Q: My middle-schooler has a lot of YouTube videos as homework. He says it's because the school has "flipped instruction." Can you please explain what this is?

A: Flipped instruction is a new teaching strategy. Traditionally, teachers present new material during class time and assign students homework and group projects to do on their own. But flipped instruction switches the model: Teachers introduce new content through videos or podcasts that are assigned as homework. They ask students to take notes and answer questions. In class, the teacher discusses those questions with students and works with them on individual and group projects, such as labs, to put their new knowledge to work.

For instance, let's say your son is learning about the Earth's structure and plate tectonics in science. In flipped instruction, the teacher might assign online videos (including the teacher's own lectures) that tell the story of how continents were formed and where earthquakes and volcanoes occur. Once students have viewed the videos, the teacher uses class time to answer questions, coach students in experiments and check their understanding through tests and activities. (For a short tutorial, go to youtube.com/watch?v=26pxh_qMppE.)

What are the benefits? Colorado educators Aaron Sams and Jonathan Bergmann, authors of "Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day" (International Society for Technology in Education, 2012), believe that flipped instruction personalizes learning, increases student-teacher interaction, holds the attention of students who struggle during class lectures and leads to a deeper understanding of concepts.

Mary Beth Hertz, a K-8 technology teacher in Philadelphia, says that the model provides a way to "individualize learning for students, so they can move at their own pace and review what they need when they need it. It can free the teacher to work one-on-one with students who need the most support. Students who miss lessons can catch up through video and online course tools like Edmodo or Moodle."

For flipped instruction to be successful, says Hertz, teachers must make and choose videos and podcasts carefully.

"Materials should include a variety of approaches in the same way a face-to-face lesson would," she says. "In math, for instance, students must see different ways to solve an equation. The videos must have good sound and image quality so that students can follow along and stay engaged. They must also match the curriculum and the activities the students will complete in class."

One drawback is that students who don't have online access at home can't rely on public libraries, where computers have time limits, says Hertz.

"Plus," she says, "if everyone flips their classrooms, students will be in front of a screen for hours every night. Not everyone learns best through a screen."

Parents should make sure that kids aren't watching a string of videos without corresponding class activities to lock in the learning, says Hertz.

"We know that students achieve best when learning is centered around the student, not the teacher," she says. "Flipped instruction works best when it allows that to happen."

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: My granddaughter, a National Merit finalist, has the high SAT scores and strong all-around record to get into a good school. We are hoping for scholarships. She has her heart set on Brown University, but her counselor advises her not to apply for early decision there, but instead to apply "early action" at her "match schools" (whatever they are). Is this good advice?

A: Most schools allow you to apply early in one of two ways: early decision or early action, says Rob Franek, Princeton Review college admissions guru. Early action deadlines usually fall at the same time as early decision, and students are notified in December.

"Early decision is binding. This means if your granddaughter is accepted through early decision, she is 'bound' to attend that school," says Franek, author of "The Best 377 Colleges" (Princeton Review, 2012). "She may not apply to more than one college under early decision. Early action applications are non-binding. She may apply to several colleges early action."

Her counselor's advice is sound, says Franek. "Brown does not offer applicants the option of early action, only early decision. If your granddaughter were not accepted, she would either be rejected or deferred," he explains. Deferred applicants still have a shot at being admitted during the regular admission period, while rejected applicants may not reapply until the following year.

"Brown is highly selective," says Franek. "It admitted only 9 percent of the applicants for the class of 2015. While your granddaughter is a superstar, she's competing with thousands of other superstars from around the world for a spot at Brown. Her counselor is helping her hedge her bets."

Since you are hoping for financial aid, applying early action to schools on her list that offer that option gives her opportunities to compare financial aid packages from several institutions. The sooner families can do the math, the better, says Franek.

You asked about "match" schools. Franek weighs in: "Many counselors advise students to make a list of 'reach' and 'match' schools. Brown is on her reach list, because of its selectivity. Even stellar students should consider the top U.S. colleges and universities to be reach schools. The admissions standards for these schools are so high that nearly perfect SAT or ACT scores and a straight 'A' transcript are no guarantee of acceptance."

Her match schools should be those she is likely to get into because her academic credentials fall well within (or even exceed) the school's range for the average freshman, explains Franek. "There are no guarantees, but it's not unreasonable to expect that with her track record, she will be accepted to several of her match schools."

When making a list of either reach or match schools, do some homework beyond the schools' websites and virtual tours. Visit, if possible; talk with alumni; listen to advice from current students; and check out anecdotal data included in guides such as Frankek's.

"The applications process requires time, thought, focus and expense," he says. "Don't waste any of those applying to colleges that don't feel like a fit." For more guidance, go to princetonreview.com.

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)

Q: Our PTO is trying to raise money for different school programs. We have energetic volunteers, but we'll be lucky if we raise $10,000. I read about schools that raise really huge sums. How do they do it?

A: Parent-teacher organizations don't raise big bucks overnight. They've established strategies, routines and expectations over time. What's their secret?

First, they have a year-round program of events, such as auctions that parents and donors anticipate. Second, the volunteer cadre is large and well trained. Three, these schools cultivate and properly thank loyal donors.

When Sharon Robertson helped her kids' California public school raise money, "We made sure that parents with connections used them and that kids wrote thank-you cards."

Fourth, Robertson says, "We put people who could bring two of the three W's (wealth, work and wisdom) on the team. We asked: Can you write a check or get others to? Roll up your sleeves and pitch in? Apply your skills for marketing or project management?"

She lives in New England now, "where we raise less money, but have equally dedicated volunteers. The vibe is more focused on instructional goals: What can we do to help teachers teach and children learn?"

Tim Sullivan, founder of PTO Today, an organization that provides resources and information for parent-teacher groups, likes the sound of that.

"Money doesn't equal success," he says. "Passion and purpose define great parent groups. If your goal is to make your school an amazing place for kids, where families are truly connected to the school's goals, you can do great things with very few dollars."

Sullivan gives examples: Family Reading Night (or even Science Night, Math Night, Health Night or Game Night).

"Our new P.E.P. (Play more. Eat right. Power down.) Night Kit is popular as parents learn to foster healthy habits," says Sullivan. "What about an after-school ice cream social to welcome families new to the community? Hold it on the playground. Old pros host and answer questions for newcomers. Three tubs of ice cream, plastic bowls and some sprinkles. Fifty bucks. The impact on parent involvement? Priceless!" (For more ideas, go to ptotoday.com/events-and-programs.)

The same kind of impact can be made through a year-round teacher appreciation program that provides basic supplies.

"Faced with a classroom full of runny noses, many teachers are grateful for boxes of tissues and a supply of hand wipes," says Sullivan. (The website TeacherLists.com shows parents how to give teachers this support.)

Sixty percent of PTOs and PTAs have budgets of less than $15,000, says Sullivan, and 78 percent have budgets of less than $25,000.

"Yet these groups have great successes to be proud of," he says.

Robertson agrees. "School fundraising is changing," she says. "Not every teacher wants the PTO to buy her a whiteboard. Mrs. Sanchez wants money for a field trip. Mrs. Jones wants more picture books.

"We work with individual teachers to procure what they need. Sometimes we post their wishes on donorschoose.org. Or we ask local service organizations, foundations and individuals who want our school to succeed. Knowing who to approach is where the wisdom comes in handy!"

(Do you have a question about your child's education? Email it to Leanna@aplusadvice.com. Leanna Landsmann is an education writer who began her career as a classroom teacher. She has served on education commissions, visited classrooms in 49 states to observe best practices, and founded Principal for a Day in New York City.)