Schools in the United States are changing, with a teaching focus on core subject areas and basic skills. Funds are getting tighter, program priorities are shifting, and parent involvement is more important than ever. Writing in easy-to-follow Q&A style, an award-winning educator takes you by the hand and guides you through the system: understanding how public and private education works in the United States, choosing a school, making sense of grades and report cards, the No Child Left Behind act, standardized tests, your rights as a parent, and more. Includes a glossary of "edu-speak" terms, resources, and plenty of encouragement.