How did A&M star and potential top NFL pick Luke Joeckel get so much bigger than twin brother Matt? April 24th, 2013
Luke Joeckel (No. 72) and brother Matt (No. 15) pictured here playing for Arlington High School in 2009. (photo courtesy of the Joeckel family)
This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the passage of Title IX–the legislation that made it illegal for educational institutions to discriminate on the basis of gender.
In its brief 37 words, Title IX doesn’t mention sports, but take a look around at any youth soccer or softball field and you’ll see sports is where some of the biggest gains in Title IX have been made. Little girls are playing sports by the millions.
When not watching the Heat’s run to a championship this week, I worked on a story about Title IX and spoke to coaches, administrators and athletes across Broward County. One of the things that surprised me the most was the reaction I got from some of the area’s top young female athletes. Most of them were familiar with the concept of Title IX, but they didn’t know or understand the specifics. Others didn’t know what I was talking about at all when I asked what they knew about Title IX.
My first reaction was to be stunned. I mean, how could these girls who have benefitted so much because of Title IX not know about the legislation? But after a few minutes, it hit me…they don’t know much about Title IX because they don’t have to.
For many current high school athletes, the concept of gender equality is as normal as breathing. For them, it’s hard to conceive of a time when girls and women didn’t play sports. The idea of playing on outdoor courts while boys got plushy gyms is stunning. In their world, that just happen. And if it does, it’s time to speak up. The WNBA has pretty much always been around. (For the record, the league began play in 1997).
I guess when you look at it that way, Title IX is an absolute success. We’ve come from girls not playing sports to a world where competing is part of regular life. Dillard girls basketball player Kayla Wright jokingly told me that sometimes, the gym is more packed when the three-time defending state champion girls team takes the court then when the Panthers boys play.
Think you could have said the same 15 years ago? 20 years ago? Probably not.
No wonder some young athletes don’t quite grasp Title IX. Fact is, they’ve never had to. And maybe that’s not a bad thing at all. The mindset about women in sports seems to have finally shifted.
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Just How Much Money Should You Spend on College Anyway? November 16th, 2011
College is expensive, and it’s getting far more expensive every year. This situation is leaving many young people with the daunting task of trying to determine just how much debt they should take on at a very young age. Is this unfair? You bet it is unfair, but it’s also the reality of the situation that most of you may find yourself in. Until the day comes that a college education is free (don’t hold your breath), students will have to wrestle with not only how much to pay for a college or university degree, but also whether or not it is worth it.
Debt Versus Brand Name
Big name colleges and university degrees do not come cheaply. This issue has left many students asking if they should pay the “big bucks” for that brand name degree instead of selecting a less expensive option. There is a real and legitimate argument to be made that when it comes to many majors, it just doesn’t make sense to pay what it costs to go to a big name university or college.
There are intangibles, of course. For example, you have to consider the connections you might make at a certain school and being able to impress others with a school’s name recognition. But if you are planning on being a teacher, do you really need to spend an extra ,000 or ,000 or more for your degree? In general, the type of degree that you are planning on receiving should be taken into consideration before you opt for a mountain of debt!
Weigh Your Options Carefully
Just because you were accepted to a big name college or university, doesn’t mean that you have to attend that educational institution. Many students say, “Well I got in, so that is where I will go…” Your thought process should be more comprehensive, as you should weigh the options carefully. Selecting a less expensive university or college could open up different opportunities. For example, you could opt for graduate school, or get a professional degree such as a law degree or an MBA with the money you save. Some schools even offer scholarships to attract higher-level students, while others turn those students away.
Consider Your Degree When Deciding How Much to Spend
If you are planning on earning a degree that ensures great pay down the road, then you might not need to worry too much about the debt that you accumulate in college. However, you should keep some issues in mind. Many people earn degrees in certain fields, only to discover that they hate the profession that goes along with the degree. This means that they often switch to careers that pay less, often far, far less. At this point, the high paying career they believed they would have doesn’t materialize.
Determining how much to spend on college isn’t necessarily easy to figure out. If you know exactly what it is that you want to do for a career, then this decision may be easier for you than it is for others. Taking your time and thinking about how your college debt may impact your future is a savvy move and one you are quite unlikely to regret.
Related posts:
- 5 Easy Ways to Save Money For College
- Paying for Your Online College Degree Program
- Find Free Money For College or Scholarship Resources You May Not Know About
Oct 21, How Much Homework Is Too Much Homework? October 21st, 2011
We’ve been asking that question around here for years! Read what the folks at Psychology Today say about it…
The Homework Blog
Jun 9, Homework In Each Grade: What Kind and How Much? October 11th, 2011
What kind and how much homework should your child do in each grade?
The Homework Blog
Jun 16, Too Much Testing for Students? Ya think? June 18th, 2011
Haven’t I been saying this for years?
“…research shows what teachers have warned about for years — that the excessive emphasis on testing and test-prep has harmed efforts to provide students with a well-rounded education and help them develop critical-thinking skills, and has in many ways de-professionalized teaching.”
The Homework Blog
Jun 1, Too much homework. June 5th, 2011
I am in 10th grade.Everyday I spend at least 2-3 hours doing my homework.The teachers check our homework regularly and punish us if we do not submit it
The Homework Blog