School Success for Your Child

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 helps to ensure that all children receive a high-quality education and holds schools responsible for making sure that all children are learning. The information below is consistent with this important law.

This brochure includes information on things you can do at home and at school to help your child be a more successful student, including tips for parents of students with disabilities.
Background

Every child has the power to succeed in school and in life, and every parent, family member and caregiver can help. The question is: How can we help our children succeed?

We know, for example, that children tend to follow their parents' example. Children watch what we say and do. Parents are truly their children's first teachers, and this role lasts a lifetime. When we show our children that we value education, it gives them a powerful model for success. At home, we can take steps to support our children's education. Also, research shows that when parents and families are involved in their children's schools, the children are more likely to succeed.
What You Can Do at Home

As a parent or caregiver, no one cares more about your child's education than you. Get involved in your child's education at home. Here are simple tips that may be useful to you:

* Encourage Your Child to Read. It's the single most important thing you can do to help your child succeed in school. Read aloud to your baby right from the start, and make reading together part of your daily routine.

* Encourage Healthy Habits. Research shows that regular sleeping times, good eating habits and physical exercise are critical for student success.

* Monitor Homework, TV Viewing, Computer Use and Video Game Playing. Have a special place and regular time for your child to study, and check to see if your child needs help. Set limits on time spent watching TV, using the computer and playing video games.

* Encourage Your Child to Be Responsible and to Work on His Own. Help your child choose activities that build knowledge, responsibility and independence, and be aware of his activities after school, in the evenings and on weekends.

* Communicate With Your Child. Have daily conversations with your child about his or her school day.

* Praise Your Child. Provide consistent, encouraging words to help motivate young children.

Working With Teachers And Schools

Learn everything you can about your child's school. You know your child best and understand her needs. Ask for a school handbook and read it over. Ask the principal and teachers about the school's expectations of your child and how it will prepare your child to succeed in life. Visit the school's Web site for more information. Ask for information in your native language.

Talk with your child's teacher early and often—and start talking right at the beginning of the school year. Contact the teacher immediately if you notice a change in your child's behavior or school performance or if your child doesn't understand an assignment. If you don't understand a school rule or the teacher's assignments, set up a meeting to talk about the issue.

Stay involved in your child's school activities. Attend school events. Go to sports events, back- to-school nights and parent-teacher meetings. Volunteer in your school.

Tips for Parents of Students With Disabilities

When a child is having a reading or language problem, the reason might be simple to understand or it might require extra help. Some children may have a learning disability.

If you think your child may have some kind of learning problem, get help quickly. Talk with your child's teacher or principal. By law, schools must provide special help to children with disabilities. By: U.S. Department of Education - Education.com

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Manny Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito: Live Round-by-Round Updates

Judges: Jurgen Langos, Oren Shellenberger, and, Glen Crocker, had it, 120-108, 119-109, and, 118-110, all for Manny Pacquiao.

FanHouse had it for Manny Pacquiao, 119-107.

Referee: Laurence Cole

Margarito enters the ring first to cheers, led by his Mexican flag; Pacquiao, second, led, initially, by AC/DC'S "Thunderstruck." Both fighters were cheered loudly as they entered.

Margarito's introduction is greeted by a mixture of cheers and boos, but mostly, cheers. Pacquiao's introduction receives a similar reception, so the crowd appears to be a mix of fans for both fighters.

Round 1: Pacquiao has a bit of a bulge to his belly and his trunks are pulled high. They touch gloves, Pacquiao right jabs and Margarito meets him in the middle of the ring and is coming forward. Pacquiao jabs and goes to the belly with a left. Margarito is so much bigger at 165 to Pacquiao's 148. Pacquiao lands a few jabs and right hands that follow and the crowd gets into it. A counter right hand lands for Pacquiao and another that jars Margarito's head. Pacquiao lands a right to the body and two more jabs to the head. Margarito is backing up. A three-punch combination by Pacquiao, who is so much faster. Another three-punch Pacquiao combination. Margarito misses with a wild right hand. Another three-punch combination for Pacquiao as the bell rings. Pacquiao's round, 10-9.

