By Preeti Narayan


Child education is important for successful future. Hence it is natural to feel worried when our children do not perform well in studies. It is even more natural to glare, scold and shout at them.

But all these actions don't really help to improve children's education. More probably, it will just add to their tensions and problems.

So exactly, what can you do if your children come home with poor report card?

Support. Encourage. Motivate. These are the key words to help children improve their performance.

Also, here are 6 simple education tips to bring faster improvement in your children:

Child Education Tip 1: Don't Attach Negative labels

Do not label your children with degrading titles like: "Stupid," "Lazy," and other negative names which create poor self-image. Firmly believe that your children are capable of achieving anything they really desire.

Child Education Tip 2: Identify Your Children's Problem

Children who don't perform well in studies have some problems. These problems can be solved if identified. To identify problems, observe your children closely and ask them questions. Here are examples of some common problems of children:

" Complaining about classmates/teachers

" Coming from school tired and irritated

" Good in one subject but not in another

" Slow reading and understanding of study material

" Avoiding homework until the last minute

" Finding it difficult to interact with other children and adults

" Spending time on unimportant activities

" Learning little or nothing in class

" Problems with eyesight or hearing

" Not enthusiastic in going to school

" Being disobedient and/or sulky

Once you identify your children's problem related to education, it will become easy for you to think and find solutions for it.

Child Education Tip 3: Puff up Your Children's Self-Confidence

This is one of the best ways to improve your children's performance. Search for some good study habits or skills of your children and talk about it.

No matter how poorly your children are performing right now, there might be some topic or study skill in which they are good.

For example, your son might be good in spelling, or reading or drawing diagrams. Your daughter might be good in math or biology or in remembering formulas. Think about it and praise your children for their good education skills.

Also, search for some education related achievements of your children in the past and discuss it with them. For example, perhaps your son had got 'good' remarks on his science report. Or perhaps your daughter had scored better grades in some subjects last year, or even year before that.

Discuss such past education related success. Remind your children about their achievements, however small it is. This will shift your children's mental focus on their good study skills and on their 'education success.' They will realize that they do have the ability to learn. The power to win.

Tell your children, "If you can learn one thing, you can also learn other things. If you can achieve success once, you can achieve it again." Such words from you will strongly motivate your children to succeed in education.

Child Education Tip 4: Speak With Their Teacher

Meet your children's school or college teachers and discuss your children's performance and education problems with them. Ask them what is wrong with your children, and what you can do to help them improve. Advice and suggestions of teachers will help you immensely.

Child Education Tip 5: Set Achievable Goals

When children have clear goals in their mind, they usually make efforts to study better. Hence encourage your children to set small and reasonable goals for their studies.

For example, if your daughter has scored C grade in math test, she can set a goal to score B grade in next math test. If your son has fallen behind in his History class, then he can set a goal to read two or three history lessons each week, depending upon his speed.

Child Education Tip 6: Keep Your Children Fit

Encourage your children to get some physical exercise like, running, jogging, skipping, cycling, swimming, etc. Exercise improves blood circulation, digestion, and provides more oxygen to brain. This leads to better learning and memory. Ask your children to exercise everyday, or at least five days a week.

Finally, remember what Edison's mother did!

Thomas Edison was labeled as "slow learner" by his teachers. But his mother, Nancy Edison, did not accept her son as 'dull.' She motivated, encouraged, and taught Edison to learn at his own speed and style. And we all know what Edison went on to achieve in his life as a scientist!

By Jasdeep Kaur


CBSE is one of the two most important school education boards in India, the other being Indian Certificate of Secondary Education or ICSE. The Central Board of Secondary Education is a result of a series of changes over the years that led up to the board's present avatar.

The first board of school education in India was UP Board of High School and Intermediate Education which was set up way back in 1921. It expanded rapidly and a need was felt to form a centralized board in the wake of the advent of state boards and universities. Consequently, the same board was rechristened and the CBSE was born in the year 1952.

