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We are a community of active parents helping each other in our most important job: raising healthy, happy, well-educated children who can pursue their dreams and tap their potential to contribute to an ever-changing world.

Because most of us have had careers in education, we know many kids aren't learning the skills they need to prepare them for success in college and careers.

Here's the good news: When we work with our children at home and with our teachers, schools and communities our kids can achieve at a higher bar. So, we put together resources on this site to share with other parents. Tell us what you think here! And check out our FAQs for more information about us!

Raise the Bar is sponsored by America Achieves, a non-profit organization that aims to increase education success for all kids.

Acknowledgements of Copyright Materials

Raise the Bar (Parents) acknowledges the use of the following copyright materials used on this website.

Grade 3 - Mimic Octopus

Notes, Sources, Links, and Information:

• Dynamic Mimicry in an Indo–Malayan Octopus
• Mimic Octopuses (Thaumoctopus mimicus)
• World's Weirdest: Flounder is Master of Disguise
• A Convincing Mimic: Scientists Report Octopus Imitating Flounder in the Atlantic
• Flounder (Paralichthys)
• Lionfish (Pterois volitans)
• Banded Sea Krait (Laticauda colubrina)

Photos:

• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_JennyHuang_-_I_love_deep_blue.jpg
• https://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/octopus-mimic-animal-skills-660.jpg
• https://www.paranormalocean.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/mimic-octopus.jpg
• https://znn.india.com/Img/2012/1/9/mimi.jpg
• https://www.wildlifeextra.com/resources/listimg/misc/mimic_octopus_1@body2.jpg
• https://daniellesdives.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/flounder1.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/01/Lionfish_-_up_close.jpg
• https://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/images/stories/large/2011/08/03/snake.jpg

Grade 4 - Bison

Notes, Sources, Links, and Information:

• Bison, A Plains Supermarket
• The Buffalo Harvest

Photos:

• https://hugefloods.com/National-Bison-Range.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/92/Blackfoot_teepees.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Muybridge_Buffalo_galloping.gif
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/Bodmer_--_Blackfoot_Indian%2C_1840-1843.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/11/Kane_Assiniboine_hunting_buffalo.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Bison_herd_grazing_at_the_National_Bison_Range.jpg
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bison_bison_grazing_in_snow_(Yellowstone).ogv
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/US_stamp_1898_4c_Indian_Hunting_Buffalo.jpg
• https://static.environmentalgraffiti.com/sites/default/files/images/090jpg.img_assist_custom-600x467.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f0/Tableau_31_Indians_hunting_the_bison_by_Karl_Bodmer.jpg
• https://www.xtimeline.com/__UserPic_Large/92702/evt110126060700140.bmp

Grade 5 - Everest

Notes, Sources, Links, and Information:

• The Dream Comes True from The Tiger of the Snows
• Sir Edmund Hillary
• A Photo Essay on Mount Everest
• Mount Hood Questions and Answers
• Map of 1953 Everest Expedition
• The Ascent of Mount Everest
• Sir Edmund Hillary's Diary – 29th May
• 60th Anniversary of the First Ascent of Mount Everest
• Edmund Hillary's Route to the Top
• Everest Collection
• Mounty Everest
• Everest Photo Gallery

Grade 6 - Snow Leopards

Notes, Sources, Links, and Information:

• Snow Leopard Fact Sheet

Photos:

• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MongolianStew01.jpg
• https://mindlesswanderings.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/TransSib2-5197.jpg
• https://notesofnomads.com/wp-content/uploads/family-ger-mongolia-3.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/Gurvger.jpg
• https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/fc/ISLT_Logo_72_dpi.png

This policy (the "Privacy Policy") addresses collection, use and access to information that may be obtained through the use of this website.

We extend the following information to assure you, our guest, that we are concerned about and respect your privacy. Please know that America Achieves will never sell, lease or rent your confidential information or share it with any other organization. However, if it is necessary, we will share information for legal reasons. We will always endeavor to take steps to assure that any information you provide to us will remain secure. We want you to feel safe in your online experience while visiting our site. Please be aware though that, despite our best efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable. We therefore request that you take a moment to review the following valuable information. We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time and request that you review this policy for updates.

