BJU Press Blog

What Is Academic Rigor?

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Have you heard the words academic rigor before? You probably have if you’re familiar with our products. But do you know what that phrase means to us here at BJU Press? We took that question and some others to Brad Batdorf, supervisor of secondary authors in the product development department of BJU Press. His answers will help you better understand why academic rigor is one of our core values.

1. How does BJU Press define academic rigor?

Academic rigor is the educational experience that engages students in the appropriate content, helping them to develop the ability to analyze, critically evaluate, and ultimately create new ideas or products.

2. What makes academic rigor important to BJU Press?

It’s vitally important to what we do here since we have an established reputation for this type of instruction and it is what attracts many customers to our products. It is also critical because it provides the ideal vehicle for strong Bible integration.

3. What are some examples of how academic rigor is supported in BJU Press materials?

  • Our authors thoroughly research effective educational practices, scope and sequence, and appropriate academic standards.
  • The student materials contain descriptive text and questions that promote deep learning.
  • Photos, illustrations, maps, charts, and other images are intended to promote deeper understanding of the content.
  • The printed and digital assessments target student performance at all levels of Bloom’s taxonomy.
  • The teacher’s editions contain clear learning objectives to help teachers promote this type of learning. They also contain answers to the questions (even suggested answers for those of a subjective nature), suggestions for discussions, additional research ideas, demonstrations, group projects, use of manipulatives, and more.

4. How would you describe an academically rigorous learning environment?

While I wouldn’t call it strictly student-centered or student-directed, I think students would be actively engaged with challenging content through teacher-guided discussions, group learning, and in some cases, projects. Hands-on learning, creative problem-solving, and other research-based teaching strategies would be employed to connect with students and inspire real learning. Students would be doing more than reading and memorizing material. They would often be relating it to other content and applying it to real-world issues. And, they would be comprehending the content, whether it’s science, history, or a reading selection, in the light of the principles of Scripture.

5. Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers about BJU Press’s educational philosophy or view on academic rigor?

Our approach is one that embraces academic rigor supported by effective Bible integration. We care deeply and have a great sense of responsibility toward this end.

 

 

How do you apply academic rigor to your teaching?

Taking Responsibility for Your College Finances (Part 2)

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This is the third post in our college-planning series. Check out the previous posts—about choosing a major and saving for your college expenses—if you haven’t read them already. And come back next week for the last post in this series.

Got your resources all lined up? The next step for getting your college financial plan laid out is to tally up the total for the program you choose. It goes without saying that majors differ, and you want to move forward without surprises midstream.

Tuition and Fees

A list of tuition and fees per semester or per year appears on most college websites. Record the total tuition and fees for one year, anticipating a slight increase each year following initial enrollment. Take particular note of fees attached to specific programs. This could involve anything from art supplies to music studio rental, the cost of jet fuel (if you’re an aviation major), tutoring, and so on. And don’t forget charges for processing your reservation or taking exams.

Living Quarters—On Campus or Off?

The room-and-board cost listed on the college’s website should cover your living quarters and on-campus meals. Some colleges require freshmen to live on campus their first year. Though convenient, this will definitely impact your total. Estimate the cost of off-campus housing with rental fees, utilities, food, furnishings, housekeeping necessities, and possibly renter’s insurance to see if it will really save you money in the end.

The online option: Many schools offer a wide variety of online courses. This can mean big savings in terms of living expenses. While not possible for all majors and possibly not desirable for every semester of your college experience, distance learning could be a money-saving option for some courses.

Books and Supplies

You will probably want to include an average of at least $350 per semester for textbooks in your cost tally and possibly another $100 for supplies. Once you register for classes and have your book list, you can begin bargain-hunting. With minimal networking effort, you can sniff out used textbooks and sell books you’ve already used. Or check out places like Half.com (an eBay site). If you enter the ISBN of a textbook on DealOz.com, for example, it will search the main competing websites for the lowest prices on that specific book. Renting books is also a great option for books you don’t want to keep.

You’ll find almost anything you study is going to require at least a few specialized tools—anything from tech devices to art supplies and from poster board to special presentation binders—depending on the major, class, and teacher. It all adds up. So you will want to allow for these in your general expenses.

