Approach to Learning

Does the school have a particular approach to teaching and learning (e.g., group projects, individual performance, frequent testing)?

If yes, do you think your child will enjoy and learn from this approach?

Does the school do all it can to make sure each child learns? Does it provide opportunities for children to get extra help when they need it?

Is the school staff able to communicate in the language that your child understands?

Are children with limited English language skills, learning disabilities, or other special needs learning and performing well on tests?

What is the homework policy? Does it match your expectations for how much homework your child should do?

Do you want your child to go to a single-sex (all-boy or all-girl) school, or a coeducational school?

How large are the classes?

Note Pad: Read the questions and jot down key needs, either real estate or school related. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Academic Performance

How do the school's TAKS test scores compare to those of other schools? (Check the school's report card if it is a public school or ask for information from the school if it is a private school. See "Parent Tip" on school report cards.)

In the past few years, have test scores risen or declined? How does the school explain the rise or decline?

How well have children similar to yours performed on these tests?

How do students moving on to the next level of schooling perform in their new schools?

How many students leave the school before completing the last grade?

What special achievements or recognition has the school received?

Note Pad: Read the questions and jot down key needs, either real estate or school related. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Behavior Policy

What does the school do to help develop character and citizenship?

What is the discipline policy? How does the school handle students who misbehave?

Are teachers fair in their responses to students? Does the school have a program and supports to prevent and address behavior problems?

Are students allowed to leave school by themselves?

What measures has the school taken to ensure safety? What security measures are in place?

What is the policy on school absences? How does the school encourage daily attendance?

Do school personnel call parents when students are absent?

Does the school have a drug and alcohol abuse prevention program?

Does the school have a dress code? Do students wear uniforms?

Note Pad: Read the questions and jot down key needs, either real estate or school related. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Parent Tip:

Check the Texas Education Agency's Independent School District's ISD Report Card for Public Schools

No Child Left Behind requires Texas independent school districts ISD's that receive federal funds to provide a report card on how its schools and the independent school district are doing. For individual schools, the report card includes whether the school has been identified for school improvement and how its students performed on Texas Education Agency TAKS tests compared to other students in the independent school district, educational region and the state of Texas.

For the independent school district, the report includes the combined test scores of the students at all the district's schools.

Public school report cards should include:

Students' scores on state tests, broken out by student subgroups;

How many students performed at the "basic," "proficient," and "advanced" levels on the tests;

Graduation rates;

Numbers and names of schools that need to improve in the district;

Qualifications of teachers; and

Percentage of students who were not tested.

School Safety

How safe is the school including internet safety?

How does the school prevent and handle problems with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco?

How does the school prevent and handle violence, bullying, harassment, and other forms of abusive behavior?

What measures does the school take to ensure safety? What security measures are in place?

What is the school's relationship with the local police?

Is there a police officer on duty during school hours and for extracurricular activities?

What information is available on serious crime in the school?

What information is available on students bringing weapons to school?

Does the school have an emergency plan for local and national emergencies?

What does the school do to ensure that parents and all school administrators know the emergency plan?

Are there drills?

How does the school notify parents about emergency closings? How does the school communicate with parents in other languages?

Note Pad: Read the questions and jot down key needs, either real estate or school related. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

Special Offerings

What extracurricular activities does the school offer after school or on weekends?

Do all students have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities?

What interscholastic activities are available to students?

What intramural activities are available to students?

What activities receive the most attention and resources?

Are there school and student publications?

Does the school sponsor field trips?

Are they available to all students?

Are publications for parents available in other languages? (note: talking Texan isn't officially another language)

Note Pad: Read the questions and jot down key needs, either real estate or school related. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________

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Choosing A School For Your Child is a real estate tool for home buyers by Mark Hitz, Realtor DFW Realty GMAC Real Estate 214-514-1800. Assisting Home buying parents in evaluating their children's education as a part of choosing homes for sale.