Researchers say August babies underperform compared with older children in their school year throughout their working lives

Children born in August, the youngest in each school year, are less likely to go on to study at top universities than their older classmates, a thinktank study has found.

Researchers at the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) examined whether there was a link between the month in which a child is born and what they tend to do when they leave school.

They studied three data sets, which represent the records of 48,500 children and teenagers in England. They found children born in August were 20% less likely than their classmates born 11 months earlier. in September, to go to Russell Group universities – the top flight that includes Oxford and Cambridge. They were more likely to study vocational courses instead.

Claire Crawford, one of the authors of the study, said August-born children may “end up doing worse than September-born children throughout their working lives, simply because of the month in which they were born”.

“Studying for academic qualifications, attending a Russell Group university, and believing that you have control over your own life are all associated with a greater chance of being in work and having higher wages later in life,” she said.

A previous study by the IFS, published in 2007, showed August-born children were significantly less likely to be academically successful than their September-born classmates. The latest study – Does When You Are Born Matter? – found parents tried to compensate for any potential disadvantage by reading to August-born children more. But they began to help them catch up only after the children started school.

The researchers found teachers were two and a half times more likely to regard August pupils at seven as below-average in maths. While 63% of teachers deemed September pupils “very ready” to start secondary school when they were nearing the end of their last year at primary school, only 49% did for August children. The researchers said this might imply that there needs to be extra help for August children to make an easy transition between school stages.

August children were less likely to be confident in their academic abilities than their September peers and twice as likely at seven to report that they have been bullied.

The study found the differences were at their most stark at primary school. Children in England start primary school in the September following their fourth birthday. The researchers said it could be that September-born children are significantly older than their August-born classmates when they sit national tests.

Ellen Greaves, another of the authors, said the government “should be concerned about the wider educational experience of summer-born children, who appear to be at a disadvantage in terms of their wellbeing as well as their test scores”.

online school degrees

Other enormous Information Age changes may not be as obvious to all of us. Telecommuting has radically altered the experience of “going to work” for millions around the world. Not too long ago, the arrival of the fax machine changed how people looked at the mail. Just a few years later, the rise of email made fax machines seem positively quaint.

Another enormous shift has occurred in education. The traditional model of the on-site university has undergone a sea change. Online universities are enrolling a larger number of students every day. Online education is increasingly becoming an ordinary part of the university landscape.

But not all online educations are created equal. Just as with brick-and-mortar universities, there are some worth your time, money, and effort and others worth avoiding. One simple way to tell the difference is to look at which schools are accredited. But accreditation does not tell the whole story. Try to talk to students who have graduated from each of the schools you are considering. There is no campus to visit to get a sense of what an online school is like, so extra effort is required.

The best online universities are often the ones that have been at it the longest. Some, associated with traditional universities, may not yet have mastered the intricacies of the online classroom, and should be given a careful look before enrolling. Generally, the quality of online education has consistently been improving. This trend is expected to continue, as software grows more sophisticated and students and faculty bring greater prestige to the medium.

The following are ten of the very best online degree programs out there right now, ranked according to quality of course work and quality of online experience:

1. DeVry University

2. University of Phoenix

3. George Washington University

4. Strayer University

5. Walden University

6. Villanova University

7. Kaplan University

8. Ashford University

9. Axia College Online

10. Ellis College Online

Each of these online educators earned their way onto this list by delivering consistent, high quality academics with a minimum of fuss and bother. Different online schools offer differ courses, and your decision about which to attend may be determined more by your chosen course of study than by the school’s ranking on this list.

Online education first caught fire with people above traditional college age, returning to school to improve their job marketability. Today, online schools are becoming a standard avenue for people of all ages to get the degrees essential for a rewarding and remunerative professional life.

The savings of time and expense with online education have long been obvious. The time has come where sacrificing quality for convenience and budget are no longer necessary. For dedicated students, the schools on this list can and will provide a rich and valuable experience and a top-notch education.

1. How They Work:

From the various online degrees that are available nowadays, you can take your pick from in-demand jobs such as nursing degrees, pharmacy technician degrees, massage therapy degrees as well as other health care degrees that will be able to help you in getting into the health care profession that you want.

2. Rapid Education

Still, the various online universities do not only cater to the rapidly increasing health care industry. Other online universities also offer some good alternative courses for those who are not into the health care profession. With the current rise in demand for legal assistants, there are various online degrees that are meant for those who want to be legal assistants. Legal assistants are the people who will be aiding lawyers with their work. They are the ones who will be doing all the researching, filing as well as documenting all the relevant information and data the lawyers need to help them win their cases.

