Parent's Guide to Middle School Academics in Florida

by Mavo, Patricia; American Life Publishers

• ISBN13: 9780979108631
• ISBN10: 0979108632
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-06-29
• Publisher: Itasca Books

Summary

The transition from elementary school to middle school can be an exciting yet worrisome time in the lives of young students and their parents...students are maturing physically, emotionally, and intellectually, and a parent's support is critical. "Parent's Guide to Middle School Academics in Florida" provides the answers in this convenient and user-friendly guide. Written with the assistance of middle school teachers from Christa McAuliffe Middle School in Boynton Beach, Florida, Parent's Guide explains what parents can expect during the middle school years, the importance of parent involvement, adolescent brain development, the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, the purpose of the FCAT, exceptional student education, school choice, No Child Left Behind, and much more. Parent's Guide also serves as a comprehensive reference guide for educators, community leaders, legislators, and the media.

Table of Contents

Foreword	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
Middle School Essentials
Parent Involvement	p. 1
What the Research Shows	p. 1
Parent Involvement and No Child Left Behind	p. 5
Parent-Teacher Communication	p. 7
Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and School Advisory Council (SAC)	p. 8
Staying Involved Using Technology	p. 9
Transition From Elementary School to Middle School	p. 13
Getting Children Ready for Middle School	p. 13
How Schools Prepare Students for Middle School	p. 14
What to Expect the First Few Weeks	p. 16
The Daily Planner and the Backpack	p. 22
Internet Portals: School Information and Student Grades Online	p. 24
The Guidance Department	p. 27
What Does a School Counselor Do?	p. 27
Florida's Counseling Framework	p. 29
Adolescent Brain Development	p. 33
The Wiring of the Adolescent Brain	p. 34
Adolescence and the Middle School Student	p. 37
Student Health Keeping Kids Healthy and Ready to Learn	p. 41
School Health Services Program	p. 41
Coordinated School Health Approach	p. 44
Free and Reduced-Price Meals	p. 46
Florida KidCare Health Insurance Program	p. 47
Middle School Academics
The Academic School Year and Florida's Grading System	p. 51
How the School Year Is Divided Up	p. 51
Florida's 6-12 Grading System	p. 52
General Requirements for Middle Grades Promotion	p. 55
School Choice Programs and Scholarships	p. 59
Types of School Choice Programs	p. 59
A Few Words About High School Options	p. 63
Scholarship Programs	p. 65
Sunshine State Standards/ Next Generation Sunshine State Standards	p. 69
What Are the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards?	p. 70
Middle School Courses and Required Instruction	p. 73
Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Students with Disabilities	p. 81
Section 504 and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act	p. 82
Basic Steps of Special Education	p. 88
Parents' Rights Under IDEA	p. 91
Response to Intervention (RTI)	p. 95
Other ESE Topics of Interest	p. 98
Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Gifted Education	p. 109
Gifted Education and State Law	p. 109
Gifted Instruction	p. 112
Resources for Parents	p. 115
Middle School Testing
Types of Student Testing	p. 121
Student Testing	p. 121
Test-Taking Strategies	p. 123
FCAT and School Accountability	p. 125
K-12 Assessment and School Accountability	p. 125
Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test	p. 127
FCAT Subtests (Middle School Considerations)	p. 132
FCAT Passing Scores and Test Results	p. 135
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)	p. 140
Resources to Help Students Prepare for the FCAT	p. 141
Don't Let Testing Rob Your Child of Self-Confidence	p. 143
Final Thoughts	p. 149
Reproductive Health Education	p. 155
Florida School Districts	p. 159
Index	p. 163
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