November 15, 2006

ParentInfo, Nov. 15, 2006

Last Updated on Friday, November 02, 2007 at 5:02 AM

In this issue:

*Science Fair Tips

*Educational Toy List

*2006 Kentucky Kids Count Symposium

*Trends in Student Aid

*New KDE Logo

*Contests, Contests, Contests

Science Fair Tips
Parents, it's not too soon to encourage your kids to start thinking about and working on science fair projects. Although most regional science fairs in Kentucky don't take place until March, some school science fairs are scheduled as early as January of next year. Intel, which sponsors the International Engineering and Science Fair, offers tips for parents on helping your child with their project.

Educational Toy List

Having trouble sorting through the thousands of new toys out this year to find the one just right for your child? The National Association for Gifted Children has released its 10th annual Holiday Educational Recommended Toy List.

Toy testers looked for toys that:

• Captivate and challenge the mind

• Build skills

• Build interests

• Provide opportunities for creativity and fun

• Can be played again and again

While the Kentucky Department of Education is not endorsing any of the 36 toys and games on the list, we thought you might be interested in seeing what the toy testers came up with.

2006 Kentucky Kids Count Symposium
The 2006 Kentucky Kids Count Symposium and Data Book Release are scheduled for Friday, December 8 in Erlanger, KY. The conference features Karen Morrison, co-author of Silent Epidemic: Perspectives on High School Dropouts, the groundbreaking analysis of the social and economic impact of high school dropouts. Also up for discussion: The Impact of Immigration on Schools the Economy and Communities. Breakout sessions include: Advocating for Kids When You Can't Lobby; Early Childhood: Realities and Promises; Keeping Kids Safe: Reducing Child Deaths; Kentucky's Medicaid Reform; Raising the Minimum Wage: Potential vs. Pitfalls; and the Social Impact of NCLB.

Trends in Student Aid
There's good news and bad news when it comes to trends in student aid according to a recent study by the College Board. The good news is in 2005-2006, total student aid increased by 3.7 percent. The bad news is total federal grant aid failed to keep pace with inflation. Even without factoring in inflation, the average Pell Grant per recipient fell by $120.

Almost two-thirds of full-time students receive grant aid that lowers the price they actually pay to attend college. Millions of students also benefit from federal tax credits and deductions for college tuition.

In 2005-06, postsecondary students received a total of $134.8 billion in student aid from federal and state governments, colleges and universities, and other private sources. About 44 percent of this aid was in the form of grants, and 51 percent was in the form of loans through the federal government. Subsidies awarded through the income tax system and work-study made up the remainder. Undergraduate students receive significantly more of their aid in the form of grants than do graduate students.

In each of the federal student aid programs, aid per student was lower in inflation-adjusted dollars in 2005-06 than it had been earlier in the decade. Both the total amount of Pell Grants awarded and the average Pell Grant per recipient were lower in 2005-06 than they had been in 2004-05.

In addition to the student aid they received, both undergraduate and graduate students borrowed more from banks and other private lenders than ever before, about $17.3 billion in 2005-06.

For more information on applying for student aid, check out the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority Web site or the Kentucky Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Web site.

New KDE Logo
You may have noticed the Kentucky Department of Education has a new logo and slogan: "Every Child Proficient and Prepared for Success." While similar to the former logo, the Kentucky Board of Education recently adopted the new symbol to more closely represent its and the department's mission. The logo was designed by John Boone in KDE's Division of Communications.

Contests, Contents, Contests

The Kentucky Secretary of State's office is holding a statewide slogan and essay contest for Kentucky high school students. Though the contest has always highlighted issues relating to voting and elections, this year the essay contest will also address the First Amendment right to freedom of the press. Prizes range from $250 cash to a $2,000 savings bond. Deadline for submissions is December 11.

Bubble Wrap Contest

Students in grades 5-8 are encouraged to demonstrate their creativity and ingenuity by creating an original invention using Bubble Wrap cushioning in the first-ever national Bubble Wrap Competition for young inventors. Deadline for entries is December 8.

Staples Invention Quest - Win $25,000

Each year, Staples' Invention Quest challenges inventors to submit their best ideas for easy and innovative office products. This year Staples is adding a student inventor's contest -- Invention Quest for Kids. Staples will reward one lucky inventor age 18 or younger $25,000.

Web links included in this edition of ParentInfo:

*Science Fair Tips:

http://www.sciserv.org/isef/students/parent_tips.asp

*Educational Toy List:

http://www.nagc.org/

*2006 Kentucky Kids Count Symposium:

http://www.kyyouth.org/kcd_sym.htm

*Trends in Student Aid

http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/press/cost06/trends_aid_06.pdf

http://www.kheaa.com/

http://www.kasfaa.com/links.html

*New KDE Logo