At present, the area of activity of the CBSE transcends national boundaries. Around 9000 schools are affiliated with the board and the figure includes around 140 schools spread across 21 countries.

From centralization to decentralization

In order to function efficiently and to ensure effective management of its tasks, the centralized board has a decentralized presence in different parts of India. There are offices in Delhi, Panchkula, Ajmer, Allahabad, Guwahati and Chennai. Affiliated schools that are outside the country are taken care of by the head office at Delhi.

Objectives

The CBSE has a number of objectives. In addition to prescribing and updating the syllabi and norms of examinations, the board conducts public examinations at the end of class 10 and 12 under its 10+2 system of education. The board also issues respective marksheets and certificates to successful candidates. The board has a role to play in assisting students in the transitional phase in the event of either parent's job transfer as well.

Overall, the board works in the direction of raising the educational standards of the country.

By Judy Armes


Too many children struggle in school despite their teachers' skilled and well-intentioned efforts. Due to unique characteristics of each student, the one-size-fits-all method of public education doesn't work very well for each-and-every student.

What's a parent to do? Our children's education actually starts with early family experiences, graduates to school experiences and eventually continues through-out their lives. Early-on, parents are active "partners" in their children's education, attending to the unique skills, strengths and needs of their children and guiding early-childhood experience.

When we send them off to school, the "partner" relationship remains an important component of their school success. How you, your children and their teachers create their school experience will define their future. To make sure your child learns what he needs to know, gets the best grades she can achieve and maintains a positive and courageous attitude about education, the following notions might be helpful to consider:

1. Not all kids learn in the same way. As unique individuals we each categorize and "file" new information differently. Some kids need to experience hands-on learning; some learn best when they hear new information; some need lots of visual stimulation. Discovering your child's learning-style preference can help you to more successfully partner with his teachers at school, assist with homework more effectively and better prepare him to get better grades.
2. A discouraged child cannot absorb new information. Students who believe they can't do well in school won't. Changing your child's perception and beliefs about her abilities can make a dramatic difference in her willingness to try. We all need a cheerleader sometimes to keep our optimism and enthusiasm up. Rather than focusing upon wrong answers or poor performance, demonstrating your pride and enthusiasm at her little successes is more likely to result in bigger successes. A well-placed and genuine "I-knew-you-could-do-it" goes a long way.
3. Attitudes about learning are developed early. When you encourage exploration and curiosity, your child is more likely to enjoy the learning process and cultivate a positive attitude about learning. And, when you share your enthusiasm about your own successful learning, your children will absorb the positive value you place on the education process. Then when the goin' gets rough at school, your child will approach education as a challenge rather than with dread.

By Terry Edwards


There are many people who are not able to attend a university full time to gain a degree in their desired field, but that does not have to hold you back in reaching your goals. For those who want to work in the medical field without the time and finances required of full time schooling, you may want to consider online medical school.

This gives the flexibility to access course materials and take classes no matter where in the world you happen to be that week-as long as you have communication tools such as a computer with Internet access and a phone. Study times are also often flexible as long as you meet the minimum study requirements, complete and submit assignments on time and are in attendance of the classes that are conducted at a set time.

There are of course some limitations to online medical degrees. The lack of the hands on practice means that you may only qualify for the program if you are currently already working in the field that you wish to study, and are simply furthering your education in that field rather than beginning a fresh course of study. These degrees deal in the theoretical and academic side of medicine as opposed to the practical because of the obvious restrictions of the teaching methods.

For these reasons, online training to become a doctor of, for instance medicine or dentistry is not available as there is too much hands on practice as well as hospital time required. But if you are already a healthcare professional, then there is a good chance that you can further your graduate training through this online method of distance learning.

The prerequisites for online medical schools differ from both school to school, and course to course, as well as the level at which you wish to study in just the same manner as degrees studied on a university campus might. For instance, a bachelors degree in nursing might require you to have an associates degree, as well as currently be a licensed practicing RN in good standing. Or a bachelors in radiology might require you to already have an associates, as well as being registered with one of the nationally accredited radiology boards (registration with whom normally requires you to be working in the field).

