Public education in the United States has never been equal for all students. It appears that those school districts located in wealthy communities have a bit more resources than those in poorer communities. Today more than ever, parents need to step up to the plate and learn how the educational system works. It is imperative that parents no longer leave the decisions made around the education of children solely in the hands of bureaucrats who likely have no children in the school district and/or may not even live in the community.
Below are ten things parents must do before enrolling their child in any school public or private.
1. Get a copy of your state's academic standards. Academic standards are open and public statements detailing what all children should know and be able to do in each state. A typical writing standard, for example, states that all students should be able to pre-write, draft, edit and revise. Students progress through these stages to write, clear, coherent and focused paragraphs and essays. State standards should be available on your state's website and may be divided by grade level or subject.
2. Schedule a time when your child's teacher can review these standards with you.
3. Check your child's homework and class work to see if it aligns with the state academic standards.
4. Ask the principal to hold a parent meeting to discuss the state academic standards and explain how standardized test evaluate what children are learning or not learning in alignment with state standards.
5. Beginning in 2005-06, all schools will measure student achievement yearly in reading and math in grades 3-8, and at least once during the high school years. Ask the teacher and principal if these tests will align with state standards.
6. Discuss with your principal how you as a parent can assist your child in meeting or exceeding the state academic standards. Request that your principal use Title I Parent Involvement funds to offer training for parents interested in helping their children improve academically.
7. Parents will also want to know if teachers receive test results in a timely fashion so that they can be used to improve instruction.
8. What is your school district doing about test anxiety? One of the best ways to reduce test anxiety is to make sure students are well prepared with the concepts, skills and knowledge on which they will be tested.
9. Parent must contact their principal to find out how student achievement levels compare to other districts, and states, by subject and student group.
10. Parent must always contact their state legislator if they are not satisfied with school funding. You put them in office to work for you. It's about time you now hold them accountable.
The reality is that parents are their child's first teacher and if parents are stumbling through the educational maze they will not do a good job of making sure they are providing the best education possible for their child. Parents must know what questions to ask and what answers should be received. No longer can we rest on our laurels, work fifty or sixty hours a week and expect others to assure our student's achievement. Knowledge is power, and that has never been more true than today.
Detra D. Davis is a writer and educational consultant with over 20 years of experience. Author of several e-books, email Detra at: detra_davis@supportingourchildren.com, or by mail: J. Davis & Associates, P. O. Box 4935, Cary, NC 27513-4935. To learn more visit: detra_davis@supportingourchildren.com
cleaning team near Winnetka ..Would you hand a child calculus problems once she was... Read More
A small town, somewhere in the world, was managed by... Read More
In the last 20 years we've all been introduced to... Read More
Today's dads are more hands-on than ever before and their... Read More
Single parenting has seemingly become an acceptable norm which is... Read More
Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child... Read More
Yesterday my husband Wade took the day off (that's one... Read More
I know as a single parent or even with 2... Read More
What Children Look for in a Friend?Is this child fun... Read More
What a dreamer I am when thinking about parenthood. Most... Read More
The public school system in America has become a dismal... Read More
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes around the brain... Read More
1. New Word of the DayIntroduce your preschooler to a... Read More
A friend phoned her neighbor, complaining about the wafts of... Read More
Fall marks the beginning of many new things both for... Read More
Coping with a child's bad behavior, perhaps more than any... Read More
Life is comprised of pieces of time sprinkled with pivotal... Read More
My son, Dakota is now 7 yrs old. He is... Read More
Today the little red school house is not what it... Read More
Although many children are picky eaters at some stage in... Read More
"Where did he come up with that?" Kids often amaze... Read More
The question I have for you drives right to the... Read More
Certainly we all want our children to excel. But it... Read More
It was the homework that did it. Each night became... Read More
Many parents struggle to know which foods are healthy for... Read More
family-safe home cleaners Northbrook ..Get into their world. The world that teens are growing... Read More
It was the homework that did it. Each night became... Read More
Many families, ours included, have learned that breakfast is eaten... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
Nail biting in all its various forms is problematic... Read More
Finding out that a child has been born with a... Read More
To have reasonable expectations of our children is an important... Read More
Q. My teenage son is turning 16 early next year... Read More
By the time your children reach their teens, there is... Read More
The formula is pretty straightforward: energy in/energy out. This is... Read More
Predicament:My son is 4 1/2 years old. His younger brother... Read More
When my son was 18 (and had finished school), he... Read More
There are many reasons for treating your twins as individuals... Read More
"I could have helped you if I would have known,... Read More
"All that I am or ever hope to be, I... Read More
Child Safety Restraints and children in work vehiclesIf you take... Read More
Most day cares are non-profit organizations that must operate within... Read More
A tall, weary-looking mother with glasses, walked into my counseling... Read More
Libraries offer more than books. They are places of learning... Read More
As a parent, you probably know that the birthday party... Read More
The internet is a dangerous place for your children. Don't... Read More
Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More
Prenatal intelligence, also known as fetal intelligence, has become a... Read More
The disquieting behavior of teenagers in the 21st century, is... Read More
According to researchers, most children enter school with a good... Read More
Parenting |