3. University Program Selection

Each online university has its own style or method of teaching which is why you need to first take a look at their syllabus before enrolling to any of their online degrees. While some may think that applying to an online university will help simplify their college life, there are still a lot of work to be done for you to be able to finish your online degree. People still do fail from online universities. They are not there to spoon feed you with information. All these online universities do is to provide you with the luxury of time to be able to pick out the schedule that will most fit your current lifestyle. Whether you are already a parent, working or have to attend to some other matters, an online university will be able to help you out in terms of making you able to maximize your time.

Also, you might want to visit various online university websites before signing up for one. Aside from comparing their educational programs, you can also compare the fees that they will be charging you for your online degree, the length of time that most students will be able to finish their degrees as well as if whether their programs are accredited by various institutions that are related to that field. You always have to be careful because the internet is a good place for people who want to make money out other people’s wrong beliefs, you must really now what you’re getting yourself into. Ask around. Your family, friends and colleagues might have a good idea on which of the available online schools are the reputable ones, it really is best to take a lot of extra precaution.

4. The Capella University

This is one of the most well-known online universities. It is also one of the few that are accredited to help busy professionals with their wish to have an online degree. The Capella online university provides their students with a strong learning community that is built to motivate adult learners through the aid of real faculty members and a good education system that is directed towards helping you become successful graduates of this online university. Aside from the usual courses, they also offer some health care related online degrees, like healthcare management for bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.

5. The Art Institute

This online university is a unique program which is specifically designed for working professionals who wants to have another degree tugged under their belts. This online university offers a lot of various online degree programs such as the Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program wherein students can learn through this online university to be able to help them increase their opportunities in various professions. There is also the highly coveted culinary online degree from this online university wherein it includes law and ethics, human resource management as well as accounting. This is best for students of this online university who wishes to open his or her own restaurant someday.

The arrangement is very convenient.

The classes are taken online. The work needed in the course can be done at any location as long as there is an Internet connection.

Many professionals with stable jobs found accelerated college degree online preferable.

This is expected. People always want to further their professions. This certainly means promotion and corresponding raise in salaries.

The credibility of these accelerated college degrees online is considered superior as well. Today, an online college degree program is just as tough as a traditional on-campus course. However, focus may be a problem since one has to keep self-discipline with an online course.

Joining the Program

A job history and previous educational background are important for an enrollee as substitute for prerequisites in the course. This will assure him of enrollment in an accelerated college degree online.

A credible and accredited school will recognize job experience as equal to some requirements for the course. When a student earns credits for his job, he can start working on the remaining hours to earn his college degree.

It is not possible for one to finish an accelerated college degree online immediately after high school. You should never entertain taking one from an online school that boasts about it. It is impossible for a legitimate school not to require you any course work.

To guarantee yourself that you have are enrolling in a credible university, take the time to research on its accreditation. Only an accredited school can assure you of success.

It promises you that whatever education you get is credited and legitimate. The professors in its ranks and the courses it grants are also major aspects in the school’s credibility.

To find the facts you may need about attaining a university degree at a faster rate, try out one of these sources to get more details.

On Line Accelerated College Degree Colleges & Universities

Perhaps one of the best examples of the quality you can expect from online degree programs it the University of Florida. Located in Gainesville, Florida, the University of Florida has consistently ranked among the U.S. News and World Report’s list of top schools. And the pharmacy school at the University of Florida is currently ranked number 11 out of only sixty-two schools in the nation to obtain an accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and is the highest ranked school to offer a Doctor of Pharmacy degree online. The online degree program in pharmacy is also the largest of it’s kind boasting over one thousand alumni.

But the University of Florida is not the only one to gain national attention for the quality of its online program offerings. The University of Cincinnati has been ranked as the #3 top ranked criminology school in the nation, and it is the only one of its kind to offer a Master of Science in Criminal Justice online. The program has some of the most visible faculty in the field of criminal justice available. And according to a study conducted by the Journal of Criminal Justice, The University of Cincinnati was ranked number one in the nation for most published faculty. They have also ranked in Money Magazine’s top 100 for educational value.

Eastern Kentucky University is also among the distance education providers to boasting rights when it comes to offering top notch programs. Having one of the top undergraduate programs in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology in the nation, Eastern Kentucky University has been dedicated to lifelong learning since 1906.

The University of Saint Mary, who has been offering online education for over a decade, is also among the top ranking academic providers. The University of Saint Mary the only school in the region to be named a “Best Value College” by the Princeton Review which also listed the University of Saint Mary as “Best Midwestern College” for the past three years in a row. The dedication to serving students and offering them a quality educational experience is evident in the online degree programs offered by the University of Saint Mary.

