parent, you should consider the emotional maturity of your child before grade skipping them. After joining the higher grade, they may lack the social skills to interact with older children. As a result, they may struggle to initiate conversations or relate with their peers.

5. Prone To Bullying

Bullying is an unpleasant reality in today’s educational system, particularly for children who other students see as “different.” A grade-skipped student is likely to be shorter than most of their new classmates, and they may become the target of class bullies. If the teasing doesn’t stop, the student may develop low self-esteem.

Childhood is already short as it is. There’s no need to hurry your child.

Let Your Gifted Child Discover The Power Of One

If you’re considering skipping grades for your child, be sure to weigh all your options. Grade skipping might do more harm than good for your child. Enrolling your child in a one-on-one instruction class is an excellent alternative to skipping grades.

At the Tenney School, we offer personalized learning based on each student’s unique needs. Through the one-to-one student-to-teacher ratio, your gifted child will benefit from targeted education and individual coaching, one session at a time. We’ll focus on their strengths and challenge them with new exercises daily.

Schedule a call with us and let your little one experience the Power of One.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is One-to-One Learning?2024-09-19T09:50:33-05:00

One-to-one learning is an educational approach where a student receives personalized instruction from a teacher in a one-on-one setting. This method allows for individualized attention, tailored lesson plans, and pacing that matches the student’s unique needs and learning style. It’s particularly beneficial for students who thrive with focused support, whether they’re advanced learners or need additional help in certain areas. At The Tenney School, one-to-one learning is at the core of our philosophy, ensuring each student can maximize their academic potential in a supportive, customized environment.

What Grade Levels Are Offered?2024-09-19T09:51:41-05:00

The Tenney School offers individualized, one-to-one instruction for students in grades 5 through 12. Our curriculum is designed to meet the unique academic needs of each student, whether they are in middle school or high school. We focus on preparing students for success in their current grade level while also setting them up for future achievements in college and beyond. Our small class sizes and personalized learning approach ensure that students in every grade receive the attention and resources they need to excel academically.

Is The Tenney School an Accredited School?2024-09-19T09:41:32-05:00

The Tenney School has maintained accreditation through Cognia (formerly the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools) since 1979. The accreditation process is repeated every five-to-six years.  The last School Accreditation Engagement Review of The Tenney School was successfull completed in February 2022. 

The Tenney School earned an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) score of 318.5 from Cognia on the last review.  This IEQ is well above the average school IEQ (278.34 – 283.33).

How Much is the Tuition?2024-09-19T09:44:27-05:00

Grade Skipping: 5 Reasons Your Child Shouldn’t Skip a School Grade2025-06-27T10:02:44-05:00

Student Stress and 7 Ways Parents Can Help to Eliminate it!

About 45% of teens said they had felt more stress than usual during COVID-19. This is a clear testimony of the heightened level of stress students are experiencing today. A good number of students are disengaged, some are recording declining performance while others have disappeared from school altogether. The situation has left classroom teachers feeling overwhelmed, making it important for parents to step in. But what can parents do to help reduce student stress? Here’s what to know.

How to Reduce Student Stress:

1. Learn to Listen

The disruptions occasioned by the pandemic have had a huge impact on students’ mental health. To help your child cope with stress during these difficult times, you should learn to listen to them and focus on their emotions. Encouraging open communication will make it easy for your child to talk about their fears, struggles, and shortcomings. This way, you will know what is going on in their life and help them learn that no one is perfect.

2. Shift of Mindset

There is no doubt that academic excellence is very important. However, stellar academic performance does not guarantee eventual success in life. You also need to appreciate that students have different strengths, interests, and abilities. Rethinking and changing your approach towards academics will allow you to offer the support your child needs, effectively reducing the pressure and stress they experience.

Unlock Your Child's Potential With One-to-One Learning   Personalized education designed to nurture academic success and prepare your child for a bright future  

3. Ensure the Right Amount of Sleep

Lack of adequate sleep increases the risk of depression, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Make sure your child maintains a consistent sleep schedule and enjoys good sleep quality. Your child should also get the right amount of sleep for improved physical and emotional health. Children aged between six and twelve should get nine to twelve hours of sleep per night while teens should get eight to ten hours of sleep.

4. Serve a Healthy Diet and Encourage Exercise

Self-care strategies can go a long way in helping to reduce stress levels. A varied and healthy diet will help in managing student stress and anxiety. This is why you may want to make fruits, vegetables, whole-grain foods, and proteins part of your family meals. In addition, encourage your children to engage in physical activity every day. Consider turning off screens so they can go outside to play or take part in organized sports.

5. Teach Them Time Management Skills

Good time management skills will ensure students have enough time to work on their studies as well as participate in co-curricular activities. This way, they will have the time and room needed to decompress and develop through non-academic activities. Since your children look up to you for acceptance and affirmation, you should help them set realistic goals for themselves and manage expectations as they work towards achieving them.

6. Be a Friend

Your child needs you to be by their side to support them during these hard times. Being a friend and providing parental support will help the child build resilience against stress. Make sure you show interest in other aspects of your children’s lives besides academic grades. You can also engage them in topics that are of interest to them. However, the support you provide should still allow the student to build their ability to handle adversity.

7. Watch Out for Signs of Mental Illness

Teens with anxiety and stress often suffer in silence. You need to recognize the warning signs of serious mental health issues and intervene accordingly. Take note of issues such as anti-social behavior, drug use and abuse, a drop in grades, sleep disturbances, and changes in eating habits.