Round 2: Pacquiao has established the tempo behind his right jab and follow up lefts. Margarito's guard is high but he is not punching. Pacquiao counters with a hard right but then takes a left from Margarito. Pacquiao stays on the outside and circles. Margarito takes a four-punch combination, right-left, right-left, and another right uppercut. Margarito lands three blows to the head and chest along the ropes. Margarito fires twice to the body. If Pacquiao can do this all night he will have no problems. Pacquiao lands a double-right hook and two left hands, but takes a nice uppercut from Margarito. Margarito lands two solid left jabs. Pacquiao fires and lands two left hands before the bell. Pacquiao's round, 10-9; Pacquiao, 20-18.

Round 3: Margarito did better in the second round by closing the distance and landing some punches in close. But Pacquiao resumed his strategy of landing from the outside, a one-two up the middle early. Pacquiao whips home a nice left hand and then another. Margarito clubs with a jab and a right hand. The pressure is decent from Margarito, his hands held high. Margarito lands a nice right but takes a hard left hand from Pacquiao that draws crowd reaction. Pacquiao takes a wide right but Pacquiao's defense is tight. Pacquiao reaches and lands a round-ending four-punch combination. Pacquiao's round, 10-9; Pacquiao, 30-27.

Round 4: Pacquiao continues to circle to his left, and then lands a double-right hook over the top. Pacquiao escapes a jam along the ropes with a hard right and a left and then fires another three-punch combination. Pacquiao shakes Margarito with a hard right and then lands seven unanswered punches. Margarito is undeterred and comes forward. A hard body shot backs up Margarito and then a right wobbles him. Pacquiao is on him, pounding away. Pacquiao is peppering with his right jab and pounding him so that there is swelling and a large, bloody cut. Pacquiao's round, 10-8; Pacquiao, 40-35.

Round 5: Margarito appeared to be ready to go at the end of the last round, but catches Pacquiao early along the ropes with a series of body shots. However, the smaller man resumes control with yet another series of unanswered punches, starting with a right-left combination. A hard left hook targets Margarito's eye again. Margarito gets Pacquiao on the ropes for a three-punch combination to the body, but Pacquiao escapes and fires that left hand that swivels Margarito's head. Pacquiao drives Margarito's head back, yet again, with another right-left, right combination before the bell. Pacquiao's round, 10-9; Pacquiao, 50-44.

Round 6: Pacquiao continues to circle and jab with his right, and Margarito, to plod, unable to close in. Margarito continues to run into the right hand and then a left hook follows from Pacquiao. A right to the chin by Pacquiao. A right-left from Pacquiao jars Margarito. A four-punch series -- all uppercuts -- find the mark for Pacquiao, whose angles and movement prevent Margarito from getting a bead on him. Pacquiao appears to nearly go down from a left hand to the body along the ropes, but escapes, moves away, and then fires about six unanswered punches to win the momentum back. Margarito's round, 10-9; Pacquiao, 59-54.

Round 7: Pacquiao goes back to jabbing and moving to start the seventh, apparently wary of Margarito's body shots. Pacquiao does the Ali-Shuffle to the delight of the crowd, and then fires two, successive combinations. Pacquiao lands a nice left but can't follow up. Pacquiao answers with a three-punch volley and then dances away. Pacqauiao takes a right to the body and two uppercuts. Margarito takes three of the same. Pacquiao fires a seven-punch combination starting with his left hand. Margarito seems close to trapping Pacquiao in a neutral corner, lands two body shots, and then absorbs a right, left right combination as the bell sounds. Pacquiao's round, 10-9; Pacquiao, 69-63.

Round 8: Pacquiao is on his toes but then gets trapped on the ropes and absorbs some punishment to the body. A vicious counter attack allows Pacquiao to escape. Pacquiao lands and shakes Margarito with a big left, but the bigger man comes forward. Margarito lands a good, solid left to the chin along the ropes. Pacquiao escapes and fires a four-punch volley. Margarito fires a straight right hand up the middle, and, later, traps Pacquiao along the ropes and enjoys some success to the body. But Pacquiao closes strongly. Pacquiao's round, 10-9; Pacquiao, 79-72.

