For families with a child in middle school, Score Academy Online is our top pick: it is Cognia accredited, its middle school program covers grades 6 to 8 within a wider K-12 private online school, and families can choose among three scheduling formats. These include live small-group classes, live lessons with recordings, and fully self-paced study, all with real teachers. Families who need K-12 continuity during international moves should look closely at Forest Trail Academy. Those who want self-paced study backed by a traditional school support team may find The Keystone School a particularly good fit.

The sections ahead include a quick comparison and guidance on what to look for, followed by detailed profiles of each school. Each profile covers strengths and trade-offs, and the closing questions address common concerns about schedules, support, and school records.

At a glance

What to look for

Choosing well matters in middle school. Grades 6 to 8 build the study habits your child will carry into high school, so scheduling flexibility needs to sit alongside dependable academic support. Look for legitimate credentials, a workable weekly schedule, access to teachers, and courses designed for the middle grades rather than a program that simply offers them on paper.

• Accreditation status: Look for recognition from a known body such as Cognia or WASC. It signals that credits and school transcripts are documented to a standard high schools understand.
• Scheduling options vary: some schools are fully self-paced, some offer live online classes with recordings, and some blend both. Consider whether your child needs to work around travel or benefits from regular live contact.
• Teacher and support access: A strong private online school gives you real educators, advisors, or counselors you can reach, not just videos and quizzes. Check how and when students and parents can get help.
• Grade-level fit matters even within a K-12 school. Make sure the middle school courses, workload, and support are built for ages 11 to 14 rather than adapted from high school without enough attention to younger students.

The 6 best online schools for flexible scheduling

These six schools aim to help families balance school with sports, travel, and everyday life, and each provides documented coursework and teacher or staff support. Their grade ranges and learning formats differ, as do the ways families get help. Number one is our top recommendation for most middle school families; the others may fit better when a particular scheduling or support need takes priority.

#1. Score Academy Online – best for accredited middle school program with multiple formats

Score Academy Online is a private K-12 online school with a middle school program for grades 6 to 8, designed for families who want structure without a rigid school day.

The program lets you get accredited education from home through three packages: live small-group classes, live group lessons with recordings you can review later, and fully self-paced study. Every path includes teacher involvement rather than automated lessons alone. Live packages offer real-time interaction and teacher chat; asynchronous study includes teacher grading and progress tracking, but not live lessons or teacher chat. If scheduling is your main concern, compare these packages against an ordinary training or travel week, including the time your child can realistically set aside for lessons and independent work.

For athletes and travelers, the live option with recordings can be a useful middle ground. Your child gets regular teacher contact and a class rhythm, with recordings available to review from a hotel or rink. Recordings provide replay access; review attendance requirements before planning travel during scheduled lessons. Fully self-paced study works well when schedules change from week to week, while the small-group live format suits students who focus better with peers and a set meeting time.

Strengths

• Cognia accredited private school background, which helps high schools understand your child’s records
• Three formats under one roof, with live small-group classes and recorded live lessons alongside self-paced online learning
• Real teachers in every package, not software only
• Middle grades focus means reading, writing, math, and study skills are pitched for grades 6 to 8
• Record keeping designed to produce a clear transcript for high school applications

Trade-offs

• Fully self-paced study requires a regular progress routine at home, particularly for students still learning to organize their work
• Private school tuition applies, so it is not a free public virtual school option
• Live formats still require some routine, which can be difficult during peak tournament or travel weeks

Best for: Families who want an accredited online middle school with a choice between live teacher contact and independent study with teacher grading.

#2. Sterling Academy – best for year-round rolling enrollment and part-time coursework

Sterling Academy’s Cognia/SACS-accredited program covers grades 6 through 12 and is built around self-paced study with round-the-clock access to coursework. The school also offers K-5, but its stated Cognia/SACS accreditation specifically covers the middle and high school grades.

You can enroll full-time or part-time, pursue a diploma pathway, or take individual courses to supplement homeschool or another program. Enrollment is open year-round. That means families do not have to wait for fall, and students get 24/7 access to online coursework plus opportunities for one-on-one assistance when they get stuck.

That setup fits competitive dancers, hockey players, equestrians, and families who travel for work. Your child can plan coursework for early mornings, evenings, or gaps between events while keeping course-completion deadlines in view. Part-time enrollment and single-course options are useful if you only need math and science online and plan to keep other subjects elsewhere.

Strengths

• Accredited 6 to 12 program with 24/7 coursework access, allowing students to choose when they study
• Full-time and part-time enrollment, plus individual courses for families supplementing another program
• Year-round start dates remove the September-only barrier
• One-on-one assistance available for tougher units
• Clear fit for athletes and performers with uneven weekly hours

Trade-offs

• Self-paced success depends on student motivation and parent check-ins, especially in grades 6 to 8
• Less daily live class community than a live small-group model, which some social learners miss
• A simple weekly plan for progress checks can help keep work from piling up before travel

Best for: Families who want to start any time of year, study part-time, or add single courses around sports and travel.

#3. The Keystone School – best for self-paced learning with traditional school support

The Keystone School is an accredited online school offering self-paced distance learning across elementary, middle, and high school, with full-time enrollment as well as part-time and homeschool routes.