Learn More About Reducing Student Stress

At the end of the day, stress is a multifaceted problem. As such, all stakeholders should play their respective roles and work together to reduce it. At The Tenney School, we use a Hybrid-Flexible approach to school to help keep our community healthy during this pandemic while ensuring students achieve their goals. Feel free to contact us today to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is One-to-One Learning?2024-09-19T09:50:33-05:00

One-to-one learning is an educational approach where a student receives personalized instruction from a teacher in a one-on-one setting. This method allows for individualized attention, tailored lesson plans, and pacing that matches the student’s unique needs and learning style. It’s particularly beneficial for students who thrive with focused support, whether they’re advanced learners or need additional help in certain areas. At The Tenney School, one-to-one learning is at the core of our philosophy, ensuring each student can maximize their academic potential in a supportive, customized environment.

What Grade Levels Are Offered?2024-09-19T09:51:41-05:00

The Tenney School offers individualized, one-to-one instruction for students in grades 5 through 12. Our curriculum is designed to meet the unique academic needs of each student, whether they are in middle school or high school. We focus on preparing students for success in their current grade level while also setting them up for future achievements in college and beyond. Our small class sizes and personalized learning approach ensure that students in every grade receive the attention and resources they need to excel academically.

Is The Tenney School an Accredited School?2024-09-19T09:41:32-05:00

The Tenney School has maintained accreditation through Cognia (formerly the Southern Association of Colleges & Schools) since 1979. The accreditation process is repeated every five-to-six years.  The last School Accreditation Engagement Review of The Tenney School was successfull completed in February 2022. 

The Tenney School earned an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) score of 318.5 from Cognia on the last review.  This IEQ is well above the average school IEQ (278.34 – 283.33).

How Much is the Tuition?2024-09-19T09:44:27-05:00

Student Stress and 7 Ways Parents Can Help to Eliminate it!2024-11-07T09:57:02-06:00

How to Help Your Child Deal With the Pain of Rejection

Rising above rejection isn’t easy at any age. However, for kids, it can be especially difficult. Whether or not we’re well-received by others plays a significant role in determining how we perceive ourselves. Although learning how to overcome rejection is an essential part of growing up, certain forms of rejection can be both unhealthy and serious. With the information below, you can raise balanced, resilient, and, ultimately, happy kids. Rest assured that non-acceptance won’t affect your youngsters’ self-esteem.

Don’t Encourage Your Child to Simply Brush Rejection Off

Science now shows that rejection causes the same response in the brain as physical pain. If you happen to be fairly adept in weathering the social angst and internal discomfort that rejection causes, it’s important to avoid placing the same expectations on your child. Even without visible cuts and bruises, rejections hurts children. For kids, the pain of rejection is very real. There’s also a very real risk of children internalizing the negative messages that rejection sends. This can lead to depression, low self-esteem, and diminished enthusiasm, engagement, and performance across all life areas.

Assess How Your Child Deals With Rejection

It’s completely normal for people to deal with rejection through escapism and indulgent behavior. Some people eat to excess when they feel rejected. Others immerse themselves in video games, books, or binge-watching TV. Despite being both normal and common, these responses to rejection aren’t healthy. Encourage kids to take a positive and proactive approach to assess rejection, process it, and seek ways to either advocate for themselves or improve their circumstances. If they aren’t encouraged to deal with rejection head-on, indulgent behaviors can lead to substance abuse, cutting, and even other, more severe forms of self-harm later in life.

Distinguish Between Normal and Extreme Rejection or Bullying

A time comes when your child doesn’t make the football team or selected to play first string in the school orchestra. These are normal, acceptable forms of rejection, and they can actually prove to be positive, motivating experiences if your child has the right outlook. Among some of the best ways to coach and encourage your child after normal rejection include:

  • Suggesting more practice and a solid improvement plan
  • Helping kids find areas in which they naturally excel
  • Finding less competitive groups

Kids who receive positive reinforcement at home tend to be less reactive to rejection. Tell your kids that you’re proud of them as often as you can. Tell them that their skills and performance are amazing and that they’re always improving. It takes far more effort and hardship to tear someone down if they are built up.

Bullying is by far one of the worst forms of rejection that kids can experience. There are no rules for this game, and there is no possible way for the bullied to win by playing. Never encourage resilience in a bullied child and then leave them to their own devices. Bullying without intervention can make kids feel desperate, hopeless, and downright depressed. When you can intervene, you should. You can schedule meetings with staff members, speak with parents, and coach your child on avoidance. However, in instances of severe bullying, avoidance isn’t always possible for kids to accomplish on their own. Sometimes the most successful strategy is changing schools or churches, and finding other ways to keep your child separate from mean-spirited antagonists.

Provide a Healing Environment

Provide a healing environment for a child that’s emotionally overwhelmed by targeted rejection such as bullying. Surround kids with friends and family members who value and appreciate them, and who reaffirm their worth.  Helping your child find a group in which they belong can be a critical measure against self-harming behaviors and other unhealthy coping strategies.

Even with minor, normal instances of rejection, a healing environment that provides a sense of camaraderie can be soothing. Learning to use social connections for their mood-boosting benefits is an important step in growing up. Kids learn that when they hurt, it’s far better to be in the company of compassionate, understanding individuals than it is to internalize their negative emotions.

Conclusion

At Tenney School, we’re committed to helping kids learn their worth and protect their mental and emotional well-being. We foster an environment of understanding, empathy, and trust. More importantly, we work to ensure that our students don’t receive exposure to unhealthy rejection. To find out more about our mission, our values, and our program, get in touch with us today.

