PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent conferences should be informative and helpful for both parent and teacher. You want to set up a partnership where all are working together to best help your child. A few tips to keep in mind:

• Be aware of time restraints. Most conferences are scheduled at 15 minute intervals. If you have serious concerns to discuss, you might want to ask the teacher to schedule more time for you, even if that means waiting a week.
• Come prepared. Have your questions written down so you don’t forget them. Have pencil and paper in case you want to take notes on something the teacher says.
• Try to create a supportive partnership with your child’s teacher. If you have a concern, try and phrase it in a way which doesn’t make the teacher feel defensive (“Sam tells us he sometimes feels he is raising his hand and not getting called on. Is that happening for a reason, or is he exaggerating?”)
• Ask for specifics if the teacher raises a concern. This will help you when you discuss the concern with your child.
• Make sure you get positives about your child along with any negatives. Then make sure to  share both with your child.
• Don’t forget to ask about social as well as academic issues. Both are critical to your child’s growth.

For some great ideas for before, during, and after your conference, check out the following web sites:

• http://www.nea.org/parents/ptconf.html
• http://www.pta.org/archive_article_details_1118085766734.html
• http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-3683.html

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