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Help your student create properly cited references in MLA or APA format for free with BibMe.org.

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BibMe: Free Bibliography & Citation Maker - MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard

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BibMe Free Bibliography & Citation Maker - MLA, APA, Chicago, Harvard

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A great resource for students and parents to access video lessons, tutorials and more in all subjects.

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A required part of this site couldn’t load. This may be due to a browser extension, network issues, or browser settings. Please check your connection, disable any ad blockers, or try using a different browser.

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California Colleges - Discover, Plan, Launch

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California Colleges - Discover, Plan, Launch

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Help your student discover possible careers based on their interests, explore colleges and costs, and find parent resources as well.

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Help your student become successful when it comes to homework. Read these 10 tips to help you get started.

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Kids are more successful in school when parents take an active interest in their homework - it shows kids that what they do is important.

Of course, helping with homework shouldn't mean spending hours hunched over a desk. Parents can be supportive by demonstrating study and organization skills, explaining a tricky problem, or just encouraging kids to take a break. And who knows? Parents might even learn a thing or two!

Here are some tips to guide the way:

1. Know the teachers - and what they're looking for. Attend school events, such as parent-teacher conferences, to meet your child's teachers. Ask about their homework policies and how you should be involved.

2. Set up a homework-friendly area. Make sure kids have a well-lit place to complete homework. Keep supplies - paper, pencils, glue, scissors - within reach.

3. Schedule a regular study time. Some kids work best in the afternoon, following a snack and play period; others may prefer to wait until after dinner.

4. Help them make a plan. On heavy homework nights or when there's an especially hefty assignment to tackle, encourage your child break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night if necessary - and take time for a 15-minute break every hour, if possible.

5. Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, or phone calls. (Occasionally, though, a phone call to a classmate about an assignment can be helpful.)

6. Make sure kids do their own work. They won't learn if they don't think for themselves and make their own mistakes. Parents can make suggestions and help with directions. But it's a kid's job to do the learning.

7. Be a motivator and monitor. Ask about assignments, quizzes, and tests. Give encouragement, check completed homework, and make yourself available for questions and concerns.

8. Set a good example. Do your kids ever see you diligently balancing your budget or reading a book? Kids are more likely to follow their parents' examples than their advice.

9. Praise their work and efforts. Post an aced test or art project on the refrigerator. Mention academic achievements to relatives.

10. If there are continuing problems with homework, get help. Talk about it with your child's teacher. Some kids have trouble seeing the board and may need glasses; others might need an evaluation for a learning problem or attention disorder.

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how can i help my children with homework

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Kids are more successful in school when parents take an active interest in their homework - it shows kids that what they do is important. Of course, helping with homework shouldn't mean spending hours hunched over a desk. Parents can be supportive by demonstrating study and organization skills, explaining a tricky problem, or just encouraging kids to take a break.

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One of the best speeches I have ever seen. Commencement address given by a former Navy Seal sharing several life lessons that he relates to his Navy Seals years, starting with making your bed. I show this at the beginning of every school year to my Study Skills class.

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University of Texas at Austin 2014 Commencement Address - Admiral William H. McRaven

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Help your student check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors before they turn in their paper.

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Generative AI assistance for any writing challenge Try It for Free ⟶

Instantly generate clear, compelling writing while maintaining your unique voice.

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Get suggestions from Grammarly while you write in desktop applications and sites across the web-as you move between apps, social media, documents, messages, and emails.

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From grammar and spelling to style and tone, Grammarly's suggestions are comprehensive, helping you communicate effectively and as you intend.

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Discover the power of confident communication with Grammarly Free.

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Millions trust Grammarly's AI writing assistance to communicate with confidence and make writing faster and more delightful. Getting started is simple - download the app today.

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Make sure your student is aware of the seriousness of plagiarism. Here is a website for your child to check their work for plagiarism.

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Watch this video with your student and find out how you can both be highly effective people based on your character.

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Explore ways to help your child use online study tools like Quizlet and Khan Academy.

