A Note to Parents

Preparing Your Child For College: 1996-97 Edition

Source

United States Department of Education

Table of Contents

Cover Page

A Note to Parents

General Questions About College

Preparing for College

Choosing a College

Financing a College Education

Long-Range Planning

Important Terms

Other Sources of Information

In order to put such educational excellence within reach of your children, you and your family can do a lot to help your students properly prepare -- both academically and financially. First, your child will need to study hard at every level and take the courses in middle school and high school that lay the foundation for succeeding in college-level courses. Second, it is important for you and your child, at every level, to try to put money aside for college and to be well informed about sources of student financial aid for college.

This resource book is designed to help you plan ahead -- with your child and your child's teachers and counselors -- to ensure he or she is prepared academically for the rigors of college and to save now and plan financially for the costs of a college education.

Because of the growing importance of a college education in today's rapidly changing economy, State governments, colleges, and the U.S. Department of Education (the largest supplier of student financial aid in America) are searching for better ways to provide financial aid to qualified students. For example, just in the past three years, proposals to improve the student college loan program, increase the maximum Pell grant, and create the national service AmeriCorps program have been made by President Clinton and passed by Congress. Still under consideration are proposals to allow a tax deduction for college tuition, increase the availability of work study opportunities to serve one million students annually, and help students and teachers have better access to technology in elementary and secondary classrooms.

To better prepare students to meet college requirements, many schools are committing themselves to strengthen their curricula, raise their standards in core subjects, and build local partnerships for better schools. A number of schools, entire communities, and States have begun addressing these challenges. President Clinton has also proposed other education initiatives that have been passed by bipartisan votes in Congress, to give parents, teachers, and principals additional opportunities to upgrade their local schools. The Goals 2000: Educate America Act is a source of funds to start up school improvement plans initiated and implemented by local schools and communities. Also, the Improving America's Schools Act provides resources to schools needing extra help in teaching basic skills and, through its Eisenhower Professional Development Program, can help provide teachers with the training they need to teach to higher standards. The "venture funds" in the School-to-Work Opportunities Act can be used to link high schools, community colleges, and employers to give students new career pathways.

We recognize that the American family is the rock on which a solid education can and must be built. Thirty years of research clearly shows that family and community involvement in children's learning is key for getting children on the right path in life. To promote better support for families in education, we have formed the Family Involvement Partnership for Learning, which consists of 250 parent, religious, business, and education organizations dedicated to creating "family-friendly" schools, businesses, and communities. Materials about the Partnership may be of interest to you and are available by calling 1-800-USA-LEARN.

Ultimately, the success of our students depends on the commitment of family members like you who are teaming up with other families, teachers, and your child's principal to improve your schools, and are taking the time to work directly with your children in order to help them learn and grow. Thank you for your interest in this book and for your commitment to the education of our Nation's youth. We hope that you find Preparing Your Child for College to be a valuable resource that will make a difference in your child's life.

Yours sincerely,

Richard W. Riley
U.S. Secretary of Education

Cover Page | General Questions About College