Education and Childcare
Education can help connect you and your family to your community. This
section describes schools in the United States for children, youth, and
adults and answers questions you may have about them. It also offers suggestions for finding good childcare, if you have young children at home and need to work.
Education
Higher Education: Colleges and Universities
Adult Education
Learning English
Childcare
Education
To make sure all children are prepared to succeed, the U.S. provides free
public education. This section tells you how to sign your children up for
school. You will learn how U.S. schools work and how to help your children
learn.
Enrolling Your Child in School
Most public schools in the United States are co-educational. Co-educational
means that girls and boys attend classes together. The United States has
compulsory school attendance laws. This means that state laws require all
children ages 5 to 16 to attend school in most states. Check with your state
department of education to find out the required ages for school attendance
in your state.
You can send your child to a public or private school. In most states,
parents may also teach their children at home. This is called “home
schooling.” Public schools are free and do not offer religious instruction.
What your children learn in public school is set by the state. However,
local teachers and parents decide how it is taught. Your federal and state
income taxes and your local property taxes pay for these schools.
Students must pay a fee (called “tuition”) to attend private schools.
Religious groups run many private schools. Some are co-educational. Some are
only for boys or only for girls. Some offer financial help for students who cannot
pay the tuition.
Most American children are in school for 12
years. Your children will be placed in a class (called a “grade”) based on
their age and how much previous education they have. Sometimes a school may
give your child a test to decide what grade he or she should be in.
One of the first things you should do is enroll your child in school. Some
questions that parents often ask about public schools include:
Q: How long is the school year?
A: The school year usually begins in August or September and ends in
May or June. In some places, children attend school all year. Children are
in school Monday through Friday. Some schools offer programs before or after
regular school hours for children whose parents work. You may be charged a
fee for these programs.
Q: Where do I enroll my child?
A: Call or visit your local school district’s main office to find out
which school your child should attend. Tell the school staff your child’s
age and the address where you live.
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HOW MOST U.S. SCHOOLS
ARE ORGANIZED
|
|
Elementary or
Primary
School
Kindergarten and
Grades 1 to 5
Children Ages 5 to 10 |
Junior or
Middle School
Grades 6 to 8
Youth Ages 11 to 13
|
Secondary or
High School
Grades 9 to 12
Young Adults Ages
14 to 18
|
Postsecondary or Higher
Education
Public and Private
Community Colleges,
2-year or 4-year Colleges or
Universities, Trade Schools
All Adults May Attend |
Q: What documents do I need to enroll my
child?
A: You need your child’s medical records and proof that they have
certain immunizations (also called “shots”) to protect them from disease.
You also may need proof that you live in the same community as the school.
If you have lost these documents, ask school staff how to get new documents.
To avoid delays, do this before you try to enroll your child.
Q: What if my child does not speak English?
A: The school is responsible for testing and placing your child in
the right program. Schools receive state and federal funds for programs
and services like English as a Second Language (ESL) and bilingual
education. You can call your child's school to ask about testing,
placement, and services. Even if your child does not speak English, he
or she needs to learn the academic material for his or her grade level. This
can happen through ESL or bilingual education. |
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Q: What if my child is disabled?
A: Students with a physical or mental disability can get a free
public education, just like a child who does not have a disability. Your
child will be placed in a regular school classroom, if possible. If your
child’s disability is severe, he or she may be given special education
services outside the regular classroom.
Q: My child was not in school before coming to the United States. How
long can he or she attend public school for free?
A: Your child can attend school for free until they reach age 21 in
most states. If your child has not graduated from high school by then, he or
she can enroll in adult education classes to obtain a General Educational
Development (GED) certificate instead of a high school diploma. Call your
local school district office or your state department of education to find
out where GED classes are offered.
Q: How will my child get to school?
A: Children can sometimes walk to school in the United States. If the
school is too far away, they will ride a bus. Public schools have buses,
which are free. Students are picked up and dropped off at a school-bus stop
near your home. To find out if your child can ride the bus, contact your
local school system. If you have a car, you can also set up a “car pool” with
other parents in your area to share driving your children to school.