Round 9: Margarito steps up the pressure early and lands a hard right to the body along the ropes. Pacquiao dances and jabs to create distance. Pacquiao is boxing almost exclusively until he lands two, wicked left hands that knock Margarito's head back. Pacquiao's energy level is incredible. Hard right hand from Pacquiao, who takes one, and then lands another right that shakes Margarito. Pacquiao's round, 10-9; Pacquiao, 89-81.

Round 10: Margarito's eyes, bruised over and under, are nearly closed. Referee Laurence Cole tests them prior to the start of the round, asking what Margarito can see when he holds up his fingers. He allow the fight to continue, and Pacquiao lands a wicked right hand. A five-punch combination from Pacquiao begins a 10-punch assault. The crowd chants "Manny!" A right uppercut lands from Pacquiao, and then, an overhand right. Pacquiao fires and lands an eight-punch combination and Margarito is rocked by a right hand and nearly goes down. Pacquiao pours it on, but, amazingly, Margarito stays on his feet. Pacquiao's round, 10-9; Pacquiao, 99-90.

Round 11: Pacquiao goes back to pounding Margarito, who appears ready to go. Rights and lefts to the head, uppercuts, and Pacquiao looks at Cole as if asking him to stop the fight. And then Pacquiao resumes the punishment, uppercuts, right hands. Cole stops the action and asks Margarito if he can see, and then allows the beating to continue. Margarito's right eye is pouring blood. His mouth is agape. Pacquiao closes with a four-punch combination, Pacquiao's round, 10-8; Pacquiao, 109-98.

Round 12: Pacquiao, told simply to ease up and win the round by trainer, Freddie Roach, has his up-jab working early. Margarito is still throwing punches, gamely. Margarito still is coming forward, and Pacquiao seems content to box. A four-punch combination lands to the head for Pacquiao. Pacquiao doubles up on the left hand. Pacquiao closes the round with a six-punch volley, even as Margarito throws and misses. Pacquiao's round, 10-9; Pacquiao 119-107. By Lem Satterfield

Charter Schools on the Rise: What You Need to Know

Charter schools have been around for nearly 20 years and their numbers have been swelling in recent years, with 1.5 million students and more than 4,900 schools throughout the country, according to a 2009 survey.

But this past summer, President Obama gave parents who may not be familiar with charter schools billions of reasons to consider this alternative to traditional public schools.

More than $4.3 billion in grant money, part of the federal stimulus program, is available through the U.S. Department of Education. States interested in battling for the money have already turned in applications in the first part of the Race to the Top program that encourages innovative programs that emphasize several key areas, including turning around low-performing schools and raising standards through test scores and other accountability measures.

The president, in interviews since the summer, has made it clear that charter schools are an important part of the Race to the Top initiative, and states with laws that limit the number of charter schools could find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes time to dole out the $4.35 billion.

"The stimulus has had an interesting effect ... It's creating a debate about charter schools—and making that debate even more widespread—particularly in the 10 states that don't have them," said Paul O'Neill, a senior fellow with EdisonLearning and an adjunct professor at Columbia University, where he teaches education and special education law and has a special course on charter school design. EdisonLearning is an educational management firm that promises to improve school performance in public and charter K-12 schools and is affiliated with 125 schools and 350,000 students in the United States and Britain.

Charter schools offer an opportunity to create a school to meet specific needs, while still relying on public dollars, O'Neill said. Charter school organizers can establish their own discipline rules and set up the kind of educational program they want—like dual Spanish-English curriculum originally established at the Family Life Academy Charter School in the south Bronx in New York—as long as it is approved by the governing authorities.

For example, there have historically been restrictions on single sex public schools, leaving that arena largely for private and parochial schools. However, changes to the federal Title IX rules several years ago eased that ban, O'Neill said. A group of parents in Baltimore have taken advantage of the change and created a charter school model for an all boys school called Maryland Possibility Prep.

