Ayude a sus hijos a triunfar en la escuela secundaria y llegar a la universidad. (Help Your Children Succeed in High School and Go to College)

By staff -- Críticas, 11/15/2007

Teenagers often face many obstacles to doing well in school, including peer pressure and the lure of gangs, particularly if they are new to the United States and/or the English language. This brief guide by Argentinian Dabbah [Ayude a sus hijos a triunfar en la escuela (Help Your Children Succeed in School); Sourcebooks, 2006], who has worked as a consultant to the New York City public schools and created a Parent Involvement Division for them, contains useful information for parents of high school students. She begins by reassuring parents that their children may attend public schools regardless of immigration status and proceeds to go over the basics (how the school system operates, graduation requirements, key exams and programs, etc.). She also considers the various options for education, such as distance learning, night school, and the GED, and addresses extracurricular activities and summer programs, stressing their importance for both improved educational opportunities and for keeping students interested and away from potentially harmful influences. Information on how adults can and should get involved in school activities, help students stay out of trouble, and help children separated from parents is very useful and not available in similar guides. The author also provides helpful information on postsecondary educational opportunities, the college application process, financial aid, and planning for college, though readers will want to consult various sources. Sidebars with hints from teachers and other experts and messages from students who have graduated and gone on to college will inspire both parents and students. Available in Spanish and English, this concise and inexpensive book is a good addition to public library collections serving Spanish speakers and Latino families.—Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., CA