Guide for Parents: Supporting Children's Education from Pre-school to High School, Study notes of English

Download Guide for Parents: Supporting Children's Education from Pre-school to High School and more Study notes English in PDF only on Docsity! A GUIDE TO YOUR CHILDREN’S SCHOOLS A Parent’s Handbook to New Jersey Schools New Jersey Department of Education I Division of Student and Field Services I Office of Title I A GUIDE TO YOUR CHILDREN’S SCHOOLS A Parent’s Handbook to New Jersey Schools Christopher Cerf, Commissioner New Jersey Department of Education Barbara Gantwerk, Assistant Commissioner Division of Student and Field Services Karen Campbell, Director Office of Title I Revised and adapted by the New Jersey Department of Education Developed by the Adult Learning Resource Center Des Plaines, IL Funded through the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois State Board of Education iv TABLE OF CONTENTS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS I. United States School System ____________________________ 1 1. How are schools organized in my city? ................................................. 1 2. What kinds of schools are there in the United States? ................. 2 3. Are there schools for students who don’t finish high school? ....... 3 II. Enrolling in School _____________________________________ 5 1. How can I enroll my children in school? What papers do I need? 5 2. Which forms and examinations do my children need before they can begin school? ................................................................ 5 3. What if my children had these immunizations in our home country or another state? ...................................................................................... 6 4. Do my children need to see a dentist before enrollment? .............. 7 5. What other examinations do my children need? ................................ 7 6. Where can we go for a physical examination? .................................... 7 III. The School Calendar and the School Day ____________________ 9 1. How long are my children in school each day? .................................... 9 2. Are there holidays or special days when children are not in school? .............................................................................................. 9 IV. Getting to School ______________________________________ 11 v 1. How can my children go to and from school each day? .................... 11 V. School Procedures _____________________________________ 12 1. What should I do if my child is sick? ................................................... 12 2. What if my child must take medicine in school? ................................ 13 3. Who should I call if I have questions about my child’s health? ..... 13 4. How can the school reach me if my child becomes sick at school or has an accident? ....................................................................... 13 5. If my child must be late or absent from school, what should I do?................................................................................................. 14 6. Can I visit my child’s school? .................................................................. 15 7. Do I have to pay for anything in the school? ...................................... 15 8. Who can I ask about school procedures if I have a question? ....... 16 9. When should I meet my child’s teacher?.............................................. 16 VI. People Who Work in the Schools __________________________ 18 1. Who are the people who work in the school district offices and in the schools? .................................................................................... 18 2. Who can I talk with at the school about my child? ........................... 20 VII. Instructional Programs __________________________________ 21 1. If my children do not speak English well, what can schools do to help? .................................................................................... 21 2. What subjects do my children study in elementary school? ........... 21 3. What subjects do my children study in middle school or junior vi high school? ................................................................................................. 22 4. What subjects do my children study in high school?........................ 22 5. If my child has learning problems or special needs, what can schools do to help? .................................................................................... 23 6. Are there special programs if my child has special talents or abilities?....................................................................................................... 23 VIII. Parents’ Role in Their Children’s Education and Learning ________ 25 1. How can I learn about my child’s school? Is my child a good student? .......................................................................................... 25 2. How do I know how my children are doing in school? ........................ 27 3. How can I help make decisions about the schools? ........................... 27 4. What special activities can I attend at my children’s school? ....... 28 5. What are some ways I can volunteer at my children’s school? ...... 29 6. What can I do at home to help with my children’s learning? .......... 29 7. How can I help my child with their homework?……………………………… 31 8. What can I do to help my children plan for their lives after high school? ................................................................................................. 33 9. What are the standardized tests that my child takes?.................. 33 10. Is there more information about how to help my child?................. 34 IX. Adult Education _______________________________________ 35 1. Where can I go to learn English or take other classes? .................. 