The school-style support behind the self-paced courses is a key part of its appeal. Families have access to educators, administrators, and guidance services staff, and can reach faculty and staff by phone or email. Teachers are state certified, so instruction and feedback come from licensed professionals rather than an automated system alone.

If your child is leaving a brick-and-mortar school, this can feel familiar. There is grading, school structure, and someone to call when you have a question, while your child still controls when learning happens during the day. It suits families who want independent study with a school team available to help.

Strengths

• Self-paced courses across elementary, middle, and high school, available through full-time, part-time, and homeschool routes
• Dedicated faculty and administrators, with guidance staff available for academic and administrative questions
• Licensed teachers provide grading and support
• Reachable by phone or email, which helps parents who want clear accountability
• Good bridge for students moving from a traditional school to flexible online learning

Trade-offs

• Students still need to manage daily progress on their own, so parent oversight matters in middle school
• Fewer scheduled live peer classes than cohort-based models, which can feel quiet for social learners
• Families with very heavy travel may need to build their own weekly rhythm around deadlines

Best for: Students who want to work independently but keep the backing of a full school team.

#4. Forest Trail Academy – best for international families and K-12 breadth

Forest Trail Academy is an accredited international K-12 online school based in West Palm Beach, Florida, with toll-free and direct phone support.

The K-12 range is the draw here. You can keep siblings in one system and continue from middle school into high school without applying to a different school. Its international enrollment makes it relevant to families living abroad, moving often, or schooling across time zones. US-based administration also gives parents a point of contact for school records and questions.

For middle schoolers who travel internationally or split time between countries, staying in one continuous program through grades 6 to 8 and beyond can reduce paperwork and transcript gaps. That continuity is worth considering alongside the day-to-day task of finding study time while away from home.

Strengths

• Accredited K-12 online school, so your child can stay in one program as they grow
• Experience with international families and mobile lifestyles
• US-based office with phone support for admissions and records
• Useful continuity for siblings in different grades
• Documented coursework that supports applications to the next school

Trade-offs

• Keeping one school during travel does not remove the need to reserve consistent study time across changing time zones
• Younger middle schoolers still need a parent to help organize coursework and equipment, and find a suitable place to study

Best for: Families abroad, frequent movers, or parents who want one K-12 home for several years.

#5. Acellus Academy – best for structured platform-led learning

Acellus Academy is a structured online school serving grades K to 5, 6 to 8, and 9 to 12, known for its guided online course system with parent tools.

Students follow a clear course sequence using video-based instruction and practice, with checks for understanding along the way. Automated diagnostics help target missing concepts, and a parent monitoring account shows progress, attendance patterns, and grades. Families can enroll full-time or choose individual courses, and phone support is available Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Time from its Kansas City base. The school holds WASC accreditation.

This is a good fit if your middle schooler likes clear steps and predictable routines. Your child logs in and follows the lesson path, while you can review progress in the evening after practice without having to sit alongside every lesson.

Strengths

• Clear grade bands, including a dedicated 6 to 8 middle school segment
• Structured lesson path with built-in checks that help students fill gaps
• Parent account for monitoring pace and grades
• Full-time or individual course enrollment for flexible planning
• WASC accreditation supports record credibility

Trade-offs

• Platform-led style means less live teacher interaction than live class models
• Phone help is limited to weekday business hours, which can be tricky across time zones or on weekends
• Students who need discussion and peer interaction may find the format quiet

Best for: Independent middle schoolers who thrive with a structured, step-by-step online program and active parent monitoring.

#6. Obridge Academy – best for personalized support with counseling and advisement

Obridge Academy offers flexible online alternatives for middle school and high school with an emphasis on personalized attention.

Alongside subject teachers, the school has an education team that includes counseling and advisement professionals and a Director of Support Services. That team supports international students and those catching up after a tough year, as well as students planning next steps toward higher education pathways. Obridge Academy is Cognia accredited and offers both middle school and high school programs.

For parents, the appeal is access to several kinds of support. Your child can get academic instruction alongside help from an advisement team, a useful combination when a family wants guidance on coursework and the transition to high school.

Strengths

• Online middle school and high school options with flexible pacing
• Built-in counseling and advisement team alongside subject help
• Personalized attention aimed at nontraditional learners and international students
• Support leadership on staff for coordinating interventions
• Pathway guidance that looks ahead to high school and beyond

Trade-offs

• Counseling and advisement complement coursework but do not replace a student’s need for regular study time
• A personalized support approach works best when students communicate difficulties and families stay involved in academic planning

Best for: Middle schoolers who do best with extra adult guidance alongside academics, including students rebuilding momentum.

Frequently asked questions about flexible online middle schools

Which is best for families who want no Zoom and minimal live meetings?

If you want the least live time, compare fully self-paced options first. Sterling Academy, The Keystone School, and Acellus Academy let students progress without daily live attendance, with help available by message, email, or phone. Score Academy Online can also work if you choose its fully self-paced package rather than its live formats. Before enrolling, ask whether any specific course requires live sessions so you can judge the schedule against your family’s commitments.

Which is best for struggling students versus students who just need more time?

For students who are behind or have lost confidence, compare support depth rather than pace alone. Obridge Academy offers counseling and advisement alongside personalized attention, while The Keystone School has guidance staff and licensed teachers behind its self-paced courses. If your child is doing fine academically and mainly needs room for sports or travel, focus on how the schedule works in practice. Score Academy Online’s format choices and Sterling Academy’s self-paced access are worth comparing, with support needs considered separately from timing.

