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New School Year Success Tip #2: Watch For Red Flags

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Every student struggles from time to time. It is important to give them the opportunity to work things out. However if you notice a drop in grades, strong effort without improvement, excessive frustration, difficulty completing assignments, negativity towards school and/or not wanting to attend class, then it is time to call Y3K Tutor In Your Home. Our tutoring methods have ended frustration and built self-esteem while creating success since 2003.   We prepare your child for success in the classroom and life in the future.

When schoolwork goes the wrong way, call Y3K Tutor In Your Home today!

Michigan State Board of Education Policy: Student Options for Animal Dissection

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Michigan State Board of Education Policy: Student Options for Animal Dissection Coursework

The Michigan State Board of Education recognizes that a growing number of students have moral, ethical, religious, or other objections to animal dissection and that modern nonanimal teaching methods (e.g., interactive computer software) are available. The State Board of Education also recognizes that these alternative teaching lessons may be more effective and less expensive. Consistent with the recommendations of leading science education organizations, to accommodate these students and create an inclusive learning environment, any K-12 student who objects to dissecting animals or animal parts should be permitted to opt out of dissection activities without fear of reprisal.

School districts should establish a written policy stating that options are available for students who object to dissection activities, and that upon written request, the school will permit a student who objects to dissection activities to demonstrate competency through an alternative method.

Teachers shall provide these students with an alternate project (i.e., completing modules on interactive computer software) that does not involve participating in or observing dissection and through which they can learn and be assessed on the material required by the course. The alternate project should be selected by the teacher and entail a comparable amount of work to the dissection activity.

No student shall be punished or discriminated against based up on his or her decision to opt out of animal dissection activities.

A student who is reluctant to voice his or her concerns about animal use in a particular course, or who thinks these concerns have not received proper attention, may seek assistance from their principal.

Michigan Is The Newest Dissection Choice State

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The Michigan State Board of Education adopted a dissection-choice policy that allows more than 1.57 million students throughout the state to opt out of classroom animal dissection. Children now have the option of using modern computer software and other humane methods. Michigan joins 21 other states plus the District of Columbia in establishing a policy to allow students to avoid animal dissection. Michigan students can now choose not to dissect without worrying that their grades will suffer or that there will be other repercussions from the teacher.

The policy is important because students who have a moral objection to animal dissection often stay silent and go along with it causing anxiety. This is because they are not presented with a choice or fear being punished for opting out. Michigan was able to make this new policy due to the fact that numerous studies show that advanced computer simulation software helps students learn anatomy even better than old-fashioned animal dissection does.

Tomorrow we will take a closer look at Michigan’s new dissection-choice policy.

New Hampshire Now A Dissection Alternative State

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Last week the New Hampshire Board of Education approved a policy supporting the right of all K-12 students to choose alternatives to traditional animal dissection without being penalized. New Hampshire Board of Education determined that students deserve a right to a science education without compromising personal beliefs on hurting animals. They also decided that biology students learn as well or better with alternatives that do not involve once living animals.

The policy stresses that New Hampshire schools should make equal or better non-animal alternatives like computer simulations available to any student who does not want to dissect frogs, cats, or any other animal. New Hampshire’s Board of Education cannot mandate individual school policies by law, but can issue recommended sample policies like this for schools to adopt.

With New Hampshire creating this policy, there are now 17 states plus Washington, DC that protect a student’s right to choose a cruelty-free education.

ADHD, Behavior, Anxiety, Depression, & Autism Common?

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Many more children have mental problems then you would think. According to a finding published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 children or 20% between the ages of 3 and 17 have some form of mental disorder. Here are some interesting statistics showing just how common the top 5 mental disorders are:

ADHD: 6.8% or 1 in 14

Behavioral or Conduct Problems: 3.5% or 1 in 28

Anxiety: 3% or 1 in 33

Depression: 2.1% or 1 in 50

Autism Spectrum Disorders: 1.1% or 1 in 100


If your child suffers from any mental disorder, seek out help right away. Most childhood mental health problems can be improved by giving them the support they need and acting quickly if there is a sign of a problem. Without any treatment or help, most of these mental illnesses will worsen over time. It’s always better to try and seek support when the child, or adult for that matter, starts showing signs of mental illnesses. There are a number of different treatments, such as medicines and therapy options. A lot of adults seem to find that therapy is one of the best ways to get to the bottom of the illness. By talking about the problems, people often find that they can overcome these issues and manage them much more effectively. Perhaps some people should consider visiting a website like https://www.privatetherapy.com/ to see if their services would be useful. Of course, there will also be therapy options for children, so make sure to do some research into that if you think they could benefit from this.

Extended Learning Time Parent Backlash

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There has been a push by some to extend the school day. They call it ELT (Extended Learning Time). There is a growing backlash from parents that in fact find this to be a bad idea. They maintain that longer school days cut into family time, sports, theater activities and tire out kids. Those promoting this idea tend to be wealthy philanthropy organizations with big ideas about education and trying to push their ideas on middle class families who are on the receiving end. Kids need a chance to unwind and have free play. A 6-7 hour school day is more than enough time to get everything done that they should be doing. What do you think?

Suicide & Adolescents

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The second leading cause of death among adolescents in the United States according to a 2012 study is suicide. Nearly 16% of adolescents in the United States reported seriously considering suicide in a 2011 study. Suicidal thinking is a symptom of depression. If you suspect your child may be suffering from depression, seek out help right away.

Biology Class Dissection Anxiety

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As students return to biology classes, many feel anxiety over being forced to dissect animals. If this is an issue for your child, we suggest the following:

1. See if your state protects your right to choose alternatives.

2. After finding out about their rights to opt-out of dissections, have your student talk with their teacher about the curriculum during the first few weeks of school. Have them ask the teacher about any planned dissection labs and if they will use animals and/or offer alternatives.

3. If they do want to opt-out, now is the best time to let teachers know that they will be choosing dissection alternatives so the teacher will have the opportunity to plan accordingly.

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