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Every student has felt the study crunch at some point. Balancing a full load of subjects is enough of a challenge without also having to consider extracurricular activities, a social life, and perhaps a part-time job. It's easy to feel stretched thin and stressed out!

But thanks to the internet, staying at the top of your study game has never been easier. In fact, there's a whole suite of useful study tools you can deploy to develop new skills, get ready for upcoming tests, and learn great study techniques.

Here are 11 of the top study apps to help you ace your classes in 2021.

1. GoConqr: Millions of Resources in One App

GoConqr is an easy-to-use online tool that lets students create mind maps, quizzes, slides, study planners, flashcards, and more. This app is expertly designed to help you get that coveted A on exams and assignments. You can also freely access over three million resources to complement your study plans.
✅ What we loved: ❌ What could be improved:
Quizlet offers a user-centric online study tool and trains students via games, flashcards, quizzes, and study sets. Not only is Quizlet ideal for all ages, but it's also free! Its interactive platform covers multiple streams from languages to math and can also be connected to Google Classrooms.
✅ What we loved: ❌ What could be improved:
Evernote makes collating all your information, notes, and research a breeze - particularly if you're studying online. You can create different spaces for all your subjects, and keep everything logically organized. We particularly liked its automatic sync feature which keeps all of your notes automatically up to date on all of your devices, even while switching between your laptop, phone, or tablet.
✅ What we loved: ❌ What could be improved:

Lacks productivity features

Need a premium subscription to use most features

StudyBlue, offered through Chegg, is the largest crowdsourced study library that connects students across classes through subjects, learning goals, ideas, and projects. With flashcards, homework help, and more learning tools, students can dive deep into learning and understanding complex topics. StudyBlue also has real-time assessments and study guides to improve learning online.
✅ What we loved: ❌ What could be improved: READ MORE: 9 Ways to Nail Remote Learning
Khan Academy is a great choice for those who want to learn and study more outside the classroom. You can choose class options according to your interests, subjects, and educational level. Learn free from tailor-made resources in complex subjects like engineering as well as basic school subjects. The program also tracks your progress to help you reach goals.
✅ What we loved: ❌ What could be improved:
Literally named after the part of our brain responsible for learning, motivation, and memory, Hippocampus has a digital library of multimedia content on a plethora of subjects. You'll find up to 7,000 videos on 13 subjects and an online repository of content from community colleges. Anyone can browse the lessons, but registration is required for personalized activities registration.
✅ What we loved:

Range of academic subjects like math, history, and science

Links to various learning platforms

❌ What could be improved:
Udemy is an online learning platform with more than 150,000 video courses. Most of them are free, while some are paid but relatively inexpensive. An experienced instructor guides students across topics like marketing, business, finance, music, fitness, information technology, and more. Courses are available in over 65 languages, in multiple learning styles with lifetime access.
✅ What we loved: ❌ What could be improved:
Schooltraq education software doubles as an online digital planner that will keep track of assignments, events, tests, and due dates. The app syncs automatically across devices. With customizable sections, students can manage classes with a feature called reflex. The reflex feature also allows you to organize based on dates, classes, and give you an easy way to know all of your upcoming projects or tasks.
✅ What we loved:

Smart dashboard to give you an overview of all your tasks

You can upload your school schedule to never miss a deadline or class

❌ What could be improved:
Ever sat down to study and ended up scrolling the internet, instead? Marinara Timer is a free solution that offers three different productivity hacks like the Pomodoro method. It improves productivity and effectiveness while studying or working. You can customize breaks, allocate study hours to subjects, and set targets.
✅ What we loved: ❌ What could be improved: READ MORE: 17 Top Tips to Beat Procrastination in College - for Good
10. Course Hero: 40 Million Resources to Make Learning Simple

If upskilling is what you're looking for, choose Course Hero. With 24 million students and educators on the same platform, you can access course-specific study resources. You'll be part of a growing community to practice problems, find class notes, get multimedia guides, visual aids, and other study resources.
✅ What we loved: ❌ What could be improved:

Site formatting and layout can be streamlined better

Frequent ads can disrupt learning flow

Alta is a fully-integrated, adaptive learning course tool. You can access high-quality content to receive a personalized learning experience. Text and video instruction, interactive learning content, tests, and assignments - you will receive them all. You can check progress, access 24/7 support, and use the tool from your phone as well.
✅ What we loved: ❌ What could be improved:

Inflexible answer options mean only certain formats are correct
READ MORE: 9 Best Chrome Extensions for College Students in 2021
Being a college student already comes with enough challenges. Fortunately, these apps can help you get that A you're after and free up some time in your schedule for the fun stuff. So try out some of these apps and make the most of your college life!

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11 Top Online Study Tools Every Student Needs in 2022

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Every student has felt the study crunch at some point. Balancing a full load of subjects is enough of a challenge without also having to consider extracurricular activities, a social life, and perhaps a part-time job. It's easy to feel stretched thin and stressed out!

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An overview of what an IEP is all about including what an IEP is, who qualifies, who is part of the IEP team, and more.

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What's an IEP?

Students who need extra help and support in school may be eligible for special education services in the form of anindividualized education program (IEP). This program is offered free of charge to families of kids in public schools and outlines the goals and any support services that may be needed for a child to succeed in school.

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) says that parents and guardians of students with disabilities or special health care needs are important members of their child's education team. They should work with educators to develop a plan that helps kids succeed in school.

Understanding how to get and use these services will help your child be as successful as possible in school.

Who Needs an IEP?

Students who are eligible for special education services need an IEP. While there are many reasons that students could be eligible, some common conditions include:

How Are Services Offered?

In most cases, the services and goals outlined in an IEP can be offered in a general school environment. This can be done in the regular classroom (for example, a reading teacher helps a small group of children who need extra help while the other kids in the class work with the regular teacher.) The small group serves students with similar needs who are brought together for help.

Every effort is made to help kids learn alongside their peers who do not have disabilities. But sometimes the level of support needed can't be met in a general classroom, so students are educated in a specialized learning classroom that is more appropriate for their needs. These classes have fewer students per teacher and allow for more one-on-one instruction. The teacher usually has training in helping kids with special educational needs. Students spend most of their day in a small group classroom and join the regular classes whenever possible - for example lunch, gym, or the arts.

What's the Referral and Evaluation Process?

The referral process begins when a teacher, parent, or doctor is concerned that a child may be having trouble in the classroom, and the teacher notifies the school counselor or psychologist.

The first step is to gather specific information about the student's progress or academic problems. This may be done through:

a conference with parents

a conference with the student

watching the student in class to assess performance (attention, behavior, work completion, tests, classwork, homework, etc.)

This information helps school officials decide the best next step. Sometimes new classroom strategies are all that's needed to help a child become more successful. If this doesn't work, the child will get an educational assessment, which can find a specific learning disability or other health impairment.

Note: The presence of a disability doesn't automatically guarantee a child will get services. To be eligible, the disability must affect how the child does at school. To decide on a child's eligibility, a team of professionals will consider their observations, as well as how the child does on standardized tests and daily work such as tests, quizzes, classwork, and homework.

Who's On the Team?

As a guardian, you can decide whether to have your child assessed. If you choose to do so, you'll be asked to sign a permission form that will detail who is involved in the process and the types of tests they use. These tests might include measures of specific school skills, such as reading and math or developmental skills, like speech and language.

The professionals on the evaluation team can include:

When the team finishes the assessment, a comprehensive evaluation report is developed. This report includes an educational classification and outlines the skills and support the child will need.

You can review this report before an IEP is developed. If there is something that you don't agree with, work together with the team to come up with a plan that best meets your child's needs.

How Is an IEP Developed?

The next step is an IEP meeting with you and the team to decide what will go into the IEP. A regular teacher should also attend this meeting to offer suggestions for how the plan can help your child progress through the standard education curriculum.

