Forensic Science Distance Learning Program

Forensic science generally refers to the function of science to answer questions related to the criminal justice system. In fact, it can be considered as special branch of science or an application that make use of various scientific methods and principles to investigate unlawful and civil actions which are in interest of the legal systems. All the clues collected from a crime scene are analyzed by forensic experts in a crime laboratory and converted into proofs worth producing in legal courts.

Today it is definitely one of the few professions that demands high mental alertness and offers challenges along with rewards that cannot be compared to any other profession. As a result, the ratio of universities and colleges offering forensic science course and programs has increased drastically in last few years. In fact, these days many accredited online colleges and universities are offering degree distance learning programs that in turn allows you to study and work at your own pace and hours. Courses are available at the bachelor's, masters and certificate level in the various forensic science degree specializations.

A forensic science distance learning program can provide you a solid foundation to enter in the world of forensics. By enrolling in forensics distance education program, you can learn the scientific, psychological, criminal and legal theories needed to do extremely well in the field. These days many programs emphasize on forensic techniques, such as processing a crime scene, collecting and storing evidence, reporting findings and notifying next of kin.

Getting a degree through a distance learning forensic science program can help you work as forensic specialists or crime scene investigators who usually inspect fraud and embezzlement. Besides this, duties with a forensics degree may also involve investigating, collecting and analyzing the evidence left at a crime scene, testifying in court cases, analyzing DNA, matching fingerprints, examining firearms and more. Once you complete your distance learning program in forensic science, you may also work in medical examiner or coroner's offices, hospital and clinical chemistry laboratories.

Today attaining a degree in forensics through distance education program plays an equal importance in comparison to on-campus program. You cannot underestimate the importance of forensics distance education program. The online degree holders who have completed their forensics distance program can also enjoy advancement or promotion prospects into management and leadership roles. According to recent Occupational Employment Statistics, the U.S. Bureau of Labor estimates that the mean annual salary for forensic science technicians is $50,310. However, this salary may differ depending on the state where you are located and the exact role that you fulfill. Adding to this, the highest paying potential career for individuals who earn online forensic science degrees is in the federal executive branch, with a mean annual salary reaching around $83,970.

Looking at the present scenario, it won't be wrong to say that - a career in forensics offers enormous scope and employment opportunities. In fact, as per the U.S Department of Labor, the job prospects for forensic science experts are anticipated to boost much faster than the average since most of the government agencies in the United States are using forensic science to examine, solve, and prevent crime. Apart from this, these days many law enforcing agencies, legal systems and private investigative offices are also recruiting forensic science experts. Graduates of these programs are in high demand in the United States job market and in next few years, it is expected to increase even more.

Looking for getting online degree in Forensic Science? Find complete information on top distance learning universities and online programs for forensic science at DistanceLearningU.com. Browse the site and know how you can earn online degree from your home.

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San Diego Schools Embrace the No Child Left Behind Program

The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) program is a federal law that governs elementary and secondary education and is funded by Federal Title I. Under the NCLB, school boards must ensure that their high poverty schools meet the educational needs of low-achieving students. The goal is to close the achievement gap between the high and low-performing students.

San Diego Schools are committed to delivering strong standards-based education with programs that are designed to improve student achievement in the gateway skills of reading, writing and mathematics. Along with this commitment, they have embraced the NCLB program, which benefits the San Diego schools and its students as follows:

o San Diego schools must provide greater accountability for results, which means an even better school district with higher scholastic achievement from its students;

o The district gains greater flexibility for spending federal money, allowing them to decide where the money best serves to improve student achievement;

o Parents have more options over their children, allowing them to choose a non-participating school over a NCLB school; and

o San Diego schools gain an increased emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work.

Of the 202 San Diego schools, 138 are eligible for the NCLB program. Schools are selected for the program if they have not made adequate annual progress for two or more consecutive years and serve students from high-poverty backgrounds. Annual state-required student achievement targets measure the progress of each of the 138 San Diego schools. There are currently 37 schools participating in the NCLB five-year program and designated as Program Improvement schools.

