Author Archives: Janis Adams

About Janis Adams

CEO/Founder, Academic Achievers Inc.

Visual Learners – In a Word-based Educational System

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Janis Adams

This week the New York Times Learning Network posed an interesting question: Do schools need to do more to support visual thinkers? Some people think in words; others in pictures. A professor argues that “society is failing visual thinkers, and that hurts … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Coaching, Early Learners, Los Angeles tutoring, Special Needs | Leave a comment

Learning Loss and Tutoring

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Janis Adams

Research consistently demonstrates that tutoring interventions have substantial positive effects on pandemic student learning loss. • According to EdSource, the highly respected educational research and analytical non-profit, “tutoring is the best answer to the pandemic learning loss.” •  Experts agree, … Continue reading →

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Preventing Summer Slide

Posted on May 21, 2022 by Janis Adams

We are all familiar with the concept that students lose significant learning gains over the summer— the infamous Summer Slide. One of the original studies on the subject from The American Educational Research Association states, “summer loss equaled about one … Continue reading →

Posted in Early Learners, Enrichment, gifted, gifted, homeschool, Kindergarten Prep, summer education | Leave a comment

Is Test-Optional Really Optional?

Posted on January 7, 2022 by Janis Adams

In response to the Covid crisis, many colleges have temporarily adopted a test-optional admissions policy. However, we are told the overwhelming majority of the top-tier US and International colleges evaluating college applications still prefer to see an SAT or ACT … Continue reading →

Posted in ISEE, Private School Admission, SAT prep, Test Prep ACT or SAT | Leave a comment

Confidence and Academics

Posted on October 27, 2021 by Janis Adams

Many parents encourage high self-esteem in their children—and they should! Self-esteem is how favorably a person regards him or herself. However, studies show there is actually little to no correlation between self-esteem and academic performance.  Boosting confidence, on the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Coaching, Enrichment, Executive Functioning, gifted, Study Skills, Tutoring | Leave a comment

Special Projects

Posted on June 4, 2021 by Janis Adams

Creating a Special Summer Project It’s been a tough year and online learning may have taken its toll. Your children may be numb, zoomed out, and possibly dulled to learning. Now the summer stretches before us and we plan to … Continue reading →

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10 Top Educational Studies in 2020

Posted on January 2, 2021 by Janis Adams

There were a lot of educational studies done this year —covering topics from virtual learning to the reading wars to the decline of the standardized test. Here are some of the top findings. 1.  If You Want Children to Learn … Continue reading →

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Do Your Child’s ISEE or SSAT Scores Really Matter?

Posted on February 18, 2020 by Janis Adams

Yes. The results of a standardized admissions test indicate to the school what your child knows and doesn’t know academically. Essentially, it would serve no purpose to accept your child only to have her flounder academically. You would be unhappy. … Continue reading →

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The Characteristics of Grit

Posted on September 4, 2019 by Janis Adams

5 Characteristics Of Grit — How Many Do You Have? 1) Courage Hard to measure, but directly proportional to your level of grit. Relates to your ability to manage fear of failure. The supremely gritty are not afraid to tank, … Continue reading →

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9 Kindergarten Readiness Skills Your Child Needs

Posted on July 12, 2019 by Janis Adams

“I believe it’s important for pre-kindergarten children to be able to follow directions and to have the ability to express their feelings.” says K-12 principal Jolene Jackson. “Some of the reading and math skills I would like to see kids … Continue reading →

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