How We Collect and Use Your Information Back to top

We collect personally identifiable information and non-personally identifiable information from you in a number of ways. "Personally identifiable information" is information that personally identifies you or your child, such as your or your child's name, zip code and e-mail address (or other information that is associated by us with such above information). "Non-personally identifiable information" is information that does not personally identify you, including anonymous information and aggregate data.

We use this information to understand better how our visitors use our website, research our visitors' demographics, interests, and action taken on the site, provide visitors with customized services and information, improve our outreach efforts, and for other similar purposes.

Information Collected and Stored Automatically Back to top

The following information is collected automatically when you use this website:

• The Internet domain and IP address (an IP address is a number that is automatically assigned to your computer whenever you are surfing the web) from which you access our web site
• The type of browser and operating system used to access our site
• The date and time you access our site
• The pages you visit.

If You Send Us Personal Information Back to top

We do not give any personal information to any private organizations or public agencies, including federal agencies. We do not collect information for commercial marketing.

Personal Information and Choice Back to top

You may choose whether to provide personal information on-line.

America Achieves does not collect personal information about you unless you voluntarily provide it. Your choice to provide an alias or other placeholder information will not impair your ability to use this web site and read or download any information provided on the site. Your provision of such information is your consent to our use of such information to better serve you, our visitor, and others coming to our site. By using this site and authorizing your child to use it, you are accepting the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Cookies Back to top

This website uses cookies to customize and enhance your browsing experience. Cookies are simple text files stored on your computer by Internet web sites to help identify users and enhance customer service. Cookies created by using this website will contain personally identifying information such as user contact information consisting of name, or e-mail address. The cookie feature is used only to store a randomly generated identifying tag on your computer and does not compromise your privacy or security.

You can configure your browser to accept all cookies, reject all cookies, or notify you when a cookie is set. You are always free to decline our cookies if your browser permits, although that will prevent you from accessing the most useful features on our website as this requires you to be logged on and authenticated in the first instance.

We do not use "persistent cookies," and only use "session cookies" to help us "remember" you until the session times out, or the closing of your browser. Session cookies are automatically deleted from your hard drive after the end of a session. We will not allow third parties to place any cookies, web beacons or other similar devices on our website.

As previously stated, America Achieves does not sell, lease or rent your confidential information. However, we may need to disclose personal information as required by the law, regulation, court order, subpoena, search warrant, in the course of a legal proceeding or in response to a law enforcement agency request. We may also in good faith do so to help enforce our site rules, protect your safety or security and/or to protect the safety and security of our site.

If you are dissatisfied with any of the materials or other contents of the site or with these Terms of Use, you are certainly welcome to discontinue use of the site. If you have created a user account with us, you may access and update your information, and indicate whether you wish to opt out of receiving communications from us, via your profile page.

You can email us at raisethebar@americaachieves.org or write to us at Privacy Matters, America Achieves, 95 Morton St, New York, NY 10014, regarding any questions or comments regarding this privacy policy, to notify us of any errors or changes, or to indicate whether you wish to opt out of receiving communications from us (such as e-mail newsletters and updates). Please be advised that such opt-outs will not apply to our use of your personally identifiable information for other purposes, such as responding to your requests for information or services and communicating with you about your user account.

Disclaimer Back to top

This web site may contain links to other Internet computer sites which are not owned, operated, controlled or reviewed by America Achieves. These links are provided solely as a courtesy and convenience to you. When you link to one of these sites, you are no longer on the America Achieves web site and this privacy notice will not apply. When you link to another web site, you are subject to the privacy policy of that new site.

America Achieves, its agencies, officers, or employees exercise no control over the organizations, views, accuracy, copyright or trademark compliance or the legality of the material contained on those servers and do not sponsor, endorse, or approve the information, content, products, materials, opinions or services contained on such external sites. The visitor proceeds to these external sites at his/her own risk. America Achieves specifically disclaims any and all liability from damages which may result from the accessing of a third party site which is linked to the America Achieves web site, or from reliance upon any such information.

