Extra Help for Student Success

On January 8, 2002, President Bush signed into law thestate-approved providers offering supplemental
No Child Left Behind Act, a landmark in educationeducational services in your area. You must choose
reform. This law gives you—thefrom this list. Different kinds of organizations may be
parent—new options if your child’son the list, including: private educational providers; public
school needs to improve. One very important option isschools; charter schools; private schools; school
“supplemental educational services.”districts; community organizations (like boys’
Supplemental educational services available under Noand girls’ clubs); and faith-based
Child Left Behindorganizations, such as churches, synagogues or
Your child may be eligible for free tutoring and othermosques. Many providers will offer hands-on tutoring
supplemental academic enrichment services. Theseby trained instructors. Others may offer
services are called “supplemental educationalcomputer-based instruction that your child can access
services” in No Child Left Behind. This articlethrough a computer in a school or community center.
explains what supplemental educational services areYou can ask the school district to help you choose the
and where you can go for more information.best provider for your child.
What Are Supplemental Educational Services?What happens after I’ve chosen a provider
The term “supplemental educationalof supplemental educational services?
services” refers to extra help in academicYou will meet with the provider and your school district
subjects, such as reading, language arts andstaff to discuss and agree upon specific goals for your
mathematics, provided free-of-charge to certainchild; to set up a schedule for services; and to decide
students. These services are provided outside thehow your child’s progress will be measured.
regular school day—before or after school, onYour school district will pay for the supplemental
weekends or in the summer.educational services. If you have questions, do not
Who can get these services?hesitate to contact your school principal or the Title I
Generally, students who are eligible for free ordirector in your child’s school district.
reduced-price lunch and are enrolled in Title I schoolsWhere can I get more information?
that have been placed on the state’sTo learn about supplemental educational services in
“in need of improvement” list foryour area, you may contact:
two or more years are eligible to receive freeYour local school district. Your school principal, other
supplemental educational services.staff in your school or your district Title I director will be
How will I know if my child is eligible?able to help you. The district phone number is usually
Your school district will notify you if your child is eligiblelisted in the blue pages of the local telephone directory.
for supplemental educational services. If you think yourYour local Parental Information and Resource Center
child may be eligible, but you have not been notified,The U.S. Department of Education, toll-free at
check with your school principal, the Title I director in1-888-814-6252.
your school district, or a local community partner. SeeFinally, be sure to attend parent-teacher conferences,
the last section of this article for contact information.parent organization meetings and other events at your
How do I find a good supplemental educationalchild’s school. You can get a lot of
services program for my child?information, ideas and help from teachers as well as
Your school district will give you a list offrom other parents.