1. Education in America Overview of the U.S. Educational System

3. School Choice in America Public vs. Private Education Do you know how these education options differ? Public schools Public schools Private schools Private schools Charter schools Charter schools Magnet schools Magnet schools Compulsory education Compulsory education High school diploma vs. G.E.D High school diploma vs. G.E.D Home school Home school

4. The politics and economics of education in the U.S. Political debate No Child Left Behind No Child Left Behind School choice School choice Private school vouchers Private school vouchers Sources of funding Federal Federal State State Local school district Local school district Private funds Private funds Schools receive a combination of funds Schools receive a combination of funds Funding is de-centralized Funding is de-centralized

5. Post-secondary Education Options Public/private universities and colleges Public/private universities and colleges Community colleges and vocational schools Community colleges and vocational schools Rising Cost of Tuition for higher education/school loans Rising Cost of Tuition for higher education/school loans

6. Cost of Higher Education CNN/Money reported tuition hikes in 2004/05

7. Budgeting for College The cost of higher education is more that just tuition Students draw from a number of resources to finance education: family, student loans, grants and scholarships, full-time jobs

8. Parent-Teacher Conference Vocabulary for the parent-teacher conference: Vocabulary for the parent-teacher conference: Language Arts teaching methods: Phonics Whole language Literature-based instruction Invented spelling General vocabulary: PTALDESLADD/ADHD Sylvan learning center [http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/]

9. Parent-Teacher Conference Possible issues that might occur with your childs schooling: Possible issues that might occur with your childs schooling: 1)Your child is struggling academically. 2)Your child is not being challenged. 3)Your child is having a tough time socially. 4)Your child does not like the teacher. 5) Your child thinks the teacher does not like him/her. 6)Your child is doing great, so, what to talk about?

10. Parent-Teacher Conference Before you go: Before you go: Make notes about your childs home life Make notes about your childs home life List questions about the schools programs or policies List questions about the schools programs or policies Things to remember: Be on time! Be on time! If you are busy, reschedule for a suitable time for both you and the teacher. If you are busy, reschedule for a suitable time for both you and the teacher.

11. Parent-Teacher Conference During the conference: During the conference: Listen to what the teacher has to say. Listen to what the teacher has to say. Ask the teacher to write down some notes for you, so you can remember what the teacher said clearly. Ask the teacher to write down some notes for you, so you can remember what the teacher said clearly. Ask questions about your childs progress. Ask questions about your childs progress. Stay calm and do not become angry…if you think the teacher has said something uncomplimentary about your child, ask him/her to repeat it before getting upset. Stay calm and do not become angry…if you think the teacher has said something uncomplimentary about your child, ask him/her to repeat it before getting upset.

12. Sample questions to ask… Is my child in different groups for different subjects? Why? Is my child in different groups for different subjects? Why? How well does my child get along with others? How well does my child get along with others? What are my child's best and worst subjects? What are my child's best and worst subjects? Is my child working up to his or her ability? Is my child working up to his or her ability? Does my child participate in class discussions and activities? Does my child participate in class discussions and activities? Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my child acts? For example, have you noticed any squinting, tiredness or moodiness that might be a sign of physical or other problems? Have you noticed any sudden changes in the way my child acts? For example, have you noticed any squinting, tiredness or moodiness that might be a sign of physical or other problems? What kinds of tests are being done? What do the tests tell about my child's progress? What kinds of tests are being done? What do the tests tell about my child's progress? How does my child handle taking tests? How does my child handle taking tests? How can I contact you if I have questions or concerns? How can I contact you if I have questions or concerns? Can I give you my email address? Can I have your email address? Can I give you my email address? Can I have your email address?

13. After the conference… Talk to your child about the ideas your childs teacher shared with you. Talk to your child about the ideas your childs teacher shared with you. Make a plan with your child for how to improve. Make a plan with your child for how to improve. Make sure your child knows both you and the teacher want the best for him/her. Make sure your child knows both you and the teacher want the best for him/her. Keep in touch with your childs teacher to form a strong partnership. Keep in touch with your childs teacher to form a strong partnership. Source: National Education Association Source: National Education Association http://www.nea.org/parents/ptconf.html http://www.nea.org/parents/ptconf.html

14. 10 Conference tips: Ask your child if there is anything that he would like you to discuss with the teacher. Ask your child if there is anything that he would like you to discuss with the teacher. Jot down everything that you want to talk about at the conference. Jot down everything that you want to talk about at the conference. Arrive promptly or a few minutes early. Arrive promptly or a few minutes early. Begin with positive comments about the teacher or classroom. Begin with positive comments about the teacher or classroom. Avoid lengthy discussions of topics that are not related to the purpose of the conference. Avoid lengthy discussions of topics that are not related to the purpose of the conference. Be open-minded to suggestions from the teacher. Be open-minded to suggestions from the teacher. Keep your emotions under control. Keep your emotions under control. Take notes about what has been discussed to share with your child. Take notes about what has been discussed to share with your child. Express appreciation for the conference. Express appreciation for the conference. Do not stay beyond your allotted time. Do not stay beyond your allotted time. Source: National PTA http://school.familyeducation.com/parents-and-school/parent-teacher- conferences/38585.html

15. Parent-teacher conference form Name of Child ____________________Grade ________ Parents __________________________ 1)Student Strengths Observed at Home by Parent: 2)Student Needs Observed at Home by Parent: 3)Suggestions for Action: (To be completed during the conference). Home Setting: School Setting: School Setting: Source: Scholastic Publishing http://teacher.scholastic.com/professional/classmgmt/parconfform.htm