IN NO EVENT SHALL AMERICA ACHIEVES BE LIABLE TO ANY USER OR ANY THIRD PARTY FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY OR LOST PROFITS) RESULTING FROM THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE WEB SITE OR THE MATERIAL, WHETHER BASED ON WARRANTY, CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, AND WHETHER OR NOT THE ORGANIZATION IS ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

AMERICA ACHIEVES WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES, LOSSES OR CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE DISCLOSURE OF YOUR PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION.

User Contributions Back to top

The web site contains interactive features (collectively, "Interactive Services") that allow you to post, submit, publish, display or transmit to other users (hereinafter, "post") content or materials (collectively, "User Contributions") on our related social media pages.

Any User Contribution you post to the site will be considered non-confidential and non-proprietary, and we have the right to use, copy, distribute and disclose to third parties any such material for any purpose.

You represent and warrant that you own or control all rights in and to the User Contributions and have the right to grant America Achieves and its affiliates the license granted above.

You represent and warrant that all of your User Contributions do and will comply with these Terms of Use, and you agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless America Achieves and its affiliates and licensors for any breach of that representation and warranty.

You understand and acknowledge that you are responsible for any User Contributions you submit or contribute, and you, not America Achieves, have fully responsibility for such content, including its legality, reliability, accuracy and appropriateness.

Any content and/or opinions uploaded, expressed or submitted to the web site, and all articles and responses to questions and other content, other than the content provided by America Achieves, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity submitting them and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of America Achieves. We are not responsible, or liable to any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials posted by you or any other user of the web site.

We have the right to:

• Remove or refuse to post any User Contributions for any or no reason in our sole discretion.
• Take any action with respect to any User Contribution that we deem necessary or appropriate in our sole discretion if we believe that such User Contribution violates the Terms of Use, infringes any intellectual property right or other right, threatens the personal safety of users of the web site and the public or could create liability for America Achieves.
• Disclose your identity to any third party who claims that material posted by you violates their rights, including their intellectual property rights or their right to privacy.
• Take appropriate legal action, including without limitation, referral to law enforcement, for any illegal or unauthorized use of the web site.
• Terminate your access to all or part of the website for any or no reason, including without limitation, any violation of these Terms of Use.

However, we do not undertake to review all material before it is posted on the Website, and cannot ensure prompt removal of objectionable material after it has been posted. Accordingly, we assume no liability for any action or inaction regarding transmissions, communications or content provided by any user or third party. We have no liability or responsibility to anyone for performance or non-performance of the activities described in this paragraph.

Content Standards Back to top

These content standards apply to any and all User Contributions and Interactive Services. User Contributions must in their entirety comply with all applicable federal, state, local and international laws and regulations. Without limiting the foregoing, User Contributions must not:

• Contain any material which is defamatory, obscene, indecent, abusive, offensive, harassing, violent, hateful, inflammatory or otherwise objectionable.
• Promote sexually explicit or pornographic material, violence, or discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age.
• Infringe any patent, trademark, trade secret, copyright or other intellectual property rights of any other person.
• Violate the legal rights (including the rights of publicity and privacy) of others or contain any material that could give rise to any civil or criminal liability under applicable laws or regulations or that otherwise may be in conflict with these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.
• Be likely to deceive any person.
• Promote any illegal activity, or advocate, promote or assist any unlawful act.
• Be used to impersonate any person, or to misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person or organization.
• Involve commercial activities or sales, such as contests, sweepstakes and other sales promotions, marketing, barter or advertising.
• Give the impression that they emanate from us or any other person or entity, if this is not the case.

Copyright Infringement Back to top

If you believe that any User Contribution violates your copyright, send us a notice of copyright infringement at raisethebar@americaachieves.org

It is the policy of the Organization to terminate the user accounts of repeating infringers.

Policy Towards Children Back to top

We are concerned about the safety and privacy of children who use the Internet. Consistent with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 ("COPPA"), we will never knowingly request personally identifiable information from anyone under 13 without prior verifiable parental consent. If we become aware that a child under 13 has somehow provided us with personally identifiable information without verifiable parental consent, we will use our best efforts to remove such information from our files. If you believe that your child has provided us with such information without your consent, please e-mail us at raisethebar@americaachieves.org or write to us at Privacy Matters, America Achieves, 95 Morton St, New York, NY 10014.

