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COMING TO GRIPS WITH THE NEW
SAT
In This Issue:
Preparing To Get Ahead Of The New SAT
Study Tip: Plugging Your Academic Leake In Summer
Coach of the Month: Cassandra Chase
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Academic Success Partner 
of the Month
This month we're excited to introduce you to a brand new partner doing great work in Education Therapy in southern California, Kimberly Green. An educational therapist going on 15 years now, Kim works with kids from as young as five, all the way up to 21 who are experiencing academic, social or emotional difficulties related to school. Going beyond a focus on specific subjects, Kim helps students to develop and build skills that may be lacking in a student, such as working memory, higher order thinking, problem solving and expressive language to name just a few. Having graduated from Cal State Northridge in 2002 with a Masters in Special Education, Kim has since developed a highly effective, collaborative approach, working with the student's parents, teachers and schools to build a platform for success. For more information, email Kim or call 310.702.4856.
Looking For A Student 
Community Service Opportunity?
Meet Rickey Smith, social entrepreneur and owner of the sustainable food business Urban Green. He's started a community education venture called the Urban Green Kids Row program, creating opportunities for kids from diverse backgrounds to participate in many activities related to food sustainability, from planting seeds  to learning about how organic food is grown and harvested. For more info on a terrific
community service and volunteering opportunity for kids, email Rickey, 

or call (800) 200 3320.

Check out Our  YouTube Video!
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Academic Success is very proud of the two-minute video we recently produced to give you a feel for who we are, our philosophy and the way we approach our work
How Academic Success Can Support You
At Academic Success we take great pride in finding the right coach to support the unique needs of each student we help.  Please check out the areas where we work on our  web site and let us know how we can support you.

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Looking for a College Counselor or Ed Therapist?
We work and partner with excellent Educational Therapists and College Counselors throughout the L.A. area.  Give us a call and we can recommend the right fit for your child.

310-823-4398
Greetings and Welcome To Part One of Our Summer Series!

While we usually open proceedings with some ideas for the summer break, this June we've decided to give our readers a head-start on a big educational change 
beginning 
in March of 2016...
We have a new SAT!
As the most widely used college admission exam in the country, it goes without saying that success on the SAT is absolutely vital.
And although many are saying this SAT gives students a better chance for high scores, it will also be more demanding in some areas. Students will sometimes need to go into greater depth to support answers and use more cognitive skill in interpreting questions. 
In this month's issue, we'll furnish a wealth of information on the new SAT. We'll offer tips for preparation and explore the circumstances and some of the opinions surrounding this sea change in college admissions testing. 

At Academic Success, we know that getting out in front of the inevitable changes that come along in academic life is one of the keys to consistently high achievement.
 
Please call with any questions at (310) 823 4398 or

 

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All the best,

 

The Academic Success Team

 

"Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future."                                                                                                                                  - John F. Kennedy

Education News 

Preparing To Get Ahead Of The New SAT
 
As any of our tutors will tell you, preparing for critical exams involves more than just studying well, and that has never been more true as we all prepare for the latest version of the SAT. This piece offers important information that could save students time and better-equip them for the challenges ahead.

  

Detailing The Major Changes...

 

Much has been said and written about why these latest changes have been made to the SAT, but for most students the most important question is: what will the new test look like? This clear and concise TIME Magazine article gives a thorough overview of the changes, step by step.

 
...and Getting Down
To Specifics
 

For most students, however, knowing how to prepare
and what the major changes will be may not be enough to allay much of the stress that comes with adjusting to a new exam. This excellent piece in the Washington Post offers insightful coverage that should clarify much of the confusion and give students confidence in their ability to meet the challenge.
 Core Problems of the 
SAT Remain Unsolved
 
While students will inevitably adjust to the new SAT, some education experts are lamenting the fact that many of the problems inherent in the old SAT have not been fixed. This New York Times op-ed illuminates some of the issues that have yet to be fully addressed by education administrators and focuses on the critical question: should testing focus more on aptitude or knowledge?

SAT 
Still Benefits The Privileged

The SAT's efficacy in determining which students should be accepted first into college has often been questioned, with one of the biggest problems being lack of access to quality education long before the exam takes place. This timely op-ed in the Huffington Post raises valid concerns about the equality of education in our country and how that is playing out in our biggest test nationwide. 

Study Tips 

Plugging Your 
Academic Leaks In Summer

One of the best things to do before moving forward is to check if we've left anything behind.
And what better time to do that than the beginning of summer break?
Students often run into problems down the road when they fail to correct mistakes made or weaknesses in a given subject. Over time (such as a 3-month break), those weaknesses are forgotten, only to show up again when students may not have the time to correct them. 
The solution? Make time to take stock and plug any "leaks" before they capsize the boat!
Go back through your notes and make a list of all the areas that got poor marks and/or felt shaky. These might be mathematical equations you need to rework, subjects/topics where your knowledge might be thin or other things that need repetition and practice.
Commit to a certain period of time spent each day on one thing on your list. Try to cycle through your list once a week.
If you stay consistent, you will significantly strengthen your weaker areas and feel a greater sense of readiness for the fall.
If you want to sail forward this fall in your academic work, make sure you spend some time this summer plugging your leaks!

Coach Profile 

 
Meet Robert Johnson,
  Coach Profile of The Month   


This month we'd like to catch up with another established presence on our Academic Success team, Robert Johnson. 

Ever since Robert began tutoring his fellow eight graders in geometry, teaching has been a natural match for his abilities. Over the past 17 years, he has successfully worked with pupils, ranging from fifth graders all the way to graduate students in subjects like math, history and writing.

Today, Robert specializes in standardized test preparation for exams such as the ISEE. SAT,SAT II's and ACT, working with small groups as well as individuals.  But it's the one-on-one coaching that he finds most rewarding: " The most satisfying aspect of my work," Robert says, "is seeing the sudden light of understanding turn on in a student's eyes."  In addition to working as an educator, Robert has written and performed sketch comedy in New York City and also moonlighted as a professional sushi chef in Malibu, CA.

 :   
We consider it a privilege and an honor to support students and their families throughout the Los Angeles area.  Please call us at any time; we welcome your thoughts and input.  We are available at 310-823-4398.

Sincerely,
 
Jamie Altshule
Academic Success, Inc.