An associates degree in counseling or community healthcare however might only require a high school diploma or GED, along with regular employment or the means to pay for the course. The higher the degree, the greater the prerequisites of study with that school will be.

Courses are available in a wide range of topics. For those without formal education beyond high school, there are entries possible in the fields of counseling, medical billing, or community healthcare. For those who have higher levels of education you may wish to build upon the education and experience that you already have or branch out into a related field. Either way there are many opportunities for those who wish to pursue online medical school studies and further their education in the medical field!

By Graham Williams


Autistic children will have special needs when it comes to schooling. Many children with Autism go to public school and do just fine with some special modifications. There are laws pertaining to kids with disabilities. Here are some of the things you will need to know about Autism and school.

The Individuals With Disabilities Act

The Individuals with Disabilities act was passed to make sure all children receive a free and appropriate public education that meets their needs. The act requires children with special needs to have special education service as long as they meet the requirements. Autism meets that requirement.

Free and Appropriate Education

This is an education that meets the special needs of your child. It is one that allows them to make progress learning.

Least Restrictive Learning Environment

This means that your child will be placed in an educational setting that is right for their special needs while allowing them to socialize with kids that do not have a disability. The school will do what it can to meet the needs of your Autistic child while keeping them in regular classrooms.

To figure out what special needs your child will need the school will evaluate your child. This evaluation can be requested by the school or the parent. If you think there is a problem write a letter to the school asking them to evaluate your child. They will send a paper home for you to sign that gives permission for the evaluation to take place. During the evaluation your child will be tested for learning disabilities along with any mental, or behavioral problems. After the evaluation is complete the school will have a meeting with you to discuss their findings, and what can be done to help your child.

IEP

An IEP is used when a child has a need for special education services. The group that evaluated the child will be part of the team that creates the IEP. The parents will also have a say in what is included in the IEP. An IEP will state the needs the child has to get an appropriate education. They will also list the services the child is going to receive in the IEP. The IEP can be evaluated at any time if the services are not working for the child. An example of some services that might be included in an IEP are extra time when completing class work, have tests read aloud to the child, or an aide is provided for the child. Each IEP will be different for each child. The IEP will be evaluated on a yearly basis unless the parents request it sooner. The parents have the right to be at every IEP meeting held.

You are your child's best advocate when dealing with the school system. Some schools will try to give you the run around. They will do whatever they can to keep your child from having any special services in school. You have to be the one to stand up for your child. You are their voice. If you do not feel comfortable dealing with the school alone there are lawyers and advocates that are there to help.

By Nick Adama


Schooling is possibly one of the most difficult topics on which to write an objective article. Experts, specialists, and professionals are in abundance to comment on the pros and cons of our modern school experiment, but it is doubtful that any of them can provide any more insight to the argument of schooling's usefulness than the millions of people who have spent over a decade of their natural lives compelled to go to school each day. Anyone who spends thirteen or more years engaged in a certain activity, whether it be school, playing basketball, or operating a forklift, can be considered an expert in his or her field, confident enough to speak about the subject and inform others of the intricacies of the activity. Why, then, do so few people seem able to think critically about the function of school in our modern society? Some of the answers to this question lie in the idea of compulsory schooling and the mass production global economy.

Until it became a forced activity for the entire child population, school was considered important for those who wanted to go. For the children to did not want to sit in a classroom, being instructed by a teacher, there were simply other ways of learning. This may have involved working in the family business, becoming an apprentice of a local craft worker, or children, such as Benjamin Franklin, simply learning on their own. Most times, education in lieu of schooling involved young people asking questions of the world around them and going to work to find the answers. School was one route to understanding the world, but it was not considered the only viable solution. Nowhere but in America in its earliest decades of independence was such a large majority of ordinary people educated, literate, and able to understand complex concepts.