What is the difference between transcripts from flexible online schools and traditional schools for high school admissions?

The learning format matters less than documentation and accreditation. A strong accredited online school issues a transcript that includes courses, grades, credits, and school details high schools know how to read. Ask whether the school is Cognia accredited or WASC accredited, how grades are recorded, and what records you receive if you leave midyear. Keep report cards and course descriptions, along with contact details for the registrar, to make a transfer easier to manage. The receiving high school decides placement and whether any courses taken for high school credit meet its requirements.

What is the difference between a self-paced online school and a live virtual school?

Self-paced means your child controls when learning happens within broad deadlines, which helps around practices and flights. In a live virtual school, classes meet online at set times, adding routine and peer contact but allowing less day-to-day freedom. Some schools blend both approaches through live lessons with recordings. Match the choice to your child: independent workers often prefer self-paced study, while social or easily distracted learners often do better with regular live contact.

What is the difference between accredited and unaccredited online programs and how do you check?

Accreditation means an outside body has reviewed the school’s curriculum quality, teacher qualifications, and record keeping. An unaccredited program can still teach content, but future schools may question its credits. Look for the accreditor’s name on the school site, then find the school in the accreditor’s directory. You can also call the school to ask for its accreditation ID and details of the transcript you receive. Be wary of vague claims that do not name an accrediting body.

Which is best for full-time travel versus part-time supplement?

For full-time travel or a full course load around elite sports, compare Score Academy Online for its middle grade program and format choices, Sterling Academy for year-round starts and 24/7 access, and Forest Trail Academy for K-12 continuity abroad. For part-time needs, Sterling Academy and Acellus Academy offer individual courses, while The Keystone School has part-time and homeschool routes with school support. Choose full-time when you want one transcript source and part-time when you only need one or two subjects.

Your next step by scenario

If your priority is middle school with a choice of learning formats, start with Score Academy Online for its grades 6 to 8 program and real teachers. If you need to start midseason or add single courses, consider Sterling Academy’s rolling entry and part-time paths. If you want self-paced work with a familiar school team behind you, look at The Keystone School. For families living abroad or seeking one school from middle through high school, Forest Trail Academy is a practical option. Acellus Academy suits students who like a clear platform path with parent oversight, while Obridge Academy is worth considering for advisement alongside classes. As you compare options for 2026, use your actual family calendar to judge which schedule leaves room for schoolwork while keeping teacher support and records in place.

Staff Writer; Peter Washington

Your schedule and the school bell don’t match

Shift work makes school drop-off and pick-up hard. Regular medical visits during the day can leave a child playing catch-up through much of the evening.

Travel adds pressure too. A short trip can mean missed lessons and late homework that takes days to sort out once you’re home.

Online elementary school works on a different rhythm. Many programs mix asynchronous lessons you can do on your own time with synchronous live classes at set times, so some learning can move to mornings or afternoons when that’s what the week allows.

That setup may help when care duties or appointments shift from week to week. Check actual class times and deadlines before assuming lessons can move freely. Flexibility is useful when it fits both your child’s learning needs and the adult support available, rather than simply removing pick-up times.

The class pace feels off in both directions

Some children race through math and then sit bored. Others need extra time with reading and start to dread that part of the day.

Both reactions are common in elementary grades. A single pace for a full class won’t match every child.

Look for patterns in your child’s work rather than judging fit from one difficult lesson. Repeated frustration with new material and repeated complaints about already-mastered tasks call for different conversations with the teacher.

Some online programs allow different pacing by subject. Ask how that works in practice, including what happens when your child needs more time or is ready to move ahead. Self-paced does not necessarily mean unlimited time or automatic access to higher-level courses.

Bring examples of current work to those conversations. A reading sample or a few math assignments can help a prospective school explain placement and support. Look for a realistic approach to steady progress, with enough guidance to address difficulties rather than simply moving lessons onto a screen.

Home feels calmer for learning right now

Morning meltdowns that happen most days are hard on everyone. Tears at drop-off or stomach-aches before school tell you something isn’t settling.

That doesn’t prove the school is wrong. It is a reason to talk with your child’s teacher and, if worry or low mood keeps up, with a qualified health professional who can help you sort out what’s going on.

Some children learn best with less noise and fewer rushed changes. A short morning routine and a clear plan for the day can lower stress and bring back curiosity.

Bullying needs direct action too. Tell the school right away and ask for clear steps, whether you stay or change settings.

If those signs sound familiar, flexible schooling for families offers a way to reconsider the learning environment while keeping academic structure in place.

Score Academy Online is one example. It serves grades K-5 and is Cognia-accredited. Its asynchronous option is self-paced and teacher-graded, with no teacher chat. Separate options include Flex live classes with recordings and chat, and synchronous live small-group instruction at set times.

You can give time during the day and plan peer time

Young learners need an adult close by. They need help logging in and someone to keep the day moving when their attention wanders.

Ask the school how much adult help is expected at your child’s grade level and in the package you’re considering. Work through who can provide that support during the day, including when you’re working or caring for someone else. If reliable adult help isn’t available, this model may not fit right now.

Peer time takes planning when school is at home. It won’t happen just because children share a login.

Ask any school you’re considering how live interaction happens each week. Ask how much time is spent on screen and what offline tasks balance it out.