All That Other Stuff

Perhaps the most dangerous budget-buster is the “catch-all” category that expands to accommodate what doesn’t quite fit in other categories. This could include your cell phone bill, campus vehicle registration, auto insurance, gas, car repairs, school-related trips (e.g., debate club, sports teams, orchestra tour), laundry, recreation, greeting cards and gifts, organizing tools and other dorm room furnishings, coffee and snacks, clothes, shoes, and the list goes on! While you may not want to allot this category a huge amount, make sure to list all anticipated costs that aren’t included in your housing category—like cell phone and vehicle registration. Also, don’t forget big-ticket items such as travel expenses for Christmas break.

The Sum Total

Now comes the reckoning! Add up all the figures in each list, and find the difference between your resources (what you added up in the previous post) and your costs. You should now have a good idea of how much one year in college will cost. You can even multiply your cost (before subtracting your resources) by four and have the approximate total for your bachelor’s degree.

Are you surprised? View this information as a catalyst to seek the Lord for His provision. Don’t be discouraged! God provides where He leads. In His will, you will see His gracious hand working out the details you have put on paper.

How have you planned for college expenses?

Remember

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The day is here again. If you’re eighteen or older, you can probably remember where you were on this day thirteen years ago. When I heard the news that two planes had crashed into the World Trade Center towers, I was at my desk developing an English lesson. Suddenly only one pronoun mattered—Who?—along with a very important adverb—Why? Fresh waves of horror washed over me as the day went on and I learned the answers, saw the images, and heard more details about the atrocity.

For some, the horror was much more personal. Thousands lost family members, friends, and loved ones in the tragedy of 9/11. The following year, September 11 was designated by President George W. Bush as Patriot Day, a day of remembrance. Americans continue to set aside this day to honor the memory of the nearly three thousand people who died in the terrorist attacks. Included in that number are those who died in the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, or aboard the four hijacked flights as well as the heroic emergency personnel who lost their lives in the rescue efforts.

Why is it important to remember? Why should today’s children who have no memory of the day be aware of this horrific event? Reasons are probably rapid-firing through your mind like machine gun shots: to learn to abhor evil, to learn to revere true heroes, to know how our nation has responded to terrorism in the past, to think critically about appropriate responses in the present and the future. But perhaps the greatest reason is to remind our children to who to turn to in the midst of national crisis. What exactly should be going on in a Christian’s mind during a “moment of silence” on Patriot Day? Who is our only true refuge and strength, constantly available for help in any time of distress and bewilderment? Psalm 46 is a great place to begin answering these questions.

One way to help today’s children commemorate this important day is to visit the 9/11 Memorial website. Here you can find lesson plans, view webcasts, and listen to stories from first responders and survivors. The website also offers interactive timelines and a name finder for the memorial that now stands at the attack site in New York City. If you live in that area, you could personally visit the 9/11 Memorial and explore the collections housed in the museum. Whatever you do, don’t miss this golden opportunity to shape the worldview of the next generation. Don’t let September 11, 2001, go unremembered.

Taking Responsibility for Your College Finances (Part 1)

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Last week, we focused on how to choose a major. Today’s post is the first of two posts that focus on the financial aspect of a college education. We hope that you enjoy it and that you come back next week for the second part!

As you near high school graduation, hopefully you’re seeking God’s will for your life and are establishing goals for the future. Selecting a college that will help you reach those goals and develop your God-given talents is a big step. Once you make those decisions, you need to lay out a financial plan to get through.

The best place to start? Your sources of income or funding. Most students have four funding options—savings, work, scholarships or grants, and loans.

Savings

It’s never too late to start putting money into a (mostly off-limits) savings account. Saving doesn’t have to be huge chunks from every paycheck—you can start off by saving just 5 percent of every paycheck. However you decide to save, be sure that you are making good choices in how, when, and where you save or spend your resources.

Work

Find out if the college you’re planning to attend has on-campus jobs available. Besides saving on travel expenses, on-campus work provides an environment compatible with academic demands and schedules. To avoid overcommitting and possibly losing out academically, start out with just a few work hours per week. Then add more if you find you can handle it. Any job, on-campus or off, will be a testing ground for your communication skills, ability to work with others, integrity, and work ethic—traits that will certainly impact your future career.

