Sometimes, help on a question about schools can be just a click or two away. This list provides Internet links to answers to questions about K-12 schools, higher education and adult education. It also includes links to research reports and some just-for-fun sites.

How can I find a school?

The state Department of Education lists public and nonpublic schools in Pennsylvania. In many cases, the site includes links to a school's Web site. The schools are listed by the county in which they are based, but charter schools are open to any resident of Pennsylvania. A full list of cyber charter schools, which serve the entire state, can be found in the statewide list of charter schools on this site.

What are charter schools?

Charter schools are public schools open to any state resident. The resident's school district pays for each student who attends. More information -- including the laws governing them and their locations -- is available on the state Department of Education Web site.

What does the federal No Child Left Behind Act require?

This law requires states to test students in grades 3 through 8 and once in high school. It calls for all students to be proficient by 2014. Schools that miss the requirements along the way face sanctions. The full text of the law can be found on the U.S. Department of Education Web site.

The No Child Left Act is in the midst of the reauthorization process before Congress. Here are some changes the U.S. Department of Education is proposing and some explanations of the law from the department's point of view.

The state Department of Education Web site provides details on how this law is being carried out in Pennsylvania. It also includes a paper on the changes the state would like to see made in NCLB.

How well is my school doing?

Reading and math test scores, graduation rates and student attendance are at the heart of the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act. Each school must make "adequate yearly progress" or face sanctions. This site provides details on how every public school in Pennsylvania performed in meeting the AYP standards.

More information on student test results can be found on the Pennsylvania Department of Education Web site. This includes results of the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests in math, reading and writing. This site shows results on the tests for school, districts and by subgroups, such as race and income. The test results may vary slightly from those on the AYP site because there are some differences in the students counted.

Standard &Poor's has a Web site that provides www.schoolmatters.com information on test scores, school spending and demographics for public schools in Pennsylvania and elsewhere.

What is the average SAT score in my high school?

The state Department of Education provides the average SAT scores for public high schools throughout the state. Links are toward the bottom of the page.

What are the academic standards in Pennsylvania?

The state Board of Education has provided long lists of what students should learn at various grade levels in reading, writing, speaking and listening; math; history; science and technology; environment and ecology; arts and humanities; career education and work; civics and government; economics; family and consumer science; geography; and health, safety and physical education.

What are the graduation requirements in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania requires students to meet state academic standards but does not mandate a specific exit exam. The graduation requirements are part of a law known as Chapter 4, which can be reached through the state Department of Education's Education Regulations page. The graduation requirements are in Section 4.24. Other topics covered in Chapter 4 includes academic standards, curriculum and vocational-technical education.

How do Pennsylvania students compare with others in the nation?

The National Assessment of Educational Progress -- known as the Nation's Report Card -- compares how students in each state fare on national tests.

How do students compare with students throughout the world?

One of the best-known yardsticks is the Trends in Math and Science Study, known as TIMSS. The most recent results available are for data collected in 2003.

Another international study is the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study, known as PIRLS, which is from 2001.

What are the rules for homeschooling a child?

The state Department of Education has rules governing homeschoolers, as explained on its Web site.

What are children in special education entitled to?

The state Department of Education Web site explains the special education rules, including requirements for an individualized education plan, known as an IEP.

The state law pertaining to special education rights -- Title 22, Chapter 12 of the state code -- also can be found on the Web.

Federal laws also govern services to special education students through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004. This federal site helps to explain the law.

This site provides a copy of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004.

What are gifted children entitled to?

The state Department of Education's rules and resources on gifted children can be found on its Web site.

The state law covering the gifted -- Title 22, Chapter 16 of the state code -- also can be found on the Web.

How many students are in my school?

Enrollment figures can be found on the state Department of Education Web site.

What are the rules for playing high school sports?

High school sports are governed by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association. Rules can be found on its Web site.

How much is my school spending?

The state Department of Education provides selected information on expenditures and revenues from school districts' annual financial reports.

How much is property tax in Allegheny County school districts?

The Allegheny County treasurer's office lists millage rates on its Web site. One mill amounts to $1 for each $1,000 of property value taxed.

How can I get financial aid for an elementary or secondary school student?

Each school has its own policies, and some have their own sources of money. Some aid is provided through the state Education Improvement Tax Credits which provide tax credits to businesses that donate to scholarship organizations. The same page also provides lists of scholarship organizations -- linked from near the bottom of the page.

When can teachers strike?

Teachers strikes are governed by Act 88 of 1992. Among other things, the act ensures public school students receive at least 180 days of instruction.

Which teachers have had their certificates revoked?

The state Department of Education periodically publishes lists of educators whose certificates have been revoked or suspended. It does not comment on any that may or may not be under investigation.

What tests do I have to take to get into college?

There are two main college entrance exams: the SAT, which is the most popular in Pennsylvania, and the ACT. Many colleges will accept the results of either.

