Resources for Parents

Just Ask!
Just Ask! is part of AFT’s Faculty and College Excellence (FACE) campaign to address the academic staffing crisis in higher education. The Just Ask! program targets parents and students who are in the process of choosing a college or university. As part of their decision-making process we recommend asking four questions about who is teaching undergraduate classes at an institution and how well those faculty members are treated. You can download the brochure or visit the Just Ask! page on the FACE Web site for more information.  (March 2009)

Helping Your Child Series
This series of booklets, co-published with the U.S. Department of Education, includes practical suggestions and activities parents can use at home with their children to help them succeed in school. The booklets are ideal for distributing at parent-teacher conferences, open houses, back-to-school nights, and other events that attract a lot of parents. Single copy $1; 65 cents each for orders of 10 or more with further discounts available to affiliates ordering in bulk.

• Helping Your Child Become a Reader (2003; reprinted Oct. 2008)
• Helping Your Preschool Child (2003). Available in English and Spanish
• Cómo ayudar a su hijo durante los primeros años de la adolescencia (Helping Your Adolescent Child) (2003). Only available in Spanish.
• Comó ayudar a su hijo a tener éxito en la escuela (Helping Your Child Succeed in School) (2003). Only available in Spanish.

The following booklets are not available for download, but may be ordered by sending a check payable to American Federation of Teachers to: AFT Order Department, 555 New Jersey Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20001. Shipping and handling costs are included.

• Cómo ayudar a sus hijos a usar la biblioteca (Helping Your Child Use the Library) (1993). 27 pages. Item no. 39-0355.
• Helping Your Child Learn Responsible Behavior (1993). 44 pages. Item no. 39-0352.
• Helping Your Child Learn Science (1992). 58 pages. Item no. 39-0354.

Reading, and a love for reading, begins at home and research has shown that children who have a solid foundation in their first language have an easier time learning to read in English. These one-page reading tip sheets offer easy ways for parents to help their children become successful readers—even if parents don't speak English! (April 2007).

• Tips for parents of Preschoolers English | Spanish
• Tips for parents of Kindergartners English | Spanish
• Tips for parents of First Graders English | Spanish
• Tips for parents of Second Graders English | Spanish
• Tips for parents of Third Graders English | Spanish

Pathways to Success
English | Spanish
This brochure provides handy information to parents on the key issues affecting schools and their children's education, the main roles and responsibilities of the school system's various components, and helpful academic tips in each core academic subject for every grade from prekindergarten through grade 12. (February 2007)