The following seven schools are in their first year of the program -- Clairemont High, Creative, Performing and Media Arts Middle; Knox; Pershing Middle; Rosa Parks Elementary; Wangenheim Middle; and Washington.

In their second year are ALBA, Bayview Terrace, Correia Middle, Dana (5-6), Emerson/Bandini, Encanto, Garfield High, Logan, Madison, Montgomery Middle, Muir (K-12), and Twain.

The third-year San Diego schools are Garfield, Marston Middle, and Pacific Beach Middle.

Baker, Bell Middle, Clark Middle, Farb Middle, Hoover High, Kroc Middle, Morse High, O'Farrell Charter, Roosevelt Middle, Taft Middle, and Tubman Village Charter are in their fourth year.

Four San Diego schools are in their fifth year. They are Balboa, Gompers Secondary, Memorial Charter, and Wilson Middle.

Those schools highlighted above met their adequate yearly progress targets in 2005, showing remarkable improvement in student achievement.

During all years of the program, parents may choose to send their children to a designated non-participating school and receive transportation at San Diego schools expense.

During years two through five, free tutoring is provided to eligible students after school, based on academic need. Parents select from a state-approved list of service providers.

In year three of the program, the district will intervene, making additional options and services available.

The district develops plans for restructuring the San Diego schools that are in year four of the program. The plans include major reorganizations and fundamental reforms that affect the staffing and administration of the schools.

Any school still in the program in year five is restructured, according to the plan developed for the school in year four.

San Diego schools provide parents of children attending Program Improvement schools with information on a variety of education-related issues. Additionally, parents may request information on the professional qualifications of teachers and paraprofessionals associated with their children.

Parents are asked to partner in their children's education by participating in school events, volunteering on school administrative committees, volunteering in the classroom, and providing home support to further enable their children to learn.

San Diego schools serve nearly 136,000 students. The district is the second largest in California. They are committed to improving student achievement through modernized facilities and resources, enhanced classroom learning through challenging and proven teaching methods, and involving the community in the educational process. The NCLB is just one of the many programs instituted by the San Diego schools to serve and benefit the students educational needs.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Patricia has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information visit San Diego School Rankings and Public School Rankings

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Washington DC Schools Improves Its After-School Program

The Wallace Foundation Invests $8 Million in Washington DC Schools

Washington DC Schools after schools and out of school programs are getting a boost from the nonprofit DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation and The Wallace Foundation. The DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation is works to increase the quality, quantity and accessibility of services for children, youth and families in the Washington DC area. The DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation is responsible for giving funds to community organizations for out-of-school time programs, youth entrepreneurship programs, and early childhood development programs and parent centers. The DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation has recently received the promise of $8 million from The Wallace Foundation for Washington DC Schools after school programs. The Wallace Foundation is a national foundation that aims to support the ideas and practices that expand learning and enrichment opportunities. The Wallace Foundation currently lists its three goals as: strengthening education leadership to improve student achievement; enhancing out-of-school learning opportunities; and expanding participation in arts and culture.

The Wallace Foundation's Learning in Communities

Washington DC Schools were chosen to be apart of The Wallace Foundation's Learning in Communities initiative. Learning in Communities strives to develop comprehensive methods for learning in and organizing after school programs that have very high standards. The Learning in Communities initiative has begun in three Washington DC Schools middle schools, Charles Hart Middle School, Kelly Miller Middle School, and Lincoln Middle School. The program currently serves around 600 students but the plan is to expand the program to all middle schools in the Washington DC Schools. The Learning in Communities initiative has help to establish high quality activities outside of the school day; after school, on weekends, and during the summer.

