Expert Offers Tips to Help Students Set Goals for Success at School

With a new school year upon us and in the face of stagnant test scores and fresh controversy over the government's "No Child Left Behind" initiative, many parents and teachers are more concerned than ever about the nation's education system. But one expert says that even under the most trying conditions, students have the tools needed to ensure academic success.

(PRWEB) September 3, 2004 -- With a new school year upon us and in the face of stagnant test scores and fresh controversy over the government's "No Child Left Behind" initiative, many parents and teachers are more concerned than ever about the nation's education system. But one expert says that even under the most trying conditions, students have the tools needed to ensure academic success.

"Last year, our nation spent over $382 billion on education," says John Bishop, president of Accent on Success®, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping students achieve success in the classroom and in life, and author of Goal-Setting for Students®. "Over 99 percent of that was spent on what adults will do to give students a learning environment--buildings, books, science labs, teachers, sports programs, etc. But what we really need to do is spend some of this money to teach students how they can step up to the plate and take ownership of their education."

Bishop was inspired to translate his more than 25 years of corporate training and development experience into a student-specific, goal-setting program after talking with his teenage granddaughter about the challenges of educational success in often resource-poor, cash-strapped schools. Goal Setting for Students® was created with the help of several education and curricula experts and includes a student workbook and teacher¹s manual.

"When students take educational ownership they take personal responsibility to do something meaningful and positive to change their lives," Bishop says. "With that ownership comes dignity and self-respect. This translates into a can-do attitude that will have a positive impact on attendance, class participation, discipline, personal decision making and test results."

Bishop offers the following tips for parents and teachers who want to help students get started on the path to successful goal-setting:

--Don¹t allow students to make excuses for poor performance. They must take responsibility for their success or failure.
--Help students visualize their goals. A vision for future success is crucial to staying the course.
--Allow students to voice their opinions and ideas in a non-threatening environment.
--Help students use positive language, such as "I will" and "I can."
--Demonstrate the importance of helping others.
--Help students understand that success takes motivation, determination and effort.

Download a free chapter from the Goal Setting for Students® workbook at http://www.goalsettingforstudents.com [GoalSettingforStudents.com].

About Accent On Success®
Accent On Success® is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping students achieve success in the classroom and in life. The Goal Setting for Students® workbook is the first book in the series.

The Accent on Success and Goal Setting for Students names, symbols and logos are registered trademarks of Accent On Success®, 29 Benton Place, St. Louis, MO 63104.

Media Contact:
John Bishop
888.664.6110
fax: 314-664-6577
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