HARTFORD, Conn. — When the Williams family migrated to Hartford from Jamaica a few years ago, they were amazed by the flexibility of the American education system. Unlike the Jamaican education system, which they describe as rigid, the Williamses say the U.S. offers more options, particularly as the students get older, as they make their way into middle school and high school.

"I'm a little anxious (for the start of the school year)," Nikita Williams said about sending her daughter to college. "I’m anticipating the day of moving for her. There are some things we have to make sure we have.”

But unlike Jamaica, the family is shocked by the cost and amount of school supplies needed in the U.S. That's what brought the family to the Capitol Region Education Council's back-to-school block p

See Full Page