In addition, where it is applicable, we will cooperate with any participating school district or school in ensuring that its obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment are met.

International Use Back to top

We make no claims that materials on this site are appropriate or may be downloaded for use in locations outside the United States. Access to this site from countries or territories where such access is illegal is prohibited. Those who choose to access this site outside the United States do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws. By sending us your data, you consent to its transfer to and storage within the United States.

Governing Law/Forum Back to top

This Privacy Policy is governed by New York law. If we have a dispute regarding this policy or your use of this website, you agree that it shall be resolved solely in the state or federal courts located in New York City.

Please enter your name, email address and the message you would like to send. A link to this website will automatically be included in the body of the email when you send it.

Note: You can also send this message to a maximum of 10 email addresses using commas to separate the emails in the list. (All email addresses entered will be seen by everyone in your list).

The use of this site is governed by the Privacy Policy. By accepting these terms of use you agree to accept and abide by all the terms of the Privacy Policy.

In accessing this site users agree to abide by the conditions of use:

1. Videos on this site may not be re-posted to other websites without the prior written permission of America Achieves.
2. Any materials sourced from this website and later distributed, with permission, either electronically or in hard copy to third parties must be appropriately acknowledged.
3. Users of this site will work under the Reasonable Person Principle:
   1. We will be reasonable.
   2. We expect everyone else will be reasonable.
4. As reasonable people we think about our use of this site, and the needs of others, and adjust our behavior to meet the goals of a common good for the community, i.e., expressing what we want to say, but accepting and accommodating the needs of other members of our community.

This version of the Reasonable Person Principle is based on the principles originally formulated by the Computer Science Department at Carnegie Mellon University.

1. What is Raise the Bar? Back to top

We are a community of parents who are seeking and sharing information, resources, and support to help one another raise healthy, happy, well-educated children who can achieve their dreams and tap their potential to contribute to an ever-changing world.

We are anxious that our kids may need even greater educational challenge, engagement, and support.

When we work together with our children at home and partner with our teachers, schools, and communities, we can help our kids meet a higher bar, and get the education they need as a foundation for their future success.

That's why Raise the Bar is building a community that provides information you can trust, sharing helpful tools and resources to support you and your child, and connecting you to a community of parents who share your goals for your child's education. Raise the Bar is in a pilot stage. Your feedback helps us improve our parent tools/resources.

Raise the Bar is a pilot initiative sponsored by America Achieves, a non-profit organization that aims to increase educational success for all kids.

2. How can Raise the Bar help me? Back to top

We aim to arm fellow parents with vital information and resources they need to ensure their children are on track for next year, high school, college, and the working world. Our very first pilot website provides "Educational Check-ups," where you can get periodic updates on how your child is doing in key areas like math, reading, and character strengths. You can also use the website to find personalized resources and useful guidance on ways to help your child work on key skills where they need practice or work.

Our website will give you some initial information to help you understand whether your child is on track and what you can do to support your child and school. You will be able to:

• Use the "Educational Check-up" to get objective, practical information to give you an initial sense for how your child is doing in some key areas like math, reading, and character strengths.
• Get concrete, customized suggestions to help your child build on his/her strengths and improve in areas of weakness. We've found some of the best resources and tools online and gathered them in one place for you!
• Connect with other parents, share stories and advice, and support one another in raising the bar for our children.

We are currently beta testing this pilot website, and we would love to hear your feedback and ideas. The next version in the fall will be based on the feedback and experiences of parents like you.

3. What is the Educational Check-up? Is the Educational Check-up available for all grades? Back to top

We take our children to the doctor every year for a check-up to keep them healthy and thriving. So we created the "Educational Check-up" to give us some initial information on how our kids are doing in reading, math, and in key character strengths and how we can help them improve. Once you have your child's check-up results, we will provide free, personalized online resources so you can help your child improve where he/she needs assistance, and continue to build on his/her strengths.

