Transferring to the American School System

There is a general level of concern about the “transferability” of children into and back out of the U.S. education system. This is a genuine problem as there are considerable differences between the U.S. and International styles of education. The problem seems to be most acute with younger children (aged 5-7). A child transferring between systems at or around those ages will find it most difficult that other ages. This is because at that age in the U.S. system, they will only be beginning to read, write and do maths, whereas in other systems they will have been doing that type of work for a year or two. A child arriving in the U.S. at that age would be extremely bored, and there seems to be little flexibility to address the problem. At the opposite end of the scale, a child returning to an International system might well find that they are behind their peers.

By the age of 9 or 10, it is said that children in the U.S. system will be level with their international peers in the core subject areas of reading, writing and math. However, they are likely to have covered different material in the wider curriculum areas such as history and geography. In Texas, these subjects are generally taught together under the heading “Social Studies” and, as may be expected, have a very American (if not Texan) focus. Modern languages are another area which is paid less emphasis in the U.S. schools.

TAKS Testing

The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test and other state assessment tests can be extremely useful for school districts, teachers, parents and even students. The result of these tests indicate how students across the state are doing, and if the techniques implemented by Texas educators are working in the classrooms.

What is the TAKS Test?

TAKS was established in 2003 as the statewide assessment test. Texas state law requires that students in grades three through eleven complete a yearly reading and math assessment. Writing assessments are completed by fourth and seventh graders, and science is required for the fifth, tenth, and eleventh grades. Social Studies tests are implemented in the eighth, tenth and eleventh grades. TAKS is designed to see how well a student is able to acquire, learn and use the specific skills and goals outlined in an instructional unit or year-long curriculum that is taught according to state educational standards.

What do the Results Mean?

After the TAKS are scored, parents have access to the results. Guides have been created to help parents understand their child’s scores. Additionally, the state of Texas has produced informational booklets to help educators, parents and students understand the various aspects and ideas behind TAKS. Your child’s school should be able to provide you with this information, or tell you where to find it. The Texas Education Agency has also created a family study guide so students are able to sharpen the skills they will need for each test. Past tests are available online so that students can use actual tests for practice as well.

Helping Your Child Prepare for the TAKS Test

Create a study routine and schedule. Chances are that students will not study unless they know that it is expected of them. By scheduling a regular, mandatory study time, you will also know when you should be available to answer your child’s homework questions.

Tutoring

If you notice that these study sessions are not helping your child improve, you may want to look into professional educational services or a tutoring program. Tutoring has helped thousands of children across the nation catch up with their peers in academic subjects. A good program will identify the areas where your student needs help most. Some tutoring centers now implement assessment tests before creating your child’s lesson plans. They can create personalized lesson plans from these results. A tutor will give your child individual attention and work with your child’s particular learning style.

Finding the right tutor for you can be tough. When looking for someone to help prepare your child for the TAKS test, make sure the tutor is state-certified. State-certified tutors are licensed and are up-to-date on Texas’ educational standards.

Public Schools

There are a number of public school districts in the Houston area. All are independent of each other and have certain standards and criteria to meet. While there are no fees to attend public school, you are required to reside in the school district and attend the school in your zoned area. If attendance at a particular school is desired, you should research the school(s) prior to renting or buying your housing in order to best meet your child’s educational needs. Transportation is available for children to and from school. All districts have websites and the Texas Education Agency website has details of all Houston school districts.

All schools keep a similar calendar. Some districts may have different in-service days, but basically school starts around mid August and ends around mid May. There is a weeks off for Thanksgiving (third week in November), and approximately two weeks off for Christmas and New Year. There is also a one week long Spring Break, usually in March. In addition, there are several days off every year for public holidays.

Below is a list of school districts in the Houston area:

Aldine ISD                   www.aldine.k12.tx.us                             281-449-1011
Alief ISD                       www.aliefisd.net                                       281-498-8110
Chennelview ISD      www.channelview.isd.esc4.net          281-452-8002
Clear Creek ISD         www.ccisd.net                                           281-332-2828
Crosby ISD                 www.crosbyisd.org                                  281-328-9200
Cypress Fairbanks ISD  www.cfisd.net                                     281-897-4000
Deer Park ISD           www.dpisd.org                                            281-930-4600
Galena Park ISD       www.galenaparkisd.com                        713-672-7491
Goose Creek ISD      www.gcisd.net                                             281-420-4800
Houston ISD              www.houstonisd.org                               713-892-6000
Huffman ISD             www.huffmanisd.net                                 281-324-1871
Humble ISD              www.humble.k12.tx.us                            281-540-5000
Katy ISD                     www.katyisd.org                                         281-396-6000
Klein ISD                    www.kleinisd.net                                        281-655-6160
La Porte ISD             www.laporte.isd.esc4.net                       281-604-7000
North Forest ISD    www.nfisd.org                                              713-633-1600
Pasadena ISD            www.pasadenaisd.org                              713-920-6800
Sheldon ISD              www.sheldonisd.com                                281-459-7301
Spring ISD                 www.springisd.org                                      281-586-1140
Spring Branch ISD  www.springbranchisd.com                    713-464-1511
Tomball ISD              www.tomballisd.net                                  281-357-3100
Waller ISD                 www.waller.isd.esc4.net                          936-931-3685