It was this widespread literacy and ability to think critically, however, that caused such concern for the early modern economists of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. People who were able to think for themselves and could persuade others presented a valid threat to the idea that people should risk their lives crawling through dirty coal mines, working for pennies in dangerous textile mills, or even spend a meaningless life answering phones in an office. Workers who were aware of the destitution of their lives were much more likely to rise up and demand fair treatment, rather than proceed indifferently with their empty lives and unhappy existences.

Thus, a project had to be created to keep children from learning about themselves and their world, and would instead teach them to conform to a superior and look at everything in life with the same indifference that they were later to use when examining their jobs. The obvious solution was a mass schooling experiment that compelled parents to send their children away until they had been molded into efficient workers and half-completed human beings. The very fact that school is a forced activity should explain nearly everything about the institution that is necessary to understand. The modern tools of the modern schools, as well, give some indication as to their purposes in controlling and directing the development of other people's children

School children are grouped by their age, thereby ensuring they learn nothing from those who have come before them, and making sure they are themselves able to teach nothing to those younger than them. Standardized tests take away from the teacher any spontaneity in educating young minds, as a too large proportion of students failing to perform on these tests is seen as a sign of failure. The minds of children are to be standardized the same way half-gallon milk bottles are standardized in shape, texture, size, and even labeling (not to mention content).

Even the compulsion of schooling itself represents a deliberate injection of children into the system that simply do not want to be there. The argument for schooling goes that "everyone needs to learn reading/writing/arithmetic," but there is little reason to believe that forcing anyone, even a child, to learn is possibly the best guarantee that the child does not learn. In fact, it may guarantee that that necessary learning never happens, as school children come to equate education with school.

People of all ages voluntarily submit themselves to school when they find a topic they believe to be worth studying. In these cases, teachers can provide the guidance and mentoring that allows students to take the subject and grow with it. Furthermore, independent study by people goes on all the time, through reading of books, watching of documentaries, self-reflection, and even the writing of articles (such as this one) to continue an intellectual discussion. Arguments may not ever be solved, truth may not be found, and understanding of another's position may not be reached, but voluntary education attempts to bridge these gaps.

Forced schooling only guarantees that some former students will harbor such dislike of school that they decide never to read another book, confining themselves for the rest of their lives to the surrogate schooling of television. Others may develop such dependency on the school system, spending their young years chasing A's, gold stars, and smiley faces, that they are simply unable to educate themselves or create new experiences and develop new ideas. They will always look to the teacher, the manager, or the government, to tell them exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to be there to do it, as well as to take care of them and reward them when they perform adequately. School sets up all of these dependencies, indifferences, and frustrations by forcing children to go and then by forcing their conformity to a predetermined set of procedures and rewards for compliant behavior.

It is up to everyone to educate himself or herself on what it means to be an individual and live a life of self-determination and reflection, rather than the life of an actor, pretending to be happy in life and work, all the while living vicariously on the edge of financial, personal, and spiritual ruin. Is it any wonder that, when recently homeowners realized they had been given too much ability to borrow, they face foreclosure in record numbers, and call on the government to solve the problem for them? A life of being taught to consume (bored people buy more), work for a corporation that may move overseas at any moment (critical thinking breeds entrepreneurs and widespread competition, a danger in an economy praising huge business), and respond to every advertisement (buy a new car and get $1,000 cash back and a smiley face on your loan application) came to its inevitable conclusion: these same overgrown children complained that the bullies had forced them to the point of constant instant gratification.

In a sense, they are right: ripped away from family and community, given countless stimulus-response type activities in school, there was no other option for many than to continue looking to advertisers to reward their good buying behavior. The loan application became the new standardized test, but consumers did not realize that failure awaited either result of the test. Any current foreclosure crisis, credit crisis, or business crisis can be traced back to a school system that teaches people exactly how to respond to the messages of the engineers of these crises. It is up to every person who has been schooled to obtain the real education of being able to live his or her own life and create new ideas, rather than responding to the ideas of the newest marketing campaign.

