Evaluating Your Child's School: Questions to ask

How well does your child's school perform?

How does your child's school perform relative to other schools in the state and across the country? How does your child score relative to her peers? How many of your child's classmates will go to college? How many will drop out?

How does your child's school spend money?

How much does your district spend per pupil? How does that compare to other nearby districts? What portion of the school budget is spent on administration and overhead? What is the teacher to administrator ratio? How do their salaries compare?

What are the policies and programs at your child's school?

Who can teach your children? Must all teachers be experts in the subjects they teach? What type of curriculum is taught at your child's school? How is this curriculum chosen? What courses must your child take?

Do parents in your district have a choice?

Can you send your child to a charter school, magnet school, or another traditional public school in the district or state? How successful are these other programs? Are parents of children in these programs satisfied with their school?

Do you and your child feel comfortable at your child's school?

Do you feel comfortable communicating with your child's teachers and principal? Do you feel that your input and opinions about your child's learning are valued? Is your child excited about learning, engaged in the classroom and pleased with her progress? Are you?

As a parent, you have a right to ask these questions. Don't be afraid to speak up and get the answers you deserve.