Help Your Children Succeed in School (A Special Guide for Latino Parents) »

Mariela Dabbah is the author of Help your Children Succeed in High School and Go to College, Help your Children Succeed in School, How to Get a Job in the U.S. and the co-author of The Latino Advantage in the Workplace.

Mariela has been a guest at "Wake up with Whoopi" (Syndicated Radio Show), "All things considered" (NPR), "Good Morning America" (ABC) "Today in New York" (NBC), "Despierta América" (Univision), "Directo desde Estados Unidos" (CNN en Español), "Temprano en la Mañana" (93.1 FM- AMOR), and many other TV programs and radio shows. She's been interviewed by Business Week and Time magazine and she's been featured and quoted in publications across the country including the New York Times, Latina magazine and Vanidades magazine.

As a speaker Mariela presents workshops and keynotes at corporations and organizations such as General Electric, American Express, National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Goldman Sachs and HBO.

She is also the spokesperson of HACER, the Ronald McDonald House Charities' scholarship for Latino students.

She is a contributor for Siempre Mujer (Meredith Corporation), Hoy (Tribune), Latina Style, Nexos magazine and Yahoo. Her blog is:
marielablog.com

An important guide for any parent.

Dedication     iii
Acknowledgments     v
Introduction     xi
The Importance of Your Children's Self-Esteem     1
How Your Personal Experience Affects Your Approach to Education     5
School is Better in the U.S. than in Latin America
Teachers are Revered
The School is Always Right
Undocumented Aliens Cannot be Involved in the School System
Your Children are Already Doing Better than You, So There is no Need for More Education
Only English Speakers Can be Involved in Their Children's Education
The School's Values are the Same as Yours
The School System is Intimidating
Taking My Children Out of School for Extended Periods of Time is Not a Problem
The Basics     13
Enrolling Age
Immigration Status
Initial Placement
Bilingual Programs and English as a Second Language
Special Education
Transportation
Books
Breakfast and Lunch
Dress Code
School Calendar
Tackling One Issue at a Time     23
Elementary School (Primary School)
Middle School
High School
District Office
Individual Schools
Looking at the Different Types of Schools
Public Schools
Private Schools
Charter Schools
Identify the School for Your Child
Identify a Contact Person
Understanding the Enrollment Procedure
Standards-Based Education     37
The Curriculum
Standardized Tests
Other Means of Grading Your Children: Class
Participation and Portfolio Assessment
Homework     49
HomeworkHelp
Appropriate Homework Environment
Parental Involvement     55
Volunteering
Checking the Backpack
Parent/Teacher Conference     61
What To Do Before the Conference
What To Bring To the Conference
Important Questions to Ask
After the Conference
Preparing Your Children to Enter School     67
Preparing Children to Read and Write
Communicate with Your Children
Preparing Your Children for Math
Preparing Your Children for Social Interaction
Good Habits Start at Home
Activities to Help Your Child Succeed     73
Encourage Language Development
Help your Children Develop Math Skills
Help your Children Develop Science Skills
Help your Children Develop Social Skills and Widen their
View of the World
Help your Children Develop Healthy Lifestyle Habits
Help your Children Develop a Love of Art
High School     83
Parent Involvement in High School
Learn About Key Exams and Programs
Tracking
Some Worrisome Statistics
How to Help Your Child Stay in School and Out of Trouble
Your Children's Vocations
Parents'Rights and Responsibilities     99
Your Rights
Your Responsibilities
A Final Note of Encouragement     105
About the Author     107