By Kevin J. Fandl, J.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Public Policy, American Public University

What does your health have to do with interstate trade? That is the question at the heart of the current litigation over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (a.k.a., “ObamaCare”). Let’s start with a little background. The Act was passed in 2010 with a Democrat-controlled Congress. Although it is much weaker than the healthcare plan proposed, but never enacted by President Clinton during his administration, which would have had the federal government negotiating directly with healthcare providers and insurance companies to get the best deal for patients. ObamaCare focuses on reducing costs for medicines, expanding coverage options, and preventing insurance companies from denying coverage based upon pre-existing conditions.

There is one particular provision of the new law that has drawn criticism from the now Republican-controlled House of Representatives and a number of state legislatures—the individual mandate. The individual mandate takes effect in 2016 and states that all individuals who can afford to purchase health insurance must purchase that insurance or face a penalty on their tax return. Sounds pretty harsh—if you choose to skip the health insurance policy, you will be charged a penalty by the federal government. But, it is not quite as ominous as it appears.

For example, although about 26 million citizens are uninsured currently in the United States, one-third of those qualify for Medicaid (i.e., they already receive free or low-cost insurance from the government) and another third would qualify for federal subsidies to pay for insurance. That leaves about 7 million uninsured citizens that would be required to buy insurance or face a penalty. And how much is the penalty? Currently it is set at $695 or 2.5 percent of your income, whichever is higher. However, the statute does not contain an enforcement provision, so there is no clarity on what happens if you don’t pay the penalty.

This provision of the Act has met the most scrutiny because of how it appears to be forcing citizens to take action that they may not want to take. Of course, the federal government has the right to require action of citizens under a number of federal laws. In this case, the federal government is relying on the Commerce Clause (U.S. Const., Art. I, Sec.8 ) to support their mandate. The clause permits federal regulation of any commerce that moves between states. The government has argued that healthcare is a national concern and that health policies and services cross state lines all the time, thus making it an issue of interstate commerce. The U.S. Supreme Court, which is currently reviewing the constitutionality of “ObamaCare,” is skeptical of that basis for regulation and may ultimately find that healthcare regulation is an issue for states to address, not the federal government.

We should have a decision by the summer of 2012. Keep watching as this has been an exciting year at the Court!

By Stephen Schwalbe, PhD
Program Director, Political Science at American Public University

A Political Science degree program draws individuals with a passion for government and politics, but it is also offers interdisciplinary curriculum that is attractive to students seeking a broad, liberal arts education that will serve as a precursor to post-graduate studies. Students may choose to focus their studies and their career interests on international, federal, or state government or political systems.

The most popular career path for political science graduates is to become a lawyer. Political science is a common pre-law degree and the majority of law school students actually hold degrees in political science. The problem-solving, analytical, and oral and written communication skills emphasized in political science curriculum are critical components of post-graduate legal studies.

[Next Step: Law School]

These skills are also valuable and relatable skills for working in:

• Intelligence communities.
• Non-governmental and nonprofit organizations.
• Media or journalism.
• Political campaigns.
• Lobbying or policy analysis in the private sector.

Federal careers can be found in most states and with the largest concentration located in and around the Washington D.C. region. You can find out which jobs are available by searching the government’s Human Resources page. For the federal government, you can see what jobs are available through the Office of Personnel Management.

While a degree offers no guarantee of employment in these areas, political science does provide an outstanding foundational education for developing core analytical, leadership, and communication competencies that are universal and relevant. It is recommended and a common practice that political science students or graduates seek out and complete internships in order to progress in their political-science career of choice.

By Steven McNally, CPP, PSP, PCI
Program Director, Security Management at American Military University

The demand for increased security measures in the United States is primarily fueled by an increase in the theft of intellectual property, workplace violence, growing international and domestic terrorism, and economic crime. The need for every business and government entity to address these security concerns is greater than ever before. The ability to process information quickly and making timely and responsible tactical and strategic decisions are essential skills in security management.