By Mike Adley


Art and animation post-secondary education is actually a very competitive business. You may see the hundreds of animation and art school facilities competing for your attention (especially through advertisements on the internet) and wonder “how can I possibly pick the one that is right for me?”
To answer this question, you must take into account the following personal and general factors when choosing an art school:

About you:

Do you know the exact field of employment you wish to enter after graduation, or do you only know it will be employment related to the arts? If you know exactly what you want to do, i.e. website design, perhaps a private school specializing in that area of study is right for you. If you are not sure of the exact field of employment you wish to pursue, a general arts degree at a traditional university would be a better choice.

What experience and education do you already have? Have you prepared a proper portfolio? If you feel the experience you have gained through public school, hobbies, or work experience isn’t enough, consider taking an art-related course at an adult education school in your area. In most cases they are offered by your local school board, and are usually free.

Are you willing to leave home to pursue your education? If so, consider whether you would be comfortable at a large school with a competitive environment, or a smaller school with more personal support from your instructors. If not, an online art course may be best for you.

What is your financial situation? Will you need to work part time while you study, and will the course curriculum give you enough time to do this?

About your school:

Does your school have the latest technology that is commonly used in your field of employment? This is especially important for industries such as computer animation or graphic design. Be sure that there is ample supply of this technology per student. For example, one camera for every 25 students is not a good ratio.

Do the instructors have real world experience in your industry? Find out everything you can about the history and experience of your instructors. If possible, you should visit the school to meet with the faculty and sit in on some classes.

What about support after you graduate? Does the school have a department to assist graduates in their search for employment? Find out the school’s placement rate and if possible, talk to former graduates.

Do the big names in your industry actively visit the school and recruit future graduates? If this is the case, it says a lot about your school’s reputation in the industry.

If you take into account these factors, you should have a rewarding career in the artistic field. Good luck!

By Dawn Crouse


Education has always been vital to one's survival, even long before formal schools were established. Imagine how long prehistoric man would survive if he did not learn how to hunt or to protect himself against the elements. In American culture, we have witnessed the increasing demand for formal education as a means of survival. As a parent, it is your duty to provide your young students with the skills and resources necessary for them to succeed in school and in life.

Valuing education is a fundamental prerequisite. You cannot complain that your child is not taking school seriously if you do not demonstrate its importance. It is not enough to repeatedly say to your teen, "School is important" or "You have to do better at school." What are your attitudes towards education? Do you manifest a desire in your life to learn and to undertake challenges that may be difficult? Consider your response when you are offered or required to participate in training related to your job. Parents must foster a value of education in themselves before they can expect their children to adopt it. Maybe the workshop or conference you attended was boring, but can you not find at least one thing that might help you in your occupation? Get excited about that one piece of information, new approach, or to just reflect on your occupation. If the training was ineffective, think about why it is not more interesting - what do you need to increase your interest and motivation? What can you do differently at work to promote positive change? Share positive attitudes with your family; get excited about work, learning, and growth.

Consider your attitude towards your job. School is your teen's primary job; it should be his or her priority. Do you model the perspective that work is an activity to which you give your best? Or do you promote an attitude of "getting by"? Killing time and waiting impatiently for the work day to end are not effective messages for your children (and they are signals that your life is not fulfilling). If you tell your children that school is important so that they can attain a good job, but you do not like your job, a student has no motivation to achieve such a dubious reward. Perhaps your teen is smarter than you give him or her credit for, rebelling against meaningless labor.

When conversing with your teen, where do you place your emphasis? If you express greater interest in your teen's sports than upon his or her academic work, your actions are contradicting your words that school is important. How much attention do you pay to what your student is actually learning rather than upon his or her grades? Ask about that book being read for English. Ask your teen to teach you to do that math problem. Discuss with your teen how the chemistry lesson applies to daily life. Your interest in your teen's learning will convey the value of his or her education.

