Understanding American Schools, Second Edition

This valuable book guides newcomers from around the world through the challenges of understanding the US school system, from pre-school through high school. Written by two internationally-known experts in international relocation and education, this thorough but user-friendly guide is packed with information not found in any other single source.

Dr. Copeland, the Founder and Executive Director of the Interchange Institute, is also Adjunct Associate Professor in the Psychology Department at Boston University. From 1979 to 1997 she was Associate Professor where she conducted research and research supervision in psychological aspects of family process assessment, ethnicity, cultural influences, immigration, development, developmental disabilities and affective development.

She has written several books on topics of families and transition (Studying Families, Sage 1991, and Separating Together, 1997), has completed extensive intercultural research pertaining to family and adjustment and has authored over 60 research articles, chapters, and professional presentations.

Dr. Copeland developed and conducts International Writers' Club meetings for international newcomers in her community; essays from these Clubs about cultural differences are published in school newsletters, enhancing intercultural understanding throughout the school community.

In 1994, Dr. Copeland began her role as editor/publisher of the Newcomer's Almanac, a newsletter for international newcomers to the United States, used by individuals and by corporations bringing foreign nationals into the U.S. to work.

Since 1995, Dr. Copeland has directed the "Many Women Many Voices" study of expatriate accompanying spouses, a multinational in-depth analysis of the social, familial, and personal aspects of moving to a new country. This study was competed in the fall of 2001 and a copy of the final report is now available. She herself relocated with her family to work in London in 1988, where she was the academic advisor for Boston University's British Programs.

Dr. Copeland is a licensed psychologist with expertise in families in cultural transition, child development, and clinical psychology. Among the many services and tools she provides to businesses is cross-cultural training for individuals and families moving to and from the United States. She currently lives with her husband and two daughters in Brookline, MA.

Georgia Bennett received her degrees in Business Management at the University of New Hampshire and at Eastern College. After serving as Associate Director of Admissions at Brewster Academy and as an educational consultant in Philadelphia, Georgia founded Bennett Educational Resources (BER) in 1991.

Georgia is listed in the Book of Leaders of Philadelphia and in Who's Who of American Women. BER was named to the Wharton School/Philadelphia Business Journal List of Philadelphia's 100 fastest growing companies. As President, Georgia oversees all of BER's consulting services and manages the company's corporate accounts. She is a member of the Secondary School Admission Test Board (SSATB), The Employee Relocation Council (ERC), and The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Georgia consults to individual students, parents and human resource managers in all areas related to education. She specializes in evaluation and placement of primary and secondary school age children in the US and abroad.