Good programs balance screen lessons with paperwork and play. Ask for a sample schedule showing breaks and time away from the laptop, then consider whether that pace suits your child’s age and ability to focus.

Many families use the open hours for sports or co-ops in their area. That mix can give a child quiet learning time alongside louder, more active play time.

What to check before you switch

Cognia accreditation indicates that a school has undergone external quality review. It is one consideration when comparing programs, not a promise of automatic acceptance at another school. If a future return to a local classroom is possible, ask that school what records and placement steps it would require.

Ask about the student-teacher ratio and how often your child will hear from a teacher. Ask what a normal day looks like in K-2 compared with upper elementary, since children’s needs change quickly at this age.

Also ask about costs and requirements for enrollment. Good schools state fees and tech needs up front, giving you a way to compare options without pressure.

Bring recent report cards and work samples when you talk with a new school. Ask how records move and how placement is set in reading and math. Clear answers now save backtracking later.

There’s no perfect setup for every family. If these signs fit your home, talk with your child’s teacher and with schools on your short list before deciding. Tour a class if you can and review fees and tech needs side by side.

Staff Writer; Doug Barker

A new Wall Street Journal poll finds remarkable bipartisan support for government limits on prices, with 93% of Democrats and 83% of Republicans supporting capping prescription drug prices. Nearly four in five voters support capping credit card interest rates at 10%. And large majorities favor capping child care charges for working families.

The Journal describes these policies as “populist.” That’s fair, although populism means something more specific than just being supported by the people (or the consumer). Political scientists generally define populism as a political approach that pits ordinary people against an elite group that’s seen as serving its own interests. Populism can therefore come from the left or the right, which helps explain today’s strange alliances.

Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders and Republican Sen. Josh Hawley agree on a 10% credit card interest rate cap. Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren can champion limits on child care costs while President Donald Trump creates a government website directing consumers toward discounted prescription drugs. Different political tribes are embracing the idea that if something costs more than most people think it should cost, the government should make it less expensive.

But if the idea is to advocate for ordinary people against powerful interests, an irony lurks.

First, few people are as powerful or more self-interested than those in government. As Ronald Reagan famously observed, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” It’s not just because the government has the power to coerce — to take resources as glibly as it hands them out. It’s that government officials have an incentive to promise voters things for free, and those promises are impossible to fulfill. Reagan knew how easily government intervention and bureaucracy can complicate economic issues and hurt those it set out to help.

The price controls that so many Americans now clamor for are perhaps the best example. Behind their support is an assumption that prices are just the product of the desires of powerful and heartless sellers. The reality is quite different.

Prices are the manifestations of countless decisions by buyers and sellers, each acting on individual knowledge no one else has. No buyer’s budget and needs, and no seller’s costs and offerings, are identical. Only a free market can account for this and decide whether a price sticks. Creating laws to cap prices doesn’t make scarcity go away. It just shows up as empty shelves instead of a market-determined price.

Consider credit cards. A 10% interest rate cap sounds lovely. Many Americans pay twice that. Why not simply tell banks that’s the limit? Because an interest rate isn’t an arbitrary number. It is the price of credit that reflects funding costs, administrative expenses and, not least, expected default risks.

Congress can cap the rate, but it can’t cap the risk. When the price a lender can charge falls below what the risk costs, lending stops. Lenders turn down applicants, cut credit limits and close accounts. The borrowers the cap was supposed to protect still need the money. They end up at the payday lender or the pawn shop instead. In other words, interest rate caps hurt the economically vulnerable people they are supposed to help.

The same problem is even more stark with child care. The service is expensive because caring for small children requires a lot of labor and demand is high, especially when governments subsidize it through vouchers and tax credits. Meanwhile, state and local authorities restrict child care supply through staff-to-child ratios, credential mandates, zoning bans on home-based providers, costly building codes and more. No wonder prices are so high.

Capping those prices won’t help. If providers cannot cover their expenses at the mandated price, some will reduce capacity. Others will close. The parents lucky enough to secure a remaining slot might pay less. Others will find no available care. The government cannot decree the additional workers and facilities necessary to fill the gap it created.

Prescription drugs are more complicated, but the basic trade-off remains. Reducing drug prices can benefit patients today, at least on the surface. However, developing new drugs is extraordinarily expensive and risky. Expected future revenues help determine how much companies invest in research. Thus, capping prices eventually reduces the number of new drugs that reach the market. Over time, fewer lives are saved.

That example also illustrates why price controls are such seductive politics. Their benefits are highly and immediately visible, while their costs are often harder to spot.

Politicians can legislate lower prices; they cannot legislate away scarcity, other costs or risks. If populism really means standing up for ordinary people, then its policies should be judged not by popularity but by how they affect ordinary people. And for the average American, price controls hurt.

Written by Veronique de Rugy

Official website; http://twitter.com/veroderugy

Evaluating Brand Metrics in the Context of AI Implementation

Before integrating AI into brand management, it is crucial to understand the current state of your brand through comprehensive metric evaluation. Brand Health Monitoring Metrics provide insights into your brand’s performance and public perception. These metrics include Brand Sentiment Analysis, which assesses how consumers feel about your brand, and Brand Affinity Scoring, which measures the strength of consumer connections to your brand. By evaluating these metrics, companies can predict how AI might impact their brand identity and consumer engagement.

