What Parents and Caregivers Can Ask and Do to Help Children Thrive at School

To find out if your child is getting an education that will prepare him or her for success, consider asking the following questions related to five areas of school performance:

Quality: Is my child getting a great education?

• How will you keep me informed about how my child is doing on a regular basis? How can we work together if my child falls behind?
• Is my child on grade level, and on track to be ready for college and a career? How do I know?

Ready for Success: Will my child be prepared to succeed in whatever comes next?

• How will you measure my child’s progress and ability in subjects including reading, math, science, the arts, social and emotional development, and other activities?
• How much time will my child spend preparing for and taking state and district tests? How will my child’s teacher and I know how to use the results to help my child make progress?

Safe and Healthy: Is my child safe and cared for at school?

• How will you measure my child’s progress and ability in subjects including reading, math, science, the arts, social and emotional development, and other activities?
• How much time will my child spend preparing for and taking state and district tests? How will my child’s teacher and I know how to use the results to help my child make progress?

Great Teachers: Is my child engaged and learning every day?

• How do I know my child’s teachers are effective?
• How much time do teachers get to collaborate with one another?
• What kind of professional development is available to teachers here?

Equity and Fairness: Does my child, and every child at my child’s school or program, have the opportunity to succeed and be treated fairly?

• How does the school make sure that all students are treated fairly? (For example, are there any differences in suspension/expulsion rates by race or gender?)
• Does the school offer all students access to the classes they need to prepare them for success, including English language learners and students with special needs (for example, Algebra I and II, gifted and talented classes, science labs, AP or IB classes, art, music)?

What do I do if my child is not getting educated according to the known high standards for his or her grade level and in view of his or her future?

• Keep asking questions of the teacher, principal, other parents and education experts, including questions about your school choices.
• Find other parents who have the same concerns and work together toward improving the conditions.
• Talk to the counselor, school advisory group, PTA, parent liaison or other school or program staff. They may share your concerns or be able to help you.
• Bring your concerns to the school district office, chancellor, or superintendent.
• Attend public meetings and school board meetings and tell your story.
• Consult the resources provided at the end of this guide.

Advice from teachers: Here are some ways teachers suggest parents can help support their child’s success in school.

• Set high expectations for your child.
• Make sure your child is in school every day and on time. Attendance matters!
• Work collaboratively with your child’s teachers and talk to them about goals and expectations for your child.
• Talk to your child each day about what he or she is doing in school and discuss what he or she learned.
• Encourage your child to complete assignments, and see that she or he finishes them.
• Attend parent-teacher conferences.
• Participate in family engagement and volunteer opportunities.

For age-appropriate guides to supplement this checklist, visit: www.ed.gov/family-and-community-engagement

For information how your school compares to other schools, visit: www.greatschools.org/

To meet other parents and caregivers in your school, and for information on academic standards and assessments, join your local school-based parent organization and visit: www.pta.org/

If your child is behind or needs extra help, seek out reading and other academic assistance at libraries, neighborhood churches, academic sororities and fraternities, organizations such as your local National Urban League, 100 Black Men, YMCA and YWCA, Mocha Moms, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and area high school and college students who serve as tutors and mentors.

If your child is being bullied or having issues with discipline, visit: www.stopbullying.gov

For information about exercise and nutrition, visit: www.parentcenterhub.org/

If your child has a delay or disability, check out the Parent Training and Information Centers at: www.parentcenterhub.org/

If English is not your home language, visit: www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oela/index.html

For information about early childhood education, visit: www.ed.gov/early-learning

For information about supporting the education of children and youths experiencing homelessness, visit: http://center.serve.org/nche/index.php

Before applying to college, get information about federal financial aid for students at www.fafsa.gov and about college resources at: www.studentaid.gov/

If you and your child face homelessness, visit:https://www.samhsa.gov/homelessness-programs-resources

Visit us at www.ed.gov
Contact us at parent@ed.gov

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Or fax your request to 703-605-6794.

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This publication is also available on the Department’s website at http://www.ed.gov/family-and-community-engagement.

On request, this publication is available in alternate formats, such as Braille, large print, or compact disc at the Department’s Alternate Format Center at 202-260-0852 or by contacting the 504 coordinator via email at om_eeos@ ed.gov.

Notice to Limited English Proficient Individuals: If you have difficulty understanding English, you may request language assistance services free of charge for this Department information by calling 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327) and for TTY call 1-800-877-8339. You may also e-mail us at ed.language.assistance@ed.gov.