NORTH AMERICA
...Advice for families relocating to the US
on), and have an application process or a lottery system for admitting students.
Parents interested in this kind of option should not assume, therefore, that a given address will guarantee access to a magnet or charter school.
How does one go about picking a good public school? Parents should explore the basic data of schools, which
can be found online. Each school has a profile (also typically found online), which summarises basic information.
Data to consider:
• Class size • Student-to-teacher ratio • Student demographics • Test results (many schools are now using Common Core testing, but some still use a state test to monitor skills development)
• Funding per student • The percentage of students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, which is actually a poverty index
If possible, it is advisable to visit a school that is of interest, to see it, walk its hallways, and meet administrators and teachers.
While some districts do not permit visits by families who are not yet residents, most districts will accommodate some kind of visit by those who are exploring schooling options. In some cases, a school principal will be happy to meet visiting parents personally and give a tour. In others, it may be a parent who takes prospective families on the tour.
Whatever the provision, parents should make every effort
to familiarise themselves with the school at first hand before committing to a property in its catchment zone. When visiting a school, parents should not be shy about asking questions. In the US, it is assumed that parents will be advocates for their children, and they are expected to speak up on their behalf in order to get them the support and attention they need.
This can begin with asking about class sizes (this is
advisable) and whether or not any budget cuts are in the offing. If they are particularly interested in a specific component of the curriculum, parents might also ask ahead of time for a meeting with a teacher or specialist in that area. Most importantly, they should not feel reticent or apologetic about researching a school fully and openly.
What if my child has special needs – is highly gifted or struggles with a learning disability? What kinds of support are available, and how do we access them? By law, US public schools must provide an appropriate education for all children. This means that support for students, whether they are struggling or gifted, is required by law. All public districts must offer English-language support
for students whose first language is not English, for example, and support must be provided for those with a range of learning disabilities or exceptional strengths.
While federal law requires that schools provide this support, it does not regulate how it is provided, and so parents should inquire into the delivery of support in schools of interest. For example, if a student will need support with dyslexia, parents may want to speak to the district’s special services coordinator, to find out what this support would be, how frequently and by whom it would be provided, and whether it would happen in the classroom or as a ‘pullout’ programme. Parents should also enquire how long the waiting time will be and what the first steps should be in requesting services. Typically, a district will require current testing of a student before providing learning support or enrichment programmes, and the district itself must provide this testing within a certain number of days after parents request it in writing.
Above & right: British International School of Chicago
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