The District of Columbia Public Schools has adopted new learning standards for core subjects, including reading/English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The new standards show what students should know and be able to do: (1) in each subject; (2) at each grade level; and (3) in every school. This publication guides parents in how to talk to their children's teachers in Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies about the new standards and about how well their children are doing in these subjects in prekindergarten through second grade.