U.S. Department of Education
Margaret Spellings
Secretary

First published January 2003. Revised 2005.

This report 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, Questions Parents Ask About Schools, Washington, D.C., 2005.

To order copies of this booklet in English or Spanish, write:

ED Pubs
Education Publications Center
U.S. Department of Education
P.O. Box 1398
Jessup, MD 20794-1398

fax: 301-470-1244; send email 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 1-800-437-0833; to order on-line, go to: www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html.

This publication is also available at: www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/questions/index.html

This publication is available in alternate formats (Braille, large print, audiotape or computer diskette). For more information, call the Alternate Format Center at 202-205-8113.