The reading and math check-ups offer brief, game-like adventures that are also quizzes calibrated to the end of grade level; the results will be provided to you by email and offer initial directional feedback on how your child is doing. These quizzes are aligned to the Common Core State Standards, which are being used in forty-six states and are one important part of the higher bar that our children need to reach. You may also want to share this site or your child's report with his or her teacher so you can talk about it and work together to help your child succeed. The check-up also includes a character strengths growth card so that you can get a sense of your child's strength on the habits and characteristics that make a difference in student success.

The Educational Check-up is available for grades 2-8.

4. What is a higher bar? Back to top

Our children need a higher bar for education to succeed in our changing world. This goes beyond learning the basics of reading and math to include higher-order skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. It also includes the character strengths that fuel lifelong learning and success – like resilience, self-control, curiosity, along with a strong work ethic and a drive to always get better.

And a well-rounded education includes developing the ability to work with others, be team players, and exhibit core American values like honesty, responsibility, compassion, and service to others.

The Common Core State Standards are an example of the kind of higher bar that we support.

5. Why is Raise the Bar focused on parents? Back to top

We are made up of active parents who want to support our children's educational progress and success. We want all parents to have good information at their fingertips about what they can do to make sure their children are on track to succeed.

That's why we're building a community of parents who are looking for the best in education for their children and are willing to support that higher bar at home, at school, and in their community. In helping parents navigate their children's education we can take steps toward helping all families have access to a higher bar of education for their children.

6. I'm a busy parent. How can Raise the Bar help me be a better advocate for my child? Back to top

If your days are anything like ours, you could probably use another hour or two just to get things done. We can't give you another hour or two - but we can help you make good use of the scarce time you have to help your children succeed in school. Raise the Bar aims to take out some of the guesswork to give you information to help you take action and best help your child succeed in school.

Use our free online tools to get your child an educational checkup and connect them to free, personalized support. Join our community as a founding parent, where you'll help support other parents in accessing resources to help their children, and share Raise the Bar with other parents in your community. Together, we can achieve a higher bar!

7. What are the Common Core State Standards and what do you think about them? Back to top

A well-rounded education and high standards are crucial to our children's success. The Common Core State Standards are one kind of higher bar that outlines what our kids should learn and achieve in reading, writing, and math to help prepare them for success. These standards emphasize the problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed to apply academic knowledge to real-world situations and that will help prepare our children for success tomorrow, the next grade, and – one day – for college and careers.

Forty-six states have taken an important step to adopt these higher academic standards. The standards go deeper into fewer topics so that teachers can help students really master what they learn. Strong implementation of these standards can help put all of our children on track to have good choices - in careers, college, and in life.

8. Is there a Raise the Bar site near me? How can I become a founding parent leader? Back to top

During our pilot phase, we are partnering with parents across the country to pilot Raise the Bar in a number of diverse school districts across the United States. This pilot phase will help us determine our plans for expansion in more communities nationwide, but meanwhile we welcome all parents who want to raise the bar for their children. Get involved as a parent leader by taking our "Educational Check-up" with your child and sharing our site with parents like you!

Contact us to learn more about Raise the Bar in your area.

9. How does Raise the Bar work to support teachers? Back to top

We have worked with outstanding teachers and other educators to develop this project and pilot website. We are partnering with educators in communities across the country to try out and get feedback on this pilot. We hugely respect and appreciate the hard and important work teachers do every day to educate our children - our project is designed to support teachers too.

Like busy parents, teachers could also use some support to make sure all their students succeed. Family participation in education is twice as important as income or education in predicting a student's academic success. Children whose families are more involved in both their school and in helping them learn at home are more likely to succeed academically.

That's why Raise the Bar encourages parents and teachers to work together with the shared goal of supporting student success. We give parents the information and tools they need to help their children at home and support them to communicate effectively with their teachers and school leaders about raising the bar at school. We welcome feedback from teachers and educators on this pilot site and their great ideas on how else parents can help them to raise the bar.

10. Do you collect my personal data? Back to top

You do not need to share any personal data in order to be able to use our website and read and download resources. Raise the Bar won't collect any personal information about you unless you voluntarily share it with us. If you do share information, we will strictly abide by the attached privacy policy. We will only use information visitors share with us to help us better understand and meet the needs and interests of our audience. Please know that we will never sell, lease, rent, or share your confidential information or share it with any other organization. See our Privacy Policy for more information.