How to Help Your Child Deal With the Pain of Rejection2021-10-12T07:56:30-05:00

The High-Risk Status of High-Achieving Students

Aiming high is a priority for many families that want to secure a future for their children, and some try to get their foot in the door in high-ranking schools as early as possible.

Such schools are difficult to get into and even more difficult to pass. So not all are going to get in and certainly not all that get in will come out.

Dog Eat Dog

The result has been a highly-competitive environment where failure is not an option, according to parents. Yet the students know that failure is an inevitability for some of them. And it could be them.

Add to this the fact that schools don’t just teach. They offer a wide range of academic and extracurricular offerings.

So in a surprising turn of events, top colleges have an alarming share of students that have a higher rate of mental health problems than the national averages, causing some studies to label students in “high-achieving schools” as “at-risk.”

The New Normal

This status used to be reserved for the students that either failed to get into a high-achieving school or never had a chance in the first place, especially among kids dealing with poverty and absent parents.

Let that sink in for a moment. The students that get into the best of the best institutions are facing the same mental health issues as those that struggle with low-income, trauma, and discrimination.

Stress is Stress… Is Stress

The causes of the stress may be different, but the result is the same: Chronic stress with pronounced effects on the well-being of the student.

It comes down to a fundamental law of biology. The higher the stress in your life, the worse the outcome, no matter what the source of the stress is.

Naturally, some parents are going to be surprised by this data. They’re going to want to know where all the pressure is coming from.

Trouble in Paradise

It’s more a matter of where isn’t it coming from. Students in high-achieving schools don’t just see their future staked to their success. They see the approval, even the love, of their parents, their school coaches, and favorite teachers.

Reputations and ratings are on the line, which can affect the real-estate figures in the area.

The threads tied to those students are many and tangled.

Add to this the fact that acceptance rates are lower than ever at these top colleges.

Students that might otherwise be friends and form a support system must now compete with each other for spots in certain classes.

The act of learning and building skills has been reduced to a task that needs done. A means to an end. Students that once enjoyed the process of learning and doing can end up having the joy sucked out of their education.

Factor in the stress of knowing that if you fall, your peers are dying for a chance to outshine you.

It Starts Early

This starts much earlier than in high school or college. Remember the glitz and glamour surrounding things like spelling bees, the advanced reading track, and the sports teams?

Remember the overachievers in middle and high school? How they ran on very little sleep and every minute of their day was under a schedule?

The college students that are coming unglued have been a product in development for a very long time.

When The Cracks Appear

That kind of stress has led to higher rates of depression, anxiety, acting out, and substance abuse. The rates are upwards of two to three times the national average.

We can’t overlook the fact that tying a student’s worth to what they can accomplish does not foster a healthy outlook. Not on oneself and not on others.

It would be a far cry to say that every student in high-achieving schools has experienced the same pressures and reacted the same way. Some get by alright. But as a group, the numbers are impossible to ignore.

It’s been communicated to these students in one form or another that the only way to a successful job and sustainable pay is the narrow path through whichever high-achieving school they set their sights on.

But what keeps some students from succumbing to that pressure while others buckle?

People, Not Things

One piece of the puzzle has to do with the values that the students were taught by their parents.

One study revealed that students who had been taught to value character over accomplishments held together better.

The survey had the students rank a list of values in the order that they felt their parents would. Three values were achievement-oriented and three other values were about character traits, such as being respectful, helpful, and kind.

The more the values of character outranked the values of achievement, the more the student was likely to do alright.

It’s a real wake-up call for parents who might say that character and behavior are a top priority, but that tell on themselves in little ways. The messages about the importance of achievement are omnipresent in the schools, and they tune the ears of our children so that when they see or hear their parents indicate a love of things or achievements, they recognize it.

They see it for what it is.

Our children see what turns our heads, what we put first in the day, what we admire in others, and what gets the lion’s share of our time and energy.

Even if the values passed on to our children are noble and healthy, a simple lack of balance can have negative effects.

Focusing on one single thing from sunup until sundown will take its toll, and that includes education. There needs to be room for things that buffer against stress and pressure, like eating together as a family, playtime, downtime, etc.

The Spectre of Addiction

A reality of all colleges, bottom to top, is consumption of drugs and alcohol. What starts as a one-time experiment becomes a coping mechanism to keep the electricity of stress and pressure out.

There are some new insights into addiction that could not have come at a better time for troubled students under pressure.

The classic understanding of addiction has been that the brain forms a chemical dependency on the high created by a substance, which is scientific and logical.

The feeling of well-being caused by a substance is no longer a luxury, but the standard, because the brain resets itself so that the presence of the substance is “normal.”

By that logic, every soldier that had gone off to war would have come home a junkie because of the high-grade morphine issued to the injured on the battlefield. It wasn’t the street-level stuff. This was the real deal with a pure high to go along with the painkilling properties.

The truth was that some soldiers came home from war and acclimated to civilian life just fine, never reaching for a fix of morphine.

Some of their associates became the stereotype of the veteran-turned-addict, but not all. That doesn’t square up with the classic understanding of addiction.

The difference was found in the support system that the soldier had when he got home. Veterans that had friends and family and meaningful connections among them had no trouble leaving the morphine alone.

Veterans that lived alone or that had few valued relationships fared the worst.

One researcher took this data to the next level with a study involving rats. 

He placed rats in a cage all by themselves with no rats and no toys. He supplied them with two water bottles: One with regular water and the other with heroin or cocaine in it.

He placed other rats in another cage that had everything a rat could dream of: toys, slides, and most importantly, other rats. He called it Rat Park.

The isolated rats turned to the drug-laced water frequently until they overdosed and died.

The Rat Park rats left the drug water alone.