35 3 After High School: When students graduate from high school they usually continue their studies at a college or university. Some students may also choose to begin working full-time or enlist in the military. There are thousands of private and public four-year colleges and universities in the United States. Private and public colleges and universities can be expensive. Some students may chose to attend one of New Jersey’s quality state (public) institutions. Public institutions are generally less expensive than private universities. Students can apply for scholarships and loans to help to pay for their education. All students should fill out the Free Application for Student Aid at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ which can help them with financial aid for college.  HELPFUL HINT  Here is a list of ethnic scholarships that high school students may be eligible for: http://www.nj.gov/education/bilingual/resources/EthnicScholarships.pdf Community colleges are two-year public schools that are funded by property taxes and the government. They are less expensive than private or public universities. After attending a community college, students can receive an Associate of Arts degree or transfer into a four year university to continue their education. Your child’s high school guidance counselor can help you with the college application process and can also help your child make decisions regarding other post high school plans. You can learn more about higher education from the New Jersey Department of Education. http://www.nj.gov/highereducation/index.shtml Children must attend grades 1-12 to graduate from high school. It is very important to graduate from high school. Most universities and employers require a high school diploma. Some students leave high school before they graduate. They drop out of school. There are different programs for these students: Evening Classes: Some high schools have evening classes for students who drop out. Alternative High School: Some districts have alternative high schools. These are usually small schools in a different building from the regular high school. HSE Classes: There are day and evening classes to help adults pass high school equivalency (HSE) tests. Adults can use HSE diplomas like a high school diploma. 3. Are there schools for students who don’t finish high school? 4 Most universities and employers accept HSE diplomas. Local branches of public libraries usually have information about HSE classes. You can also get information from the Department of Education and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development. http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/adulted/cp/centers.htm http://www.state.nj.us/education/students/adulted/ 5 Papers that you may need for enrollment:  Proof of birth date if available (preferably a translated birth certificate).  Health Documents: Medical Examination/Immunization Form and Dental Examination Form  Proof of address: (utility bill, apartment lease, valid driver’s license, or notarized affidavit (sworn statement) of residency)  Transcripts from previous school(s) if available. For example, parents may have school records from other U.S. schools or from schools in their native countries. Ask the school for the list of papers to bring for enrollment. The school has medical and dental forms you need to have filled out and brought back to the school. It is very important that you fill out the forms that your child’s school requests. When children enter school for the first time, they must have a physical examination. The doctor will fill out a medical form. The medical form includes immunization records. Children may also have to have additional 2. Which forms and examinations do my children need before they can begin school? II. ENROLLING IN SCHOOL 1. How can I enroll my children in school? What papers do I need? 8 Undocumented Residents.” You can find more information about the program by calling NJ Family Care or visiting their website. If you are an undocumented resident in a medical emergency, you should inform someone from the hospital staff that you wish to apply for the Medical Emergency Payment Program and they will either give you an application to fill out and/or notify the County Welfare Agency. *Do not be afraid to call about the NJ Family Care program if you do not speak English well, their 800 number offers translation services.* NJ Family Care: 1-800-701-0710 In Spanish: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_spanish.pdf In Korean: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_korean.pdf In Arabic: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_arabic.pdf In Portuguese: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_portuguese.pdf In Gujurati: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_gujarati.pdf In Creole: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_creole.pdf In Chinese: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_chinese.pdf In Polish: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_polish.pdf In Urdu: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_urdu.pdf In Tagalog: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_tagalog.pdf In Vietnamese: http://www.njfamilycare.org/docs/facts_vietnamese.pdf 9 Most schools begin in late early September and end in June. The school day is usually about 5 1/2 - 7 hours long. Students usually eat lunch at school. Some children bring lunch to school. At some schools, children can buy their lunch at school, many schools offer free or reduced lunch for students. You can find out more information about eligibility for free or reduced school meals from the United States Department of Agriculture. http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/FRP/frp.process.htm Most schools have a winter vacation from late December to the first week of January. They also have a one-week vacation in the spring. Some national holidays schools might be closed for are: - Labor Day: the 1st Monday in September - Thanksgiving: the 4th Thursday in November - New Year’s Day: January 1st - Martin Luther King Day: the 3rd Monday in January - Presidents’ Day: the 3rd Monday in February - Memorial Day: the 4th Monday in May III. THE SCHOOL CALENDAR AND THE SCHOOL DAY 1. How long are my children in school each day? 2. Are there holidays or special days when children are not in school? 