We have gone through this before, but preparation tips for SAT are never dated. You swot and slog, your parents help out with love and care and the school coaches you in reading, writing and Math.

Teachers know in which subjects you need more work and get you to repeat tasks. You stay back for coaching if you need it, or take online help from websites like this one.

A New York School, PS 172, discovered something else that was bothering the kids. A speech therapist’s report led to their organizing a dental clinic which treated kids for toothaches, a possible source of inability to read well.

At PS 172, some 80% of the kids are poor and are eligible for free lunches. About 25% get special ed services and generally the kids come from backgrounds that are not known for high educational qualifications. Most – Hispanic – do not speak English at home.

But in 2009, this 580-student primary school topped New York City in 4^th grade Math scores. All but one was marked Level 4. In English the students finished among the top 12 city schools. P.S. 172 regularly outperforms its neighbors in Park Slope and Carroll Gardens, the school has a waiting list of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten classes. P.S. 172 is also called the Beacon School of Excellence.

What is the school doing right? They budget their resources carefully. See that their cost per child is lower than in other schools. Academically, their mantra is simple: “Teach, assess, teach, assess.”

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