Leading Education Groups Identify Five Questions Parents Should Ask; Provides Guidance on How To Assess a Child's Education

8/13/2002

From: Paul Massey, 202-585-2799 Kara Delahunt, 202-585-2793 both of the National Association of Independent Schools

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- In response to a growing demand for more meaningful ways to assess school quality, leading education groups have issued five questions parents should ask to evaluate their child's education.

The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), along with 34 partner organizations, developed the questions for parents to ask as a more substantial way of assessing the quality of a child's education. The questions were designed for parents of school-age children attending public or private schools as an alternative to top ten lists and rankings based on test scores.

"Parents are increasingly focused on the quality of education today. With the many issues parents have to think about regarding educational standards, we wanted to make it easier for them to assess their child's education by providing them with a one-stop list of questions to consider," said NAIS President Patrick F. Bassett.

Based on recent research, including reports from the U.S. Department of Education, the five questions are the following:

-- Are there high quality and committed teachers? -- Is there a low student-to-teacher ratio? -- Do students feel challenged by their school? -- Are there strong partnerships among parents, teachers and students? -- Does the school have a climate that supports achievement?

"Education is perhaps the most important investment parents can make in their child's future," said Bassett. "We believe that parents should have the tools to measure whether their child's school is providing a quality education, and these questions are intended to help guide parents. It is our hope that parents across the country will pose these questions and evaluate their child's school to determine if it meets the high quality standards that correlate with student and school success."

For additional information on these questions, please see the attached, visit www.isadvocacy.org/questions or call Paul Massey at 202-585-2799.

--- How Does Your Child's School Measure Up?

Many people look at high-test scores or school rankings to determine if a school is providing an excellent education. Yet, these criteria do not provide important insight into critical elements of an educational experience. Recent research from the U.S. Department of Education confirms that there are several factors that strongly influence excellence within a school - public or private. The National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and 34 partner associations have identified five questions parents should ask to assess the quality of their child's education.

-- Are there high quality and committed teachers?

Schools that employ educated, talented teachers are making a clear investment in students. High quality teachers are individuals who are well prepared in content knowledge, possess strong teaching skills, and have a command of the materials that are being presented in the classroom. They are also able to develop an understanding of how each student learns and what interests and motivates them.

-- Is there a low student-to-teacher ratio?

A small student-to-teacher ratio allows students to receive individualized attention that leads to greater academic and personal success. Intimate educational environments allow teachers to closely connect with students and fully understand how each individual learns. When teachers are able to spend more time getting to know a student's learning style, they can successfully tailor teaching approaches and actively engage students.

-- Do students feel challenged by their school?

First rate schools provide students with challenging classroom instruction and demanding graduation requirements, leading to greater preparedness for life-long learning, as well as college. Students know when they're being asked to meet high standards - and respond accordingly. Hands-on learning experiences, stimulating class discussions, group projects and offsite field trips are just some of the ways that successful schools motivate students to stretch their minds. Quality schools also give teachers the freedom to create unique learning opportunities that are tailored to individual student learning styles. These schools encourage students to excel by setting high academic goals and expectations.

-- Are there strong partnerships among parents, teachers and students?

The best schools develop collaborative relationships among parents, teachers and students. These partnerships ensure that students are active participants in the learning process and parents are well-informed about their child's educational experiences. Strong partnerships are built on regular, open communication about classroom goals, as well as student academic achievements and personal development. These relationships are an integral part of a quality education.

-- Does the school have a climate that supports achievement?

The climate of a school is directly connected to its effectiveness. The most successful schools are those in which students and teachers share a sense of purpose and where student achievement is actively supported. Administrators in schools with supportive climates are focused on communicating standards and enforcing both high expectations and rules of student conduct. The close-knit and supportive environment that results ultimately ends up shaping not only the academic development of students but overall personal development as well.

------ NAIS is a voluntary membership organization for more than 1,200 independent schools and associations in the United States and abroad and is the national institutional advocate for independent pre-collegiate education. Independent schools are distinct from other non-public schools in that they are independently governed by a board of trustees, and they are funded primarily through tuition, charitable contributions, and endowment income. To be eligible for membership in NAIS, schools must be accredited, nondiscriminatory, 501(c)3 non-profit organizations.

NAIS is joined by 34 partner organizations in this outreach effort: Alumni Program Council, Association of Colorado Independent Schools, Association of Delaware Valley Independent Schools, Association of Independent Maryland Schools, Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington, Association of Independent Schools in New England, Association of Michigan Schools, California Association of Independent Schools, Caribbean Association of Independent Schools, Cleveland Council of Independent Schools, Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, Florida Council of Independent Schools, Georgia Independent Schools Association, Independent Schools Association of the Central States, Independent Schools Association of Northern New England, Independent Schools Association of the Southwest, Independent School Marketing Association, Independent Schools of St. Louis, Indiana Association of Independent Schools, Hawaii Association of Independent Schools, Junior Boarding Schools Association, National Coalition of Girls' Schools, New Jersey Association of Independent Schools, New York State Association of Independent Schools, North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, Ohio Association of Independent Schools, Pacific Northwest Association of Independent Schools, Palmetto Association of Independent Schools, Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools, Pennsylvania Association of Private Academic Schools, Southern Association of Independent Schools, Tennessee Association of Independent Schools, The Association of Boarding Schools, and Virginia Association of Independent Schools.