1. | Title Page | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2. | Letter from Secretary Spellings | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. | Letter from Adam Chavarria | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
4. | Using the Tool KitA Guide Stage One: Preschool |
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5. | Help! Questions & Answers Preschool | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6. | Stage Two: Elementary School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
7. | Help! Questions & Answers Elementary School | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
8. | Stage Three: Middle School to High School and Beyond | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
9. | Help! Questions & Answers Middle School to High School and Beyond | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
10. | Other Key Resources | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
en Español Title Page U.S. Department of Education 2005 This booklet is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Communications and Outreach, A Guide to the Tool Kit for Hispanic Families, Washington, D.C., 2005. To order copies of this booklet in English or Spanish, write: ED Pubs or fax your request to: (301) 470-1244; or send e-mail requests to: edpubs@inet.ed.gov; or call toll-free: 1-877-433-7827 (1-877-4ED-PUBS). If 877 is not yet available in your area, call 1-800-872-5327 (1-800-USA-LEARN). To use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a teletypewriter (TTY), call 1-877-576-7734; or order online at www.edpubs.org/. On request, this publication is available in alternate formats (Braille, large print or computer diskette). For more information, call the Alternate Format Center at (202) 260-9895 or (202) 260-0818. Publication of this booklet was funded through the Parental Information and Resource Centers Program under the secretary's authority to provide technical assistance for the establishment, development and coordination of parent training, information and support programs. Letter from Secretary Spellings Welcome, families! Your child is engaged in one of life's most important pursuitsgetting an edcation. As parents, you will be asked to make decisions to help steer him or her in the right direction. To make the right choices, you must have the best information. That's what the Toolkit for Hispanic Families is all about. This toolkit will show you what to expect from your schools, your teachers and your child, at all ages and grade levels. It will tell you how to help your child through school, what resources are available, and what you, your family and your community can do to help your child learn. Today, schoolchildren enjoy new benefits and expectations under the No Child Left Behind Act, the U.S. law for K-12 education. These include a quality education, regardless of one's country of origin or language spoken at home. Under this law, standards are higher, and all schools are held accountable for meeting them. Just as important, parents are empowered with information about their child's progress and their school's performance. We want to help parents become involved in educationit's good for the children, good for their schools and good for America. Use this toolkit often to make sure your child gets the best education possiblethe key to getting the very best out of life. Margaret Spellings Letter from Adam Chavarria Dear parents and families, You now have in your hands information that will help you attain the academic success you wish for your child. This information is provided to you in the form of a tool kit that will help you become familiar with the educational options and opportunities available to you and your family. Regardless of your own education level, you as parents play an important role in shaping your child's education. Other members of the familybrothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and grandparentscan also play a supportive role by creating an environment in which academic learning is expected and enabled. The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans is working closely with the U.S. Department of Education to get information about the No Child Left Behind Act to Hispanic parents, families and communities across the country so that they are fully aware of the benefits and expectations under the law. No one cares more about your child's education than you, the family. This is why this tool kit was created. Once you have finished reading this information, please share it with other members of your family and your friends and neighbors. Help us spread the word about how we can improve education for all our children. Sincerely, Adam Chavarria Using the Tool KitA Guide Stage One: Preschool
What You Should KnowKids are born with a great potential to learn. Scientists who study how the brain works have found that children learn much earlier, and far more, than once thought possible. And a child's first teacher is his or her family. Reading is the most important skill a child can learn. At an early age, families should introduce their preschool children to activities that will provide a strong foundation for reading in and out of school. These include:
In addition to reading skills, you can help your child develop early math skills by counting and sorting with them and pointing out different shapes and patterns. There are many benefits to placing your child in a good preschool program, especially one that teaches these early learning skills. You can enroll your child in some preschool programs as early as age three. Research shows that such children, on average, perform better in reading and math, have better attendance in school and are less likely to be asked to repeat a grade. Information to help children learn is available from local schools, libraries, community organizations and government agencies. (See the "Using the Tool Kit" section.) What You Can DoFamilies can create a safe, friendly and fun learning environment at home. For example, you can:
If you opt for preschool, try to visit more than one in your area beforehand. Discuss the choice with family, friends, other parents and school officials to make sure you select a quality program that is right for your child. How No Child Left Behind Can Help YouThe No Child Left Behind Act is the nation's landmark education reform law. It seeks to ensure a quality education for every child in America, regardless of race or cultural heritage or family income. The goal is for all schoolchildren to learn to read and do math at grade level or better, based on high academic standards set by states. Some programs under No Child Left Behind that may be of interest to you and of benefit to your preschool child are: Early Reading First Good Start, Grow Smart Title I Preschool Services Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) Maya and Miguel Using the Tool KitFor more activities to help prepare your child to read, check out A Guide for Reading in your tool kit. Two other booklets, Helping Your Preschool Child and Helping Your Child Become a Reader, are available free of charge in English or Spanish from the U.S. Department of Education. To order these, call 1-877-4ED-PUBS (1-877-433-7827) or visit http://www.edpubs.org. To learn more about No Child Left Behind and for other questions, call the U.S. Department of Education's toll-free number, 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327). Help! Questions & Answers Preschool What do I need to know to enroll my child in school? I do not feel comfortable speaking in English. What should I do? Are there programs available for my child with disabilities? Stage Two: Elementary School
What You Should KnowThe first day of school is a joyous and exciting time for families. Teachers and principals are now your partners, helping your child learn and grow. But for children to be successful in school, parents must be actively involved in their education from day one. Schools have many resources available to help your child learn. It is important to tell teachers and principals about your child's needs. It's equally important to listen to their expectations for your child's academic growth. Here are three things to look for as your child begins elementary school:
A good start is critical. Young students who fall behind academically are sometimes placed on a different academic track with lowered expectations, affecting future learning opportunities. Research tells us that, if a child is not reading well early in elementary school, it will be much harder to catch up later. Do not accept excuses from your school if your child isn't learning to read. What You Can DoBefore the school year begins, find out as much as you can about your child's school. Ask the principal for a copy of the most recent school "report card." It will tell you if students, including students of Hispanic origin, are making solid academic progress. Ask for any handbooks or guidebooks the school puts out. Talk to your child's teachers; they want to hear from you. Talk to other parents as well. Find out the date of the next parent-teacher conference and make plans to attend it. Spanish-speaking parents can ask schools to provide free translations of written material and interpretation for meetings. Make sure homework is done on time by setting a regular time and place at home, free of distractions, for your child to get it done. Ask your child if he or she is having difficulty with assignments or tests. If so, make it a priority to meet with your child's teacher to discuss ways to help your child succeed.
How No Child Left Behind Can Help YouThe No Child Left Behind Act is bringing high standards and accountability to our public schools. It's based on the belief that all children can achieve to high standards and that we should measure student progress each year to make sure they do. No Child Left Behind is working. Studies show that students at risk of falling behind are now receiving more classroom attention to stay on track. In states across the country, test scores are rising and the achievement gap between white and Hispanic students is beginning to close. According to the latest results from the Nation's Report Card, reading and math scores for Hispanic nine-year-olds have reached an all-time high, and their math achievement gap with white students is at an all-time low. Math scores for Hispanic 13-year-olds are at record highs as well. The law provides several key benefits to students and their families. Among them:
Beginning in the 2005-06 school year, all students in grades 3-8 will be assessed each year in reading and math. Parents are given information about their child's progress, and their school's performance is tracked through easy-to-understand school report cards. School districts must make a reasonable effort to provide them in a family's native language. The law also gives children in Title I schools marked "in need of improvement" two or more timesmeaning they missed their annual achievement goalsa second chance to succeed. For example,
