We believe that a strong partnership between teachers and parents is essential to the academic success of students. When teachers and parents work together to reinforce high standards of conduct and achievement, the result is a school that “works,” a learning environment that promotes success.
Currently under the law, every charter school located in New York City must establish either a parents’ association or a parent-teacher association.
We hope that the resources below will help parents better navigate the school system and support their children’s learning outside the classroom.
Help with homework
Dial-A-Teacher — UFT’s homework help program. Classroom teachers answer homework questions at 212-777-3380, Monday through Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. during the school year.
Homework NYC Apps — Help for adults in helping the students in their lives use internet tools properly and effectively for homework.
Scholarship and financial aid information
Albert Shanker College Scholarship Fund — Each year, the UFT proudly awards nearly $1 million in undergraduate and graduate scholarships to academically excellent and financially eligible students from New York City public schools.
Student Aid on the Web — Free information from the U.S. Dept. of Education on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.
College Answer — A resource for college planning from Sallie Mae.
Fin Aid — A comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools.
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation — A resource from New York State that covers state and federal grants as well as loans and scholarships.
College Board — The College Board is the organization that administers the SATs; their site has test information as well as other college prep material.
Check out the UFT website’s environmental health section, which contains practical information on many health concerns that parents may have, including asthma, obesity, swine flu and lice, among many other topics.
Helping Your Child Series
This series of booklets, co-published by the American Federation of Teachers and 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: