1. How can I support my child's success in school?
2. What are testing requirements under NCLB?
3. What are all those education acronyms?
4. How can I foster the Parent-School Relationship?

How can I support my child's success in school?

Provide a study environment conducive to learning at home. 
Learn about your school's curriculum and support services. 
Reinforce learning at home, in the community and on vacations. 
Notice when your child completes homework and provide encouragement.
Recognize progress. Praise steps taken and efforts made. 
Help your child stay calm and confident on test days, and send him/her to 
school well rested and having had breakfast (or your child can have 
breakfast at school). 
Encourage your child to talk to teachers if he/she does not understand an 
assignment. 
Read and talk about information sent home from school. 
Talk about school every day. When your child knows that you think school is 
important, he or she will take it more seriously. 
Discuss with your child how learning in school helps in everyday life. 
Teach your child to set goals. 
Be a good example yourself that learning is a lifelong process. 
Have a dictionary available for your child to look up new or unfamiliar 
words.

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What are testing requirements under NCLB?

Reading and mathematics end-of-grade tests for Grades 3-8 are used to assess 
student progress for AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) purposes. Science 
assessments have been added for Grades 5 and 8. National Assessment of 
Educational Progress (NAEP) sample testing for Grades 4 and 8 will continue.

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What are all those education acronyms?

Go to the newly revised NC Department of Public Instruction to find out:
http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/acronyms/

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How can I foster the Parent-School Relationship?

Recognize the teacher as an important partner in your child's education and 
future.  
Be realistic in your expectations. 
Let your child's teacher know that you like to spend time in your child's 
classroom to share your special skills and interests. 
Be active in your child's school. Let your child's principal and teacher 
know that you want to be actively involved. 
As a parent, you have some responsibilities to help your child be successful 
in school. Here is a suggested checklist:

____ 1. I have met and talked with my child's teacher, guidance counselor 
and principal.

____ 2. I have a general understanding of what my child is expected to learn 
for the school year.

____ 3. I have established a regular bedtime and homework time for my child.

____ 4. I expect my child to take challenging courses, including 
mathematics, reading and writing.

____ 5. I make sure my child has a good breakfast each morning, either at 
school or at home.

____ 6. I talk to my child about the importance of doing his/her best.

____ 7. I expect my child to study at least one hour each day.

____ 8. I provide a quiet place for my child to study and do homework.

____ 9. My child and I read together at least once a week.

____ 10. I try to nurture my child's abilities.

____ 11. I encourage my child not to fall behind in class work.

____ 12. I try to find ways to praise my child's behavior daily.

____ 13. When my child has a problem in school, we try to tackle it together.

____ 14. I talk with my child about the progress he/she is making in each 
class.

____ 15. When my child has not been successful, I make a special effort to 
boost his/her self-esteem.

____ 16. I make every effort to be actively involved in my child's education 
and school.

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