Charter school proponents must come up with a contract with state officials, often from the Board of Education, laying out the rules and setup of the proposed school. Depending on the size of the proposed school, and if the charter model is approved, a budget is approved by state officials. Most charter schools have a "charter term" or contract period of five years, though some are longer. When that period is up, the state decides whether to renew the contract and can examine accountability statistics to determine the future of the school.

Because charter schools have only existed since 1991, and they are only located in 40 states plus Washington, D.C., O'Neill said he routinely runs into parents who know very little about charter schools. By: Bob Ross

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8 Tips to help you (and your kids) adjust...

Every year, school boards across the country grapple with the issue of redistricting: Drawing new lines to decide which kids go to which schools, thanks to the opening of a new building, the closure of an old school or lopsided class sizes among schools in the same district. Once these new lines are drawn, many kids end up stuck in the middle.

If redistricting means your child is at a new school this year, it's a sure thing she’s going through a period of adjustment – which could be rough if he was happy at his old school. “It is a big deal for your child, no matter what age they are,” says Dr. Mary Beth Klotz, a certified school psychologist at the National Association of School Psychologists.

Still, in this situation your child isn’t the only one who has to get used to a new school. Everyone is in the same boat and some of your child’s old friends are probably at the new school too, which makes the transition less disorienting than moving to a whole new neighborhood.

The process of redistricting is often contentious, but Klotz says that once the new lines have been drawn, parents should keep a positive attitude and encourage their kids to embrace the new opportunities that a different school can bring.

When you’re talking to your kids, emphasize the good things like a new playground and the chance to be the first kids ever in a new school, says Dr. Karen Hoving, a psychotherapist in Aurora, Colorado.

Here are 8 tips to help you (and your kids) adjust:

* Make new friends and keep the old. The nice thing about new attendance boundaries is that some of your child’s old friends will probably be going to the new school with her. Set up a play date with some of her old friends and some new ones – or if she’s older, help her plan a sleepover or movie night. Make sure your help your child keep in touch with her friends that aren’t attending the new school.

* Keep up-to-date. Find out how parents at the new school keep in touch. Is there a parent e-mail listserv? Sign up for it. Does your child’s new teacher have a website? Check in regularly to keep tabs on homework assignments and classroom activities. Staying abreast on homework and happenings at school will make the transition easier for everyone.

* Get involved. Look for a way for each family member to find a place in the new school community. Is there a club or sports team your child might like to join? Could the PTA or PTO use your help on a project? Is there a school picnic coming up? Getting involved at school will not only help you and your child get to know others, but it's also a great way to show support for your child's education.

* Volunteer. Schools can always use volunteers. Give some of your time if you can. This will also allow you to get to know teachers and staff at the new school on an informal basis.

* Stay in touch. Attend back-to-school night to get acquainted with your child’s teacher. Find out if he prefers e-mails or phone calls from parents. Ask what your child can expect to learn this year and how much homework to expect every night. Asking questions and communicating frequently will help you and your child will help you stay ahead of them game when adjusting to a new school.

* Talk to your child. Ask your child what she thinks of the new school. What is her teacher like? Who does she eat lunch with? What are the names of her new friends? If you had to go to a new school when you were a kid, tell her what it was like. If you didn’t, describe how you might have felt about it. It's important to make your child feel like her feelings matter and that she has a say in this new situation.

* Remember: The teacher is your ally. Every day your child’s teacher sees how your child is progressing academically and socially. If your child is having trouble making friends or is struggling with her homework, contact the teacher right away. “The teachers will give you feedback on what they see,” Hoving says. “Anything can be helped if you catch it early.”

* Ask for help. If your child has been in the new school for a few weeks and is having problems with the change, talk to a school counselor or school psychologist. Talking to someone other than a teacher or parent can make a hugely positive impact in how your child adjusts and deals with any problems she may be having at school.

Remember that going to a new school is a new start for your child. She has a chance to make new friends and get to know new teachers. With caring adults like you by her side and lots of support at home and at school, she'll make it through the transition and come out a stronger person. By Rebecca VanderMeulen