The Opposite of Addiction Isn’t Sobriety

The point of this study in this article is this: If we don’t want students turning to drugs and alcohol to cope with their stress and pressure, they need meaningful connections.

The Rat Park studies show us that the opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety. It’s connection. 

Prioritizing achievement above all else, including the value of character, will devalue connection, will elevate impersonal, unfeeling things above all things human.

Drug addiction among students, therefore, isn’t kids just being kids. It’s a sign of a lack of human connection.

For parents and friends, that means that keeping the lines of communication open is crucial, or else the student may start using substances to simulate the well-being that could be experienced with love and friendship.

Unconditional love is a powerful weapon against stress and pressure. If love is associated with performance and success, then a student’s view of how they’re valued will constantly be under attack.

Drugs are harmful, but their effect is delivered with 100% dependability. In the absence of meaningful connections that include unconditional love, that kind of reliability of relief is tempting.

So how can parents solve this problem effectively? Without erasing a healthy respect for dreaming and achieving?

Ideally, parents would start when the messages about achievement first start bombarding their children: early in life.

We may not be pushing our kids to get into college at such a tender age in preschool, but we can still communicate high expectations with something as simple as tone of voice or a raised eyebrow. We should be aware of how we do this.

Another factor in the equation is the fact that children are not born knowing how to manage their anger. Small children will react to distress with lots of screaming and thrashing.

Adults respond differently because of the anger management skills they’ve acquired.

“Shop around” the mental health world for coping strategies that fit your child. Positive affirmations and breathing exercises may work wonders for one child, while punching a pillow may be what’s required for another one.

The important thing is that by the time your child is a student and finds themselves dealing with negative emotions in school, they know what to do with it and how to direct it, instead of either holding it in until it causes psychological problems, or recklessly unleashing it on those around them.

Also, wouldn’t it be nice if the school is looking out for the mental health of their students as much as the parents?

Without throwing a healthy concern for academic success out the window, look for schools that have programs in place to support stressed students. The more “open-door” policies, the better. It’s possible to encourage goals and reaching for great things and also be there to help students that feel overwhelmed.

But there’s no substitute for the things that can be done at home.

Mother Theresa is quoted as saying, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.”

Parents can become so caught up in the business of everyday life that they forget to nourish and nurture the corner of society they have in their own home. Being observant and available to your children will make them feel safe and foster a sense of trust and communication.

Closing Thoughts

From what we’ve examined, there’s room on all fronts in today’s high-achieving schools to help improve the mental health of students.

The schools can either implement programs or provide access to problems that help students sort out their stress load. In the age of the internet, this could be as simple as posting a brochure with a web address on a bulletin board.

Parents and friends of the students can take the initiative to reassure the student that they’re cared for and loved. If the students are young, toddlers even, then we have the perfect chance to teach them how to handle and direct anger in productive ways.

And as the old saying goes, you can lead a horse to water…

Students that are under intense pressure need to accept the help once it’s offered. Nobody can force you to get help. There’s no shame in seeking aid. It isn’t a sign of weakness.

The High-Risk Status of High-Achieving Students2021-04-09T17:09:54-05:00

How to Improve Classroom Engagement in This Remote/Online Era

A year ago, the coronavirus pandemic spread all over the world and took a toll on millions of lives. What we are now witnessing is a changing world; where social distancing is a norm, wearing masks is essential, and staying locked in homes is a daily routine.

In these turbulent times- businesses, offices, and schools have to continue functioning while in confinement. Everyone was and is still buzzing with confusion, uncertainty, and doubt on how to keep up with these important aspects of life. After all, protecting one’s self from the deadly virus is necessary while simultaneously accepting many major life changes.

One area of life which severely affected everyone, is work and education. The virus completely challenged the education system, which went through a major transformation. More than 1.2 billion students all across the world are now out of the classroom.

As a result, students and teachers all over the world have struggled to make sense of a new reality and tried to adjust to a completely new mode of learning.

A year later, the coronavirus refuses to dissipate and it does not look like things will go back to what they used to be, anytime soon. School and college education is likely to continue in this new dynamic. However, it is extremely important to understand its deeper, long-term impacts on students, their learning, and their mental state.

Let’s take a look at the various effects of the pandemic and new remote learning as well as the challenges faced by students. We will also discuss ways to improve classroom engagement and education.

Online classes

The coronavirus outbreak forced colleges and schools to close down. As a result, these institutions had to switch from traditional face-to-face classrooms to online meetings and lectures. The most common method used for online learning is video conferencing.

A number of applications like Zoom and Discord are being used for this purpose. The method is simple; everyone in the class logs in to the video meeting at a pre-scheduled time, and then the online class begins. Teachers host the meetings and can use various methods to engage the students through different online features.

For Zoom users, there are a number of chat tools available, and even screen annotation is possible which allows users to make text boxes, free-form pen drawings, shapes, and more. In order to replicate the traditional classroom, there is also a “raise hand” feature that students can click on, to indicate that they would like to say something.

With time, these applications are frequently updating and improving to further optimize their functionality as online classroom channels.

Effectiveness of Remote Learning

When the right technology is used, remote learning has significant potential as an effective teaching method. In fact, online methods for teaching are quite strong and are the only way to foster learning in these tough times.

There are some major benefits of remote learning that must be taken into consideration. For starters, there is a lot of flexibility as it is a more student-oriented approach. In this technology-driven era, many students may find it interesting to study online using their own methods, as compared to a traditional teacher-centered classroom. The use of video, audio, text, and lecture can also make an engaging combination.

