Step-daughter here, doesn't want to go home.

[Boiler 46,111]

http://britishexpats.com/

Have a look on there about the UK/US educational difference.

[LuvHaleiwa 1]

She's enrolled in school and today will be 1 full week that she's been attending.

It was a tad bit of a nightmare getting her enrolled because we had to argue with them - they did want proof of immigrant status, but after I told them they're not allowed to ask and I showed them the information about Plyler v. Doe (thanks everyone for that btw), they called the school district office and then came back to us and apologized profusely - they didn't ask anymore questions about anything - they just enrolled her. I did bring her school records from the UK, but they never even looked at them.

Anyhow, her take on the US vs UK school system after 1 week is this:

English classes are easier here and everything else is a lot harder.

All in all, she seems to be adjusting well and making new friends - so far so good.

Her birth certificate should arrive any day now and we can get started on the visa.

[BobH 17]

I have two grown (born in the US) kids that have both graduated college.

Even though what you are dealing with the school is specifically related to immigration, the overall issues apply to everyone dealing with the schools.

One of my kids had a learning disability. I discovered quickly that:

• The teachers and school administrators are used to saying "this is so" and having parents buy it, so they don't bother to find out if it is true. Often they don't know what they are talking about.
• You have rights. The more you know what your rights are the better things are. They don't read the pamphlets they themselves hand you.
• They are chauvinist pigs. I am talking about the women, professional educated women. The male teachers and administrators are actually better about this. They will not listen to the wife (the ex was very educated, MS in Engineering, executive at a major corporation), they listen to the husband. Bring Dad as often as you can.
• They have to worry about "all the kids", and they will use that line on you constantly. Don't fall for it. Your job is that one girl, you advocate for her and her only.

Sorry for the vent, but re-reading that every bit is true. My "belongs in a trade school and will never learn to read" kid has a college degree. I have to share credit with the ex, and the kid.

Hopefully these people are better than the ones we had. I have a 7 yo coming so I get to do this all over again!

Good luck.