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U.S. Department of Education
Margaret Spellings
Secretary
First published in November 1992. Revised 2002 and 2005.
This booklet is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part for
educational purposes is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not
necessary, the citation should be:
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Communications and Outreach
Helping Your Child Succeed in School
Washington, DC, 2005
To order copies of this publication in English or Spanish write to:
ED Pubs
Education Publications Center
U.S. Department of Education
P.O. Box 1398
Jessup, MD 20794–1398
or fax your request to: 301–470-1244
or email your request to: edpubs@inet.ed.gov
or call in your request toll-free: 1–877–433–7827 (1–877–4ED–PUBS). If 877 is not yet available in your area, call 1–800–872–5327 (1–800–USA–LEARN). Those who use a
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or a teletypewriter (TTY), should call 1–
800–437–0833.
or order on-line at: www.ed.gov/pubs/edpubs.html.
This publication is also available on the Department’s Web site at:
www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/hyc.html
On request, this publication is available in alternate formats, such as Braille, large print, audiotape or computer diskette. For more information, please contact the Department’s
Alternative Format Center at (202) 260–9895 or (202) 205–0818.
Books, magazines and programs are mentioned in this booklet as examples and are only a
few of many appropriate resources. Listing of materials and resources in this book should
not be construed or interpreted as an endorsement by the Department of any private
organization or business listed herein.
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"When it comes to the education of our children, failure is not an option.”
President George W. Bush
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Foreword
At the heart of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a promise to raise standards for all children and to help all children meet those standards. In support of this goal, President
George W. Bush is committed to promoting the very best teaching programs. Well-
trained teachers and instruction that is based on research can bring the best teaching
approaches and programs to all children and help to ensure that no child is left behind.
However, the hours in a school day are few and the time a teacher can spend with any
one child is limited. For children to be successful in school, parents and families need to
be actively involved in their children’s learning. They need to become involved early and
stay involved throughout the school year. In fact, many studies show that what the family
does is more important to a child’s school success than how much money the family
makes or how much education the parents have.
By showing interest in their children’s education, parents and families can spark
enthusiasm in them and lead them to a very important understanding—that learning can
be enjoyable as well as rewarding and is well worth the effort required.
We hope that you will use the information and activities in this booklet to get involved
and stay involved and help your child to read better, to take on challenging math and
science classes, to value the study of history, the social sciences, art and music—and to
prepare for a rewarding life of continuous learning.
Let’s get started.
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Contents
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Foreword