Research has found that students can retain up to 25-60% more material through e-learning, in comparison with 8-10% retention in the classroom. This is likely due to the fact that online classes allow them to learn faster.

Interestingly, it was also revealed that in online classes, students may take 40-60% less time to learn. They can learn the material at their own pace and spend less or more time on concepts they already know or do not know.

The effectiveness of remote learning also depends on the age-group of students. This is because students have different requirements according to their age. Younger children would need a more structured format and environment to garner the full benefits of e-learning. Teachers would also have to work harder to replicate a physical classroom for younger children, by using a variety of engagement tools.

In times of crisis like COVID-19, remote learning is the only way students can maximize their learning and knowledge, without having to compromise on their education.

Challenges of Remote Learning

There is no denying the fact that remote learning has numerous advantages. But at the same time, we need to assess the real-life application and use of e-learning while gauging how students feel about it.

Despite the availability and access to technologies for facilitating online education, is remote learning actually reliable? More specifically, are children actually ‘learning’ through these classes?

Firstly, there are some issues related to online education that can make remote learning quite difficult. For instance, technical errors and problems frequently arise while using modern technology. There can be hiccups in the internet connections used by teachers and students, which disrupt the learning process and the atmosphere of a class.

Furthermore, downloading or installation errors, problems with logging in, or audio/video-related issues can also impact the quality of learning.

Remote learning also comes with a few other challenges. It is more likely for students to feel bored and uninterested in an online classroom setting. Distractions at home can also be a common problem. Plus, regardless of the online facilities available, two-way communication is also decreased during remote learning.

As there is a lack of practical exercises, the course content can feel too theoretical and lecture-based; minimizing the potential of learning offered by online education. There may also be a lack of clear instructions and guidelines for assignments and tests. In addition, many students are not able to address their concerns in an online setting.

Remote learning also poses another issue for teachers, which is a lack of control over the students and their learning of course material. Without face-to-face interaction, the teacher may not be able to keep a check on each student and their progress. Students may even choose to leave the virtual class, without being held accountable. This results in reduced discipline and learning.

In a study conducted by Parkes et al in 2014, it was found that students were generally not prepared to balance family, work, and social lives while in an online learning environment. In addition, they were found to be ill-prepared for e-learning and usage of Learning Management Systems.

Student Anxiety

Due to the significant change in their education system, students are at the receiving end of major mental health issues.

According to a recent ‘Natural Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ survey conducted on 3500 students enrolled in four-year degree programs, there is a vast majority of college students struggling with elevated levels of anxiety.

The statistics are quite alarming, as 35% of the students reported feeling “somewhat anxious” about Covid-19. Whereas, 25% of students shared that they felt “slightly anxious” and 21% felt “very anxious.”

According to another survey by Strada-College Network, the biggest challenges students are facing this fall are related to their emotional well-being. Students also shared that self-doubt, instability, and uncertainty have become common themes in their lives due to the educational and career changes brought on by COVID-19.

Students identified anxiety, stress, and loneliness as the top issues they were facing. In fact, these mental challenges reportedly affected them even more than financial issues or workload management. It was also found that 71% of the students felt, “Online education is negatively affecting their ability to learn”.

A qualitative survey conducted by Livia Morris and Julia Morris, (graduates from the University of California) revealed personal struggles and experiences faced by students and recent graduates. Some students shared that they had a “strong aversion to online learning”.

The Director of Research for Strada, Nichole Torpey-Saboe was surprised at the high level of pessimism and negativity that surrounds online teaching and learning. College students are increasingly getting concerned about their academic success and are worrying about finding employment in the future.

Improving Classroom Engagement ; Online Education

These recent surveys and data are creating a bleak picture of the current educational system all over the world. However, we still cannot underestimate the perks of remote learning and the opportunities it offers.

It is important to realize that we are still new to this form of teaching and learning. In fact, the transition to online learning may even be a major catalyst in improving and reshaping digital education. It could also fuel innovation in the educational sector, ultimately boosting the digital skills of both teachers and students.

There are a number of ways teachers and students can unlock the full potential of e-learning, while improving classroom engagement and reducing the stress levels faced by students. Here are some helpful methods that teachers can use:

Meet for brief periods

Rather than meeting for hours every day, teachers can start meeting students more frequently and for smaller periods. ‘Chunk’ learning is more likely to keep students stimulated and engaged. Teachers could divide the same number of hours into smaller sessions.

Start the class with music

Teachers can start the class with soothing or energetic music playing in the background. Good music has the ability to set the tone and mood of the class. This would have the effect of calming down stressed or overwhelmed students, and ramp up their energy levels for the upcoming lesson.

In distance learning, you need to make children get into the mood to learn.

Use interactive videos

Another important tip is to start the class with a fun, educational, and interactive video. You could use a number of YouTube channels like ASAP Science, Crash Course, and Kurzgesagt to find interesting videos related to science, history, math, or English.

A visually stimulating video with colors and animations is more likely to capture students’ attention, instead of a simple, routine lecture.

You can ask students to watch the video before class begins and then ask them what they thought about it, before continuing with your lecture.

Good lighting ; sound

In order to improve the effectiveness of online learning, teachers should also improve the class atmosphere.

Crisp, high-quality audio with bright, pleasant lighting itself can make a big difference. Teachers can also use catchy transitions, Zoom backgrounds, and a range of fun tools to make activities more fun and appealing for children.

Design lessons that need participation

It is a fact that most teachers are already trying to encourage students to participate in online classes.

However, one useful approach would be to design lessons in a way that ‘requires’ students to participate. You can include graded, fun activities within the lesson to increase student engagement and interest.

