Making Parent–Teacher Conferences Work for Your Child
Ten Questions to Ask During Conferences
A parent–teacher conference is a time when
important people in a student's life can talk about how that student is
doing in school. It's a chance for you to ask questions about the class or
your child's progress. It is also a time for you and the teacher to work
together as a team to discuss ways you both can help your son or daughter.
Whether your child is in elementary, middle, or secondary school,
parent-teacher conferences are important. If your school does not schedule
regular conferences, you can request them.
Teachers need your help to do a first-class job. Together, you can help
your child have a great school year.
Before the Conference
Schedule an appointment—A
parent-teacher conference is not the only time when parents and teachers
should make contact. Parents may want to schedule a special meeting with
their child's teacher for a variety of reasons. If you need to set up an
appointment with the teacher, make a phone call or write a quick note to
the teacher, and let him or her know if you have particular issues you
would like to discuss.
Talk to your child—Find
out which subjects your child likes the best and the least. Ask why. Also,
ask if there is anything your child would like you to talk about with the
teacher. Help the child understand that you and the teacher are meeting to
help him or her. If your child is in middle or high school, you may want to
include him or her in the conference.
Gather input from others—If
your spouse, another care-giving adult, or someone with pertinent
information or insight (doctor, counselor, other guardian) can't attend the
conference, ask for that person's concerns and questions before the
conference.
Make a list—Before
you go to the meeting, make a list of topics to discuss with the teacher.
Along with questions about academics and behavior, you may want to talk to
the teacher about the child's home life, personality, concerns, habits and
hobbies, and other topics that may help the teacher in working with the
child (e.g., religious holidays, music lessons, part-time jobs, a sick
relative).
During the Conference
Establish rapport—As
an icebreaker, take notice of something that reflects well upon the
teacher. For example, thank the teacher for having made thoughtful notes on
your child's homework or for the special attention in helping your child
learn to multiply.
Ask questions—Questions
you ask during the conference can help you express your hopes for the
student's success in class and for the teacher. It's a good idea to ask the
important questions first, in case time runs out. The teacher's answers
should help you both work together to help your child.
If your child receives special services (e.g.,
gifted and talented programs, speech or occupational therapy), be sure to
ask about the frequency of services and your child's progress.
Addressing problems—Parent-teacher
conferences are a good time to discuss any difficulties (either academic or
behavioral) a child might be having at school. When problems arise, parents
will want to
·
Avoid
angry or apologetic reactions. Instead, ask for examples.
·
Ask
what is being done about the problem and what strategies seem to help at
school.
·
Develop
an action plan that may include steps that parents can take at home and
steps the teacher will take when the problem comes up at school.
·
Schedule
a follow-up conference and decide on the best way to stay in touch (phone,
e-mail, or letters sent to the home).
Develop an action plan—If
the student needs help with a behavioral or an academic issue, you and the
teacher should agree on specific plans—that you both will work on—to help
your child do better. Be sure you understand what the teacher suggests. If
it's not clear, ask him or her to explain. Set up a way to check on your
child's progress. You and the teacher can decide how best to stay in touch,
such as through phone calls, notes, or additional meetings.
Ending the conference—End
the conference by reviewing what you discussed and restating your action
plan. This is also a good time to set up your next meeting.
After the Conference
When discussing the conference with the child
afterward, stress the good things that were covered and be direct about
problems that were identified. If an action plan is in place, explain to
the child what was arranged. When an action plan is in place, consider the
following: Watch your child's behavior and check on classwork and homework.
Ask how the student feels about schoolwork. Stay in touch with the teacher
to discuss your child's progress. Express appreciation as progress is made.
