It can be very hard sometimes to tell if your child is having problems at school, at least until reports cards come Unfortunately, most schools only offer very minimal information about coursework and expectations and of course talking about school may not be something that our kids want to do with you every day. This makes it difficult for parents to judge how well their children is mastering the material.

Here are some quick tips which can help you check up on your child's schoolwork without having to wait for report-card time:

1. Talk to your child about her classwork. Does she feel confident? Does she say whether she is keeping up or feels behind the rest of the kids?
2. Take notice of any comments that the teacher is giving on the papers. 
3. Check the work that your child brings home each day. You may have to dig through crumpled papers at the bottom of her backpack. Ask what assignments her teacher is giving the class.
4. Do not be afraid to talk to your child's teacher. Schedule a meeting if need be.
5. Most of the time the teacher will send home progress reports in between report cards. Are you getting them? If not then be sure to keep up with your child's reports from now on.

There are very few issues that have such a long-term effect on the welfare of a child as the choice of the type of school to attend. Depending on where a family may live, it can be a very tough decision. The average child will spend about 13 years in school prior to college, often attending one type the entire time.

Not surprisingly, emotions from parents and educators can run very high when discussing the choice. Advocates will stake out a position and cling to it tenaciously, seeking to find flaws in arguments for alternative choices. This, too, isn't surprising since the different camps typically have radically different starting points or outlooks.

The choice, and the arguments in favor of it, generally revolve around a difference in basic values. They ask: what is regarded as most important in education? Scholastic achievement? Social skills development? Future college or income opportunities?

Read More