For instance, AI-Driven Brand Identity Mapping can identify areas where AI technologies might strengthen or dilute existing brand associations. This mapping is instrumental in understanding the potential brand impact of AI solutions. Therefore, a thorough assessment of these metrics helps in making informed decisions regarding AI readiness and aligns with strategic goals.

Key Performance Indicators Essential for Assessing AI Readiness

When considering AI integration, specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are essential to determine readiness. These include Predictive Brand Engagement metrics, which forecast future customer interactions, and Cognitive Brand Insights, which provide deeper understanding of consumer behavior. These KPIs help brands understand if their current systems can support new AI technologies.

Additionally, Automated Brand Compliance Checks can ensure that AI solutions align with regulatory standards and brand policies. According to a recent McKinsey report, brands that implement AI with robust compliance mechanisms experience fewer disruptions during rollout. Therefore, assessing these KPIs is vital in determining your brand’s AI readiness.

Aligning Brand Values with AI Strategy for Optimal Integration

For AI to be effectively integrated, it must align with the brand’s core values. AI-Powered Competitive Brand Intelligence can help identify market trends and competitor strategies that reflect your brand’s values. This alignment ensures that AI-driven decisions are consistent with the brand’s identity and mission.

Moreover, Dynamic Brand Personalization Algorithms enable brands to create personalized consumer experiences that resonate with their target audience. Ensuring that AI strategies support these personalized experiences is crucial for maintaining brand integrity. Recent Forbes insights highlight the importance of aligning AI strategies with brand values to enhance consumer trust and loyalty.

Strategies for Continuous Monitoring of Brand Metrics Post-AI Rollout

Once AI has been implemented, continuous monitoring of brand metrics is essential to gauge its impact. Brand Performance Attribution Modeling helps determine how AI contributes to brand success by attributing outcomes to specific AI-driven initiatives. This modeling is key to understanding ROI and refining AI strategies.

Furthermore, Conversational AI Brand Experience tools can provide real-time feedback on consumer interactions, allowing brands to adjust strategies swiftly. Regular assessment using these tools enables brands to maintain a consistent and positive brand image. To effectively manage this process, it’s imperative to continuously revisit the steps outlined in Assessing AI Readiness Before a Rollout to ensure ongoing alignment with strategic objectives.

Conclusion

Evaluating brand metrics is a foundational step in preparing for AI integration. By focusing on key performance indicators, aligning AI strategies with brand values, and continuously monitoring brand metrics, businesses can ensure a successful AI rollout. Adopting these practices will help brands maintain their identity and enhance their market position through AI-driven innovations.

Staff Writer; Roy Brown

Consider the September employment report, released October 2. The economy added just 29,000 jobs. Earlier estimates for July and August were revised downward by a combined 60,000. July, initially reported as a month of job growth, now shows a loss of 10,000 jobs. These numbers hardly support the president’s extravagant celebration.

The overall unemployment rate was 4.2 percent, a relatively low figure. But whose unemployment are we discussing? Black unemployment rose from 6 percent in August to 7 percent in September. White unemployment was 3.6 percent. Black workers were unemployed at nearly twice the rate of white workers.

Monthly figures fluctuate, particularly for smaller demographic groups. One month should not carry an entire argument. Yet the familiar racial disparity deserves scrutiny every month. When politicians celebrate the national unemployment rate while overlooking Black unemployment, they erase people whose economic circumstances complicate their preferred story.

A presidential declaration does not pay the grocery bill. It does not fill a gas tank, cover the rent, or produce a job for someone who has been looking for months. And a national economic average tells us precious little about the distance between those enjoying prosperity and those struggling to survive.

A presidential declaration does not pay the grocery bill. It does not fill a gas tank, cover the rent, or produce a job for someone who has been looking for months. And a national economic average tells us precious little about the distance between those enjoying prosperity and those struggling to survive.

What does a “strong economy” mean to the worker whose application goes unanswered? What does it mean to the family drawing down savings while waiting for a paycheck? Losing employment can mean losing health coverage, falling behind on housing payments, and postponing an education. For households with little accumulated wealth, unemployment can turn a manageable budget into an emergency.

On October 5, the national average price of regular gasoline was approximately $4.37 a gallon. In Washington, DC, it was about $4.45. Nationally, filling a 15-gallon tank cost roughly $65. Retail diesel averaged $6.32 a gallon, adding pressure to businesses that move food, equipment, and other necessities. Prices had eased over the preceding week, but a modest decline does not make an expensive tank affordable, nor is it acceptable when precipitously higher year-over-year from 2025.

Ask a farmer about this supposedly magnificent economy. John Boyd Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, told NPR in September that filling his tractor cost roughly $1,000. He was paying about $7 a gallon for diesel, nearly twice what he paid a year earlier. “This is a national farm crisis for farmers,” he said.

USDA projects farm fuel and oil expenses will rise nearly 29 percent this year. For Black farmers, whose operations are generally smaller and whose access to credit is more limited, another surge in operating costs can threaten both a livelihood and the land that sustains it. You cannot harvest a crop with a presidential boast.

Trump’s October 5 diesel order offers an election-season promise of relief, with crucial details left to Treasury. It directs officials to pursue tax deferrals for highway use of off-road diesel, not guaranteed tax forgiveness. Tractor fuel already receives tax-exempt treatment. Farmers hauling crops may benefit, but postponing taxes does not solve high fuel prices.