If these universities are any indication, we can expert to see the trend in online education continue to grow, offering students an ever growing pool or degree opportunities. And as more and more people become familiar with the online classroom format, more universities are bound to jump on board and expand their offerings as well. So no matter what degree or program you are looking for, odds are you will find a national recognized program from a well established university so that you can feel good about the degree you have worked so hard to earn.

The University of Phoenix, Golden Gate University, The University of Texas, Ellis College of NYIT, The University of South Australia and Stanford University.

The University of London provides courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. At the undergraduate level the major courses offered are Access Route, Banking, Classical Studies, Development, Economics, Finance, Geography and Environment, History, Information Systems, Laws, Management, Philosophy, Social Sciences and Theology. At the postgraduate level the courses on offer at the University of London are Agribusiness for Development, Banking, Citizenship Education, Economic Policy, Finance, History Education, Infectious Diseases, Laws, Managing Rural Development, Organizational Psychology, Policy Studies, Quantitative Finance, Sustainable Development and Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health.

The University of Southern Queensland is a well known university from Australia. Its online degree programs are available in six separate sections – arts, engineering and surveying, business, sciences, education and English language and preparatory pathways. These programs are provided at levels such as undergraduates, research and postgraduate. The online programs of the University of South Africa are available in disciplines such as agriculture and environmental sciences, law, economic and management sciences, science, engineering and technology and human sciences.

The online programs of University of Maryland University College are available in a number of different disciplines like accounting, biochemistry, cell biology and molecular genetics, dance, economics, family science, geography, health services administration, individual studies program, Jewish studies program, kinesiology, landscape architecture, management and organization, Nutrition and Food Science, Persian studies, reliability engineering, social policy, telecommunications, urban studies and planning and women’s studies.

The online programs of the University of Phoenix are available in five separate categories such as degree programs, individual courses, certificate programs, professional development courses and continuing teacher education. They are available at four levels – associate, graduate, undergraduate and doctorate.

The online education of the Golden Gate University is provided in forms of professional certificates and full degrees. They are available both in the undergraduate and graduate level. At the graduate level the Golden Gate University offers degrees such as Master of Accountancy, MBA in accounting and Master of Business Administration. It also offers graduate certificates in Accounting, Finance and Estate Planning. At the undergraduate level it offers BA in Management, BBA in information technology and BBA.

Online Learning at Online Universities

When you pursue a degree at an online university, you take all of the classes required to get a degree entirely online.  In online learning, sometimes referred to as E-learning, teachers mostly use computer-based technologies such as video streaming, e-mail, or other technologies over the Internet to teach material to their students.  Online college students rarely attend school campuses because almost all, if not 100%, of their studying is done online.  Keep in mind that online universities may or may not have a local campus, but that should not deter you from believing the college is a reputable university; just make sure that the university is accredited by an outside accrediting agency such as Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and Western Association of Schools and Colleges.  A great way to check accreditation is to visit the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs.

What To Expect From Online Universities

As mentioned above, when you attend an online university, you will be taught over the Internet via e-mail, video streaming, or other online technologies.  While some perceive this teaching method to be impersonal, it is quite the contrary.  The quality level of online teaching is equivalent to the quality level of face-to-face teaching methods on campus. Some would even argue that the quality level of online teaching instruction is higher because an online student would have constant personal interaction with the through e-mail or online chat rooms whereas students that attend college classes at a campus-based university may be in a class with 300 other students. 

With online universities, you can also expect to avoid travel costs, parking fees and the convenience and flexibility of studying on your own time.

A Wide Array of Degree Options From Online Universities

Is the degree you want to pursue unavailable at your local community college or university?  If this is the case, there is no need to move to a new city with a college or university that does; just pursue your degree online.  More and more online universities are increasing their program availability to cater to the needs of every student.  From art and design, business, and engineering, to criminal justice, education, and social science, almost every degree imaginable is available at an online university.  With hundreds of accredited online universities offering accredited online college degree programs, you can pursue just about any specialty you desire.

Online Universities: The Wave of the Future

With the economic downturn, more and more students are expected to attend an online university.  Though rising fuel costs may no longer be a factor, students have realized the benefits of attending an online university.  With the convenience, flexibility, and wide range of degree programs, student enrollment at online universities continue to excel.  Don’t get left behind!

If you are a busy professional, you may not have time for things like attending classes, particularly if those classes are not offered at a time that is convenient for you. You may not have the time to attend a college course that is offered only during the day, and your degree program may require it. To get around that problem, many busy professionals have turned to education online to get their college degrees.

You can get a college degree in a wide range of subjects from accredited online universities. These online degree programs can help you to further your current career path, or they may be best applied to helping you change your career path to one that truly holds your interest or is the focus of your passion.

