Questions to ask educators when measuring your student's development
The Arizona Republic
Are you concerned about how your child measures up to age-specific
milestones during their education from kindergarten through high
school?
Following are suggested questions to ask educators and health
professionals.
At all ages
— How do I know that my child is going to be in a safe environment?
— How can I help my child succeed in school?
— How can I help you succeed as a teacher?
— How will you communicate to me as the parent?
— If my child needs extra help in an area, how will you help
my child be successful?
— If my child excels in an area, how will you challenge my child
so he or she my child won't be bored?
— What is your classroom management style and discipline policy?
— What's the focus for learning at this grade level?
— What is the dress code for students?
Kindergarten
— Is my child going to learn to read in kindergarten or will
my child learn prereading skills?
— How will you help my child make the social transition in a
classroom of new faces?
Grades 1 to 3
— How do I help my child become excited about reading?
Grades 4 to 6
What is the homework responsibility for each child?
Grades 7 to 8
— How are the expectations for my child different in junior
high than in elementary school?
— Will my child be prepared for high school?
— How will you help my child make the transition to having different
teachers and different classes throughout the day and more choices?
— What is the school's policy for public displays of affection?
— What extracurricular activities are available for my child?
Grades 9 to 12
— How will the school help my child prepare for college-entrance
exams?
— How does the school help students balance academic and extracurricular
activities?
— If my child isn't interested in college, how will the school
help my child identify trades or other career options?
— What is the school's policy for public displays of affection?
— If the school campus is closed, how do you handle the shorter
lunch periods?
— If the school campus is open, how do you handle the traffic
and safety issues at lunch?
Sources: Teachers, parents and school administra-tors.
