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By admin, March 17, 2010 5:32 pm

STEM is an acronym standing for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The desire to keep America as one of the leading nations in technology and scientific breakthroughs has created a push toward creating STEM schools. And although our economy has been somewhat unsteady in the past few years, science and engineering jobs are growing 70% faster than other positions. That means with the proper education and training, future students will be ready to jump into the employment pool.

President Barack Obama has realized the importance of STEM education. In November 2009, he made public the kickoff of several nationwide programs to create interest and lead students toward these four areas of study. The president cited three priorities for STEM education:

1. Allowing students to think critically in the four STEM subject areas by increasing STEM literacy.

2. Assuring that American students are no longer outperformed by other nations by improving the quality of math and science instruction in the classroom.

3. Expanding STEM career opportunities and education for groups such as women and minorities.

To help reach these goals, Obama has announced partnerships that will assist American students in becoming among the best in math and science over the next 10 years. They include Time Warner Cable, Sesame Street and Discovery Communications. To add tangible excitement and challenge to STEM education, the President has also announced that there will be a new science fair held annually at the White House.

In his words, “If you win the NCAA championship, you come to the White House. Well, if you’re a young person and you’ve produced the best experiment or design, you ought to be recognized for that achievement, too.” He added, “Scientists and engineers ought to stand side by side with athletes and entertainers as role models.” Well said, Mr. President.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.backtobasicslearning.com

For 25 years, Back to Basics has been recognized as the area’s undisputed leader in one-on-one tutoring. In addition, the firm offers a unique Delaware private school for all grades. Back to Basics is the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.

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By admin, November 19, 2009 8:22 am

Today, Back to Basics Learning Dynamics is a vibrant, full-service educational facility serving the diverse educational needs of over 11,000 students in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, in their homes, schools, and the Center. The area’s leader in 1-on-1 tutoring for pre-K through college-age students and adults, Back to Basics provides instruction in 60+ subjects, the most comprehensive range of subjects available. And, Back to Basics’ students are taught by over 90 experienced professionals with Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees.

The firm’s beginnings, however, were significantly more humble. As a teacher, Beverly Stewart had a vision of reaching every student. Her six years of experience in a traditional classroom had shown her this was not always the most effective method of instruction. So, in 1985 she established Back to Basics Tutoring Service as a sole proprietor working from her one-bedroom apartment. From the onset, the firm was significantly different because it focused on the benefits of one-on-one instruction and a permanent student-tutor match, unlike national chains using group instruction and multiple tutors per student.

Although she had a true passion for education, Stewart recognized that she had no practical experience in running a business, and so enlisted the help of SCORE to learn skills, strategies and practices that would help her fledgling business grow. From accounting, to strategic planning, to management skills, the teacher became the student. And in just four short years, Back to Basics grew so large that a permanent tutoring center was necessary to accommodate its students and staff. In 1989, Stewart purchased a three-story building at 1824 N. Scott Street in Wilmington, Delaware.

She also began to increase the firm’s offerings. In addition to a thriving customer base of 1-on-1 tutoring and educational testing for regular and special education students, she further expanded into tutoring and instruction for adults of all ages. From languages like Mandarin Chinese, Japanese and Spanish, to work-related skills like computers and business writing, Stewart provided resume-building options for adults to increase their marketability in an increasingly competitive workplace.

In response, major corporations flocked to the facility. By providing such valuable services as English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, translating, sign language and interpreting, Stewart built a successful corporate client list including Fortune 500 companies DuPont, Hercules, ICI, Astra Zeneca and more. Stewart’s entrepreneurial spirit paid off and after only six years in business Back to Basics was named one of the “Top 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies” by the Philadelphia Business Journal.

In 1999, having completely outgrown the N. Scott Street building, Stewart was faced with a major business decision, whether or not to take the plunge and move to a larger space. Once again, she enlisted the services of the SBA through the SBDC for counseling and advice. And in 2000, Back to Basics expanded yet again to the current 6 Stone Hill Road address. The move increased classroom and office space by 250% and in conjunction with the move, Back to Basics Tutoring Service, Inc. was renamed Back to Basics Learning Dynamics, Inc.

The move allowed Stewart to once again increase, not only the firm’s much-needed classroom space, but also its educational offerings. Back to Basics became a state-approved private school with a focus unlike any other school in the state. Today, this unique private school provides students 1-on-1 kindergarten-12^th grade instruction for state credit toward graduation, through personal, customized curricula. Stewart’s vision of creating a place where she could reach every student had finally come true.

For more information, please visit Back to Basics website at http://www.BacktoBasicsLearning.com

Back to Basics has been recognized as the area’s undisputed leader in one-on-one tutoring. In addition, the firm offers a unique Delaware private school for all grades. Back to Basics is the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.

Comments (0)

By admin, October 4, 2009 2:14 pm

1. Schedule a consistent time – non –negotiable. Schedule the duration (elem ~ ¼ – ½ – 1 hour). Help child prioritize if necessary.

2. Even if no homework, have them do something academic in that time frame each day (review, read, practice words or math facts). It sets a routine/habit of studying.

3. Set a permanent homework spot, where all supplies are located (or have all in a container that “travels” with the child in the house, but to same spot).

4. Let your child see you read, and learn.

5. Help only when necessary, and recognize the parts he did well (as well as difficult areas). Praise ability.

6. Some children need the assignments broken down into smaller units.

7. Do not allow yourself to get pulled into a battle. Back out and have the child ask the teacher to explain the parts he doesn’t understand if a conflict starts brewing at home. Or ask the child to come to you later when he can be respectful and not whining.

8. Assist, do not give answers. The less you need to be involved in homework the better. This means your child is learning at school and homework is reinforcing this. If not, speak with the teacher.

9. Get to know the teacher(s). Learn about her homework policy and standards.

10. Set up consequences and rewards. Allow your child to make choices, instill responsibility. Set goals regularly.

For more information, please visit Back to Basics website at http://www.BacktoBasicsLearning.com

Back to Basics has been recognized as the area’s undisputed leader in one-on-one tutoring. In addition, the firm offers a unique Delaware private school for all grades. Back to Basics is the 2010 Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.