10 Schools are closed for other days too. Schools set some of their own holidays. There are special meetings for teachers on staff development days. Sometimes there is no school on development days, and other times children go home early. When children go home early, it is called “early dismissal.” The school calendar lists when children stay home for staff development days, holidays, vacations, or have early dismissal. If your child needs to stay home for a religious holiday, or for any reason, when school is not closed, call the school to report your child’s absence. School Closings: Sometimes schools close when the weather is very bad. For example, if there is a lot of snow outside or flooding, the school may close. You can listen to the radio or watch the television news in the morning to see if your children’s schools are closed. You can listen to KYW Newsradio 1060 if you live in Southern New Jersey or WOR Radio 710 if you live in Northern New Jersey. You can also find out through News 12 New Jersey’s local news: www.news12.com  HELPFUL HINT  Ask for a school calendar when you enroll your child. 13  Schools usually send a letter to parents if a student in their child’s classroom has a contagious illness such as chicken pox, strep throat, scarlet fever, or lice. This letter will tell you what to look for so you will know if your child catches the illness. Parents should not send medicines to school with children unless it is absolutely necessary. Children are not allowed to take medicine by themselves at school. If it is necessary for a child to take a medicine in school, parents should write a note to the school nurse. The child should bring the medicine to the nurse’s office. Some schools may need a doctor’s note. Parents should send medicine to school in the original pharmacy bottle, not in a bag or an envelope. The bottle must have a label with:  The child’s name  The doctor’s name  The name of the medicine  How much and when to give the medicine The child must come to the nurse’s office to take the medicine. If you have a question about your child’s health at school, call the school nurse or health clerk. If you are reporting an absence, call the school secretary. If your child becomes sick or has an accident at school, the school will call you or the person on the “emergency card.” Emergency Card Information: The school will give you this form when you enroll your children in school. On the emergency card, write the name and phone number of the person to call if your child is sick or has an accident at school. It is very important to fill out the emergency card for each child and send it back to school. 2. What if my child must take medicine in school? 3. Who should I call if I have questions about my child’s health? 4. How can the school reach me if my child becomes sick at school or has an accident? 14 It is important to write:  The telephone number where you are during the day  The name and telephone number of a relative or close friend  The name and telephone number of your child’s doctor or clinic  Any special health needs your child has If this information changes at any time, contact the school and fill out a new emergency card. Moving: If you move to another apartment or house, you should contact the school and give them the new address and phone number. You should also fill out a new emergency card. Late For School: Children should come on time to school. If children come late, the teacher may mark them late or tardy. You should call the school in the morning if your child is going to be late. Or you can send a note with your child to the school. Absent From School: When your child cannot come to school, call the school every day in the early morning before school starts. Some schools have an answering machine. Parents can leave a message on the school’s answering machine. When you call the school, you should say the following information:  Your child’s name  Your child’s grade and teacher  Why your child is going to be absent  Your name and phone number Sometimes parents take their children out of school during the day before school is over. They may have to take their children to the doctor or dentist during the day. If you want to take your children out of school, you must write a note to the teacher. Your child should take the note to the teacher in the morning. The note should say:  Why you are taking your child out of school  What time you will take your child out of school  The name of the person picking up your child if he or she is not a parent or guardian 5. If my child must be late or absent from school, what should I do? 15 When you go to the school to pick up your child, go to the office and ask for your child. The school will ask you to sign a paper so your child can leave. Extended absences: If your child will be out of school for an extended time, you should talk to your child’s teacher before you go. Children who are absent from school must do the school work and homework they miss. If a child is absent from school for more than two days, most schools want parents to call the school to get the make-up work. You or your child’s classmate can go to the child’s class to get the make-up work. Visiting the School: Parents are welcome to visit their children’s school. When you visit the school, you must first go to the office for a visitor’s pass. You can visit your children’s classroom on special days, but you cannot talk to the teacher during the class. If parents want to talk to the teacher, they must make an appointment in advance. To protect the students, sometimes parents must give some form of ID to a security guard before they can walk in the building. If you are picking up your child early, you may have to prove that you are your child’s parent. Your child’s school would like to make sure that all students are safe, and they want to make sure that whoever comes to pick up a child from school was given permission to do so.  