Empower the student and give them a voice

Rather than focusing on your own lecture and slides, why not let the students practice more autonomy?

In the virtual classroom, giving students a voice and letting them take charge will keep things more interesting. Teachers can also let students choose how and what they wish to learn in the lesson.

Connect with students individually

It is increasingly important for students to be able to reach out to the teacher privately. Teachers must give this access to students and should connect with them individually.

One way to do this is to assign a week or day to each student for a private meeting. Allow students to share their progress, concerns, or any issues they may be facing in the classes.

Training teachers

To navigate this new era of digital teaching, it is not just the students that need extra help. Schools and colleges must focus on training their faculty and imparting the skills required to make remote learning a success. Workshops should be given to promote teaching styles tailored to the online classroom.

Furthermore, regular meetings should be held where teachers may discuss ideas and solutions with each other.

Final words

The changes and challenges brought on by COVID-19 were not anticipated by educators or students. It is important to realize that with schools and colleges shut down, our education systems cannot be the same again. This situation is equally new for all of us and at this point, we are still on a learning curve.

As the current demands keep changing, we need to focus on evolving and building our skills as educators and students. We need to find out ways to respond to the anxious feelings while fostering a positive environment that reduces the negativity and uncertainty around us.

With time and understanding, we can all be better equipped to face these changes and may even experience a revolution in digital education for an even better future.

How to Improve Classroom Engagement in This Remote/Online Era2021-02-02T07:36:22-06:00

The Effect High School Cheating Has on Kids

Cheating is omnipresent in schools across the globe. The pressure of being successful in school is leading a lot of students down this cheating path. Students see it as a way to get through their classes without considering the long term effects it can have. Cheating is extremely detrimental to students and prevents teachers from helping students with what they need.

How Are Kids Cheating?

In today’s world, technology is literally at kids’ fingertips. Children are becoming increasingly adept at hiding their cell phones in class and can easily look up answers and send them to other kids. Many students are also frequently working on laptops or tablets, and the internet is just a quick click away.

When it comes to submitting papers, it’s becoming increasingly easy for students to find papers already written online that they can simply copy and paste. Some students find ways around the plagiarism checkers by simply changing enough words around to not set it off. There are also some websites where you can buy papers for a nominal fee.

Why Are Kids Cheating?

Simply put, pressure. Kids are under an immense amount of pressure to be successful. They are perceived as weak or stupid if they do not succeed at a certain level. The push for all students to attend college forces some kids to do questionable things to get their grades to a point where they can get into certain colleges. Ultimately, cheating will hurt them once they get to college.

Consequences of Cheating

  • Makes children comfortable with lying
  • Lowers self-confidence
  • Has a snowball effect on learning
  • Can lead to kids getting suspended or expelled
  • Potential effects on future jobs

Makes Children Comfortable With Lying

Cheating is a form of lying, and the more often a student cheats, the more comfortable they will become with it. This can then translate to lying in other areas of their lives, which leads students down a dangerous path.

Lowers Self-Confidence

Typically, the reason a child will cheat is that they do not believe they can complete the task. While cheating once may initially make the child feel better that they avoided failing, not figuring out the task will hurt them in the long run.

Students who cheat once are more likely to cheat again. The more students cheat, the more they will feel stupid and incapable of doing well. This will lead to their self-confidence plummeting.

Snowball Effect on Learning

When a student cheats to do well, their teacher will assume the child understands the material. The teacher will then not work on the topic with the student.

Much of learning builds on material previously learned. If a student does not know the base material, they will get farther and farther behind in school. This will inevitably lead to more cheating to keep up, and the cycle will continue.

Suspension/Expulsions

Cheating is a serious offense and can result in a student being suspended or expelled. Being out of school for an extended period will have detrimental effects on a child, as they are not learning during that time. If a student begins cheating in high school and continues into college, they could be looking at getting kicked out of college if they are caught cheating.

Effects on Future Jobs

If someone gets a job based on how they performed in school, it is likely to lead to disaster if they earned their grades through cheating. Students who cheat are likely not to have developed problem-solving skills and will therefore struggle in the workforce.

Learn More About the Effects of High School Cheating

At The Tenney School, we pride ourselves on our one-to-one individualized instruction. Contact us today for more information.

The Effect High School Cheating Has on Kids2021-01-23T09:32:49-06:00

How Much Is Student Anxiety on the Rise?

In some cultures where educational advancement ties to big examinations, student anxiety is very high, more often leading to suicide and other dramatic emotional outcomes. The situation is serious among students in the United States as well.

“The Mental Health Tsunami”

An article from the National Educational Association (NEA) quotes a kindergarten teacher as finding that her four and five-year-old students already feel the pressure of expectations placed on them, comparing themselves to the tensely motivated train in “Little Engine That Could”. The article describes anxiety among high school and college students as “the mental-health tsunami of their generation”. Further, a Pew survey found that 70% of teenagers describe student anxiety and depression as a major problem.”

No Child Left Behind

Among many students, increased student stresses originated from the policies associated with the federal policy, No Child Left Behind. These mandates put pressure on schools to improve student performance by eliminating the less exacting parts of the curriculum, like arts and physical education, and increasing high-stakes standardized testing. Often parents, who respond to the direction taken by their schools have not helped reduce school pressures. Many students have started taking the standardized college admission test (SAT) in the eighth grade. Many students desperately fear to disappoint their parents by not getting into the “best schools,” and are heartbroken when they receive a “B” in coursework for the first time.

