academics

FERPA: The Form to Access Your Student’s Academic Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (sometimes referred to as the Buckley Amendment) was designed to protect the privacy of educational records and to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records. It also provided control over the release of educational record information. The original intent of this legislation was to keep elementary and high school records private and to give parents access to their child’s school records.

What About an Online Class for Your College Student?

There is a good chance that at some point in your student’s college career he will have the opportunity to take an online class. The question is, should he? There are many appeals to online classes – especially convenience. Students can complete their entire class without having to go to a classroom or sit through a lecture, and very often, students can complete the work at their own pace and at whatever time of the day or night is convenient.

College Credit Without Taking a Course?

Did you know that it is possible for students to get college credit for what they already know by taking a CLEP exam?

Your Student’s Class Schedule

One very important task that each college student faces each semester is choosing his classes for the next semester.

Why Textbooks Continue to Matter

Of course your student needs textbooks in college . . . maybe. Textbooks are expensive. The cost of producing most textbooks is high and the costs are passed along to the students.

An alternative march madness bracket

image by flickr user CC Champman (cc license) The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament bracket was announced yesterday. It won't be until April 7 that a champion is crowned, but students, parents, and, let's be honest, a lot of your coworkers, will certainly be engrossed in collegiate roundball happenings for the next few weeks. But, perhaps, you prefer alternative methods to comparing the final 68 teams in the field. In that case, Inside Higher Ed has something just for you.

Academic Year Checklist

Whether your student is a freshman or a senior, it is important to keep track of important dates throughout each semester. Keep your dates organized by downloading the College Parents of America Academic Year Calendar Checklist.

Should My Student Join An Honor Society And How To Choose One?

I was at Florida State University recently and was walking through the student union after wrapping up a lunch meeting. I was a bit surprised, and honestly proud, to notice a student who was standing alone and reading his invitation to join the National Society of Collegiate Scholars (NSCS). At first I thought I should keep walking but after a few steps further I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to congratulate him.

Time to Think Globally

Back-and-forth between professors and students just isn't the norm in much of Europe. But John Ferrel didn't know that when he spent a semester at the University of Burgos in Spain before graduating in May from Boston University. "A couple of times I raised my hand in class, and everyone looked shocked," he says. But he adapted quickly: "By my second or third month, I had my first dream in Spanish."