The latest inflation report, for August, tells a story families know from their ballooning bills. Overall prices were up 3.4 percent from a year earlier, but energy prices jumped 16.3 percent. Gasoline surged 27.4 percent, and home heating oil soared 52 percent—a punishing increase as winter approaches. Groceries, electricity, and shelter also cost more. This is the president’s “greatest economy”? families paying more for the necessities they cannot do without.

These increases arrive on top of prices families already found difficult to manage. Slower inflation does not restore yesterday’s purchasing power. It means prices are rising more slowly. People waiting for their old grocery budget to buy their old grocery basket understand the distinction.

An economy can expand while leaving millions financially insecure. Investors may celebrate rising asset values while renters wonder how to renew a lease. A household with substantial savings can absorb higher fuel costs. A household counting dollars until payday has fewer choices. Economic growth matters, but so does its distribution.

The president wants credit for prosperity. Then he should answer questions about who receives it. Where are the opportunities for workers excluded from the celebration? What is being done to close the racial employment gap? How are families supposed to manage the cumulative increases in their basic expenses?

Voters should ask these questions of every candidate seeking their support. They should demand specifics about employment, wages, housing, transportation, and the ability to build savings. Campaign enthusiasm is no substitute for economic security.

Calling this the greatest economy in our history is an invitation to examine the evidence. That evidence includes weak hiring, persistent racial disparities, and household expenses that continue to climb.

The president can keep repeating his false superlatives, while families still have figure out how to pay their rising bills. The question persists: A strong economy for whom?

Written by Julianne Malveaux

Official website; https://www.juliannemalveaux.com

Due to the reach of his story, Bogie was able to surpass his $66,000 fundraising goal on GoFundMe. But for millions of others, the decision is more dire.

On July 1st, just over a year after the Big Ugly Bill gutted key government programs to fund tax cuts for the richest among us, the Department of Education issued its new student loan guidance. Under them, the Graduate PLUS, financial aid with higher loan limits to help students pursuing graduate and professional degrees, were eliminated. And new student loan caps took effect that in many cases do not cover the cost of attendance for millions of students. The result is more students either dropping out of college or unable to attend at all.

It’s no secret that Black students leverage student loans more than their peers from White families. It’s also no secret that the largest growing population of young people attending college are Black. And make no mistake, it is no coincidence that under this administration, this year, education is becoming further out of reach.

For many, critics of higher education have blamed universities for raising their tuition and fees to figures that have ballooned the federal deficit and left millions burdened with debt that they will never be able to repay.

But the solution to skyrocketing student debt shouldn’t be to punish students pursuing a better life. And neither is threatening to strip schools of much needed federal dollars for having diversity pipeline initiatives like this administration is actively trying to do. A discriminatory action that already follows illegal cuts to NIH research funding that that universities, from Harvard to Stanford, have sued to stop.

No student should have their dreams deferred because the government would rather finance the dreams of the rich than support them on their education journey.

And the federal government should not be allowed to tell someone the value of their dream by denying access to loans because of their major. In the latest slap in the face to America, the Department of Education released a list of college majors that it proposes cutting student loans that it deems “don’t pay off.”

One of which is social work; a growing field that addresses the fallout of growing wealth inequality in our country and the spiking mental health crisis.

In short, the Department of Education not only believes solving our greatest social and societal issues doesn’t pay off, by cutting access to jobs that pay a living wage it’s also creating an enviroment that contributes to them.

If education is our tool to change the world, then we need it more than ever in this rapidly changing economy, ecosystem, and geopolitical climate. And it is clear that the Department of Education in this current administration is either blithly unaware of that fact, or intentionally a role in limiting the earning potential and economic freedom of millions of Americans.

The National Urban League make a commitment through our programs, like Project Ready, to ensure that all students have an education the prepares them for college, work, and life. Now we’re pushing for the Department of Education to do the same by removing these discriminatory caps on student loans, restoring funding to institutions of higher learning, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and letting students decide what field of study is “worth it.”

Written by Marc Morial

Official website; http://twitter.com/MARCMORIAL

How Analyzing Cradlepoint R980 Drives Network Optimization

The Cradlepoint R980, with its advanced capabilities, serves as a foundation for network optimization. By conducting a thorough User Experience (UX) Audit, businesses can identify areas where the network performance may lag. This audit process is crucial for ensuring that all potential bottlenecks are addressed promptly. Additionally, utilizing a Benchmarking Framework allows companies to compare their current network performance against industry standards. This comparison helps in pinpointing specific areas that require immediate attention.

Furthermore, a Competitive Feature Matrix can be instrumental in understanding how the Cradlepoint R980 compares with other devices in its class. This analysis not only highlights the strengths of the R980 but also reveals opportunities for further optimization. By systematically evaluating these aspects, businesses can implement targeted improvements, ultimately boosting network efficiency.

Key Performance Metrics for Cradlepoint R980 Evaluation

To effectively evaluate the Cradlepoint R980, it’s essential to focus on specific performance metrics. One of the primary metrics to consider is Performance Load Testing, which measures how the device handles varying levels of network traffic. This testing is vital for ensuring that the R980 can maintain optimal performance under high-demand scenarios.