If you are interested in choosing an online college degree program, you may be overwhelmed with the number of choices. You can study professions like engineering, nursing, or even architecture. You can get degrees from accredited online universities in a huge number of business related areas. Get a business degree with a focus on management, retail management, accounting, finance, as well as many other options.

It is important to be sure that you have chosen an accredited online university. You can do this by checking with the United States Department of Education. A simple phone call will do the trick, or you can simply log on to their site. If the accrediting agency is listed on the U.S. Department of Education’s site, then it is a valid agency, and you can be sure that your school is legitimate.

With a legitimate school, you can choose from a range of subjects. From psychology to information technology, virtually every discipline and degree program is available. You can get a degree ranging from an AA in general studies to a Master’s degree in fields like education or nursing through your internet connection. By studying your desired courses with accredited online universities, you can get the education that you crave, and you can do it on your own terms.

Learn More

Online Degree Programs – Education online to get their college degrees.

An online directory such as DegreeAuthority.com gives you right platform to search for accredited online universities. You will find Everest College, Salem University , Western Governors University, Devry University, Remington College and other such accredited online universities in an online directory. There are numerous directories available online to help high school students. An online directory not only gives the addresses of accredited online universities but the details of accredited online degree programs too. Students can find out accredited online degree programs such as Master of Business Administration (MBA), Nursing, Associate, Management, Law, Accounting, Marketing and PhD. DegreeAuthority.com and other premier directories provide student loan facilities too.

The question arises here is when there are traditional colleges available for students then what is the need to go online? Although the first priority of a high school graduate is to get enrolled in a premier college for graduation. But there has emerged a vast difference between the number of students graduating from high schools and the number of seats available in traditional universities. The existing universities are unable to award bachelor degree to each and every aspirant. Developing infrastructure can take several years that is why universities have adopted information technology way to award degrees. Apart from this there are other benefits of earning accredited online bachelor degrees too.

Students can earn an accredited online bachelor degree in less than two years where as traditional universities take four long years to award degrees.

Accredited universities arrange online classes for bachelor degree courses. The classes are organized mostly in night or weekend so that the students can attend them without any disturbance. You can ask questions to professors through chatting.

Students will find the fees structure for earning accredited online degrees most cost effective. It will help you in the long run. First of all student need not to borrow student loans for paying fees. If you borrow loans then you can pay the monthly installments easily by working.

An online university enrolls students round the year. They adopt liberal procedure in enrolling students. Any number of students can earn accredited online bachelor degrees at a time. On the other hand traditional universities adopt strict enrollment policy and admit students to various courses twice or thrice in a year.

Earning accredited online bachelor degrees can be beneficial for everyone. Working persons physically challenged and economically students are equally benefited from accredited online bachelor degrees. Earning accredited online bachelor degrees not only saves your time but money too. You can earn an accredited online bachelor degree in much less time period than in a traditional university. Students can use the rest of the time saved in getting practical experience.

University is a place of higher education and people who are interested to pursue knowledge can get admitted to the universities. The function of the universities is to create candidates who will be able to be better fighters in the job sector and make their own living quite at ease. It is the endeavor of every government to make its citizens learned and for this reason a number of universities are established in every country. People who want to pursue higher education after completing their graduation can get admitted into the universities.

<b>What are the different courses offered by the universities?</b>

Universities offer science, arts and commerce degrees apart from professional degrees to the students. In the field of arts you can do a master’s degree in English, political science, history, geography, Philosophy, Music and various types of creative Arts (which are especially taught in the Colleges of Fine Arts). The courses are made in such way that people can easily grasp them. Some of the courses are of 2 years duration. In most cases, the professional degree courses last for a longer period of time. For example the medical degree courses and the engineering degree courses in any university last for more than 2 years.

<b>What are the common professional degree courses that are offered in the universities? </b>

The common degree courses which are offered in the universities include the following:

<b>Master of Agri-Business Management: </b> Since agriculture is the backbone of many countries this field of education is one of the most sought after fields of education in which lucrative jobs are available.

<b>Master of Hotel Management: </b> At present the hospitality industry is receiving a boost and people are extremely conscious about the lifestyle. Restaurants are springing up here and there and people with a degree in hotel management are sure not to stay jobless.

<b>Master of Logistics Management: </b> Communication is becoming convenient day by day and therefore logistics management is one of the best options for people who like to join the courier industry.

<b>Master of Retail Management: </b> This is also a growing branch of education in which people are getting admitted.

<b>Master of Telecom Management</b>

<b>Master of Aviation Management</b>

<b>Master of Financial Services Management</b>

<b>Master of Infrastructure Management</b>

<b>Master of Hospital Administration</b>

<b>Master of Media Business Management</b>

<b>Master of Automotive Business Management</b>

<b>Master of Pharma-Business Management</b>

<b>Program Structure</b>