While parent-teacher conferences are routine in the preschool and elementary school years, they most likely will wane as your child gets older. In middle school and high school, your child is increasingly able to take responsibility for his or her own learning.
Should you bring your child to parent-teacher conference?
Do not bring your child to the conference unless you have discussed it first with the teacher and it has been approved. Though there are times when it is appropriate for children to be included in discussions with teachers, unless it has been planned as such a meeting, you should make other child care arrangements.
What can I expect at parent-teacher conference?
A parent-teacher conference is a meeting between a student’s parents and teacher or teachers, to discuss the child’s progress academically, socially and with regard to expected classroom behavior. Other topics, such as homework, emotional challenges, or issues with friends, may also come up.
What should you not do at a parent-teacher conference?
10 Things Not to Say at a Parent Teacher Conference“We don’t read at home.”“I have to help him with everything.” … “He doesn’t like school.” … “He doesn’t do well with a _____ teacher.” … “All you have to do is just call me.” … “He never acts this way at home.” … “I always believe my child.” … “There’s nothing else I can do.” … More items…•
When preparing for a conference with a child’s parents a teacher should?
The following tips will help you make the most of your meeting time:BE ON TIME. The teacher has to schedule conferences one after the other. … STAND UNITED. … LOOK TO PRAISE. … STAY INFORMED. … PLAN AHEAD. … BRING YOUR CHILD’S REPORT CARD. … HAVE A LIST. … BRING AN ACTION PLAN.More items…•
Should I be scared of parent-teacher conference?
It is quite normal for you to feel nervous about a parent teacher conference. This meeting might be your very first, it might be a special-called meeting for a specific issue, or there may be some baggage that comes with the present school year making you nervous.
What do parents want to hear parent-teacher conferences?
Be sure to explain any terms, curriculum titles, or even words on progress reports that aren’t commonly used outside the school setting. Ask questions and listen. Ask parents or guardians for their input about students’ strengths, needs, and learning styles, as well as their hopes and dreams for their children.
How do you survive a parent-teacher conference?
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 at school.
What questions should I ask at parent-teacher conference?
Questions About the CurriculumCan you describe your teaching style?What skills are you working to develop right now?How do these skills relate to the goals of the entire school year?What are the five most important skills you want students to develop this year?Does my student have to take standardized tests?More items…•
What should I say in a parent teacher interview?
What to talk about at parent-teacher interviewsWhat are my child’s interests and strengths?What does my child struggle with?How much homework should my child be doing every night?What can I do at home to help my child with schoolwork?What can you tell me about my child’s behaviour in class?More items…•
What should I ask at my 3 year old parent-teacher conference?
Ask and answer questions about your child’s lifeMay I tell you about my child? No one knows your child better than you do, so it’s your job to help your child’s teacher learn more. … May I tell you about what’s going on at home? … How is my child doing socially? … How is my child doing emotionally?
Why is it important to have a parent-teacher conference?
Conducting effective parent-teacher conferences can boost family involvement in your classroom and help promote positive outcomes for you, your students, and your school. A parent-teacher conference is a great opportunity to: share academic progress and growth based on classroom observations, testing data, assessments, portfolios, and assignments.
What should parents discuss at parent teacher conferences?
While the main focus of parent-teacher conferences should be learning, it’s also important to discuss factors that can affect learning, such as students’ behavioral and social development. Other topics might include standardized test results, individualized education programs …
What to keep for teachers during conferences?
Some teachers keep worksheets with strengths, needs, and social or behavioral notes to guide them through conferences. If you’ll be discussing any problems, make sure to have documentation, such as examples of misbehavior or missed assignments. Also, make sure to inform parents about any problems before the conference.
What are the topics of the 504 conference?
Other topics might include standardized test results, individualized education programs (IEPs), 504 education plans, peer relationships, classroom behavior, motivation and work habits, as well as students’ strengths and challenges. School staff who support your students’ learning may attend the conference, too.
How often do parents and teachers meet?
Parent-teacher conferences are usually once or twice a year at progress reporting periods. They are brief meetings, lasting about 10-30 minutes. Conferences are typically scheduled 1 to 2 months in advance. Some middle and high schools only request parent conferences to discuss problems.
How to learn from parents?
learn from parents or guardians so you can be better informed about students’ strengths, needs, behaviors, and learning styles. discuss enrichment or intervention strategies to support students’ learning. discuss issues that may be interfering with students’ learning and growth.
Do middle schools have parent conferences?
Some middle and high schools only request parent conferences to discuss problems. Most schools set aside specific dates and times for conferences, but if school schedules conflict with family schedules, it’s worth the effort to find a mutually convenient time, or even schedule a phone or video conference.
The Basics
Parent–teacher conferences usually happen once or twice a year. They’re brief meetings, lasting about 10–30 minutes. Most schools set aside specific dates and times for conferences, but if they conflict with your schedule, try to find another time that works.
