The world is full of wonderful but worried parents whose children are struggling in school. Perhaps you are one of them, and you suspect at least part of the problem lies with your child's school. If so, here's the skinny on how to learn about your school's performance and determine whether your family is eligible to take advantage of effective options to get your child back on track.

Ohio law requires school districts to provide some level of  "student intervention" for your child when all of the following conditions are met:

• Your child is in grades 3 through 8 and has scored at the "basic" or "below-basic" level on Ohio Achievement Tests for the child's grade. To find out your child's test results, ask your school how you can get your child's Ohio Achievement Test scores for May 2008;
• Your child's school is receiving Title I money (a federal program that aids districts that have one or more schools where at least 40 percent of families are considered low-income); and
• Your child's school is in at least its first year of School Improvement. When the state has flagged a school for School Improvement, it has found that for two consecutive years the school has not met learning goals outlined for your child in academic content standards (see shaded box for details on School Improvement).
• The law requires the school to contact you about its School Improvement designation. But, conveniently, you also can find this information by looking at your school district's and school's Local Report Cards on the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) website at www.ode.state.oh.us, keyword search: local report card. The report will tell you if your school is in School Improvement status, and also will provide other, more detailed information on your school's performance.

First year in school improvement
Public school choice:  In a school's first year in School Improvement, the state requires school staff to provide you a list of better-performing schools in your district and offer the choice of moving your child to one of them. If your child is not meeting achievement test standards, you will be offered Public School Choice every year that your school is in School Improvement and up until it has shown adequate progress toward state goals for two years in a row. To learn more about School Choice, visit the ODE website at www.ode.state.oh.us, keyword search: public school choice.
Stay and improve:  School officials also are required to give you a list of specific ways you can help the school measure up to state standards, if you choose to keep your child there. Again, make sure you know your school's circumstances, challenges, strengths and staff. Doing so will give you confidence in your choice to either stay put and become part of the school-improvement team, or move your child to another school.

Second year in school improvement
Supplemental education services (SES): In the second year in School Improvement, the school is required to provide Supplemental Educational Services (SES) to students who are performing at the basic or below-basic level on Ohio Achievement Tests. As a parent, you will be allowed to choose from a sizable list of state-approved, privately operated tutoring firms. Your child's SES instruction will take place outside the classroom before or after school hours. Your child still must attend your public school.
One very helpful aspect of SES is that your child will receive an Individualized Education Plan based on personal learning needs. All SES instruction will be based on that plan. For a list of state-approved SES providers in your community and tips on choosing a provider, go to www.ode.state.oh.us, keyword search: SES parents.
Finally, when your child—or your child's school—seems to be struggling, don't give up because it's never too late. Your knowledge and involvement, teamed with state and local support, can turn you from a wonderful but worried parent into simply a wonderful parent! It also will ensure your child a more promising future.