Security management responsibilities can range from entry-level supervisory positions to executive senior management, including:

• Chief Security Officer (CSO)
• Protecting our nation’s critical infrastructure (private security monitors a majority of the United States’ infrastructure)
• Securing leading-edge technology and trade secrets
• Defending information system networks
• Roles in homeland security such as seaport and airport security director positions

More than ever before, security professionals are being called upon to perform key roles that contribute to the overall success of global business and protecting nations. Having a bachelor’s or master’s degree in security management, at an accredited institution, is becoming more common in this industry.

A security management degree introduces students to a variety of security concepts and principles required to protect business assets, government operations, and critical infrastructure important to the viability of our nation. Security professionals must have an in-depth understanding of these asset-protection strategies, but a security management degree will also help them understand business practices so they can effectively communicate with corporate leadership. Similarly, it is increasingly beneficial for physical security professionals to have a solid understanding of how to protect computer networks so they can speak the language of IT professionals—they’re important partners in security management!

A security management degree provides professionals with the knowledge of how to protect assets as well as how to understand business operations and to effectively communicate with leadership. Earning your security management degree can provide students with a better understanding of how security fits into the overall business environment.

By Kevin J. Fandl, J.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Public Policy, American Public University

At the White House Correspondent’s dinner on April 28, comedian Jimmy Kimmel commented several times about New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s weight. Among other remarks, he said to Christie, “You might be misunderstanding the New Jersey state slogan. It’s not the ‘Olive’ Garden State.” Christie took it with pride and a little consolation from Modern Family star Sofia Vergara. But what is most interesting about this episode is that during that time, approximately 765 tweets per minute about the Correspondent’s Dinner filled the airwaves, mostly commenting on the remarks. That night, over 60,000 tweets related to the dinner were sent via Twitter.

This is a new era for political commentary, and a new era for public policy analysis as well. Whether it is a Presidential serenade on late night television or a $990 t-shirt worn by a candidate’s wife, we are living in a world where social network comments can be followed by instant reactions by policy makers. Television brought to life key moments in the lives of politicians—but it took social media to provide an outlet to respond to it.

[Interested in public policy development? Learn more about the online Master of Public Administration at APU.]

Is this a positive development for public policy? It may be. Facebook, Twitter, and blogs like this provide an opportunity for some to have their voice heard, especially those who might otherwise choose not to attend public forums or take opportunities to make statements in print or on radio or television. It also provides an audience of concerned policy makers who pay close attention to social media and may change the course of their own policy development based on what large groups appear to be concerned about (think about Rush Limbaugh’s mishap with the Georgetown University law student, for instance).

But there are downsides as well. For one, the ability to piece together a quick tweet or Facebook message without much thought means that thorough analysis and critical thinking skills are being pushed aside in favor of brevity and effect. This dilutes the value of opinions about serious policy issues. Another concern is that the ability to hide behind the computer screen may mean less open debate, conversation, and collaboration between diverse interest groups. Town halls and city council meetings where substantive issues affecting residents are sparsely attended, but you can bet that when those groups implement new policies, there will be a whole lot of tweeting going on.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. ET

Register today!

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are not just a threat to soldiers locked in unconventional warfare – the danger is very real at home, where public safety personnel are faced with life-threatening challenges every day. While no one can be 100% prepared for the impact of a homemade explosive, the countermeasures to assess and control a catastrophic scene can be undertaken by a trained professional.

In this live webcast hosted by American Military University and PoliceOne, guest speaker Dr. Robert Dawkins will provide strategic tips to assist law enforcement personnel who must respond to the threat of an improvised explosive device. His guidance includes a series of countermeasures to consider such as first-response, planning, arrival on scene, situational awareness, threat assessment, and more.

To supplement this webcast, you can order the IED Countermeasures Visor Card as well as the entire series of informational cards.

