Just checking....

If you have a kid in school, have you:

1. Checked his or her backpack for homework?

2. Gotten to know the teacher?

3. Taken a look at any pertinent academic rankings for the school? (States differ in how they do this and federal "Adequate Yearly Progress" is a joke.)

4. Investigated a charter school (if your state has any)in case your district school, well, stinks?

5. Told your kid you love him (or her) and you expect junior to do his very, very best, even if it's not always fun?

6. If not, why not?

Yes, it's August, and school hasn't started everywhere. But in lots of places, classes are in session. In any case, it's never too early or late to think about these things.

Heck, half the battle in education is just being prepared.