“Picky Parent Guide is The Dr. Spock of Elementary Education. The Hassels have left no stones unturned in addressing the critical intersection of child, family and school, and they have presented the material in a friendly, indexed, bite-sized format that makes Picky Parent Guide an invaluable reference. Parents, educators and school leaders will refer to this book time and time again.”
—DR. LUCINDA LEE KATZ, Ph.D. (Child Development and Education), National Education Leader and Head of School
“This excellent book will guide parents of academically gifted children in selecting appropriate educational options. The advice is on target and very appropriate.”
—JAMES T. WEBB, Ph.D., Co-author of the award-winning Guiding the Gifted Child: A Practical Source for Parents and Teachers
“As the son of a public school teacher, the father of four children educated in public schools, and someone who has spent over 30 years working to improve public education, I can say this book will be an invaluable guide for parents who are seeking what’s best for their children.”
—JAMES B. HUNT, JR., Former Governor of North Carolina
“Picky Parent Guide is an outstanding guide for parents. It provides them with an invaluable resource that will only strengthen the choices they make regarding their children’s schools. In this day and time, it is a must read for parents contemplating this important decision.”
—MICHAEL J. FEDEWA, Superintendent of Schools, Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, NC
“All parents should have this book by the time their kids are 3 years old, if not sooner.”
—JOHNATHAN WILLIAMS, Co-Founder and Co-Director, the Accelerated School, Los Angeles, The Time Magazine Elementary School of the Year, 2001
“Picky Parent Guide addresses a neglected part of the educational choice movement: parent education. Parents need a guide to the spectrum of options that confronts them, and this is it! I would like to give this to all our families.”
—EMILY LAWSON, Founder, D.C. Preparatory Academy
“This wonderful new book will help parents understand the many excellent options they have within the public education system.”
—BART PETERSON, Former Mayor of Indianapolis
“Picky Parent Guide is phenomenal — just what parents need to stay calm and productive during the admissions process. I would consider the child of any family that has read and used this book an attractive candidate.”
—JEFF ESCABAR, Director of Admission, Marin Country Day School
“There’s not a parent in America who wouldn’t benefit from the ideas and tools in Picky Parent Guide. If you have choices, this book will help you choose with confidence. If you don’t, use this guide to press for the changes our nation needs — more options and higher school quality for every child.”
—HOWARD L. FULLER, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Education, Marquette University and Chair, Black Alliance for Educational Options
“Confused about where to send your child to school? Take a look at Picky Parent Guide and you will soon be on the right track to choosing the school and teachers that meet your child’s learning style and personality. This easy to read and comprehensive book is loaded with time tested wisdom and tools that are sure to help parents make the right decision. Very useful features include checklists, chapter summaries, charts, and “to do” lists.”
—INDEPENDENT PUBLISHER HIGHLIGHTED TITLE
“My son was completely disinterested in his second grade class and it seemed more than a typical seven year old’s dislike of school. He didn’t want to go at all. After reading Picky Parent Guide I finally had the right questions to evaluate the situation. It seemed he was a poor fit with the classroom learning environment he was in. As a result I had him moved to a different classroom with the right teacher. Since then, his whole classroom learning experience has turned around. Now he’s excited and challenged.”
—STEVEN DONALDSON, Berkeley, CA
“Picky Parent Guide is a great tool for parents of preschool children. It can help transform what is often an overwhelming and anxiety-provoking process into a manageable and empowering experience that serves both parents and children throughout the elementary years.”
—JACQUE GRILLO, Executive Director, Lone Mountain Children’s Center, San Francisco
“Picking a school for a child is the single most important decision a parent can make. Picky Parent Guide provides well-written, common-sense advice that will help parents make better, more informed decisions. Your child deserves to have you read this book.”
—THOMAS W. CARROLL, President, Foundation for Education Reform and Accountability, Founder, Brighter Choice Charter School in Albany, New York
“Picky Parent Guide… was written to be of practical utility to the tens of millions of parents who are picking a first school (or considering changing schools) for their child. Readers will learn practical, customized ways to improve a child’s school performance. If you have a child needing to be enrolled in a school that will do him or her the most good, then give a close and careful reading to Picky Parent Guide.”
—MIDWEST BOOK REVIEWS