HELPFUL HINT  If you are sending someone besides yourself (a friend, neighbor or family member) to pick up your child from school, make sure you let your child’s school know that you have given this person permission to do so. You may also want to teach your child a special word for when someone else gets them, if this person doesn’t know the special word, your child will know that you did not give this person permission to take them from school. There are fees for some school activities or materials: Books: Most classes that your child will take will require a textbook. Usually your child’s school will lend books to students for the school year, at the end of the school year; your child will have to return some or all of the books to the school. If your child does lose or damage the book that they borrowed, they may have to pay for it. You should encourage your child to take good care of school books. 7. Do I have to pay for anything in the school? 6. Can I visit my child’s school? 18 School personnel are the people who work in schools. There are three kinds of school personnel: administrators, teachers, and support staff. Administrators do not teach students. They are in charge of the schools. There are different kinds of administrators: - Superintendent: The superintendent is the administrator of the school district. - Principal: Each school in the district has a principal who is the administrator of the school. - Assistant Principal: Sometimes schools have assistants to help the principals. Teachers teach the students in the school. There are many different kinds of teachers: - Homeroom/Division Teacher: In middle, junior high and high school, students meet with their homeroom/Division teacher for the first 10 or 15 minutes of each school day. During homeroom, students hear announcements and get information about the school day. VI. PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE SCHOOLS 1. Who are the people who work in the school district offices and in the schools? 19 - Classroom Teacher: In elementary school, students usually stay with their classroom teacher during the school day. The classroom teacher usually teaches many subjects such as reading, math, and science. - Bilingual Teacher: The bilingual teacher teaches many subjects in the students’ native language and in English. - English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher: The ESL teacher teaches English to students who don’t speak much English. - Special Education Teacher: The special education teacher teaches disabled students with special needs. - Gifted Teacher: The gifted teacher teaches classes with more difficult work. - Music Teacher: The music teacher teaches rhythm, singing and how to play a musical instrument. - Art Teacher: The art teacher teaches painting, drawing, clay modeling, and other arts. - Gym Teacher/Physical Education (PE) Teacher: The gym teacher or P.E. teacher teaches physical education such as sports and exercises. P.E. teachers can sometimes teach Health classes. - Librarian: The librarian teaches about the library and helps students borrow books from the library. - Speech Teacher: The speech teacher helps students who have problems with pronunciation and speaking. Support Staff help the administrators and teachers do their work. Some of the support staff are: - School Secretary: The secretary answers the telephone, types letters and notes, greets school visitors, and helps the principal. - School Nurse/Health Clerk: The school nurse or health clerk takes care of sick children in the school. 20 - Social Worker/Counselor: The social worker or counselor helps students with problems they are having in school or at home. The social worker may work with the child, the parent or the whole family. For example, a social worker can help a family whose child joins a gang. In high school, the counselor helps students choose classes and gives them information about colleges and jobs. In elementary school, talk to your child’s classroom teacher first. He or she will help you or tell you who else can get you information. If you need more help you can call the child’s principal. In middle, junior high or high school, you can call your child’s homeroom teacher first. If you need more help you can call the child’s principal. At the beginning of the school year, fill out the information in this chart about your children. Use this chart in case you need to contact the school(s). Child’s Name School’s Name School’s Telephone Number Grade Teacher’s Name Principal’s Name 2. Who can I talk with at the school about my child? 23 about the school calendar, bus schedule, school vacations, holidays, and other materials and announcements sent from the school.  Special education is a program for students with certain problems in school. These students may have problems seeing, hearing, talking, walking, learning, or behaving in class. Schools provide special education services for disabled students to help them succeed in school. You can find more information from the Department of Education; www.nj.gov/education/specialed/ If your child has special learning needs:  Ask about the services available in your child’s school.  Tell the school what kind of special help your child needs at school.  Ask for an interpreter at meetings if you do not speak English.  Keep all important documents and letters the school staff gives or sends to you.  HELPFUL HINT  *You can receive a booklet about the rights of disabled students from the New Jersey Department of Education. You can download the handbook, the “Parents Rights in Special Education” from the New Jersey Department of Education; http://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/form/prise/prise.pdf You can also call the Office of Special Education at 609-292- 0147 for information. Students who have special talents or abilities or who are above average when compared to their classmates are sometimes called “Gifted” or “Talented”. These students can often take special classes with more difficult and creative work. If your child is in high school you should encourage them to take advanced placement classes. These classes are more difficult than general classes and they are designed to be college level classes. Sometimes students can take what is called the “AP Exam”. If they achieve above a certain score they may receive college credit for their AP classes. The College Board has more information about AP classes: http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsp 5. If my child has learning problems or special needs, what can the school do to help? 6. Are there special programs if my child is doing very well in school? 