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School Issues and Program Information

By: American Federation of Teachers (2007)

All schools are held to certain standards based on federal and state laws. This article discusses some of obligations stated in The No Child Left Behind Act, which includes mandatory testing. It also describes the different programs available to English Language Learners and students with disabilities, as well as vocational and college preparatory programs.

In this article:

Standards and Testing

  • Standards should be clear and specific about what all students are expected to know and be able to do at each grade level.
  • Tests should be based on the standards.

Questions to ask:

  • What are the specific skills and subjects my child will be learning?
  • What are my child's strengths and weaknesses?

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English Language Learners

  • Schools are required to help children who don't speak English learn English in addition to studying the same material as other kids in school.

Questions to ask:

  • What kind of services and programs does the school have to help my child learn English as well as the subjects all other students are studying?

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Students with Disabilities

  • Schools are required to provide children with disabilities a "free appropriate public education" and to place students in the "least restrictive environment".
  • A parent or the school can request to have a child evaluated. Parents must be informed of this.
  • Information provided by parents is used in the child's Individual Education Plan (IEP).

Questions to ask:

  • How does my child's disability affect his or her education?
  • What can I and the school do to help my child more?

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Vocational Programs

  • Students in these programs explore different careers and receive hands-on training.
  • The goal is to prepare students for higher education or work in fields like technology, business, auto mechanics, etc.

Questions to ask:

  • Why is this a good program for my child?
  • What have past students gone on to do after graduating from this program?

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College Preparatory Programs

  • Most programs are categorized as College Track; Honors; Magnet Programs; and Advanced Placement (AP).
  • The goal is to prepare students for higher education at a four-year college or university.

Questions to ask:

  • What programs does the school offer, and how do I get my child enrolled?
  • Does the school have a counselor that will provide my child with information and guidance on admissions, costs, financial aid, and entrance exams?

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The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB)

  • The law requires all public school students to take annual reading and math tests in grades 3 through 8 by 2005-06, and once in grades 10 through 12. By the 2007-08 school year, they'll also be tested in science once in each grade span (3-5; 6-9; and 10-12).
  • If a public school does not make enough progress (adequate yearly progress or "AYP") towards its achievement goals for 2 years in a row, all students in the school are eligible to transfer to another public school that has made enough progress. After 3 years in a row of not making AYP, all students are still eligible to transfer. Low-income students who do not choose to transfer schools can receive extra academic help ("supplemental educational services") instead.
  • Districts and schools must produce report cards for the public that include information on test scores, graduation rates, and test scores of other local schools.
  • For kids who don't speak English, this law requires schools that receive federal money to provide special services and language instruction for three years, possibly five. After three or five years, students will be taught in English with all other students.

Questions to ask:

  • How is my school performing?
  • How do I choose a high-quality supplemental service provider for my child?

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