Make the Most of Your Parent/Teacher Conference

PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES

The purpose of the parent/teacher conference time is to improve student achievement. Teachers and parents can’t accomplish this goal alone. Through collaboration and communication, parents and teachers can make a difference in providing the best education possible for all children.



How can the P/T Conference time be most effective for student achievement?

Here are some guidelines for talking with your child’s teacher about his/her progress.



1. Schedule a time that you can talk with your child’s teacher. Select a time that you will not be rushed. You will want to be free to talk honestly with the teacher. During the conference, the teacher will share strengths and weaknesses in all subject areas, assessment data, and student behavior.



2. Be prepared to ask specific questions concerning your child’s progress. For example:

• How much time should my child spend on reading and math each evening?

• How much time should he be spending on homework?

• What can I do to help my child with spelling (or any subject of concern)?

• Should I be teaching my child how to write in cursive?

• What can I do to get my child to go to bed early? (or wake up on time to catch the bus)?



3. Be prepared to share information about your child’s behaviors at home that may affect his progress at school. Your child’s teacher needs to know about eating and sleeping habits that may affect your child’s attention in school. If there are family issues that impact your child’s progress, feel free to share these with the teacher.



4. Let the teacher know about any concerns you may have about your child. If your child is coming home from school with concerns about the school day, share these with the teacher. She will address these concerns professionally.



5. Ask the teacher for examples of how you can help your child at home. For example:

• Show me how to do the math problems.

• Show me how to help my child on spelling, handwriting, or reading.



When you attend parent/teacher conferences, you are showing your child that you, not only value the importance of a good education, but also care about his/her work ethics in the classroom. The time spent in parent/teacher conferences can lay the foundation for building a strong working relationship between the home and school.