Q: What will my child eat at school?
A: Children can take lunch to school or buy it at the school
cafeteria. The U.S. government also provides nutritious free or low-cost
breakfast and lunch for children who cannot afford to buy food at school.
Call or visit your child’s school to find out if it participates in the
federal School Meals program. Talk with school staff to find out if your
children are eligible to participate.
FEDERAL SCHOOL MEALS
PROGRAM
Children learn better when they are well fed. To improve learning, the
United States government provides healthy low-cost or free meals to more
than 26 million children each school day. Participation in the School
Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program is based on family
income and size. The Special Milk Program provides milk to children who
do not participate in other federal school meals programs. For more
information about these programs, visit the U.S. Department of
Agriculture website at
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/. |
Q: Who pays for books and school
activities?
A: Public schools usually provide free books. Students must usually
buy their own school supplies, such as paper and pencils. If you cannot pay
for these supplies, contact your child’s school. Some schools may charge a
small fee for supplies or special events, such as school trips. Many schools
offer after-school sports and music programs. You may need to pay a fee for
your children to participate in some of these programs.
Q: What will my child learn?
A: Each state sets academic standards for schools. These standards
state what all students should know and be able to do. Local school
districts decide how this information should be taught. Most schools teach
English, math, social studies, science, and physical education. Art, music,
and foreign languages are sometimes offered.
Q: How is my child’s work judged?
A: Teachers assign grades based on the work your child does during
the school year. Grades are usually based on homework, tests, attendance,
and class behavior. You will receive a “report card” several times a year.
This report card tells you how your child is doing in each subject. Schools
have different ways of grading students. Some use letter grades, with A or
A+ for excellent work and D or F for poor or failing work. Others use
number grades. Others summarize your child’s performance with words like
“excellent,” “good,” or “needs improvement.” Ask school staff how students
in your child’s school are graded.
Q: How can I talk to my child’s teacher?
A: Most schools have regular parent conferences for you to meet with
your child’s teacher. You can also schedule meetings to talk with teachers
or school administrators about how your child is doing in school. If you do
not speak English, ask if there is someone at the school who speaks your
language and can help interpret.
Q: What if my child misses school?
A: Being in school is very important. Parents must send a written
letter to the teacher or call the school to explain why their child was not
in school. Let the teacher know in advance if your child will be out of
school. Students must usually make up any work they missed.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Most public and private schools have a Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
or Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). These groups help parents learn
about what is going on in their child’s school and how to get involved
in school events. Anyone can join, even grandparents. The PTA/PTOs also
support schools by sponsoring special activities and by providing
volunteers to help out in the classroom. You can get involved even if
you do not speak much English. Many schools have information
specifically for parents with limited English-speaking skills. Call or
visit your school office to find out when the PTA/PTO for your child’s
school meets and how you can join. |
Q: What if my child gets into trouble?
A: Many schools have a list of rules that students must obey. These
are called “codes of conduct.” Ask your child’s school about its code of
conduct. Students who break school rules may be punished by being required
to stay after the school day is over. Or they may not be allowed to
participate in sports or other school activities. Physical punishment is NOT
permitted in most U.S. schools.
Children may be suspended or expelled from
school if they behave very badly and break school rules often. Your child
will no longer be able to go to school if he or she is expelled. You will
need to meet with school staff to find out how to get your child back in
school.
Q: Is my child safe in school?
A: Most American public schools are safe places to learn. But some
schools—mainly high schools—have problems with violence, street gangs, or
drugs and alcohol. Talk to a teacher, school counselor, or administrator if
you are worried about your child’s safety.
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Higher Education: Colleges and Universities
Young adults can continue their education in a 2-year community or technical
college or a 4-year college or university after high school. These are
called “postsecondary institutions” or “institutions of higher education.”
There are public and private institutions of higher education. Public
colleges and universities cost less than private ones, especially for
residents of the state where the college or university is located. Young adults can also choose to
attend schools to learn specific jobs, such as repairing computers or being
a healthcare assistant.