At the meeting, the team will discuss your child's educational needs - as described in the evaluation report - and develop specific, measurable short-term and yearly goals for each of those needs. You can take an active role in developing the goals and determining which skills or areas will receive the most attention.

The cover page of the IEP outlines the support services your child will get and how often they will be provided (for example, occupational therapy twice a week). Support services might include:

Services might also include transportation, test help or modifications, participation in special programs, and the inclusion of transition planning beginning at age 14.

If the team recommends several services, the amount of time they take in the child's school schedule can seem overwhelming. To ease that load, a professional may talk with your child's teacher to come up with strategies that help but won't offer hands-on instruction. For example, an occupational therapist may suggest accommodations for a child with fine-motor problems that affect handwriting, and the classroom teacher would incorporate these suggestions into the handwriting lessons taught to the entire class.

Other services can be delivered right in the classroom, so the child's day isn't interrupted by therapy. The child who has trouble with handwriting might work one-on-one with an occupational therapist while everyone else practices their handwriting skills. When deciding how and where services are offered, the child's comfort and dignity should be a top priority.

Your child's IEP should be reviewed annually to update goals and make sure your child is getting the support that's needed. However, IEPs can be changed at any time on an as-needed basis. If you think your child needs more, fewer, or different services, you can request a meeting and bring the team together to discuss your concerns.

What Are My Legal Rights?

Guidelines (sometimes called procedural safeguards) outline your rights as a parent to control what happens to your child throughout the IEP process. For example, timelines ensure that the development of an IEP moves from referral to providing services as quickly as possible. When your child is referred, ask about this timeline and get a copy of your parents' rights.

The parents' rights also describe how you can proceed if you disagree with any part of the evaluation report or the IEP - mediation and hearings are some options. You can get information about low-cost or free legal representation from the school district or through early intervention programs.

Attorneys and paid advocates familiar with the IEP process will provide representation if you need it. You also may invite anyone who knows or works with your child whose input you feel would be helpful to join the IEP team. Federally supported programs in each state support parent-to-parent information and training activities for parents of children with special needs. The Parent Training and Information Projects conduct workshops, publish newsletters, and answer questions by phone or by mail about parent-to-parent activities.

What Else Should I Know?

Parents have the right to choose where their kids will be educated. This choice includes public or private elementary schools and secondary schools, including religious schools. It also includes charter schools and home schools.

But parents should know that the rights of children with disabilities who are placed in private elementary schools and secondary schools are not the same as children with disabilities who are enrolled in public schools.

Two major differences that parents, teachers, school staff, private school representatives, and kids need to know about are:

1. Children with disabilities who are placed by their parents in private schools may not get the same services they would get in a public school.

2. Not all kids with disabilities placed by their parents in private schools will get services.

The IEP process is complex, but it's also an effective way to address how your child learns. If you have concerns, be sure to ask about the evaluation findings or the goals recommended by your child's IEP team. You know your child best and should play a central role in creating a learning plan tailored to their specific needs.

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individuals with disabilities education act

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Some kids may be eligible for individualized education programs in public schools, free of charge. Understanding how to access these services can help you be an effective advocate for your child.

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Guidelines to help prepare next steps for post-secondary education and planning.

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When your child becomes a teenager, you'll need to start planning for his or her future after high school. Where will your child live as an adult? Is college or vocational school an option? What about employment?

It's a lot to consider, but transition planning can help. With some careful thought and help from your child's school, doctors, and your state's government agencies, you can make the move to adulthood as smooth as possible for you and your child.

Here are 6 steps to consider.

Step 1: Start the Transition Plan

Some schools start planning for a teen's future at age 13 or 14; by federal law, a transition individualized education program (IEP) must be started by age 16. The transition IEP addresses whether a teen is able to:

remain in high school until the end of the year that he or she turns 21. This extra time can allow your child to complete graduation requirements, or attend vocational rehabilitation to learn job skills and try jobs of interest. Students also may focus on developing independent living skills, including how to get around on public transportation and handle money.

complete the requirements for a high school diploma. If your teen is not on the diploma track, what will it take for him or her to earn a certificate of completion or attendance?

go to college or trade school, and if so, how to get there.

