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BOOK REVIEW:
Understanding American Schools |
| Answers to Newcomers’ Most Frequently Asked Questions |
Peggy Love, President, |
| Full Circle International Relocations, Inc.
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peggy.love@fullcircle.com
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Understanding American Schools is a must for anyone coming to the United States with children. This efficient handbook gives an overview of the American school system and provides a guide for families from any country relocating to the United States.
The authors are Anne P. Copeland, Ph.D, of The Interchange Institute; and, Georgia Bennett, Bennett Educational Resources.
International newcomers to the United States are often surprised, confused and frustrated with the American school system and they search for something just like home. The quest for a system that mirrors the home country system is an impossible task and a recipe for disappointments and frustrations. As with every aspect of international relocation, the management of expectations is critical to the success of the entire family. The more you know about the traditions and cultural aspects, and the school system, in a new country, the easier the transition and the more productive a person or family will be.
In the book’s Introduction, Copeland and Bennett advise parents to “look for a school that you think will benefit your child, one that offers a new approach, a new opportunity, a new context for learning.” They recommend evaluating the local schools during the homefinding process and choosing a home and school together. Both decisions require preparation, advice and expertise.
Understanding American Schools is a valuable tool for relocation professionals, parents and anyone who is part of the international relocation process.
In our own work with corporate assignees from many different countries we find the educational issues to be some of the most challenging issues facing the families. As is the case with all aspects of crossing cultural and geographic boundaries, raising the level of awareness of differences is often more powerful than you think. The authors recommend using the book in conjunction with information gleaned from the internet or directly from the school or school system. In this way it can be sort of a second opinion.
Relocation professionals would be wise to use Understanding American Schools as a training tool for their destination consultants. Everyone involved in the relocation of a family with children moving to the United States should study this book. How it is used as a resource will depend on the individual needs of each family and the sponsoring corporation or organization.
Each person will use it in a different way - one size fits one.
In my view, in the world of international relocation this book is a “must have” for the assignee, for the family and for relocation professionals. Georgia Bennett and Anne Copeland have provided a simple way to help navigate the confusing and often frustrating process of the American school system. As they state in the book, “Your child’s enrollment in an American school may be your most important entrée into American culture.
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Edwin Cohen
Publisher & Editor
GLOBAL HR NEWS
www.globalhrnews.com
phone: +1.619.297.5700
email: news@globalhrnews.com |
President
COMARKETING PARTNERS
7910 IVANHOE AVENUE
SUITE 432
LA JOLLA
CALIFORNIA
92037
USA |
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| ----- PAST CONFERENCES ----- |
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