"Full of wonderful information, and very thought provoking!" -Susan E. Fisher, NBCT Douglas County School District, CO "Cuts through all the jargon." -Stephanie A. Slowik, NBCT, Nationally Certified School Counselor Wake County Public Schools, NC "Gives a better understanding of what the standards mean, what to do with the standards, and what to do if standards aren′t being met by a school." -Shannon Journell, Teacher Enon Elementary School, OH "Not only am I an educator, but I am also a single mom of two. I read this book from both perspectives and was enlightened by the information. Every parent should be aware of the information in it, especially those who move frequently." -Stacy Slomko, Teacher Perth Amboy High School, NJ The essential resource for parents who want to help their children succeed in school! Expert educator and award-winning author Donna Walker Tileston helps parents take the guesswork out of understanding educational standards, mandated tests, No Child Left Behind, and the myriad other issues affecting their children′s schools today. Within this concise, reader-friendly guide, parents will find a wealth of easy-to-understand information, including: How to understand and access local and national standards Five things parents can do to improve standards-based teaching and testing Ten guides to asking the right questions at open-school events and parent-teacher conferences Three ways to help children master high stakes tests What to do if schools don′t achieve adequate yearly progress A glossary that defines the buzzwords that mystify non-educators With this one handy guide, all parents can become active, informed, and involved participants in their children′s education.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter One: Whose Standards? The History Behind School Standards No Child Left Behind How To Access The Standards For Your Child’s School National Standards Chapter Two: Why Standards Are Important to Education How Standards Help Produce Alignment That Leads to Equity Alignment in the Classroom Standards as a Measuring Rod for Schools Why Adequate Yearly Progress Matters What To Do If Adequate Yearly Progress Is Not Being Achieved Why Alignment Is Important The Reality of Alignment Five Things Parents Can Do Chapter Three: Standards and Alignment The Format Of Standards and Benchmarks How Standards Are Used as a Guide for What Teachers Teach Why The Instructional Practice Is Important to Student Success How Standards Are Used as a Guide for What Teachers Assess What Does The Research Say is the Best Way to Teach Vocabulary? What Processes Will Students Need To Know? Chapter Four: Asking the Right Questions What are the Standards and Benchmarks for My State’s Schools? How do I Know That My Child’s School is Teaching to the State Standards? What Do I Need to Know About the High Stakes Test Given in My State? What Information Do I Need at the Local School Level? What Other Information is Important to Examine on the School’s State Report Card? How Can I be Sure That My Child’s School Keeps Current With Quality Research on Learning? What Questions Should I Ask When Adequate Yearly Progress Is Not Being Achieved? What Can We Do To Improve the Education System? Where Can I Go For More Information? What If? Chapter Five: Helping Your Child Master High Stakes Tests Know the Vocabulary Practice Compare and Contrast Pay Attention to Your Child’s Stress Levels Glossary References Index