Cindy Downes

Jan. 28, 2009 - Why a Private College Might be a Better Choice

For those of you who are getting ready to send your children off to college, here is some information you might want to consider. I am currently attending a public college here in Oklahoma and currently taking a Mass Communication Law class. This week's lesson is on student rights at college campuses. Here is a quote:

"The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals enunciated what are now the well-established rules concerning censorship of the college press:

The fact that a state university provides funding, faculty or departmental advice, or campus facilities does not authorize university officials to censor the content of a student publication.

Individual four-letter words are insufficient reason to censor;

The state university cannot be considered the same as a private publisher with absolute arbitrary power to control content;

The university is an arm of the state, cannot make private publisher decisions about content;

The university cannot be held liable for the content of student publications."

This ruling was made in the case where students had published two short stories with "bad" language and subject matter. I can't repeat the incidence here, but trust me, it's not what you'd want to hear!

This kind of reasoning also regulates the teaching at the state university. I have heard more than a few discussions that are, to say the least, interesting, but fully protected in the courts as Free Speech.

My main reason for writing this is for those of you who are thinking of sending your children to a public college before they graduate. This is a warning of to you. Your children are not protected from "bad" language and other forms of expression in a public college as they are in a public high school where there is still some restraint on Free Speech because of the age of the children.

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Dec. 3, 2008 - College Scholarship

Some exciting news about Patrick Henry College and the scholarship it is offering for journalism students can be found on my blog, Empty Nest Mom Goes to College.

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Jul. 6, 2008 - Some Interesting Statistics!

I am reading the book, Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell, and came across some statistics that will interest those of you who are homeschooling teenagers. On page 2, Maxwell states:

More than 50 percent of all CEO's of Fortune 500 companies had C or C- averages in college.
Sixty-five percent of all U.S. senators came from the bottom half of their school class.
Seventy-five percent of U.S. presidents were in the Lower-Half Club in school.
More than 50 percent of millionaire entrepreneurs never finished college!

So, next time you think your average child is never going to amount to anything, remember these statistics! And read this book!

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Feb. 17, 2008 - How to Buy a Car Lesson Plan for Teens

A free lesson plan on how to buy a car is now available on the FCIC Website. This would make a great lesson for your teens!

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Nov. 10, 2007 - Harvard Tuition Free for Lower Income Families

Harvard University is now offering free tuition to families who makes less than $60,000 and reduced for families who make between $60K and $80K. Thanks to Takilla Williamson for sending me this info!

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Jul. 13, 2007 - Teen Driver Handbook - FREE

Teen Driver Handbook. Order this FREE award-winning parent handbook written by MetLife® Auto & Home and reviewed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration* (NHTSA) which outlines routine driving skills into lessons parents can teach their teen.

Features:
Staying Cool as a Co-Pilot
What to Do Before Each Trip
Helping Them See
Helping Them Follow in Traffic
Controlling Speed
Safe Space and the Vehicle
Deciding When to Go
Communicating on the Road

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Jul. 4, 2007 - Setting College and Career Goals

Family Education has a great article on setting college and career goals on their website. Definitely worth reading!

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Jul. 7, 2006 - Advise from homeschool graduates . . .

Do you want to know what homeschooled graduates think about homeschooling? Check out the new e-book: Straight Talk to Parents and Teens from Homeschool Graduates: http://www.moneyandteens.com/

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May. 16, 2006 - International Debate Society

The International Debate Society operates over a free Internet telephony service and is an online Lincoln-Douglas Debate club. IDS only charges a small administration fee for which you will receive the following:

In-depth LD Debate theory and coaching
Weekly club meetings featuring training exercises and student debates
Interaction with students and staff members from all over the US
Ability to compete in certain NCFCA tournaments
Rigorous and diverse weekly debates with student from all over the US in a dynamic iron-sharpening-iron environment.
Leadership and coaching positions - opportunities for teens to serve as mentors/coaches for beginning debaters.

For more information, contact idsnetwork.org.

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May. 11, 2006 - MUST READ: Against the Flow

In the Spring issue of the Old Schoolhouse magazine, there is an article called "Against the Flow" written by Nathaniel Knight (page 118-120). You MUST READ this article. Nathaniel is a homeschool graduate and freelance writer. He has done an excellent job on this article setting down Biblical reasons for alternatives to traditional schooling. And he is proof that it works! Good job Nathaniel!

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May. 10, 2006 - Article on High Achievers

I found this article on high achievers and thought I'd pass it on. Although much of this is written about traditionally-schooled children, homeschoolers can be just as achievement oriented. I remember my years of homeschooling and constantly fighting the urge to force them to do more in order to validate my choice of homeschooling. It's a constant battle for all of us. Here's the article:

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Mar. 31, 2006 - College Savings Alternative

Those of you who are saving for college should check out having your child open a Roth IRA in contrast to you participating in a 529 plan. Your child will have to have a job (hire him/her to work in your business!) in order to participate. All contributions to the Roth can be taken out at any time for any reasons (excluding the earnings/interest on the contributions) without tax penalties! And, because the Roth is a retirement program, it usually does not show up on FASFA. This is a much better deal than the 529 plan for many people. Check with your accountant or financial planner for more info.

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Mar. 13, 2006 - FREE CLEP Test Prep Lesson Plans

Accumulate college credits the EASY way, using these FREE lesson plans!
http://clepprep.tripod.com/cleplessonplans/

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Mar. 10, 2006 - FREE SAT prep quizzes!

Kaplan has just released it's Award-Winning SAT QuizBank ($199 value) FREE for all students! It allows students to customize their own quizzes for personalized SAT preparation. It will help reduce students' anxiety on timed tests with over 1,000 practice questions and they are able to track their improvement with instant analysis. The best part is - it's now absolutely FREE!
www.kaptest.com/satquizbank

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Mar. 9, 2006 - Up-to-date High School Info

For up-to-date info on high school, graduation, college admissions, etc., check out the new blog on HSLDA: http://www.hslda.org/highschool/blog.asp
This is a must for anyone with high school age kids!

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