Parent Teacher Conferences
From LoveToKnow Kids
Parent teacher conferences are an important step in building the bridge between home and school to ensure the highest quality of education for your child. Parent teacher conferences usually occur twice during the school year, in November and May. Parents often feel uncomfortable about conference time and therefore allow the teacher to completely control the meeting. A parent should view conferences as a time for both teacher and parent to share information about the child. When both teacher and parent come to the conference prepared, a positive, useful experience is more likely to occur. As conferences are usually brief, twenty minutes to a half hour, understanding the purpose for the conference and preparing for it is essential.
Purpose of Conferences
The subject of any parent teacher conference should be the academic, behavioral, and social well-being of the child. The purpose of the first conference, which occurs early in the school year, should be to discuss the teacher’s initial impressions of the child academically, behaviorally, and socially, to set goals together for the year, and to allow the parents to share with the teacher insights into their child. The purpose of the second conference should be to evaluate the student’s progress through the year, examine how well the earlier goals were met, and to discuss summer needs and possibly placement for the following year. Often, parents are given their child’s portfolio of work collected throughout the year at the final conference.
Ways to Prepare for a Parent Teacher Conference
Conference with your Child
A few days before your scheduled parent teacher conference, sit down with your child. Ask your child what he or she would like you to discuss with the teacher. Ask him to set a few goals for the school year and discuss your goals for his school year too. Don’t limit the discussion to academic issues, but discuss social and behavioral issues as well. Make sure you are aware of any issues your child may be struggling with at school. Reassure your child that you are looking forward to working together with his teacher to make the year a success. Parents should avoid sharing doubts about or disappointment in the teacher with the child. This often confuses the child and undermines the teacher’s efforts in the classroom.
Conference with Each Other
It’s important that parents are in agreement about the things to be discussed at a parent teacher conference. Discuss any differences of opinion about academic, behavioral, and social issues before meeting with the teacher. Agree on goals beforehand. The conference is not the time for parents to hash out their differences about their child. It helps if parents decide who will be spokesperson at the conference since time is limited. The other parent should always be free to interject when necessary.
Write it Down
Write down your goals for the school year if you are preparing for the first conference. Write down your concerns and any questions you may have for the teacher. This is the time to make sure you understand the teacher’s procedures and expectations. Write down anything your child wants discussed at the meeting. Make sure you bring this list to the conference. If preparing for the second conference, write down questions, concerns, and expectations for the coming school year. Always write down anything you want discussed at a parent teacher conference because it will inevitably leave your mind when you walk through that door. Something about returning to the school atmosphere as well as seeing teachers in the role of authority can make even the calmest parent feel nervous.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Even though you are coming to the conference with your own agenda, don’t take over the meeting. Allow the teacher to lead the conference letting her know early on that you have written down some goals and questions.
- Don’t go over the scheduled time period for the conference. If you feel you need more time at the end of that period, schedule a second meeting for the future.
- Do not ask the teacher to compare your child to the other students. Your child’s progress should be measured against his previous performance.
- Limit discussion that does not involve the school experience. It’s fun to tell funny stories about your child or to learn something about the teacher’s life, but this wastes precious conference time. At least save this kind of small-talk for the end of the conference if time allows. Focus on academic, social, and behavioral issues.
- Avoid a defensive attitude with your child’s teacher. Remember you both are part of a team whose common purpose is to give your child the best possible school year.
- Do not expect the teacher to ‘get your child in’ to a certain teacher’s class for the following year. Placement decisions are rarely made solely by the classroom teacher. If you have placement needs, discuss them with the school principal at another time.
- Never engage in discussion with the teacher about other teachers or students unless it is directly related to an issue with your child. It is unprofessional and unproductive.
Parent Teacher Conferences Summary
Parent teacher conferences are a vital part of making your child’s school experience both positive and successful. Understanding the purpose for conferences, preparing for the meeting in advance, and covering academic, behavioral, and social issues only will most likely yield a useful, positive conference experience and help to give your child the best school year possible.
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