Seek learning opportunities in your life. This does not mean that you have to continually be enrolled in college courses, but that you pursue learning eagerly. Explore something on the internet: learn a new word or recipe, name that bird that you see every morning, get golf tips or gardening tips, research health issues. Take up a new hobby. Read an article or a book and discuss it. Wonder about where that road goes and then find out. Learning is about discovery; be curious about things and follow up on your curiosity.

Your enthusiasm for learning and your practiced expectation that your teen also engage in learning will instill a value that will benefit him or her through life. Attitudes are learned and you can teach your teen to be successful. You can cultivate an aspiration for learning within your home that will reap rewards, not just for your teen, but yourself as well. Valuing education is a prerequisite for your teen's success.

By Morgan James


Being a part-time student has advantages and disadvantages. Sometimes it seems like every program is geared towards full-time students. How can you pay for your education and make both your budget and time work?

As a part-time student, you have some advantage over full-time students. You can work more hours during the school year to earn more money. However, you might be a part-time student so that you can take care of your children, or because you volunteer someplace. These are the times when it can be harder to fund part-time education.

Full-time students get a discount on tuition: generally, each of their courses is less expensive than each of yours. This means that you will be spending more money to go to school. Full-time students also have the advantage that they get more funding from scholarships, bursaries, and other sources. It’s disappointing to see “full-time status” as a requirement on so many applications.

You can apply for loans designed specifically for part-time students. You want to find a loan that best matches your profile. If you are working, you might be able to begin paying the loan back right away. If you are not working, then you will want a loan that you don’t have to pay back for at least a few years, and ideally until you have done your school. This isn’t a problem if you will one be in school two or three years (taking a one-year diploma or certificate, for example). However, if you are doing an undergraduate degree that takes four years typically, on a part-time basis this will likely take you six to eight years.

One way to finish your degree faster and still be a part-time student is to take classes during the entire year. Many full-time students only take classes for two semesters a year, or eight months. If you take half the classes for the full year, you will have done 75% of the courses a full-time student takes. This means that you will be done school sooner, and increases your chances of getting a loan that you don’t have to repay until you graduate.

The key to being a part-time student is time management. If you have kids at home, you will need to block out certain hours a week to work on school. If you are working full-time and taking courses on the side, it might seem like the reading is the least important thing for you to do. Keeping on top of your schoolwork now will make it easier when crunch time rolls around and you are doing exams, essays, and reports.

If you are going to school part-time to increase your skills for your job, you might be able to get your employer to pay for all or part of your education. Even if your education is not directly related to your job, you might be able to get special scholarships because of your association with your workplace. Ask your employer and ask your school about what is available.

Your school’s office of student awards and financial aid will be able to help you discover certain awards that are only awarded to part-time students. The Organization of Part-time University Students (or OPUS) can help you find work, find scholarships, and discover new ways to pay for your education. If your school is not affiliated with OPUS, you can check them out on the web, and go to your school’s equivalent department.

Time management skills will also increase your ability to earn money. This will help you pay for your education faster. And the skills that you develop in time management (organization, work ethic, planning) will also help you in your money management.

Manage your money wisely. It can be difficult when you are a part-time student and all of your friends are not in school. They might be out at the bars or shopping all the time, but you have to be realistic about what you can afford. Choose cheaper options, like having your friends over instead of going out, to help make your lifestyle fit your means.

Going to school part-time can be a lot of hard work, but the end result is ultimately rewarding. Explore your options with your school, with your bank, and with your employer to work out the best deal for you.

By Sally Lever


From my experiences of helping to run a local home educators’ support group, I know that the school summer holidays can be a decision time for those families who are facing problems with their children’s education. Sometimes it is the act of going away together that gives parents and children the opportunity to talk about difficult issues for the first time. Sometimes there have been niggling problems for some months and the summer holidays are a chance to bring them to a head and decide to make some changes.