24 Find out what AP courses your child's high school offers and find out if they are a good fit for you child. Make sure that you find out if they are "honors" courses (which do not count for college credit) or AP courses (which do count for college credit). If the school does not offer any, encourage the school to get an Advanced Placement program. If you need more help you can call the child’s principal. 25 Schools want parents to be involved in their children’s education. Parents can be involved in their children’s schools in many ways. They can:  Talk to principals and teachers  Attend school activities  Help make decisions about the schools  Volunteer at the schools Schools have different ways to tell parents about school programs and their children’s learning progress. Many schools have: Open Houses are times for parents to meet their children’s teachers, see their classrooms, and hear about what work their children are doing. These are usually held in the beginning of the school year. Parent-Teacher Conferences are meetings between parents and teachers. The teacher meets privately with each child’s parents to discuss the child’s progress or behavior in the classroom. Usually teachers ask for at least one conference during the school year in the fall. However, if a child is having serious learning or behavior problems, a teacher will ask parents to come for a conference at other times during the year. Parents can also ask for a conference any time there is a problem. Parents can call the teacher or write a note to the teacher asking for a conference. Often conferences are held before or after the school day. VIII. PARENTS’ ROLES IN THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION AND LEARNING 1. How can I learn about my child’s school? Is my child a good student? 28 - Parent Advisory Councils are groups of parents who give schools advice and ideas for improving special programs such as Bilingual Education. - School Improvement Committees/Teams develop plans for how the school personnel, parents, and community can improve student learning. - Parent-Teacher Associations or PTA’s plan programs to earn money for a school. For example, a parent-teacher organization might plan a book fair to sell books. They could use the money they earn to buy computers for the classrooms. Schools often invite parents to special school activities. These activities give teachers, parents, and children a time to get to know each other. If you are able to, it is very important that you attend these types of school events and support your children. Sometimes parents come to school to see their children in activities such as: - Sports Events to see their children play sports such as soccer, volleyball, or basketball. - Plays and Musical Presentations to see their children act, sing, or play an instrument. - Assemblies such as graduations or honor nights to see their children receive honors and awards. Schools also invite families to school to learn new information. Some of these activities are: - Curriculum Nights show parents what their children will learn during the school year. The teacher may also explain what students have to learn for promotion to the next grade or to graduate. - Parent Workshops give parents ideas about raising their children. Parents can learn how to help their children be healthy and successful. For example, a workshop may be about how to keep children in school and not drop out. Parent Workshops can also teach parents how to help their children learn. For example, parents can attend a workshop to learn how to read books to their young children. - School Orientations are meetings for parents and new students. Often orientations are held for parents of kindergarten, eighth grade and high school freshman (9th grade) students. Parents receive information about 4. What special activities can I attend at my children’s schools? 29 the new school their children will attend. For example, parents may learn about the new school’s dress code. Parents may also learn how to help their children choose courses. Sometimes schools have social activities for parents and families in the community such as international fairs, parent appreciation day, and school pride day. Families come to the school to have fun and enjoy themselves. For example, they can taste different foods from many countries at an international fair. Sometimes the school needs help with school activities. Schools ask parents to volunteer for different activities. For Classroom and Learning Activities you might volunteer to:  Talk to a class about your job or your native country  Go on a field trip with a class  Read to a class or listen to students read For School Programs you might volunteer to:  Help with a school dance  Bring in refreshments for a parents’ meeting  Plan a fund-raiser  Help translate written materials There are many ways for you to participate in schools. Schools need your help, ideas, and participation in your children’s education. You are a very important part of your children’s education. You are always welcome in the schools.  HELPFUL HINT  Schools may list volunteer opportunities in the school bulletin, on the school web page, or in a special announcement sent home from the school. Successful students come to school ready to learn and have good study habits. There are many ways parents can help their children do well in school. You can 5. What are some ways I can volunteer at my children’s schools? 6. What can I do at home to help with my children’s learning? 