The following Web sites provide helpful information for parents on a wide variety of educational topics. The topics are listed alphabetically.

College

www.act.org — ACT and PLAN test registration and preparation, financial planning, career and college planning for middle school students.

www.collegeboard.org — SAT, PSAT, and Subject Test registration and preparation, college search, the application process, financial planning.

www.fafsa.gov — Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed to receive financial aid.

www.finaid.org — an excellent guide to financial aid.

studentaid.ed.gov — information from the U.S. Department of Education on preparing for and finding education beyond high school .

Gifted

www.cec.sped.org — Council for Exceptional children – publications, federal education, gifted news and issues.

www.nagc.org — National Association for Gifted Children with information for parents including support groups, advocacy, and legislation.

Handwriting

www.dnealian.com — D’Nealian – description, comparison to traditional methods.

www.zanerbloser.com — Zaner-Bloser – research, articles, information, resources.

Homeschooling

www.hslda.org — Home School Legal Defense Association – answers legal questions, state laws, support groups, useful tips on homeschooling.

www.nheri.org — National Home Education Research Institute – research facts on homeschooling.

Learning centers

www.huntingtonlearning.com — Huntington Learning Center – K-12 tutoring, locations, SAT/PSAT &ACT preparation.

www.kumon.com — Kumon – reading and math programs, method description, locations.

www.sylvanlearning.com — Sylvan Learning Center – tutoring and supplemental education sources (math, reading, writing study skills, homework help, test preparation, and more, locations.

Learning disabilities

www.allkindsofminds.org — All Kinds of Minds – research, parent tip sheets, ask the expert.

www.ldanatl.org — Learning Disabilities Association of America – information on disabilities including dyslexia, ADD, and ADHD; state and local organizations, support services, fact sheets, and publications.

www.ncld.org — National Center for Learning Disabilities – essential information for parents of children with learning disabilities including children’s rights, advocacy, publications, and IDEA tool kit.

ADD/ADHD

www.add.org — National Attention Deficit Organization – information, support groups, treatment, resources, networking opportunities.

www.chadd.org — Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder – information, resources.

Montessori program information

www.amshq.org — American Montessori Society – school search, philosophy, basic information.

www.montessori-ami.org — Association Montessori International – school search, philosophy, basic information.

No Child Left Behind

www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml — No Child Left Behind – official government Web site with bill provisions and latest information.

Reading

www.adlit.org — All About Adolescent Literacy – resources for parents and educators in grades 4-12.

www.getreadytoread.org — Get Ready to Read – activities and resources to strengthen reading skills, screening tool to check young children’s pre-reading skills.

www.readingrockets.org — Reading Rockets – reading research, techniques for teaching reading, shows on PBS, strategies to help struggling readers, step-by-step guide to raising a reader, tip sheets for parents.

www.readwritethink.org — ReadWriteThink – student materials, access to resources in reading and language arts.

Retention

www.nasponline.org/about_nasp/pospaper_graderetent.aspx — National Association of School Psychologists – position paper on grade retention.

Speech

www.asha.org — American Speech-Language-Hearing Association – facts about communications problems and children’s speech and language development.

www.stutteringhelp.org — Stuttering Foundation of America – service and support for those who stutter and their families, brochures, newsletters, and facts on stuttering.

Travel abroad programs

www.afs.org — American Field Service – hosting and participation opportunities in international exchange programs.

www.ciee.org — Council on International Educational Exchange – work, travel, study, and exchange programs for high school and college students.

www.csiet.org — Council on Standards for International Educational Travel – standards that travel programs should meet and list of reputable international travel organizations.

Web sites for resources

www.free.ed.gov — Federal Resources for Educational Excellence – free learning activities and information on a great variety of topics.