Another critical metric is the Net Promoter Score (NPS), which gauges customer satisfaction and loyalty. A high NPS indicates that users are not only satisfied with the network’s performance but are also likely to recommend it to others. Moreover, conducting a Usability Heuristic Evaluation can provide insights into the device’s ease of use, further contributing to a positive user experience.

By focusing on these metrics, businesses can fine-tune their network setups to achieve superior performance. For a detailed comparison of the Cradlepoint R980 and its features, the Cradlepoint R980 offers a comprehensive overview.

Real-World Applications of Enhanced Cradlepoint R980 Performance

The enhanced performance of the Cradlepoint R980 has numerous practical applications. In sectors requiring high-reliability networks, such as finance and healthcare, optimizing the R980 can lead to significant operational improvements. By integrating a Customer Journey Mapping Tool, businesses can track how users interact with the network, identifying pain points and areas for enhancement.

A/B Testing Protocols can also be employed to determine the most effective configurations for different use cases. This method allows businesses to test various settings and assess their impact on network performance in real-time. Additionally, implementing a Sentiment Analysis Algorithm can help in understanding user feedback and making data-driven decisions for further network enhancements.

These applications demonstrate how the Cradlepoint R980’s performance can be harnessed to deliver robust network solutions tailored to specific industry needs.

Strategies for Continuous Improvement in Network Efficiency

Continuous improvement is key to maintaining network efficiency over time. One effective strategy involves regular Technical Debt Assessments, which help identify outdated or inefficient components within the network infrastructure. By addressing these issues promptly, businesses can prevent potential performance degradation.

Moreover, a Cross-Platform Compatibility Review ensures that the network remains effective across different devices and operating systems. This review is crucial for businesses that rely on diverse technology ecosystems. Additionally, leveraging a Software Review Aggregator can provide valuable insights from user reviews and expert opinions, guiding future network enhancements.

By adopting these strategies, businesses can ensure their network remains agile and capable of meeting evolving demands.

Conclusion

Analyzing the Cradlepoint R980’s performance is a strategic move for businesses seeking to enhance network efficiency. Through targeted evaluations and continuous improvement strategies, companies can unlock significant benefits, from improved user experiences to operational excellence. By focusing on the right metrics and leveraging real-world applications, businesses can fully capitalize on the capabilities of the Cradlepoint R980. Investing in such optimization efforts not only enhances current network performance but also positions the business for future technological advancements.

Staff Writer; George Adams

Women’s college basketball fans will be fortunate to be able to see both Strong and Watkins play in college this season because neither were eligible to enter the 2026 WNBA Draft as underclassmen. The WNBA is not like the NBA, where talented college freshmen, can leave for the NBA Draft, often called “one and done”. According to the collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and its players’ union, all NCAA players who graduate from a four-year college within three months of the draft, or are four years removed from high school graduation, or turn at least 22 years old during the year in which the draft takes place are eligible to renounce any remaining NCAA eligibility and opt in to the WNBA draft. However, International draftees must be at least 20 years old during the year in which the draft takes place. It is peculiar that the international draftees can be 2 years younger than those women’s basketball prospects in the U.S.

It is easy to forget about how men’ college basketball would have been affected if superstar high school basketball players like a LeBron James or a Kevin Garnett had been “forced” to attend college? That is not a question that could have been answered 2004 but in 2005, the NBA enacted a new age limit that requires “that an amateur player of American origin be at least nineteen-years-old on December 31 of the year of the NBA draft and that at least one NBA season must have passed when he graduated from high school, or would have graduated from high school, and the NBA draft”. There were many strong feelings about the NBA’s age limit from those who passionately follow college and professional basketball. During the 2000s and 2010s, some of the NBA’s best players were draftees who never played a minute of men’s college basketball including James, Tracy McGrady, and Dwight Howard who are all in the Basketball Hall of Fame or will be.

The growth of women’s basketball over the past decade has made this an even more legitimate question now. In the past two seasons, the league has added Golden State, Portland, and Toronto. By 2031, there will be new WNBA teams in Detroit, Cleveland, and Philadelphia. It is also important to point out the instant success of the Golden State Valkyries, who immediately established themselves as some of the better teams in the WNBA just two years since joining the league which is a sign of the greater women’s basketball talent pool. The major injury to USC’s Juju Watkins back in 2025 was a terrible thing for her but may have never happened if she could also have left for the WNBA after her freshman year like her male counterparts. NIL is an important incentive for the top women’s college basketball players to be paid in college but many would benefit from the choice of being able to start their WNBA professional careers early.

Staff Writer; Mark Hines

How Adoptive Strategies Transform Intensive Outpatient Programs

Adoptive strategies in IOPs are transformative primarily because they integrate Evidence-Based Practices. These practices include techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing, which are tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUD). By focusing on personalized treatment plans, IOPs can address specific challenges faced by participants, such as co-occurring disorders, which are mental health issues occurring alongside addiction. One effective option for this is an Intensive Outpatient Program that focuses on these aspects.

Another pivotal component of these strategies is the Harm Reduction Model, which prioritizes reducing the negative consequences of substance use rather than insisting on abstinence. This approach can be particularly effective in helping individuals who are not ready or able to commit to complete sobriety, thus keeping them engaged in the program and motivated to continue their journey toward recovery.

Moreover, adopting Trauma-Informed Care ensures that the treatment environment acknowledges and respects the impact of trauma on individuals’ mental health and substance use. This care model helps create a safe and supportive setting, essential for fostering trust and encouraging progress in recovery.

