2010

When I learned recently that identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the U.S., I decided to visit the U.S. Department of Justice Web site to learn more.

I expected to see the usual: tips to reduce or minimize the risk of becoming an identity theft victim, and suggestions on what to do if such an unfortunate fraud were to actually happen.

What I didn’t expect was to read a bit of Shakespeare. Yet, there it was on the top of the fraud section home page, a line that the famous bard wrote in Act III, Scene 3 of Othello:

Until recently, it would have been heresy, and just plain bad practical advice, to tell a high school junior or senior with college aspirations not to take the SAT, especially if he or she lived on either coast of the United States.

This ritual college admissions test, owned and operated by The College Board, has hit some rocky times though, and now, more than ever, families of college-bound students may want to consider the SAT alternative or not take an admissions test at all.

The answer is a combination of many factors, some going back several years.

Many of these weekly columns are about how you, as loving parents, can play a valuable role in your student’s development.  We’ve encouraged you to help your son or daughter to:

College Parents of America operates with a premise that every student wants to succeed.  We also believe that part of your role as a parent is to help your student to succeed frequently as the school year begins, and to aid him or her in attaining a higher level of performance throughout the academic year.