Prepared Parents Set The Stage For School Success
By Julia Pfaff
Fall 2005
Military moms everywhere worry about the schools their children attend: "Are my children getting a good education? And how will I know?"
I first confronted this concern when my family moved to California from New York. My oldest son had completed kindergarten at a DoD school which was well funded and enjoyed fine community support.
But from our previous assignment three years earlier, I knew that California schools were attempting ambitious reforms, limiting the number of children in K-3 classrooms to 20. While this measure was intended to improve reading and math performance, it created logistical problems for the schools in finding enough qualified teachers and space to accommodate all the new classes. When we left California, some teachers were forced to conduct classes in hallways.
I also knew that it was expensive to live in California - even if you were lucky enough to live in base housing - and private school would be a big stretch for our family budget. So I approached the move to California with deep apprehension.
A book by Elaine K. McEwan, a former elementary school principal, helped me get started with its "Ten Traits of Highly Successful Schools":
1. A strong, knowledgeable principal - a leader - who sets high expectations.
2. Superior teachers who structure their lessons, establish fair classroom discipline and believe that all children can learn.
3. Motivated students who respect each other, teachers and their parents.
4. Involved, committed parents who are part of the educational team.
5. Standards of learning which define the content, knowledge and skills for all students; and are coherent, logical and age appropriate.
6. A solid, research-based academic curriculum.
7. High achievement from the students.
8. An academically focused mission.
9. Strong communication between all involved in the school via multiple means.
10. A safe environment for students and staff.
Once you understand what you are looking for in a school, how do you find the crucial information you need about the school system when you are far away? Consider several helpful sources for researching school options.
Visit the websites of both the school and the school district. The Military Impacted Schools Association website has links to all its member districts. Look for school profiles and policies, educational philosophies and curriculum - whatever information you need to frame questions for principals, teachers and parents. If you can find contact information for a PTA or PTO representative, ask if he or she would be willing to answer questions.
Check out the schools listed at GreatSchools.net, where you will find a wealth of valuable information. GreatSchools is striving to provide in-depth information on every school in the United States; it already has completed research on all schools in California, Arizona, Texas and New York, plus lots of information on other states.
Search the local newspaper for stories about the school and school district. Pay attention to articles about middle and high schools, even if you have elementary-age children. Take note of major reform initiatives that may have been implemented. Watch for schools suffering from financial problems.
Among other resources, MilitaryStudent.org contains articles about military children and their educational needs. And USCharterSchools.org offers information about the charter school movement and links to associations and organizations in various states.
My mother, a teacher, says that knowing your child - how he or she learns, the kinds of people he or she responds to, the kind of environment where he or she thrives - and your ability to ask the right questions can help you find the right classroom teacher.
Despite the problems in the California school system; both my sons had excellent teachers who established a strong foundation for learning. I'd like to think that I asked the right questions.
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Julia Pfaff has spent most of her life in and around the military. She recently completed a three-year period as Executive Director of the National Military Family Association (NMFA), "The Voice for Military Families." She may be contacted a jlepfaff@aol.com.