If higher education is not a good fit, maybe:

employment with or without support from a job coach; or

a day program, in which your teen engages in the arts and other activities.

The IEP team will talk with you and your teen about goals for the future.

The transition IEP also addresses where your teen will live in adulthood. If independent living, supervised living, or a group home are options, the IEP may outline what supports need to be in place to make this possible. This could include instruction on the basics of navigating the world alone, such as how to take a public bus, or lessons on how to manage money and plan healthy meals.

Step 2: Register Your Teen

You state's developmental disabilities agency may be able to connect you with programs and services that benefit your teen. For your teen to be eligible, you must register him or her with the state's developmental disabilities agency. Waiting lists for certain programs, such as group home placement, can be as long as 10 years, so register as early as possible.

To learn more about the benefits available to your teen and how to apply for assistance, visit the U.S. government's Benefit Finder.

Step 3: Explore Education After High School

If your teen is interested in pursuing higher education or job training, but you're not sure what would be a good fit, look into what's available. There are many paths that people can take, including:

Traditional 4-year colleges. Colleges and universities should have an office of disabilities services, which can connect your teen with services and programs that can help. For example, some schools offer support programs, peer mentoring, and flexible schedules to accommodate your teen's pace of learning. Online degree programs may be beneficial for students who learn better outside a classroom setting.

Community and 2-year colleges. Some community colleges have special programs for adults with developmental disabilities. See if there's one in your area.

Vocational or technical/trade schools that give teens hands-on training in a variety of trades.

Adult education that teaches life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, job training, and financial literacy. If your son or daughter didn't have these classes in high school, they may be offered through your local community college.

When deciding what's best for your teen, sit down together and talk about interests and abilities. If you need help deciding what sort of real-world job skills your teen has, consider talking to a vocational counselor. A vocational counselor can help identify skills that employers need.

Remember that your teen is still growing and learning every day. By the time high school ends, he or she may decide to go in a different direction. So be flexible and keep the options open as you plan for the future.

Step 4: Do the Legal Work

When kids turn 18, no matter what their abilities, they're considered adults in the eyes of the law. If your teen cannot make decisions about medical or financial affairs, consider securing a power of attorney. This will let you continue to make medical or financial decisions on your teen's behalf.

Also, look into health insurance options. For now, adult children can remain on a parent's private health insurance until age 26. After that age, a young adult may qualify for health coverage through Medicaid. Your teen also may qualify for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), so find out how to ensure that he or she gets all the benefits to which he or she is entitled.

Now is also time to take another look at your will. You might have other children who are coming into adulthood. Consider talking with your other kids about the care your teen will need in adulthood, and whether they want to be involved in that care.

Step 5: Address Issues of Sexuality

Your teen's body is maturing. This means that he or she might want to have a romantic relationship that may include sex. If your teen is able, have him or her talk to the doctor about protection from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Unfortunately, people with disabilities are more likely to be victims of sexual assault. So it's important to talk with your teen about appropriate versus inappropriate touch and sexual behavior. Let your teen know to come to you if he or she ever feels uncomfortable, or if someone touches your teen in an inappropriate way.

Step 6: Find New Doctors

You may have relied on the same team of pediatricians, specialists, and therapists for your child's entire life. But most child-focused health care providers will require that your teen transition to adult care by age 21.

Talk with the current care providers for referrals to others who can care for your teen in adulthood. Also, friends, support groups, or national autism awareness groups might be able to recommend providers.

Date reviewed: December 2017

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Autism Special Needs Checklist: Teens & Young Adults

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When your child becomes a teenager, you'll need to start planning for his or her future after high school. Where will your child live as an adult? Is college or vocational school an option? What about employment? It's a lot to consider, but transition planning can help.

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Also known as Procedural Safeguards, the parent rights outlined here under IDEA are for parents of 3-21 year old students. Click the following link: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/qa/pssummary.asp