The Learning in Communities, guided by the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation, has created partnerships with Washington DC mayor's office, Washington DC Schools, leaders, local universities, private foundations, parents, and the community. This partnership is now aiming to add an additional $8 million to the $8 million that has been donated by The Wallace Foundation. This partnership also aims to institute employee volunteers to act as mentors or tutors starting in the 2006-2007 school year.

The Learning in Communities initiative is starting in middle schools in Washington DC Schools due to national educational research that has indicated that middle school age children are the best group to help from failing later. The research shows that middle school students who have one or more of the following risk factors are less likely to graduate from high school. The four identified risk factors are failing English, failing math, poor behavior, and truancy. Middle school students in the Washington DC Schools often must deal with added obstacles, such as living below the poverty line, having limited English proficiency and high truancy rates. Washington DC Schools now have more than 150 programs that serve at least some middle-school students but the Learning in Communities initiative aims to put an after school program in every middle school in the Washington DC Schools. The Learning in Communities initiative will improve Washington DC Schools after school and summer programs by connecting the programs, producing diverse quality programs that fit children's needs, developing better standards for training providers, and creating a database that will allow officials to match children with after-school programs.

Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Stacy has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information please visit Washington DC Schools

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San Diego Schools Choice Program Means More Opportunities for Students but More Work for Parents

More than one-third of the students in the San Diego schools were enrolled in the Choice Program for the 2005-2006 year. The program gives parents the ability to transfer their children from their assigned school to one that offers more academic opportunities or specific attributes. The program offers six methods of eligibility.

Program Improvement School Choice. Children assigned to schools in San DIego that have failed the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) academic standards may apply to better-ranked San Diego area schools. Students applying for transfer under this program generally receive a higher priority than others and receive free transportation. If in the future the assigned schools pass the NCLB standards, parents may choose to move their children back to the assigned campus or continue in the new campus.

Magnet Schools Program. These campuses are each based upon a theme, such as performing arts, with the curriculum centered around it. Though they provide all the state required basics, students can immerse themselves in the particular subject; whereas in other schools, the theme may only be offered as an elective class or two. Magnet schools are designed to attract a diverse cross section of students from throughout the city. Free transportation is provided to students who live outside a specific mileage range. Acceptance priority is given based upon:

o Demographics -- they encourage San Diego students living in demographic areas different from where the Magnet is located to apply,

o Continuity -- San Diego schools students in a performing arts elementary school, for example, would be given acceptance priority when applying to a performing arts middle and high school,

o Siblings -- San Diego students with brothers or sisters already enrolled in the school are given priority,

o Program Improvement -- receives a lower priority than the others listed above, and

o General Applications -- receives the lowest priority.

Voluntary Ethnic Enrollment Program (VEEP). VEEP was designed to provide a better racial and cultural integrated, educational experience in the San Diego school system.. Predominantly Caucasian-populated schools are paired with minority schools for the program. Most transfer students receive free transportation.

Choice Program. Any San Diego student is eligible to apply to any school not in the Magnet program. Acceptance is based solely on the space available, and transportation is the parents' responsibility.

Inter-District Transfer Program. Any student with the state may apply to any school within the San Diego schools. Like the Choice Program, acceptance is based solely on the space available, and transportation is the parents' responsibility.

Charter Schools Program. These independent schools within the district are on space available only and often use a random lottery for application acceptance. Some require that the students applying meet specific criteria. If you are interested in transferring your child to a Charter School, inquire early -- they set their own application deadlines.

If you find that your child does not meet any of these criteria or their acceptance priority would be low, there are two other methods of gaining transfer acceptance that are not part of the overall Choice Program. They are through special request and the Gifted and Talented Education Program (GATE). You may submit a special request to the San Diego schools, when your child's assigned school does not offer specific coursework. These requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. If the GATE program is not offered in your child's assigned school and your child qualifies, again you may request a transfer to a school that does.

Other than in the Charter Schools, applications to San Diego schools by March 15th for the following school year are given priority.

