This article provides a checklist each parent should consult before choosing the school your child will attend.
As parents, we all know how important it is that our children attend a learning institution with a good reputation. It is crucial that our children receive the core foundation of knowledge they will need to further their education and take them into adulthood. The type of school they attend can have a large effect on our children’s development and overall academic success; therefore, as parents we want to know that we are sending our children to the best possible schools in our area. This article provides a checklist each parent should consult before choosing the school your child will attend.
· Take in the school district’s education policies and curriculum development. You need to know if the district promotes content-centered education instead of just applying pressure to the children to pass tests.
· The budget policies of the school district need to be considered. You should find out if the schools in the area spend their discretionary money on programs that address academic issues. Lots of schools may be spending this money on amenities that do not add value to children’s education.
· The school’s goals and objectives should be considered. The curriculum may be set by the teachers, the school, the district, or the state. The school goals are set by the PTA and the school administration. You must be ready to attend such meetings to be assured that the set curriculum meets the objectives you’ve set out for your child.
· The mandated curriculum is also something you should consider. Ascertain the teachers follow the prescribed curriculum and, if not, then you need to know why and the changes they have made to this curriculum.
· Find out more about the linear curriculum. Duplicated subject matter should not be tolerated as that is a waste of a student’s time. Find out if the institution encourages the build up of the lessons instead of repeating or skipping vital content materials.
· Find out if there are intervention measures set when a student falls behind in the material. There should be programs designed to help students catch up and also to assist those students who are struggling with keeping up with the rest of their class.
· Teachers in the institution should be made accountable in the area of student performance. A good learning institution employs teachers that hold themselves accountable if a student performs badly.
· High achievements should be recognized. Find out if this school district recognizes the students’ high achievements and makes special recognition of outstanding student work.
· The school district should allocate enough time for teachers to plan the lessons. Professional development should be highly encouraged. A good school district has policies set to give the teachers enough paid time to plan their lessons.
· The school districts should administer tests that coincide with the curriculum. Most state tests do not match tests to what the teachers are required to teach. Therefore, the state should have tests designed with research in mind.
· Inquire about the school administration. You need to know if they have disciplinary measures set in place for poorly performing teachers. Such teachers need to be fired instead of getting transferred to some other un-suspecting school if they fail to deliver.
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