Students in higher education choose a specific subject to study in depth
(this subject is called their “major”). Choosing a major helps prepare them
for employment or further education in that field.
| Degree
Type |
Type of
School |
Years of
Schooling |
| |
|
|
| Certificate |
Community College/Trade
School |
6 months to 2 years |
| |
|
|
| Associate's |
Community College |
2 years |
| |
|
|
| Bachelor's |
4-year College or University |
4 years |
| |
|
|
| Master's |
4-year College or University |
2 years |
| |
|
|
| Doctorate |
University |
2-8 years |
| |
|
|
| Professional |
Specialized School |
2-5 years |
A college or university education can be
expensive. Some schools provide financial help called “scholarships.” The
U.S. government also provides financial aid for students. Most students take
out a loan or apply for financial aid or scholarships to help pay for their
schooling.
Federal Financial Aid for College Students
The U.S. government provides financial help to students attending certain
institutions of higher education. This aid covers many school expenses,
including tuition, fees, books, room and board, supplies, and
transportation. Students qualify for this aid by their financial need, not
their grades. There are three types of federal aid:
• Grants—money that you don’t have to repay.
• Work Study—money that you earn while you are in school.
• Loans—money that you borrow that you must repay later with interest.
For more information on federal financial aid programs, call 1-800-433-3243
or visit the U.S. Department of Education website
http://www.studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html.
Information is also available in Spanish.
BEWARE OF FINANCIAL AID
FRAUD
Be careful when you are searching for information on student financial
assistance. Avoid offers that seem too good to be true or that promise
you results in exchange for money. Every year, families lose millions of
dollars to “scholarship fraud.” If you are the victim of fraud, or for
free information, call 1-877-382-4357 or 1-866-653-4261 for hearing
impaired, or visit the Federal Trade Commission website at
http://www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams. |
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Adult Education
Learning does not have to end when you become an adult. In the U.S., people
are encouraged to become “lifelong learners.” If you are 16 years of age or
older and have not completed high school, you can enroll in Adult Secondary
Education (ASE) classes. These classes prepare you to earn a General
Educational Development (GED) certificate.
A GED certificate is an alternative high school diploma. It shows that you
have learned high-school-level academic knowledge and skills. To earn a GED,
you must take and pass tests in 5 different areas: reading, writing, social
studies, science, and mathematics. Most U.S. employers consider a GED
credential to be equal to a regular high school diploma. In many areas, GED
preparation classes are free or low-cost. Look in the phone book under
“Adult Education” or call your local school district office for information.
Many adults take classes to learn more about a subject that interests them
or to learn new skills that can help them in their jobs. Many public school
systems and local community colleges offer classes in a wide range of
subjects for adults. Anyone can enroll in these classes, which generally
have low fees. Check with your local school system or community college to
find out what classes are available, how much they cost, and how to enroll.
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Learning English
There are many places where you can learn how to speak, read, and write in
English. Many children and adults enroll in English as a Second Language
(ESL) classes. These classes help people who do not know English to learn
the language. These classes are also called English for Speakers of Other
Languages (ESOL) or English Literacy classes.
Children who do not know English will learn it in school. America’s public
schools provide help and instruction for all students who need to learn
English. Students who need extra help are often called Limited English
Proficient (LEP) students.
Students just beginning to learn English may take an ESL class in place of a
regular English class. Students with more English language skills may be
placed in a regular classroom and given extra help. Some schools also offer
after-school programs and tutoring to help students learn English. Your
child's school will tell you what kind of help they will give students who
need
to learn English. Adults who do not understand English can enroll in an ESL
class offered in a public adult and community education program or private
language school.
Public adult and community education programs are often offered in local
communities by school districts and community colleges. These programs may
provide ESL classes along with tutoring from local volunteers. These
programs are often free, or you may pay a small fee. Classes may meet during
day or evening hours. Call your local community college or school district
office to find the nearest ESL program. Look in the blue pages of your phone
book under the heading “Schools—Public.”