Before the Conference
Some parents track their child’s schoolwork and progress and already know what they need to talk about with the teacher. Some may have been talking with teachers at IEP or 504 plan meetings. For those parents, the conference is a chance to update each other on how the student is doing.
During the Conference
Teachers usually meet with parents in back-to-back meetings, so try to be on time for your meeting.
Resources
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
When are parent teacher conferences?
Parent-teacher conferences are usually stacked in an evening after school. Before you there will be a conference with another set of parents. After you, another parent wants her one-to-one time with the teacher. If you’re late, you will be interrupting all the other parents.
How many parent teacher conferences go smoothly?
Parents, keep this in mind: 90% of parent-teacher conferences go smoothly and happily. The teacher will show you some lovely bits of progress your child has made, you’ll discuss one or two small things the teacher is currently concerned about, and you will thank each other for your time.
When do parents and teachers meet for parent conferences?
Parent-teacher conferences are an important part of education. In most school districts, the first parent-teacher conferences begin sometime in October. Conferences allow teachers and parents to discuss a student’s educational strengths and needs.
What to discuss in parent teacher conferences?
Some information to discuss in parent-teacher conferences may include your child’s medical needs. For example, this is a great time to share that your child wears eyeglasses during reading time. Additionally, weather seating up front is necessary to avoid distractions. This may also include behavior concerns that have happened in the past …
What does a teacher share about a student’s school experience?
Teachers share what a student’s school experience is like during class and how students do on a regular basis. This may include behavior information and peer relations. In-class work also discusses student work samples. At this point, parents may get a glimpse of the school work their child completes in class.
Why do teachers post grades?
Some teachers post grades more often when they know parents are checking and interested in their child’s progress. Make frequent checks of grading part of your action plan. Parent-teacher conferences allow teachers and parents to connect and work together to support a child’s education.
We asked experienced educators for advice on what parents can do and what questions they can ask to get the most out of parent-teacher conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are one of the most useful tools that we have as parents to ensure our children are getting the most from their education. But as helpful as they are, they can be downright stressful for everyone involved.
The goal of parent-teacher conferences
Chris McDonald, a Massachusetts elementary school teacher of 26 years, says that parents and teachers have similar aims when it comes to conferences.
Questions to ask at a parent-teacher conference
Building a healthy partnership with your child’s teacher can make all the difference in his school experience, so you’ll want to make sure you’re asking the right questions when you meet.
Questions to ask if your child is having trouble in school
If you’re worried about a situation at school, bring it up with the teacher.
End with these important questions
Davis suggests that parents ask, “What can I do to support you in the classroom ?”
The Basics
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Parent-teacher conferences are usually once or twice a year at progress reporting periods. They are brief meetings, lasting about 10-30 minutes. Conferences are typically scheduled 1 to 2 months in advance. Some middle and high schools only request parent conferences to discuss problems. Most schools set aside specific dates and times for conferenc…
Before The Conference
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Get informed.Make sure you’re familiar with your school’s or school district’s protocols on progress reports or report cards, grading policies, and any other student assessment tools. As you move through the conference, the report card or progress report can be a springboard for discussion and help guide you through the meeting. Also, have any local or state standardized te…
During The Conference
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Create a welcoming environment.Make your classroom inviting by displaying students’ work, and making space for the conference with an adult-sized table and chairs. If parents need to bring their child or other siblings, have an area set aside with puzzles, games, worksheets, or computers to limit distractions. Also consider offering healthy snacks or beverages to families. Remember t…
After The Conference
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Follow up.A little thank-you can go a long way. Many parents have to take time off work or hire babysitters to attend conferences, so consider taking the time to thank parents in a letter or email. You can also have students write thank-you notes to their parents or guardians for attending and supporting their learning. In the notes, remind parents to contact you if they have any further que…
The Basics
-
Parent–teacher conferences usually happen once or twice a year. They’re brief meetings, lasting about 10–30 minutes. Most schools set aside specific dates and times for conferences, but if they conflict with your schedule, try to find another time that works. If you can’t make it into school, ask your child’s teacher if you can schedule a phone conference instead. If necessary, di…
Before The Conference
-
Some parents track their child’s schoolwork and progress and already know what they need to talk about with the teacher. Some may have been talking with teachers at IEP or 504 plan meetings. For those parents, the conference is a chance to update each other on how the student is doing. Other parents may be talking with the teacher for the first time. Whether it’s your first conversati…
During The Conference
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Teachers usually meet with parents in back-to-back meetings, so try to be on time for your meeting. At the meeting, remember to: 1. Get contact information for the teacher and ask what the best form of contact is (letter, email, phone call, message via student-teacher-parent web portal, etc.) 2. Take notes. 3. Ask to see classwork and homework samp…
See more on connecticutchildrens.org
After The Conference
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To follow up after the meeting: 1. Contact the teacher with any questions you didn’t have time to ask. 2. Review your notes about what you and the teacher will do to support learning, then make detailed plans about how and when you will help your child. 3. If you still have concerns or do not agree with an evaluation, put your thoughts in writing and schedule a meeting with the teacher o…