30 help even if you speak very little English. You do not have to know English to help. Here are important things you can do to help your children’s learning: Dress for the Weather: Make sure your children’s clothes are appropriate for the weather outside. For example, if it is cold outside, they should wear warm clothes such as coats, hats, and gloves. School Uniforms and Dress Codes: In some schools students must wear uniforms to school. For example, a uniform might be white shirts and blue pants or skirts. Other schools do not require school uniforms, but they do have dress codes. Dress codes are special rules about the clothing children can wear to school. For example, in some schools boys cannot wear hats inside and girls are not allowed to wear short skirts. If your children are not dressed correctly for school, some schools will send them home. School Supplies: Children need to bring school supplies to class. School supplies are paper, pencils, pens, and erasers. Sometimes children need other supplies such as rulers, scissors, or glue. Usually teachers will give students a list of the school supplies they need. If you are not able to buy the supplies, tell the teacher. Talking about Schoolwork: Parents should ask their children each day, “How was school today?” “Do you have any homework tonight?” Schools want you to discuss schoolwork with your children. You can ask your children about what they are learning in their classes. You can also ask your children to bring home and show you their graded papers. 33 development, nutrition, safety, health, the school and learning activities. There are usually books, games, videos, tape recorders and audio tapes.  HELPFUL HINT  Contact your children’s school to find out if they have a family resource center or family learning activities. You can also go to these websites: http://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/hyc.html http://www.colorincolorado.org/families/ Parents should find out about the school staff that can help with their children’s future plans. The high school guidance counselor can help families make decisions about what students do after high school. When your child starts high school, begin to talk about future plans. It is best to make decisions before the last year of high school. If children decide too late to go to college, they may not have all the courses they need. Students have to take certain courses in high school to prepare for college. Students also have to take tests in high school to apply for college. You can also get information from the United States Department of Education about how to prepare your child for college. https://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college This webpage can give you information about why it is valuable for your child to go to college, how they can pay for it and what you can do to help them. Each year different grade levels of students take what are known as standardized tests. These tests are designed to help see if students are learning the information that they need and compare their performance to other schools. You can find out information about the test that your child may take each year from the New Jersey Department of Education: http://www.nj.gov/education/assessment/ The state assessments are different for each grade level. Not every grade level will take a state assessment each year. Some assessments are used to see how much progress a student has made in learning English or as a requirement for high school graduation. 8. What can I do to help my children plan for their lives after high school? 9. What are the standardized tests that my child takes? 34 The PARCC assessments are annual assessments aligned to state standards that were created to measure students' content knowledge in grades 3-11. The tests include mathematics and English language arts (ELA) sections. The assessments will provide teachers information on student progress to inform instruction and provide targeted student support. English language learners (ELLs) are allowed certain accommodations on PARCC assessments. ELLs can also take the mathematics portion of the PARCC in Spanish if they meet certain eligibility requirements. Graduation from high school is based on PARCC scores, substitute competency tests, and/or a portfolio appeal review. You can help your child prepare for standardized test in a few ways. Usually your child does what is called “test prep” in their class. Their teacher may talk to them about the rules for taking the test, what the questions would look like, and how to answer multiple choice questions. You can assist your child by:  Making sure they eat well and get plenty of sleep.  Making sure they arrive to school on time for the day of the exams.  Making sure that they have been keeping up with their homework. It is important that you understand your child’s scores and results from these test. When the results come out your child’s school will send you a copy of the results. The results may be confusing; you can always go to your child’s teacher with questions. You can also contact the Office of State Assessments. The Office of State Assessments: http://www.nj.gov/education/assessment/parents/ The United States Department of Education created the “Helping Your Child Series” for parents to help their children through various stages of development. The series is free and it can be found in both English and in Spanish. It can help you find information about helping your child in different school subjects like math, science and reading. It can also help you guide your child through adolescence and help them prepare for college. You can get the “Helping Your Child Series” online or you can order it. http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/hyc.html 10. Is there more information on how to help my child? 35 There are many learning opportunities for adults. Many classes are free, but some charge tuition. Classes are offered in the daytime and the evening. Classes for adults are often held at community colleges, schools, libraries, and community centers. Some adult education classes are: English as a Second Language (ESL) – for basic English language skills. High School Equivalency and Basic Skills – for basic reading and math skills and to prepare for high school equivalency tests. There are also academic programs at colleges and universities. Academic programs prepare adults for college study and charge tuition. IX. ADULT EDUCATION 1. Where can I go to learn English or take other classes?