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A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

Introduction

America is blessed with many excellent schools. However, when it comes to a public duty as essential as educating children, "many" is not enough. Every child deserves to learn at an excellent school.

While the federal role in education is small when compared to the responsibilities of state and local governments, President Bush's Administration and Congress are committed to using this role to improve the culture of education and encourage reform throughout the system. The source of a good education is found in the family. You are your children's first teacher. You play a critical role in ensuring that they make steady progress in school, that they go to schools that hold them to high standards, and that the schools help them meet those standards.

The heart of President Bush's No Child Left Behind plan is a promise to raise standards for all children and to help all children meet those standards. Because we cannot know whether schoolchildren are reaching those standards unless we measure performance, President Bush's plan requires annual tests for all children in grades three through eight in the core subjects of reading and math. These assessments will allow parents and officials to hold schools accountable for ensuring that every child learns. Finally, President Bush is committed to promoting the very best teaching programs, especially those that teach young children how to read. His plan, in partnership with parents, communities, and schools, ensures that every child in America will receive an excellent education.

This guide will show you --

• What high standards mean and do
• What to look for in test scores
• How to hold your child's school accountable for results
• How to prepare your child to be a strong reader
• How to help your child with homework, and
• Where to turn for help advanced math, to learn history, and to understand science.

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Last updated—December 17, 2004 (jer)