Modern College is a recent grad's collection of notes, research, and stories on how to navigate today's complex college environment in order to land your dream job after graduation.College has changed a lot over the years but the advice that we give to college students has not. Or so claims Alex Valaitis, a recent college graduate, and current product manager at LinkedIn. Alex argues that we aren't positioning students for success because the advice from previous generations doesn't take into account significant changes that have influenced the college experience such as technology advancements, the trillion dollar student debt crisis, and our rapidly evolving job market. Unlike most college books, the advice Alex gives is authentic and still relevant. Not only does Alex offer unique domain knowledge from working for the largest professional networking company in the world, but he is also only a few years removed from graduation. Alex has lived the modern college experience, and his story shows that while the college system may not be perfect, it can still position you for great success after graduation.In this book you'll learn:-An overview of the pros and cons of attending college-An expansive look at viable alternatives to a 4-year degree-How to choose your college major-Tips for building and expanding both your personal and professional network-Strategies for tackling careers fairs, standing out in online applications, and nailing job interviews-How to create a LinkedIn profile and resume that will make you stand out-A basic understanding of personal finances

Competency-Based Education introduces educators to a new model for anytime, anywhere schooling and provides tools and curriculum resources for redesigning the traditional structures of K–12 schools. Based on pioneering work across multiple states, the book shows how educators can design central elements of competency-based education—including performance tasks, personal learning plans, and grading systems—to meet the needs and interests of all students. Rose L. Colby provides critical tools for creating these elements in collaborative teams and engaging stakeholders such as educators, parents, and community members. The book incorporates case studies and voices from the field, and examines the variety of competency models that schools have adopted, highlighting the benefits for students. Competency-Based Education provides a much-needed resource at a time when states, districts, and schools are working to implement competency-based models and experimenting with new accountability systems that include evidence of learning beyond standardized tests.

This text in ABL's new Educational Leadership series from Peabody College covers historical and current trends in leadership in a very practical way, using cases and a problem-solving approach as vehicles for examination. The text was developed by a leading scholar in educational leadership as part of a series from one of the leading schools of education in the world. It has a strong basis in current research, and easy-to-use, intuitive features. It strikes an effective balance between the informational and the pedagogical. It covers trends (both historical and current) in educational leadership. The "Modern" approach of this book explores professional challenges, performance expectations, and operating conditions encountered by contemporary American school leaders. The case studies and interactive pedagogy make this a very practical text.

The United States is the global leader in higher education, but this was not always the case and may not remain so. William Kirby examines sources of—and threats to—US higher education supremacy and charts the rise of Chinese competitors. Yet Chinese institutions also face problems, including a state that challenges the commitment to free inquiry.