Register today to attend this special live webcast event.

By J. Mason
Online Career Tips Staff

Losing the will to complete your to-do list on a daily basis at work can happen if you don’t maintain your momentum. It shouldn’t take a meeting, or a tight deadline to get you out of your chair and interested in your work. To win motivation back you can try a few techniques, both physical and mental.

Have a Friendly Competition

Come up with a contest for the best tagline for your brand. Set a deadline, and then have a focus group to evaluate everyone’s ideas. 

Or you can get physical with a movement challenge. Since office workers sit on their behind all day it’s a welcome relief to take a stroll to the water cooler. Set a goal for yourself, and gather other co-workers to join you on walks and keep track of how much you walk while at the office.

Throw Away the Task List

Most companies are efficient with project management systems anyway. If you typically map out your week, then take a week off. While the bit of chaos can be off-putting at first, it  may free up your mind to be more creative in tackling more high profile projects.

If you’re typically unorganized then make a task list. Get a white board and fill out it with your ideas and tasks for the week. Stick to a schedule. At the end of the week check and see how you did. A little bit of organization goes a long way.

Have a Thought Contest

If you don’t already know your company’s mission, then get to the bottom of it. See if you can get your department to agree to one new great idea every quarter that helps the work environment. It could potentially lead to a company-wide initiative to improve the bottom line, or something simple like a new recycling plan.

Some people love getting competitive, while others may shy away because it gets too intense. Find your happy medium and dive into it full force. A healthy amount of competition keeps you on your toes and always innovating. Don’t get stuck in a rut, instead challenge yourself to find new ways of improving the work around you.

By Dr. Amy Burkman
Director of M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, American Public University

Grant writing is an essential skill for the 21st century administrator. With the serious budget crisis facing America’s schools, grants are a key to supplementing major budget deficits. Grant writing has not traditionally been taught as an administrator skill, but at American Public University (APU) we’re pioneering the movement to ensure that future administrators are prepared for a new era in leadership.

Learning grant writing online provides our students with an authentic grant writing experience. The entire grant process now takes place technologically from application, to feedback, to funding. There is very little human contact in the application process. By learning grant writing skills in a virtual format, students can become comfortable with the process while gaining applicable knowledge.

Step One: Application Packets

Students are first exposed to a variety of grant application packets. These packets include the original call for applications, a completed application and the feedback provided to applicants. An equal number of funded and unfunded applications are evaluated by the student. For example, when the student is given the grant packet the student does four things:

1. Read the call for proposals. This is an official notice posted that explains the criteria for the grant, timeline for accepting proposals, and the directions for completing and submitting an application.
2. Create a rubric for assessing the grant. The student uses the call for proposals to create a rubric for how he would evaluate the grant proposals based on the criteria and the directions.
3. Read and assesses the completed application. A student will read through a completed proposal and then use the rubric developed in step two to evaluate the application.
4. Read the official feedback from the grant evaluators. In this final step, the student will read the official feedback from the grant evaluators and compare his or her understanding to that of the official granting body.

This provides the student with an understanding of the feedback process and allows the student to evaluate the skills needed to be successful in grant writing.

Step Two: ID Granting Sources

The second step in the process is to identify granting sources. There are a variety of public and private granting sources, many of which are largely unknown. Students create a resource that identifies various sources of grants that meet a variety of needs.

Step Three: Deciding on a Grant

Students have the opportunity to complete a grant application of their choice. There are some websites, such as http://www.grantsalert.com and http://www.schoolgrants.org that provide lists of grants. Students can also perform a simple online search for grants in specific areas. The grant writing process is supported by videos and podcasts of successful grant writers giving tips as well as opportunities for peer review. There are even several sites dedicated to giving tips for writing grants through: The School Funding Center, National Institutes of Health, and the United Nations.

Final Step: Writing and Reviewing a Grant

As a final step, students review the grants of the other students in the class using the original call for proposals to develop rubrics specific to each individual grant.