Key Components of Effective Adoptive Strategies in Treatment

Effective adoptive strategies in IOPs often include a comprehensive Relapse Prevention Plan. This plan is tailored to each individual’s triggers and risk factors, offering coping strategies and support systems to prevent relapse. Additionally, incorporating Peer Recovery Specialists, who have personal experience with recovery, provides participants with relatable mentors who can offer encouragement and guidance.

Another vital component is the integration of Recovery Support Services, such as family counseling and community resources, which help build a robust Recovery Capital. This term refers to the various resources individuals can draw upon to support their recovery journey. Enhancing Recovery Capital can significantly improve long-term outcomes by providing a strong support network.

Behavioral Activation, a therapeutic approach focusing on increasing engagement in positive activities, is also crucial. By addressing behavioral patterns and encouraging participation in rewarding activities, individuals can experience improved mood and reduced substance use.

Measuring Success: Outcomes of Enhanced Intensive Outpatient Programs

The success of enhanced IOPs can be measured through various outcomes, such as reduced relapse rates and improved mental health. Programs integrating adoptive strategies often report higher engagement levels and lower dropout rates, indicating a more effective treatment process. According to a recent SAMHSA report, incorporating Evidence-Based Practices like CBT and Motivational Interviewing can lead to significant improvements in treatment adherence and recovery outcomes.

Furthermore, the use of Clinical Supervision ensures that therapeutic interventions are provided consistently and effectively, contributing to positive program outcomes. This supervision allows for continuous refinement of treatment plans based on participant progress and challenges.

The integration of SMART Recovery, a self-help program focusing on self-empowerment and self-reliance, is another measure of success. Programs that adopt SMART Recovery principles often see participants develop stronger self-management skills, leading to more sustainable recovery.

Real-World Applications of Adoptive Strategies in Behavioral Health

In real-world applications, adoptive strategies in IOPs have shown success across various settings. For example, programs that incorporate Dual Diagnosis treatment, addressing both mental health and substance use disorders, have demonstrated improved outcomes for individuals with complex needs. This approach is supported by research from NIMH, which highlights the importance of treating co-occurring disorders simultaneously.

Additionally, programs employing Trauma-Informed Care have reported creating more inclusive and supportive environments, which are crucial for participants with histories of trauma. This care model not only enhances trust but also encourages deeper engagement in the recovery process.

Finally, the use of personalized Relapse Prevention Plans and Recovery Support Services has led to more significant and sustained recovery outcomes. By addressing individual needs and enhancing recovery resources, IOPs can offer more comprehensive and effective support for their participants.

Conclusion

The integration of adoptive strategies within Intensive Outpatient Programs has proven to enhance recovery outcomes significantly. By incorporating personalized treatment plans, Evidence-Based Practices, and supportive care models, IOPs can better address the complexities of addiction and mental health challenges. These strategies not only improve engagement and reduce relapse rates but also empower individuals to build a sustainable recovery journey. For those seeking effective and adaptable treatment options, an Intensive Outpatient Program that embraces these strategies can offer a path to recovery and improved well-being.

Staff Writer; Craig Poole

Regardless of what traditions are important to you, if you want your big day to feel like you, and to really bring in that big family love, then it’s critical that you toss out those generic wedding ideas and use this guide instead:

What to Consider When Selecting the Venue

The venue you choose will set the stage for your big day. That’s why you’ll want to choose a wedding venue rental that for one, looks beautiful throughout all seasons (and has the space to accommodate everyone you want to invite) and two, that doesn’t restrict you on which vendors you use, so that you can book specialist vendors that allow you to celebrate your heritage, your way. For the best experience, make sure that the venue you choose only hosts one wedding at a time, so you know that your big day is yours and yours alone.

Ensure You Include Those Essential Cultural Rituals for Your Big Day

Weddings, unlike other events, are the celebration of two different families coming together, sometimes from different communities or cultures. That’s why communication at the start is so important.

Write down all the traditions each of you will want at the wedding (and make sure to get some family input). This could classic things like jumping the broom, tasting the four elements, or the classic “tying the knot”, or it could be heritage specific. If you want to celebrate your Ghanian heritage, for example, you might want to add Opon-akyi bo, the knocking ceremony, as an essential pre-wedding event.

Mixed Heritage? Create a List

If you and your spouse are from different backgrounds, for example, your family has been in the United States for over a hundred years, and your spouse grew up in Zimbabwe, your traditions are going to look different. That’s why it’s important to create a list of all the traditions you want to include, Once you have those lists, you can:

1. Identify what’s the same and what’s different.
2. Create a timeline that places when all the different traditions and elements will occur.
3. Decide which traditions you want to incorporate, blend, or leave out.

Feel free to mix and match as well. You could get married and have your photos taken in the white dress and suit, for example, and then for the reception change into traditional kente attire, or even the other way around!

Don’t Forget the Small Little Traditions, Jokes, and Histories

The little details matter, which is why it’s so important to bring in those little traditions and histories from both sides of your families. Put up photos of your family’s own wedding days as part of the celebration, use that good luck charm your mom gave you, name the tables based on old family jokes or stories. There are so many unique ways you can make the wedding feel homely, and like you, so start brainstorming!

Staff Writer; Terry Barker