This provides a real incentive for all schools to reform. The results can be seen in places such as Gainesville Elementary in Georgia. Nearly 90 percent of its student body, which is majority Hispanic, passed the state's English-only exams in reading and math. "Because of No Child Left Behind, schools are having to respond to the unique needs of Hispanic families," said principal Shawn Arevalo McCollough. Additional federal support is available to families, including the school-based English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program and the 21st Century Learning Communities after-school program. Using the Tool KitFor more ways to help your child in elementary school, read Questions Parents Ask About Schools and Helping Your Child Succeed in School, enclosed in this tool kit. For information about choosing another school, refer to Choosing a School for Your Child. If your child qualifies for supplemental educational services, the brochure Extra Help for Student Success will tell you about the options available to you. Under No Child Left Behind, a wide array of providers, including school districts, non-profit and forprofit companies, and faith-based and community organizations, may offer these services. Speaking with them may prove helpful. You can learn more about supplemental educational services by talking to the teachers and principal at your child's school or to officials at your state education department. For other questions, call the U.S. Department of Education's toll-free number at 1-800-USA-LEARN (1-800-872-5327). Help! Questions & Answers Elementary School What does it mean for my child's teacher to be "highly qualified"? Does my child qualify for school choice? Depending on your income level, your child may qualify for free tutoring and after-school homework help (supplemental educational services) if his or her school has missed its annual academic progress goals for three years. Your school district is required to tell eligible families about tutoring programs in its area. Contact your school district or state department of education to find out if your school is a Title I school and if you're eligible for SES. Contact information is at http://www.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html?src=ln. Names of approved providers in English or Spanish can also be found at the independent www.tutorsforkids.org, established with help from the U.S. Department of Education. Stage Three: Middle School to High School and Beyond
What You Should KnowThe middle and high school years are important crossroads. Some students find themselves on track for a meaningful diploma and a bright future. But far too many simply mark time or drop out. The dropout rate for Hispanic students is nearly four times higher than the rate for white students. Students who drop out face a lifetime of lowered earnings and diminished employment as adults. Even for students on track to graduate, unfortunately, not all high school diplomas are created equal. One recent independent study found that two-thirds of students leave high school unprepared to apply to a four-year university. President Bush wants every high school diploma to become a ticket to success in the workforce or higher education. The key is challenging coursework, strong accountability, and safe, disciplined classrooms. The U.S. Department of Education is working to make this happen. But we cannot do it alone; parents and educators must play a vital role. What You Can DoAbout 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs of the future will require some college or technical education after high school. So parents who want to prepare their children for this future should encourage them to take the right classes in middle and high school. It is important that schools offer challenging pre-college coursework and Advanced Placement (AP) classes to their students. Ask your school's principal if it does. The following is a list of courses that your child may wish to consider taking each year to become prepared for college:
As soon as your child enrolls in high school, talk with a school guidance counselor about what he or she needs to do to get ready for and be admitted to college. When your child is a junior, talk with a guidance counselor again about the steps you and your child need to take to apply for admission to a college or university. Get information about how much it costs to attend college and what financial aid is available. With grants and loans, college can become much more affordable. To learn more about how to be prepared both academically and financially for college, please go to http://studentaid.ed.gov/. At the top right-hand side you can select information in English or Spanish. Or call 1-800-4-FED-AID (1-800-433-3243). How No Child Left Behind Can Help YouNo Child Left Behind asks that states measure high school students at least once before graduation. Testing is important because it allows teachers to identify which students are falling behind academically so they can be helped before it's too late. The U.S. Department of Education's proposed 2006 budget would institute testing in two additional high school grades. It's part of a proposed $1.5 billion High School Initiative that would also provide academic intervention for incoming ninth-graders struggling with reading or math. We know a great deal about what instruction works best for high school students. President Bush's Striving Readers program and proposed new Secondary Education Mathematics Initiative are strongly focused on their development. Under the No Child Left Behind Act, some federal aid is provided for middle school Advanced Placement preparation classes and to cover the cost of AP tests at the high school level. The Department has proposed increased federal funding for AP courses so that more disadvantaged students will have access to the rigorous coursework that colleges and universities value. Finally, to help more families afford college, the Department has proposed raising the maximum Pell Grant from $4,050 to $4,550 per year. Millions of students could benefit. Help! Questions & Answers Middle School to High School and Beyond My child is losing interest in schoolwork. How do I get him or her focused again? How do I find out about scholarships and financial aid for college? Other Key Resources
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans Parental Information and Resource Centers (PIRCs) Resources in Spanish To Request Copies of Publications Tool Kit Resources
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