School Success for Your Child (continued)

Stay involved in your child's school activities. Attend school events. Go to sports events, back- to-school nights and parent-teacher meetings. Volunteer in your school.

Tips for Parents of Students With Disabilities

When a child is having a reading or language problem, the reason might be simple to understand or it might require extra help. Some children may have a learning disability.

If you think your child may have some kind of learning problem, get help quickly. Talk with your child's teacher or principal. By law, schools must provide special help to children with disabilities.

"We want every young American to be surrounded by caring adults who provide love, advice, encouragement, and who can serve as good role models for children." —Laura Bush

In order to get extra help for your child, several steps might be taken. A team of school officials and you will collect information on your child and complete an evaluation on him. The evaluation must be done in the child's native language.

Next, you will help to decide whether or not your child qualifies for special education and related services. If so, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will be developed for your child. This will explain your child's education program and the special services your child will receive. You should have a copy so you can make sure that the plan is being followed.

Examples of Resources

U.S. Department of Education:
www.ed.gov or
http://www.ed.gov/espanol/bienvenidos/es/index.html?src=gu
or call 1-800-USA-LEARN

School choice:
www.ed.gov/nclb/choice

Special Education:
www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html?src=mr

Physical Fitness: President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, President's Challenge
http://www.fitness.gov/home_pres_chall.htm

Nutrition: Food Pyramid
http://www.mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html or
http://www.mypyramid.gov/sp-index.html