Preparing administrators is becoming tougher and the need for creative funding isn’t going to go away. This is one of the best ways to offer a useful tool for the administrator’s tool kit!

By Jenny D. Johnson
Faculty Member, Sports and Health Sciences at American Public University

American Public University’s Jenny D. Johnson explains the role of personal trainers and nutritional counseling. 

Currently there is an obesity epidemic in America. More than 35 percent of the adult population and 12.5 million children and adolescents are considered obese—and the numbers are rising. The Center for Disease Control reports that obesity is classified as a person having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher. BMI is the calculation of a male’s or female’s height and weight and is a general indicator of body fat percentage.

Personal trainers are helping clients in the battle against obesity by providing tools, education and motivation. As someone who dedicated her life to sports and health sciences, I belong to a community of physical fitness coaches and motivators dedicated to helping people reach their fitness goals. Clients sometimes need that extra push—that “little voice,” inside their heads that tells them to get going. Some clients also need a customized strategy that is safe for them to implement and sustains their drive. Once a client begins to see results, a reduction in a person’s BMI can serve as an example for the client’s family members or office peers. Often when someone gets into shape it jumps starts others to live more healthy lifestyles.

While personal trainers develop training strategies, they should not be designing diet plans for clients. It’s important that certified professionals focus on their area of expertise. When it comes to diet plans, only licensed and certified nutritionists and registered dietitians should be providing nutritional plans to aid individuals in overcoming obesity. If you’re a personal trainer, it’s important that you develop a professional relationship with a licensed nutritionist and refer clients when they need or ask for a diet plan.

Currently more than 46 states have laws regarding the practice and certification requirements of professionals in area of nutritional counseling. These professionals; registered dietitians, licensed dietitian/nutritionist, and licensed nutrition counselor, etc., must be registered within the states they are practicing. The certification a personal trainer receives does not qualify him or her for nutritional licensure. Certifying agencies such as the National Academy of Sport Medicine (NASM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and the American College of Sport Medicine (ACSM) all require their certified personal trainers to “refer clients to other healthcare professionals when nutritional and supplemental advice is requested.”

Personal trainers can offer general knowledge to their clients regarding food choices and healthy eating habits. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, it is important to point out that a diet is not necessarily an eating plan with the intent of weight loss. Below are a few appropriate tips for advising clients about healthy eating.

Acceptable advice from a personal trainer

“Did you eat your high fiber breakfast this morning?”

“Be sure to get a snack in before you leave the gym.”

Unacceptable guidance/advice from a personal trainer

“Be sure to eat 4 cups of oatmeal with 56 g of protein powder”

“Don’t eat carbs before your wedding; they will make you hold water.”

[See 20 Fitness Trends for 2012.]

A great tool for personal trainers and their clients to reference is choosemyplate.gov. Developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with First Lady Michelle Obama, ChooseMyPlate is a revamp of the former mypyramid.gov. The user-friendly site can help in managing individual and family diet and food choices. It allows users to compare current nutritional diets to the “Dietary Guidelines for Americans” and offers suggested meal plans to meet their current weight and dietary goals.

Personal trainers are highly skilled coaches in the realm of health and fitness. We are not allowed to prescribe, diagnose or treat any condition that is not in our legal scope of practice. We can, however, train, motivate, encourage and cheer our clients to a successful, healthy and fit lifestyle full of vitality.

About the Author

Jenny was born into the field of exercise and coaching. Her father was the spark for her early influence in the field. He was an Olympic Class race walker, and he was one of the first individuals to become certified by Dr. Cooper when the term “Aerobics” was coined. He developed the first Fitness Testing Protocol for the National Soccer Referees that earned him a place in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Jenny obtained her master’s in exercise science and returned to higher education to teach her 20-plus years of industry knowledge to personal trainers and fitness buffs. Currently, Jenny is working on her Ph.D. in education.

