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APPROPRIATE EDUCATION |
Fall 2008
Now that your daughter(s) are in school, it’s time to ensure that they are receiving the education most appropriate to their individual needs. How can you do that? Well one way is to take an active role in your local PTA/PTO and participate on any subcommittees concerned with aspects of the local educational system that might need improvement or monitoring. For instance, if your daughter is a dancer, what phys ed or after school programs will challenge and educate her? If your daughter is in need of reading or math support, does the school provide the services she needs? Whatever your child’s interests or specific needs, is the school supportive? If so, that’s great and how fortunate for your child. If not, working with the information on best educational practices and partnering with your child’s teachers, administrators, and your fellow parents, can help get the programs needed by your daughter and her classmates.
The web provides quick and easy links to most of the information that you need. If you are near a university with an education department, you might find some helpful support there and your local library can also provide sources of information.
For information on education, go to the U. S. Department of Education site. There is information for students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Pick your area of interest and look for relevant links. I have focused on early childhood but information is available for all grade levels.
Check out your state department of education website and the website of your local school district. You will find the policies that are followed in your own community. Discussions with your child’s teacher and your local administrators will pinpoint the exact programs followed in your district, the district’s educational philosophy, and the textbooks used in the classrooms. All of this should allow you to know what is happening in your daughter’s classroom.
Organizations that specialize in various aspects of education can easily be accessed on the web such as:
Enjoy a great school year with your newest student as well as with your most experienced student. Remember, you are your child’s advocate and she is fortunate to have you to guide her through her early school years.
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