Below is a map of the Houston area, showing key highways and some of the surrounding towns. Houston is divided into North, South, East, and West. The Interstate 10 runs through the center of Houston and travels East to West. Anything North of I-10 is described as North Houston, and anything South, is South Houston. East and West are divided by Downtown Houston. Many of the roads here have one or more names, which are commonly used in traffic reports. The more common of these are:

I-10 West (The Katy Freeway)
I-10 East (The Baytown Freeway)
I-45 South (The Gulf Freeway)
Highway 59 South (The Southwest Freeway)
Highway 59 North (The Eastex Freeway)
Highway 290 (The Northwest Freeway)
Sam Houston Tollway (The Beltway or Beltway 8 )
Highway 610 (The Loop)

Toll Roads in Houston

Houston has a number of toll roads. The one most frequently used is the Sam Houston Tollway (this is the easiest way to get from Bush Intercontinental Airport to I-10). There are two ways to pay:

Cash: payable either in exact change, which you throw into a receptable (coins only) or at a Full Service booth, where change can be given.

EZ Tag: An electronic tag, which must be arranged in advance by contacting the relevent office. Details of the nearest office can be found on the website at www.eztagstore.com. This site also allows you to open a new account, update vehicle information, etc. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at your own convenience.

HOV Lanes

Highways that lead into Downtown Houston have High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes where at designated times and rush hours cars traveling with 2 (off peak) or 3 (peak) may drive in a separate lane. Entrance ramps are placed in designated areas so watch for signs if you are trying to use the HOV  lane. The police monitor these exits so they are not abused. The lane direction is reversed for vehicles leaving the city in the afternoon.

• All drivers and passengers are required by law to wear safety belts.
• State approved car seats must be used for children 8 years of age and under unless that child is taller than 4’9″.
• Texas does not have a slow, middle, and fast lane on highways, so be prepared for vehicles passing on both sides.
• Vehicles will weave in and out of traffic and rarely use indicators
• Be extremely vigilant until you are used to the levels of traffic on the highways.
• Most main roads near schools and hospitals have speed restrictions during certain times of the day. Be sure to obey these.
• You must pay careful attention when driving near a yellow school bus. When the bus stops at a pick up or drop off, the driver will put out a stop sign with red lights flashing at the back. You must stop your vehicle behind the bus, whichever lane you are in, and wait until the moves on. Vehicles on the opposite side of the road must also stop unless separated by a median.
• Stop signed are used instead of roundabouts. Most junctions will either have traffic lights or 4-way intersections which all show a stop sign. The first driver to approach the junction has the right of way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle to the right takes precedence. If you come to an intersection at which no one else is, you must still obey the stop sign.
• If you reach a junction and the traffic lights are out, everyone reverts to operating as a 4-way stop system.
• Traffic fines double if you commit an offence where there are construction workers present.
• It is permissible at most junctions (unless there is notice to the contrary) to turn right at red traffic lights if the way is clear, but you must stop and observe before doing so.

If you are involved in an automobile accident, the follow is the advice given by the Department of Public Safety:

• Stop at once (if you are blocking traffic, move your car out of the way as quickly as possible)
• Arrange at once to warn other traffic to prevent a further crash
• Help anyone who may be hurt
• Notify the nearest police station, sheriff’s office or state trooper immediately if anyone is injured or killed or there is damage to any vehicle to the extent that it cannot be normally and safely driven
• Give your name, address, vehicle registration number, driver’s license number and insurance information to anyone who was involved in the accident. Get the same information from the other driver. Record the insurance company name and policy number exactly as shown on the driver’s proof of insurance card. Similar company names can cause confusion. If you have the name of the driver’s company, call the Texas Department of Insurance toll-free at 1-800-252-3439 to get the company address and telephone number.
• If there is an injury, death or $1,000 property damage to any one person, you must make a written report to the Department of Public Safety; if however, the accident was investigated by a law enforcement officer, the officer’s report will fulfill this reporting requirement.
• If you damage an unattended vehicle, you must either locate the owner or leave your name, address, the name of the owner of the vehicle you were driving and a statement of what happened on the damaged vehicle where the owner will find it.
• If you damage property you must make a reasonable effort to locate the owner to give him all the necessary information.
• When an accident occurs on a main lane, ramp, shoulder, median, or adjacent area of a freeway in a metropolitan area and the vehicles can be safely driven, each driver shall move his/her vehicle away from the accident area to the designated accident investigation site, if available, or other suitable location to minimize interference with freeway traffic.
• If you are involved in a hit-and-run accident, report this to a law enforcement agency for investigation. The Texas Department of Insurance advises that your uninsured motorist coverage will pay for your damage in hit-and-run accidents, only if the accident is reported to the police.

Roadside Assistance

If you are in need of roadside assistance in the instance of a flat tire, car trouble, etc. the DPS has a toll free number for motorists to contract for non-emergency roadside assistance: 1-800-525-5555, which is printed on the back of most drivers’ licenses.

The toll-free line has been operated by DPS for several years for motorists reporting non-life-threatening situations on Texas roads and highways. The DPS then passes the information along to the appropriate local police agency or DPS office. However, in the event it is an emergency, we suggest you call 9-1-1.

Please be aware that the DPS does not send out a tow truck at the state’s expense. They will either come to assist you or refer you to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. If a tow truck is ultimately dispatched, the motorist is responsible for any costs incurred. Some cities and agencies do have courtesy patrols and roadside trucks to provide non-towing services and they may be dispatched by the local agencies when appropriate.