By Dr. Amy Burkman
Director of M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision, American Public University

Teaching has moved beyond a one-size fits all mentality, allowing for teachers and schools to utilize creative methods of instruction from the earliest school attenders through college. School administrators hold a unique role in the learning process and have the capability to influence the implementation of a personalized learning model more than any other school stakeholder. This is yet another skill required of the 21st century school leader.

[Looking for the next step in education with teaching? Learn more about M.Ed. options online at APU.]

What is the value of personalized learning?

Personalized learning isn’t just about tailoring a curriculum to a student’s academic strengths and weaknesses. Student interests and experiences also play a vital role in determining the level of personalized learning available. There are many concepts that can be taught using a student’s interests rather than prescribed curriculum, such as reading skills and written language skills.

In my most recent books, “Differentiated literacy strategies for the ESL learner: K-6” and “Differentiated literacy strategies for the ESL learner: 7-12”, I discuss specific strategies for meeting the needs of students learning English as a second language. These strategies include:

Flexible Grouping: Put students of varied skill and language levels in the same group to promote inter-group dependence and increase participation.

Learning Contracts: These contracts clearly outline the role of the student in the learning process and clearly define for students expected behaviors, creating ownership in the process.

Organizers for Center Activities: Personalized organizers (verbal and pictorial) that allow the student flexibility in choosing center activities.

All of these strategies, and more, are outlined in my most recent books and are proven to increase student success.

It aides in comprehension and engagement

There are many ways to teach comprehension, but many schools prescribe what a student will read and when. Why? Something as simple as letting a student choose the book they’ll read can increase student engagement and student success. This is an often missed aspect of personalized learning. Teaching a skill while allowing students to choose the content creates student ownership in learning and reduces the level of student resistance to challenging skills. It is a win-win situation!

How mentor teachers play a role

Creating a personalized learning atmosphere is enhanced through the use of a variety of curriculum delivery tools, including technology and allowing student choice in products. Student products that are especially interesting include creating websites, creating videos and podcasts, and blogging. All of these products can easily replace a paper/pencil product. While many teachers choose to use these tools, administrators are responsible for the monitoring of curriculum delivery and for introducing new tools to teachers throughout the year. One of the best methods of monitoring curriculum delivery is through the use of mentor teachers. Mentor teachers have consistent student success, use a variety of personalized learning tools, and can work well with others (which is a very important requirement). No man is an island, especially not a school administrator! The use of successful school employees to monitor peer performance reduces the stress on teaching staff to perform for administration while creating a team atmosphere.

Create a core mentor group to foster student success

The same concept holds true when trying to implement new ideas. Administrators should identify teachers that are innovative and ready to try to new things that will improve student success. These teachers can mentor those that are hesitant while piloting new ideas. This core group of teachers can be the administrator’s biggest asset when implementing new ideas. Working as a team to create an atmosphere of personalized learning helps the students and creates a positive school culture.

Administrators guide, lead, and sometimes direct the ship. However, they should never stand alone in important issues like personalized learning. With the varied needs of students and staff the only successful school will be one that is dedicated to a team approach to learning.

By J. Mason
Online Career Tips Staff

Technology has made it possible to watch the Superbowl from the comfort of your sofa, or on the go on your phone. You can also watch international sports through your phones, computers and tablets. What makes this trend fascinating is how interactive you can be with the athletes.

Being able to tweet an NBA star during the finals, or chatting on Facebook about the recent draft, really bring the love of the game to new heights.

So, how can sports managers utilize digital marketing in their careers? One option is through education, and building effective marketing plans. Interested in hearing more? Check out the podcast below. We recently interviewed Brian Freeland, Program Director for Sports Management at APU, and Dr. Spiro Doukas a faculty member at APU on digital sports viewing and how to utilize the new technology and skills in your sports management career.

Learn more about your education options in sports management at APU.

The Digital Age of Sports Viewing by APUS