Kathy Reamy, chair of NEA’s School Counselor Caucus, lists the pressures to fit in, the pressure to achieve, and the pressure of social media, and the feeling that students don’t feel safe even in their own schools and worry about school shootings as factors that make it hard to be a teenager.  Two major anxiety issues identify testing student anxiety and social media anxiety.

Social Media and Social Pressures

Another PEW survey found that 61% of students feel pressured to get good grades, compared to 29% of students pressured to look good. Further, 28% feel pressure to fit in socially and 6% feel pressure to drink alcohol. A study in Clinical Psychological Science found a spike in the number of teens who felt “useless and joyless” after 2010. The number of suicides among teens increased by 31%.

Much social stress comes from acts of bullying and anti-social expression appearing in social media. Some 90% of students have cell phones and use social media. Further, students have been known to be incredibly mean to each other on social media where they don’t meet face to face. They may say things like “you should kill yourself.” Among vulnerable teens, this kind of statement from peers has sometimes been shown to have a tragic effect. Many studies have found that social media often makes some teens feel more (rather than less) socially isolated.

The Small Class

More students than ever are graduating from high school. In 2019, 84.6% of students received a high school diploma. But increased school participation rates have been accompanied by increased class size. Classroom overcrowding has accompanied the notable increase in stress among students. The lack of intimacy in large classrooms may well have complicated the growing alienation and stress among high school students. In a larger classroom, troubled, quiet, or unmotivated students can hide among peers in the back of the classroom. Indeed, teachers are much less able to identify problems. Contextual assignments, like essays, require difficult grading. Thus, teachers may often miss problems that manifest themselves in student expression.

Cooperative and cohesive social relationships are far more likely to develop in classes where students more closely work together. Engage students in class discussions and interactions in small classes. In larger classes, more students will be engaged in activities outside, rather than inside the classroom.

Learn More About Student Anxiety

The Tenney School, founded in 1973, has relied on one-to-one instructions as the primary method for teaching. Thus, contact us to learn more about student anxiety and our small school.

How Much Is Student Anxiety on the Rise?2020-05-29T15:47:20-05:00

How Small Schools Can Help with Teen Anxiety and Depression

Teen Anxiety and Depression

Increasingly, children and teens of all ages struggle with anxiety and depression. It’s still too early for research to verify for certain, but many professionals believe that the steadily increasing rate of teen anxiety and depression can be attributed to the increasing use of social media, smartphones, and the internet. If you have a child or teen who is struggling heavily with anxiety and depression, here’s how a smaller school and smaller class sizes can genuinely help.

Decreased Pressure to Perform and Conform

In a small school, many students find that there is less pressure all the way around. In many cases, in small classes, you will find more like-minded families dedicated to helping eradicate teen anxiety and depression –including decreasing smartphone use and social media access. Your student may find that in a small classroom, they experience less overall pressure to conform to standards that many modern teens struggle with on a daily basis, including ongoing social media presence.

Smaller classrooms can also decrease performance pressure. Thanks to more one-on-one interactions with teachers, students have the opportunity to ask key questions and improve overall performance without the fear of failure or “looking stupid” to their peers.

More Monitoring of Peer Relationships

In a large, busy school, teachers don’t have time to monitor the peer relationships of every student. In a smaller school, on the other hand, teachers often have a much better idea of the way each student in the classroom interacts with the others. Teachers also have the opportunity to help build and guide relationships between students, rather than leaving a student who might be floundering to their own devices. As a result of that monitoring and interaction, teachers can also take steps to prevent problems before they become more serious.

Better Relationships with Teachers

When your child attends a large school, teachers can form relationships with only a handful of students each year. When you send your child to a smaller school, on the other hand, your child will have more interactions with those specific teachers–and as a result, form deeper, more meaningful relationships with each of them. Not only that, teachers with fewer students are more likely to care individually about each student, including taking the time to mentor them and relate to them.

Decreased Bullying

Bullying is becoming an increasingly serious issue in many schools. From cyberbullying to the in-person taunts and jabs many parents remember from their own childhoods, more children than ever deal with serious anxiety and depression due to bullying. Decreasing class size, luckily, can decrease bullying along with it. In a small classroom, students are more likely to build relationships with one another. Decreased anxiety and stress can also decrease the feeling that a student needs to bully another. Not only that, teachers in small classrooms are more aware of what’s going on, which means they can catch bullying behavior at the start and put an end to it.

Enhanced Communication

As your child enters their middle and high school years, they may have multiple teachers over the course of each day–and those teachers may have no idea what is going on with your child at any given moment. Not only that, communication between parents and teachers often wanes, leaving parents with no idea of what’s going on at school every day. In a small school, on the other hand, many teachers are able to focus more on communication, both with the student and with the parent. As a result, parents have a better idea of what their children might be facing every day, which gives them the ability to address any issues before they become more serious.

If your child is struggling with anxiety or depression, the right school environment can make a big difference. Contact us today to learn more about how the small classroom environments at The Tenney School can help improve your child’s mental health and increase your confidence in the communication you receive from the school.

How Small Schools Can Help with Teen Anxiety and Depression2019-10-26T11:46:41-05:00

Student Anxiety on the Rise: What You Need to Know

The teen years are a difficult period of transition for most people, even in the best of circumstances. Moodiness, emotional reactions to peer conflicts, and struggles with physical changes while growing are all typical and expected conditions of being a teen. However, today’s teens are dealing with something that goes beyond normal teenage issues, and it can sometimes be difficult for parents to know the difference.

Both anxiety and depression are on the rise among children aged 12 to 17 years. These serious mental health concerns come with dangerous consequences, and many parents of children who suffer from anxiety or depression report that they didn’t see the warning signs until the condition was very serious.