Information on the SAT, including an SAT question of the day: www.collegeboard.com

Information on the ACT: www.act.org

Some schools do not require college entrance exams for at least some of their programs. FairTest, a nonprofit advocacy group, keeps a list of these.

What colleges, universities and trade schools are in Pennsylvania?

The state Department of Education lists all schools by category on its Web site. Many have links to the school's own Web site.

The state Department of Education has more higher education information on this Web page:

How can I find out more about higher education choices?

The College Board Web site has a "College Quick Finder" and a "College Matchmaker" which can help you to learn more about a specific two-year or four-year college or find ones with the characteristics you want.

The National Center for Education Statistics has a Web site called the College Opportunities Online Locator -- COOL -- that can help you find or provide information on a school. It covers more than 7,000 schools offering certificates and associate, bachelor's and graduate degrees.

The Princeton Review has "Counselor-O-Matic" which suggests colleges based on a student's input.

How much is tuition?

This state Department of Education link provides an easy way to compare tuition across schools in Pennsylvania. For schools across the country, the COOL link can provide tuition information. The most up-to-date information usually can be found on each school's Web site.

What are the graduation rates of colleges?

The Education Trust, a nonprofit group, has a Web site with graduation rates for many colleges and universities. Users also can compare a school with similar schools.

Where can I get money for higher education?

Many free Web sites have information on financial aid. Here's a sampling:

Financial aid forms

Federal financial aid form required by nearly every school.

CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE form required by some colleges and universities.

General financial aid information

Comprehensive government site explaining federal student aid.

National Center for Education Statistics site includes information on college costs, aid by school.

American Education Services (PHEAA) site covering range of topics.

Site created by financial aid planner Mark Kantrowitz. Its scholarship search uses FastWeb. www.finaid.com

American Council on Education site explaining costs, choices

Petersons offers financial aid, other information

College Board site has section on paying for college

Princeton Review offers information on finance, calculators, tips on filling out forms.

The site of large lender Sallie Mae includes tips on loans, other financial aid

Sports scholarships

This site's "College Game Plan" offers campus finder by sport.

National Collegiate Athletic Association

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics

National Junior College Athletic Association

National Christian College Athletic Association

Savings

Guide to 529 college savings plans

Calculators

Wide variety of financial calculators.

College Board site with Expected Family Contribution, college cost calculators.

Citibank site includes college budget, family contribution and loan calculators.

Savings calculator.

What financial aid is available for specifically for Pennsylvania residents?

This is managed through the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency.

Where can I get advice on higher education?

The Post-Gazette has three of its special sections containing higher education advice available online.

Where the Money Is

Who Gets In?

Making Choices

How safe is my campus?

The Office of Postsecondary Education in the U.S. Department of Education provides campus crime data.

Where can an adult get help earning a GED or learning to read?

The Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council provides help in a variety of literacy areas, including basic skills and GED preparation.

The national average composite score on the ACT, a college entrance exam, went up this year, according to the ACT College Readiness Report 2007. Release date: Aug. 15, 2007.

Pennsylvania ranks among the top quarter of states in terms of tough standards for proficiency on state tests, according to a study by the National Center for Education Statistics, an arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Public Elementary and Secondary School Student Enrollment, High School Completions, and Staff From the Common Core of Data: School Year 2005-06. Release date: June 7, 2007

Public charter schools help school district finances and bring outside money to public education, according to an issue brief by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, a charter school advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. The brief is called "The Bottom Line: Six Myths about the Financial Impact of Public Charter Schools." Release date: July 9, 2007

Student achievement in math and reading has increased since No Child Left Behind was passed, according to the Center on Education Policy, a nonprofit group which advocates for public education. The report is called "Answering the Question That Matters Most: Has Student Achievement Increased Since No Child Left Behind?" Release date: June 5, 2007

Grades are a better predictor of academic success through four years of college than SAT college entrance exam scores are, according to a study out of the Center of Studies in Higher Education at the University of California at Berkeley. Release date: June 17, 2007.

In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, work needs to be done to improve critical information sharing and to provide complete information on individuals who are prohibited from possessing firearms, according to a federal report called "Report to the President on Issues Raised by the Virginia Tech Tragedy." It is available on the Web site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Release date: June 13, 2007.

The Historic Pittsburgh Collection on the University of Pittsburgh Web site has more than 9,900 images from 34 collections, focused on Pittsburgh in the mid-1940s and 1950s.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology makes many course materials available to the public through its OpenCourseWare.

Web cams

Some colleges and universities have live cameras on their Web sites. Some of the photos are grainy and the video choppy, but they still offer a novel glimpse in time. Here are some examples:

Carnegie Mellon University, construction of Gates Center for Computer Science

University of Pittsburgh, outside Hillman Library, including a piece of Schenley Park,

Penn State University

Allegheny College

Boston College

Cornell University

University of Colorado at Boulder

A Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Webcam features the peregrine falcons at the University of Pittsburgh.

For those who like brain-teasers, the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University offers "The Puzzle Toad".