The state of education:

[ginny]

yeah, I know for a fact that University of Wyoming out of state is cheaper than in state at Colorado State University (for undergrads). For professional programs, there are programs like WICHE for Vet school and WWAMI for medical school that keep tuition at in-state levels for students from qualifying states. I also think that CSU tuition for out of state may be cheaper than in state for some schools (UC perhaps?) - I don't know that for a fact, but I think I remember it lurking in the cobwebs somewhere...

[Owlie]

I'm just really glad that all the PhD programs I'm applying to guarantee out-of-state tuition waivers if they accept you! If I take a year off, I'll be taking a few credit hours' worth of grad classes to keep myself in the loop, as it were. My original plan was to pick a university, move to that city, and take classes there. AZ schools have ridiculously high out-of-state tuition, so I think I'm staying in Ohio...

[Crankin]

The out of state tuition at U of A was less than some other out of state tuitions and about half of private universities. My younger son went there until he enlisted. It cost us about 20k for the year, including room/board/tuition. It wasn't that long ago, either. In fact, he went there, as opposed to CU, which was his first choice, because it was half the cost of CU for out of state students. So I am not sure where you are getting this information or what other schools you are comparing AZ to. The in state tuition there is ridiculously low; I went to ASU and even though it was a long time ago, there has always been really cheap in state tuition there; it should be more equitable.
That article about CA is little distressing. Same son is now living in San Diego and his wife wants to stay there. She is in school there at a community college and will be transferring. He would be looking to finish at UCSD or SDSU when he is done with the military. Although they don't have to pay the tuition because of the GI bill, who wants to go to a university that strapped? It seems like everyone would just be demoralized.

[Owlie]

The out of state tuition at U of A was less than some other out of state tuitions and about half of private universities. My younger son went there until he enlisted. It cost us about 20k for the year, including room/board/tuition. It wasn't that long ago, either. In fact, he went there, as opposed to CU, which was his first choice, because it was half the cost of CU for out of state students. So I am not sure where you are getting this information or what other schools you are comparing AZ to. The in state tuition there is ridiculously low; I went to ASU and even though it was a long time ago, there has always been really cheap in state tuition there; it should be more equitable.

I'm referring to graduate courses, which are more expensive anyway, and because I'd be a)out of state and b)taking non-degree courses for that year, I'd be charged by credit hour. If I went to U of A, I'd be charged a bit more than $800 per credit hour (plus fees, which brings it to about $1000), and if I went to University of Cincinnati or Ohio State, I'd be paying $425-500 (including fees) per credit hour. (I pulled the numbers off their respective websites.)
But I agree, the in-state undergrad tuition in AZ is insanely low, and even the grad tuition is low.

[Crankin]

I guess I'm a little jaded from living in MA. When my other son went to U Mass Amherst, the tuition was 6k a year, but now it's 10K. I guess it's high compared to other places, but he got a really good education. And since most of the people here go to private universities and pay at least 30k a year just for tuition, it seems like nothing. I just saw on the news that the tuition in CA is going up to 10K. People here would think that was a deal! I'm in grad school for a second master's at a private university and I am paying about $900 a credit... total program is 60 credits, so do the math. I got a loan as I wasn't willing to give up my life style. I will pay it back when I start working again, although having a spouse certainly helps. Have you looked into grad assistantships? I was in a PhD program at ASU and I didn't pay a dime (I quit because I was sick of school at the time).

One suggestion about AZ. Why would you be taking non degree courses? I seem to remember that you could take summer classes for in state tuition, no matter where you were from. Since there are 2 5 week summer sessions, it could be up to 12 credits. Of course, you have to be able to stand the heat!
Also, a lot of people moved there, got a job to establish residency, a driver's license, etc and went part time. I also think you can take up to 6 credits for in state tuition. If you are planning to take a year off, why not move, get your residency if that is the program you really want to do.

[solobiker]

DH just showed me a video of riots at a college/university in California due to the increase in tuition fees. All I have to say is I am glad I am not a student right now.

[Dogmama]

Have you looked into grad assistantships? I was in a PhD program at ASU and I didn't pay a dime (I quit because I was sick of school at the time).