A good way to promote a continuing relationship with the teacher is to say
"thank-you" with a note or a telephone call. Continuing to keep
in touch with the teacher, even if things are going well, can play an
important role in helping the child do better in school. When a child knows
parents and teachers are regularly working together, the child will see
that education is a high priority requiring commitment and effort.Making Parent–Teacher Conferences Work
for Your Child
A
parent–teacher conference is a time when important people in a student's
life can talk about how that student is doing in school. It's a chance for
you to ask questions about the class or your child's progress. It is also a
time for you and the teacher to work together as a team to discuss ways you
both can help your son or daughter.
Whether your child is in elementary, middle, or secondary school,
parent-teacher conferences are important. If your school does not schedule
regular conferences, you can request them.
Teachers need your help to do a first-class job. Together, you can help
your child have a great school year.
Before the Conference
Schedule an appointment—A parent-teacher conference is not the
only time when parents and teachers should make contact. Parents may want
to schedule a special meeting with their child's teacher for a variety of
reasons. If you need to set up an appointment with the teacher, make a
phone call or write a quick note to the teacher, and let him or her know if
you have particular issues you would like to discuss.
Talk to your child—Find out which subjects your child likes the best and
the least. Ask why. Also, ask if there is anything your child would like
you to talk about with the teacher. Help the child understand that you and
the teacher are meeting to help him or her. If your child is in middle or
high school, you may want to include him or her in the conference.
Gather input from others—If your spouse, another care-giving
adult, or someone with pertinent information or insight (doctor, counselor,
other guardian) can't attend the conference, ask for that person's concerns
and questions before the conference.
Make a list—Before you go to the meeting, make a list of topics to
discuss with the teacher. Along with questions about academics and
behavior, you may want to talk to the teacher about the child's home life,
personality, concerns, habits and hobbies, and other topics that may help
the teacher in working with the child (e.g., religious holidays, music
lessons, part-time jobs, a sick relative).
During the Conference
Establish rapport—As an icebreaker, take notice of something that
reflects well upon the teacher. For example, thank the teacher for having
made thoughtful notes on your child's homework or for the special attention
in helping your child learn to multiply.
Ask questions—Questions you ask during the conference can help you express
your hopes for the student's success in class and for the teacher. It's a
good idea to ask the important questions first, in case time runs out. The
teacher's answers should help you both work together to help your child.
If your
child receives special services (e.g., gifted and talented programs, speech
or occupational therapy), be sure to ask about the frequency of services
and your child's progress.
Addressing problems—Parent-teacher conferences are a good time to discuss any
difficulties (either academic or behavioral) a child might be having at
school. When problems arise, parents will want to
·Avoid
angry or apologetic reactions. Instead, ask for examples.
·Ask
what is being done about the problem and what strategies seem to help at
school.
·Develop
an action plan that may include steps that parents can take at home and
steps the teacher will take when the problem comes up at school.
·Schedule
a follow-up conference and decide on the best way to stay in touch (phone,
e-mail, or letters sent to the home).
Develop an action plan—If the student needs help with a
behavioral or an academic issue, you and the teacher should agree on
specific plans—that you both will work on—to help your child do better. Be
sure you understand what the teacher suggests. If it's not clear, ask him
or her to explain. Set up a way to check on your child's progress. You and
the teacher can decide how best to stay in touch, such as through phone
calls, notes, or additional meetings.
Ending the conference—End the conference by reviewing what you
discussed and restating your action plan. This is also a good time to set
up your next meeting.
After the Conference
When
discussing the conference with the child afterward, stress the good things
that were covered and be direct about problems that were identified. If an
action plan is in place, explain to the child what was arranged. When an
action plan is in place, consider the following: Watch your child's
behavior and check on classwork and homework. Ask how the student feels
about schoolwork. Stay in touch with the teacher to discuss your child's
progress. Express appreciation as progress is made. A good way to promote a
continuing relationship with the teacher is to say "thank-you"
with a note or a telephone call. Continuing to keep in touch with the
teacher, even if things are going well, can play an important role in
helping the child do better in school. When a child knows parents and
teachers are regularly working together, the child will see that education
is a high priority requiring commitment and effort.
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