Most large cities also have private language schools that offer day or
evening ESL classes. The cost for these classes is often based on the number
of hours of instruction. Private language classes are generally more
expensive than public classes. To find a private language school, look in
the yellow pages of your telephone book under the heading “Language
Schools.”
Some community organizations, libraries, and religious groups also offer
free or low-cost ESL classes. Check with your local public library, social
service agency, or place of worship. The reference librarian at the local
library can also tell you about ESL programs and show you where to find ESL
books, tapes, CDs, and computer software at the library.
CALL 211 FOR INFORMATION
ON SOCIAL SERVICES
You can now call 211 in many states to get help finding the services you
need. Call 211 to find out where you can enroll in ESL classes in your
neighborhood. You can also call 211 if you need help finding food,
housing, a drug treatment program, or other social services.
Some states
and counties do not yet offer 211 services. If you call and get no
answer, this 211 service is not yet available in your community.
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Childcare
If you work and your children are too young to go to school, you may need to
find someone to watch them while you are at work. Sometimes children in
school need someone to watch them when school is over, if their parents
cannot be at home. If you or other family members are not able to watch your
children, you need to find someone to take care of them. Do not leave young
children at home alone.
Finding Childcare
Choosing someone to care for your children is an important decision. As you
make this decision, think about the quality and cost of care. Try to find a
caregiver who is close to your home or job.There are many resources you can use to find
a good childcare provider. Ask other parents, friends, and coworkers who
cares for their children. Some states have a childcare referral agency that
can give you a list of state-licensed childcare programs. Licensed childcare
programs meet specific requirements set by the state for the protection of
your children. You also can call your local school district office to find
places where other children in your neighborhood are cared for.
TIP: If you need help finding good childcare in your area, the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services has a National Child Care Information Center.
Call
1-800-616-2242 for information. You can also find information and
answers to questions about how to choose a good program for your child at
http://www.childcareaware.org. |
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TYPES OF CHILDCARE
You have a number of choices when choosing a childcare provider.
In-Home Care. A caregiver comes into your home to watch your
children. This type of service can be expensive, because your child gets
more individual attention. The quality of care depends on the person you
hire.
Family Childcare. Your child is cared for in somebody else’s home
with a small group of other children. This can be less expensive than
other types of childcare. The quality of care depends on the people who
watch your child and the number of children they are caring for in
their home.
Daycare Centers: Daycare centers are programs located in schools,
churches or other faith-based organizations, and other places. Centers
usually have several caregivers who watch larger groups of children.
Centers must meet state standards and their staff usually have special
training and experience.
Head Start Programs: The federal government provides funding for
“Early Head Start” and “Head Start” programs for low-income families.
These programs provide care and educational services to young children
to get them ready for school. To learn more about these programs, call
the Department of Health and Human Services at 1-866-763-6481 or visit
the website
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/hsb/.
Some childcare providers will take care of children for a full day or
only part of the day, depending on the parents’ needs. Cost is also a
factor in choosing a caregiver. Check to see if you are eligible for
federal or state childcare assistance. Many states offer financial
assistance to low-income parents who are working or participating in job
training or education programs. |
TIP: Make sure the childcare provider or program you are using is
licensed or accredited. “Licensed” means that the program meets minimum
safety and care standards set by the state. “Accredited” programs meet
higher standards than those required for a state license.
How Can You Tell if a Childcare Provider Is Good?
Think about these basic questions when you visit a childcare program.
• Are the children happy when around the staff?
• Are toys available that are appropriate for the children’s ages?
• Were children doing an appropriate activity?
• Did the provider talk to your child while you were there?
• Is the space clean and organized?
• Is there a curriculum or routine for the children?
Be sure to ask for references so that you can talk to other parents about
the program.
About The Author
The Office of Citizenship of the USCIS works to promote an understanding of the civic principles on which this nation was founded and increase public awareness of the benefits and responsibilities associated with U.S. Citizenship.
Copyright © 1999-2002 American Immigration LLC, ILW.COM
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