Parent Checklist
Is my child getting a great education? Is my child engaged and learning every day? How does the school make sure that all students are treated fairly? How do I know my child’s teachers are effective? Will my child be prepared to succeed in whatever comes next?
These are just some of the questions included in the Parent Checklist developed by UNCF in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, America Achieves, National Council of La Raza and National PTA.
“The Parent Checklist is an extension of UNCF’s commitment to building a college-going culture within the African American community and providing support for getting more students to and through college.”– Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., UNCF President and CEO
Designed to help our nation’s children get the quality education they need and deserve, the checklist’s questions help parents and other caregivers address five key areas of teacher and school performance.
Quality:
- Is my child getting a great education?
- How will you keep me informed about how my child is doing on a regular basis?
- How can we work together if my child falls behind?
- Is my child on grade level and on track to be ready for college and a career?
Ready for Success:
- Will my child be prepared to succeed in whatever comes next?
- How will you measure my child’s progress and ability in reading, math, science, the arts, social and emotional development and other activities?
- How much time will my child spend preparing for and taking state and district tests?
- How will my child’s teacher and I know how to use the results to help my child make progress?
Safe and Healthy:
- Is my child safe and cared for at school?
- What programs are in place to ensure that the school is a safe, nurturing and positive environment?
- What are the discipline and bullying policies at the school?
- Are the meals and snacks provided healthy?
- How much time is there for recess and/or exercise?
Great Teachers:
- Is my child engaged and learning every day?
- How do I know my child’s teachers are effective?
- How much time do teachers get to collaborate with one another?
- What kind of professional development is available to teachers here?
Equity and Fairness:
- Does my child, and every child at my child’s school or program, have the opportunity to succeed and be treated fairly?
- How does the school make sure that all students are treated fairly?
- Does the school offer all students access to the classes they need to prepare them for success, including English language learners and students with special needs?
Other Issues and Resources
- Meet other parents and caregivers in your child’s school
- See how your child’s school compares to other schools
- Stop bullying
- Support students experiencing homelessness
- Support students who do not speak English at home
For more resources, download the Parent Checklist.