In our society it is a commonly held belief that children go to school, end of story. It is assumed that that’s how they get an education. After all that’s what happened with us wasn’t it? What many do not realise is that it is education that is compulsory for children, not schooling (and education and schooling are not synonymous). What’s more, it is the responsibility of parents not that of the state, to ensure that their children receive a suitable education, although in the UK and many other countries parents may choose to delegate part of their responsibility to the state by sending their children to school.

The vast majority of parents take their responsibility for their children’s education, along with their health and wellbeing, very seriously. When there are problems at school, not only is it difficult for the children concerned, but parents find themselves questioning their parenting skills, their choice of school, their faith in the education system. As with many parenting issues, being in this type of situation, where our expectations are suddenly dashed, causes anguish and heartache.

What can be done to remedy such situations? Here are some general suggestions which I’ve come up with from chatting over these issues with many families:

• Get informed. Find out all you can about the educational options open to you and your child in your area. Remember, home education is an option wherever you live in the UK. For the legal situation in the UK see:

www.home-education.org.uk

For the legal situation in other countries, see:

Learning Unlimited: www.learning-unlimited.org

For further information on alternative forms of education, see the resources page on my website. (www.sallylever.co.uk )

• Clarify with everyone involved what your educational priorities are. Write them down as this helps to focus everyone’s attention on them.

• Remember to consult your child and respect their wishes. (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, article 12.)

• Talk with other families who have experience of the form of education you are thinking of using.

• Remember, you are the expert on your child. If you feel that their educational needs would be better served by an alternative form of education, then you are probably right!

Finally, whatever choices you make with your child about their education, the decision is reversible. Whilst many children are educated totally through a school, there are tens of thousands in the UK who are totally home educated or spend part of their childhood in school and part of it at home. It really is your choice.

By Steadman Issenburg


You may be a great cook already, but if you want a future in the culinary arts world you'll need training and education in order to succeed. And that's where culinary schools come in. They are educational institutions that are designed for one simple purpose, to teach you what you need to know in order to pursue your vocation in the culinary arts field.

So if you want a career in culinary arts, you need to start considering which culinary school you should attend. And a lot will depend on what kind of job you wish to pursue after you graduate. Perhaps you want to be a restaurant manager or owner, maybe a chef, or even a food writer. In order to qualify for almost any of these positions, you'll need the education and training that are provided at a quality culinary school.

So what should you look for when searching for culinary schools? Perhaps the first thing you should look at is whether a particular culinary arts school is fully accredited or not. This is very important to your future employment opportunities as only accredited culinary schools provide the kind of education degrees that are really valuable in the workplace. So do your best to avoid any school that is not fully accredited by a review of its educational peers as being well worth your educational investment. There are many education scams that are out there, and you want to be sure to stay far away from these.

You also want make sure that the particular school you are interested in will be able to teach the specific courses that apply to the career you are pursuing. Some schools will specialize more in certain fields of the culinary arts, whereas others will pay attention to different kinds of courses. So narrow your field down from the accredited schools that you found to those that offer the kind of courses that will benefit you most.

The next consideration is how important is it for the school to be close to where you live? If you are able, do they provide dorms and living quarters on campus where you can stay? If at all possible, it's a good idea to visit the college campus and tour the facilities, perhaps even observing a class if you can. This will help you get a good feel about whether this particular school will be a good fit for you.

You'll also want to consider the kind of qualifications that they require for acceptance, and whether or not you meet these qualifications at this point. Then review the length of the course program, as this can vary greatly from one school to another.

Finally, education costs should also be considered, but keep in mind that the education you receive will provide for a lifetime of solid income. So is usually best to make your decision based more on the quality of the education that you will receive rather than the costs of the school instead. And if costs seem prohibitive, there are many scholarships that are usually available to those who are willing to work hard and apply for them that can help offset these expenses.

So whether your interest is in being a baker, a gourmet chef, a restaurant owner, a food writer, or some other field in the culinary arts, following the suggestions provided above should help you get the culinary arts degree that you really want.