Martin Griffin Boosts Standardized Test Scores Through Literacy

Former California principal, Martin Griffin, explains that there are numerous standardized tests that every high school student in the state is required to take before they may graduate. The two most prominent of these tests are the California Standards Tests (CSTs) through the Standardized Testing and Reporting Program (STAR) and the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). Standardized testing is an area where many students struggle, even those who otherwise have good grades. Schools across the nation are focused on the results of standardized tests, as it reflects on the individual school as much as the student's attained knowledge.

 During his years as a high school principal and education consultant in California, Griffin has learned that the promotion of literacy is one of the most effective ways to raise test scores. Literacy is more than the ability to read, it is also the power to comprehend and retain what is read. The better a student is at reading and understanding a text, the more likely they are to understand a test question and what is expected of them. This even rings true for the math portions of standardized tests, as the questions need to be read and understood before the work can commence.

Better literacy also gives grammar, language, and vocabulary tools to students, each of which are important for a good test score. Martin Griffin knows that reading is the most effective way to build vocabulary, learn the meaning of new words through context, and learn the proper ways to spell those words.
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Martin Griffin Works to Build Student Confidence

One of the goals of any educational administrator is to offer his or her students the chance to build confidence, according to former California principal Martin Griffin. To help these students, especially at the high school level, build a healthy level of confidence it is necessary to promote an education in social and emotional awareness. These skills, if developed properly, will aid the student in whichever career they choose.

Often, high school students are very wrapped up in their own worlds and daily concerns. This can appear selfish, but is actually a part of their own growth cycle. When teenagers are offered the opportunity to step away from their own issues and observe others, their perspectives are forever changes. Giving high school students the chance to step back and look at the world around them, even the microcosm that is high school, promotes social and emotional awareness. Many teachers offer assignments that require the student to simply observe the behavior of their class in a group setting, such as the cafeteria. Students witness which groups tend to gather and who gets left behind.

Building an understanding and awareness of social behavior and emotional intelligence is vital to the workforce. To be a great leader or manager, a person needs these skills. The ability to place one's self in another's shoes leads to a greater understanding and better long-term communication. Martin Griffin and his colleagues do all they can to give students the chance to develop this confidence and the associated traits.
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Martin Griffin Educates Teachers on Student Distractions

According to long-time principal and educational administrator, Martin Griffin, students face more distractions today than in any other historical time. Much of this distraction stems from the technologies that they carry on their person, such as cell phones and tablets. The computers that are offered at school and those owned at home are also proving to have a distracting quality. This is not to say that all technology is bad, or will have a negative impact on the student's ability to learn. When used properly, technology can be a great educational resource. 

                               

Educators and administrators struggle with how to use technology to improve education, without allowing it to become such a distraction. Students are drawn to things that are visually stimulating, thanks to the wiring within the brain. Ninety-nine out of one hundred high school students would rather watch a movie about World War I than listen to an hour long lecture on the topic. These same students would rather watch a demonstration on chemical changes than take notes from a book on the science of chemistry. Yet, too much watching can lead to poor learning. 

When the brain is overstimulated, it does not take in all of the necessary information. Martin Griffin explains that the most recent studies show that students who are told to read a story online are less likely to learn the meaning of the story. However, if they are given a book containing the story to read, they are more apt to learn and remember the topic.

Martin Griffin Deals with School Avoidance

Martin Griffin, and countless other school administrators, contend with the issues of school avoidance on a regular basis. This issue is growing in urgency and recurrence, causing educational issues for teachers and students. Truancy is defined as a student's tendency to miss all or part of their scheduled school day, and is deemed a concern when it happens repetitively. Unfortunately, each state operates under a different set of guidelines when considering truancy, and very few state keep accurate track of their student truancy rates. However, many administrators who are tasked with correcting this behavior have determined that each school has as many as 20%, or one of every five students, with an avoidance issue.

Children and teenagers enter into a phase of school avoidance for different reasons. Much of the time, the issue stems from problems at home or psychological concerns with the student. Often, parents are at a loss as to what to do to correct the behavior. Administrators and teachers offer resources and advice, but cannot force a child to attend school. As truancy rates and school avoidance continues to increase, the level of education received by the student suffers. This phenomenon also causes disruption for the students who remain in school as they are supposed to.

After spending a number of years as a high school principal, Martin Griffin thinks that school avoidance is an issue that must be fought from all sides. Both the educational professionals and the parents or guardians must do all they can to ensure a student attends school each day.

Martin Griffin - 3 Tips for Succeeding as an Administrator

Administrators who work at the district level are able to make and enforce policies that affect students throughout the district. Martin Griffin is an educational consultant who spent several years working as a district level administrator. He earned a Master of Arts in Secondary Education Administration from the University of Akron, and used his education to help improve schools. Administrators can help a lot of students. Successful administrators often share similar personality traits and habits.

 
The first step to succeeding as an administrator is to become a leader. In this position, you will have a lot of responsibility, and hundreds of students will depend on your skills and your judgement. You will need to be a great leader who can help school principals, educators and support staff.

The trait that most successful administrators share is experience. If you want to succeed in this position, you will need to be highly experienced in this field. You will need to earn an advanced degree in education administration, and you should have several years of experience in the classroom.

Successful administrators are dedicated to their careers and to education. In order to succeed in this position, you will need to care deeply about the education system and educating children. This passion will drive you to create policies that will benefit the schools. It will also drive you to find innovative ways to continually improve schools. Martin Griffin has been a classroom teacher as well as a high school principal and a district level administrator. He cares deeply about improving education.
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Martin Griffin - The Importance of a School Culture

Developing a school culture is essential for the success of a school. Martin Griffin is a highly experienced professional who has worked in education for well over a decade. He has been a classroom teacher, a high school principal, and an administrator at the district level. In 2013, he became an educational consultant who works hard to help schools improve. One way to improve a school is to develop and maintain a great school culture.

Administrators, teachers, and support staff are all responsible for creating a school culture. A great school culture can help students obtain a well-rounded education. Students go to school in order to learn about math, science, English, history, and other important academic subjects. They also go to school in order to learn how to socialize. This part of their education is just as important as academics. While in school, students need to learn how to work with others and how to make friends. These are important life skills that will help them create a great future for themselves.

Educators are able to create a school culture that promotes socialization as well as academics by teaching children social skills at a young age. When a young child goes to school, he or she is surrounded by new people. This is a great opportunity for teachers to facilitate friendships and socialization. Teachers can also create a great school culture by getting to know their students so that they can help them thrive. Martin Griffin is an educational consultant who knows how to improve a school.
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Martin Griffin - 3 Reasons to Get Involved with a Professional Association

A professional association can help you in several different ways. Martin Griffin is a member of Association of California School Administrators (ACSA). He also serves as a commissioner for the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). Getting involved with organizations such as these can benefit your career greatly.
                       
A professional organization can offer you great networking opportunities. Networking is an important part of any professional’s career. Networking can help you find potential employers, and it can help you meet with other professionals in your field. When you are a part of a professional organization, you are able to meet some of the leaders in your industry.

Another reason to join a professional organization is to access the resources these organizations may have. It is common for professional associations and organizations to offer courses for career improvement. They may also have a database of research and resources that could benefit your career. Taking these courses and accessing these resources could help you learn more about your industry which could help you advance your career.

Professional organizations often hold conferences and seminars. These events can offer you a great opportunity to network and learn. As a member of a professional organization, you can attend conferences, and listen to presentations from other professionals in your field. You can learn about new research and trends while meeting new people. Martin Griffin is an experienced administrator and educational consultant in Chula Vista, California. He has been a member of the Association of California Administrators since June of 2000.