What Does Anxiety Look Like in Teens?

It’s important to recognize the signs of anxiety and to be able to distinguish them from typical teenage moodiness. Parents should keep an eye out for these signs:

  • Irritability
  • Unexplained emotional outbursts
  • Isolating themselves from friends
  • Complaints of frequent stomachaches or headaches
  • Difficulty falling or staying asleep
  • Being overwhelmed by school work
  • Falling behind on assignments

While it’s possible that some of those symptoms could have other, more typical, explanations, it’s important to be on the lookout for their frequency, severity, and combination. If a parent is seeing these symptoms often or in a severe form, they should consider taking their child to a medical professional for anxiety screening.

Why is Student Anxiety on the Rise?

There is a lot of speculation about what may be causing this rise in anxiety for teenagers. Many experts blame the changes to our social interactions, particularly with the ever-present glow of social media taking over so many lives.

One way that social media has changed teens’ interactions is that it has turned bullying into cyberbullying. Teens are finding it difficult to escape their tormentors who can now come right into their bedrooms and living rooms via social media, often without anyone around them even knowing what’s going on. This ever-present nature of bullying can be absolutely overwhelming, leaving teens feeling a constant sense of unease and fear that can turn into anxiety.

Even teens who are not suffering at the hands of a cyberbully need to be careful about their social media use, however. The pressure to present a perfect picture of their lives can be incredibly strong. The effort to present their physical appearance, their activities, and their peer group in a particular light makes it difficult to ever relax, and teen anxiety may be related to this feeling of having to always be putting on a public performance.

Other theories about the rise of teen anxiety include the way that parenting roles have shifted. With many parents taking on the role of a protector (or a “Lawnmower Parent”) rather than a guide, teens are feeling ill-equipped to deal with the stresses and emotional requirements of maturity as they enter into adulthood. Teens need to learn how to face fears and overcome increasingly difficult obstacles if they are to be fully equipped for the realities of their adult futures.

What Can Parents Do About It?

The best defense against anxiety is a good offense. Setting strong social media boundaries including removing devices at bedtime, limiting overall screentime, and having frequent discussions about who teens are talking to and what they’re talking about sets up a positive flow of information between parents and teens, giving them an avenue to discuss if things get overwhelming.

Parents can also make sure that they are giving their children emotional tools by being careful about the praise they give. Instead of setting up unrealistic expectations or constantly praising results, parents can praise effort and make sure to remain positive when a child fails or stumbles. Parents can also be conscious of building resilience in their kids by providing opportunities to fail and bounce back in small ways so that they will have the skills to handle big setbacks later in life.

Here at The Tenney School, we are committed to providing safe, healthy learning environments where children can thrive through these challenging times.

Student Anxiety on the Rise: What You Need to Know2019-02-12T13:07:33-06:00

3 Ways Private School Can Reduce Stress

Stress is a serious problem for a number of middle school and high school students today. Increased academic pressure, along with large amounts of bullying, enormous class sizes, and lack of support for students, all come together to create highly stressful situations for some of the youngest members of our society.

Obviously, this is an issue that must be resolved, but many parents don’t know how to go about doing this. After all, we all want our children to receive an education so they can succeed in life, and allowing them to cut corners in order to reduce stress today could be detrimental to their future. So what is a caring parent to do?

For many, the answer comes in the form of private school. You see, private schools have numerous benefits, and several of these benefits can actually have a positive impact on the stress levels of students. Below are just three of the many ways a private school might be able to help the stressed-out student and help them find success without excessive anxiety.

#1: Less Bullying

In general, private schools are home to fewer bullies than public schools. There are a variety of factors that play into this fact, including more stable home environments, less boredom, and a more intimate setting.

As you can imagine, a lack of bullying can significantly reduce the amount of social anxiety a student may be feeling. Freeing a student of peer-related stress leaves them free to concentrate on their studies and extracurriculars without fear of what kinds of embarrassing or even dangerous social situations lurk around the corner.

#2: Individualized Instruction

A student who wishes to do well in school but finds that the curriculum is not meeting his or her needs for any reason is likely going to feel pretty anxious. Unfortunately, the vast majority of children feel this way for at least part of their school career, something that really should be taken care of.

If your child is falling behind and in need of more personal instruction, the smaller class sizes—and sometimes even one-on one-instruction—offered by private schools will be ideal for them. On the other hand, an extremely gifted student may find public school curriculum boring. Private schools can fix this as well by offering that student a curriculum that suits their needs and allows them to continue to grow their knowledge without being held back by peers.

#3: Reduced Anxiety About the Future

In this day and age, we are always pushing our children to do more because we understand how important a quality education can be when it comes to entering the highly competitive job market. That said, putting so much emphasis on the future can be stress-inducing for students. Visiting stress detox centers regularly can be beneficial for your mental health.  This is especially true for those students who are not given a clear path to success, something that often happens in an overcrowded public school setting where one-on-one attention is rare.

Fortunately, private schools take care of this problem by addressing the needs, wants, and talents of each child individually and thus helping them find their own way toward success. Of course, the definition of success and the steps taken to get there will vary from child to child. This is why the more intimate setting of a private school, especially one with individualized instruction, is more likely to help your child find an appropriate path for them. By helping each student find their own path and giving them clear instructions for reaching the finish line, private schools help to remove excessive anxiety about the future.

Are you looking to reduce your child’s stress levels by enrolling them in a private school? We hope you will consider The Tenney School. Please contact us today for more information on how we operate and how your family might fit into our community.

3 Ways Private School Can Reduce Stress2020-11-28T01:41:06-06:00
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