Find out which supplies your child will need in class this year.

A list of dates and times for the start of the 2009 school year.

John Matarese goes shopping to find who has the lowest prices and best selection for back to school supplies for 2009.

After last year's school bus route debacle, Hillsborough County is letting parents know via the Web when and where busses will pick up their kids.

Depending on their budget, some schools may provide more supplies for their students than others. But even so, there are certain items the children will almost always have to bring themselves.

The most dramatic difference between private schools and public schools is the cost, and the quality of education. Aside from taxes, public schools are free, while private school tuition can be extremely expensive.

In public schools, regular homework generally begins by fifth or sixth grade, though short assignments may be given much earlier. Children under ten will usually need the most encouragement; you may have to help them get started, remind them of their study time, and check lessons after they're completed.

If a child's having trouble in a particular subject, tutoring can often be a good solution. But before you take any action, you should find out why your child is failing.

One of the simplest ways to encourage learning is by answering your child's questions. Children are curious. They want to know everything about the world around them.

After-school programs should strike a happy medium between leisure and learning. Ideally, they'll offer a variety of activities, without being merely an extension of the school day.

When a child scores in the top two to five percent on national tests such as IQ or achievement tests, they're considered to be academically gifted. Gifts may also come in other forms, like an exceptional talent for art or music.

Typically, children can start kindergarten at age four or five, though the cutoff dates will vary by state. As to whether it's appropriate for your child start, that depends on their maturity, and to a lesser degree, their academic skills.

Though each facility may accept different age ranges, preschool programs are typically for ages three and four. Preschools may also be known as daycare centers, pre-kindergartens, or early childhood centers.

Before hiring a caregiver, be sure to ask for a list of references, both personal and professional. When questioning personal references, it's a good idea to discuss the candidate's honesty, consistency, and personal habits.