Scholarships and Grants

Scholarships are a gift without any payback requirement, but they take effort to secure. Selection criteria can range from having a certain GPA to planning to pursue a particular field of study or being able to write a good essay. The usual success rate for scholarships is getting only 10 percent of what you apply for. If, for instance, you’re hoping for $25,000 in scholarships, you may have to apply for $250,000 worth.

Grants, like scholarships, do not have to be paid back. They’re normally awarded on the basis of “demonstrable financial need.” Most grants come through the state or national government or possibly the college you choose. As soon as possible, you should fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM). Plan on spending as much time finding and filling out applications as you would in a part-time job—with a higher return for your trouble. You might even cover your entire college education this way.

Information about financial assistance should be available on the college website and from their financial aid office. Also, the reference section of your local library should stock a reliable scholarship guide. Be careful to avoid websites that request personal information or charge a fee to get into their database.

Loans

You’re likely aware that a loan is borrowed money that the borrower has to repay over time with interest. Borrowing can result in an ongoing burden after your college days are long past. It should be considered as a last resort and only after you’re thoroughly informed concerning every aspect of the transaction.

A loan consists of two elements—principal and interest. The principal is the total you receive from the lender, and interest is the additional cost you accrue until the loan is paid off. The type of loan determines whether interest is due from the beginning or is deferred. Of course, the longer you take to repay it, the more interest you will end up paying.

Education loans can come from either the government or private sources. Federal loans normally offer the lowest interest rates and the most flexible payment options. Besides that, if you have an adequate FAFSA score, you may be eligible for a subsidy—which means the federal government will pay the interest on your loan until you finish school. Subsidized or unsubsidized, loans are limited to a certain amount per school year. You should avoid borrowing more than you plan to make during the first year in your career. (Warning! A common pitfall for students is losing track of how much they borrow. It will help if you keep your documents and notifications in one file.)

College is a big step toward independent adulthood. How you steward your time and money will determine how well that journey begins. And ultimately . . . how well it ends.

How have you planned for college expenses?

Where to Start When Choosing a Major

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This month we’re focusing on college planning. We will be posting some helpful information and links that you can share with high school seniors. They have a busy school year ahead, and we want to help as much as possible. Check out today’s tips on how to choose a college major and then check back each week in September for more college planning posts!

Choosing a major. For some students, it’s one of the hardest decisions they’ll ever make. So many options are available, and they all sound interesting. (How do you pick just one?) It was hard for me—I switched majors twice before my sophomore year of college.

Some college students aren’t like that. They know what they want and stick with it. But there are others who, like me, aren’t sure what to do with the gifts the Lord has given them. If you are struggling with making this big decision, here are a few questions to help you think through and narrow down the options.

What do you like?

It seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes it’s hard to figure out how what you like to do could be a career. For now, focus on your interests; you can consider related careers later. Also, it might help you to write down your different hobbies so that you can refer to them later. And don’t worry if something sounds silly or weird. This is strictly a brainstorming exercise, so don’t edit your list before you create it.

A few brainstorming prompts

  • Favorite activities/hobbies (including jobs/volunteering)
  • Favorite thing to study/do in school
  • A desire that God has placed on your heart
  • Times when you feel like you’ve accomplished something that you’re proud of

What do you see?

Is there something that you could see yourself doing? It might be something that you daydream about. Or when asked what you’d like to do, this certain image pops into your head. What is it?

What do others see?

It’s helpful to ask others for their advice. They see us in a different light . . . from a different angle, so to speak. Ask people that you respect or look up to. Find out what they see as your strengths and weaknesses. Some of the responses may confirm an ability or interest that you already knew about; others may be surprising revelations.

Don’t be discouraged. It can be hard for some of us to speak our dreams aloud. We may feel that something sounds silly or impossible to accomplish, so we don’t voice that dream. But we should. God made each of us for a purpose, and that dream of yours may be exactly what He wants you to do. Talk with people you trust because you know they will listen and give you good advice. Tell them your impossible dream. Even if you’re not ready for that, then at least write it down and share it with God—He’ll give you the best advice.

What advice would you give to a young person who is deciding on a major?