One suggestion about AZ. Why would you be taking non degree courses? I seem to remember that you could take summer classes for in state tuition, no matter where you were from. Since there are 2 5 week summer sessions, it could be up to 12 credits. Of course, you have to be able to stand the heat!
Also, a lot of people moved there, got a job to establish residency, a driver's license, etc and went part time. I also think you can take up to 6 credits for in state tuition. If you are planning to take a year off, why not move, get your residency if that is the program you really want to do.

Having a grad assistantship waives out of state tuition, you're still liable for in-state - which in AZ isn't too high (yet!). Establishing residency is getting difficult though. Summers - I recommend on-line classes!! But be prepared for a foot race because they cram 16 weeks into 5 or 8 weeks (depending on the class.) You can also take classes during the winter break & those are three week classes. Kiss you husband goodbye & tell your friends Merry Christmas.

[badgercat]

Sorry to continue taking this off topic, but...

I'm referring to graduate courses, which are more expensive anyway, and because I'd be a)out of state and b)taking non-degree courses for that year, I'd be charged by credit hour. If I went to U of A, I'd be charged a bit more than $800 per credit hour (plus fees, which brings it to about $1000), and if I went to University of Cincinnati or Ohio State, I'd be paying $425-500 (including fees) per credit hour. (I pulled the numbers off their respective websites.)
But I agree, the in-state undergrad tuition in AZ is insanely low, and even the grad tuition is low.

Yes, taking courses per-credit is expensive here at U of A. Are the non-degree courses prerequisites that you might be able to take elsewhere? On the flip side, my boyfriend is doing non-degree courses right now but a certain number of those credits can apply towards his eventual degree if he gets in the program, which could be worth it depending on your situation.

Long story short--my boyfriend and I are both in grad school in some capacity at the U of A (I am in a degree program, he's not), and we both are (him) or started (me) as out-of-state students. Feel free to PM me if you have questions I might be able to help with.

[shootingstar]

Something as part of Veronica's test for parental suitability to raise preschool children better on: how to raise self-regulating children.

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Rai...006/story.html

"These four areas of executive functioning are very important to the health and well being of children," she says. They foster awareness at an early age of the benefits of exerting personal control over thoughts, feelings and actions, and can be called upon to resolve conflicts, correct mistakes or plan new actions, she says. And kids will likely spend less time frustrated and have more time for fun, friends and finding solutions.
Without sufficient self-regulation, a discouraging cascade of events can occur.
"The child who does not have self-regulation at five years of age is the child who cannot follow the teacher's directions at age six or who cannot plan how to solve a problem at age seven," says a report for the U.S. National Institute for Early Education Research. "The child without self-regulation of emotions at age four will not be able to control his temper at five and will have negative peer interactions at age seven."
A former preschool and elementary school teacher, Boyer says she found many children who needed support in self regulation. And there's even more stimulation and temptation facing them today.
Luckily, whether a child is easygoing or strong-willed, exuberant or slow to warm, parents can help their kids acquire self-regulation, she says.
In one of her studies, 146 families and 15 early childhood educators identified five factors that foster self-regulation:
- Optimism — seeing good events as "permanent, pervasive and personal" and bad events as temporary, specific and not due to the child.
- Empathy — understanding for the feelings of others. How would you feel if that happened to you?
- Stability and consistency in daily experiences — set times for waking, reading, bath and bed help kids understand their world is dependable.
- Channelling reactions and energy through play and physical activity.
- Ability to use self-talk to comfort and encourage themselves, as in "It's OK — I am sad because I lost the toy, but I have other toys."
Ways parents can encourage "executive function" in their kids:
- Practice challenging tasks for kids in advance.
- Demonstrate good self-regulation in parents' own lives.
- Throw a ball back and forth to separate kids from the source of frustration.
- Encourage imaginative, unstructured play, which has a big role in self-talk that governs thoughts and actions.
- Notice progress: "Remember how you got so angry the last time but today you were able to handle it."
- Reinforce the ability to calm themselves — "I can have a snack when I get home."
- Read to them without showing them the pictures to develop their ability to hold a story in their heads.
- Read books that exemplify positive self-talk, such as The Little Engine That Could.
- Play games such as Simon Says to help keep the rules of the game in their heads.
- Avoid commands that might stifle children’s ability to make good choices.
- Use reminders to prompt children, such as a watch with an alarm to signal impending time's up.
- Give advance warning of the rules to head off trouble spots