Though the Choice Program offers a great opportunity to all San Diego schools students, there are a lot of choices. With 212 public schools, including the 31 Magnet Schools and 35 Charter Schools, investigating the schools and their offerings can be overwhelming and time consuming for the parents.

San Diego schools officials offer the following advice:

o All schools offer the required basic coursework, so do not get caught up in "only one school will do" -- look at the many other schools, too;

o Look beyond test scores -- schools have a lot more to offer, such as specialized education programs;

o Visit the school campus -- what looks good on paper may be different in reality, sometimes better and sometimes worse;

o Talk to parents and educators at the school, find out first-hand; and

o Ask if they offer parent seminars and tours before the application deadline.

If you are interested in applying for a transfer to any of the San Diego schools, begin early, list the criteria you wish to be provided by the school, look at all the available schools, choose those that seem to fit your requirements, and then thoroughly investigate each one. It is a lot of homework for the parents, but it can be the best foundation they can give their children.

Patricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Patricia has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more on San Diego schools visit San Diego School Ratings and Public School Rankings

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San Francisco Schools' Small Schools Program

The Small Schools program in San Francisco Schools was established back in 2000. One successful example of a small school is the San Francisco Schools' Leadership High School. This high school has a total of only 345 students, uses high standards and close relationship with teachers to help at risk students. Leadership High School was established about 5 years ago and now has some of the highest test scores in all of the San Francisco Schools. Mainly the idea is to take large schools, usually high schools, into several smaller schools that can focus on the students needs better.

San Francisco Schools have become a leader in a growing trend that has spread across Northern California. The idea behind breaking up large schools is an attempt to provide an alternative to the status quo. Students in a small school tend to have higher rates of graduation, higher attendance rates, and higher university attendance. The small school environment succeeds due to a more personalized learning environment. The small schools of the San Francisco Schools use a mentor system that gives guidance to that they are personally engaged in their work. Students are motivated while being connected to the school community. The National Longitudinal Study for Adolescent Health reports that students in a small school environment were less likely to use alcohol, illegal drugs, become pregnant, or experience emotional distress.

San Francisco Schools' Small Schools for Equity

The Small Schools for Equity program is an innovative partnership between San Francisco Schools and a local university. This high school has one hundred students from all of the San Francisco Schools. This high school will be housed on the university's campus and be supported by the College of Education while being managed and funded by San Francisco Schools. The students, teachers and administration will have a say in curriculum development. Students who attend the Small Schools for Equity program were chosen by San Francisco Schools' officials. The high school students will study a rigid curriculum that will include high school level math, science, English, humanities, world language, art and Japanese. No college courses will be offered.

The Small Schools for Equity program provides the College of Education with a great opportunity in teacher education. San Francisco Schools has allowed university students seeking teaching credentials to teach and observe in schools throughout the San Francisco School district for years, now the College of Education will have a high school on campus that will benefit from modern educational theory and practices. The high school will be housed in Burk Hall and run a full school day from 8AM to 3PM, the rest of the day Burk Hall will be used by education students.

San Francisco Schools Board of Education Reviews Small Schools

The San Francisco Schools Board of Education is, this summer, reviewing a policy that would support the San Francisco Schools Small Schools By Design. The policy is being introduced by San Francisco Schools Acting Superintendent Gwen Chan and is supported by school board president Norman Yee and San Francisco Organizing Project, a community organization that supports the small schools initiative. San Francisco Organizing Project is a collection of religious congregations, schools and community centers. Those opposed to the program claim that the money spent does not equal the benefits but supporters say that the Small Schools offset the difficulties of declining student enrollment and the flight of families from San Francisco Schools. The current policy up for vote would create a task force to determine the locations and needs of San Francisco Schools which would benefit most from Small Schools.

Stacy Andell is a staff writer for Schools K-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all U.S. public and private K-12 schools. Stacy has a nose for research and writes stimulating news and views on school issues. For more information please visit San Francisco Schools

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