Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent/teacher conferences are an essential part of your child’s education. Just looking at a report card may not give you the full picture of how well your child is doing in school. Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled, so that you and the teacher can discuss your child’s progress in the classroom on a private, one-on-one basis. It’s your chance to ask questions about subjects being taught and to understand our expectations. Conferences also give you the opportunity to exchange information about your child that might assist the teacher. Finally, the conference is the place to express any concerns you might have regarding your child’s progress.
During the conferences, the teacher will provide information about your child’s strengths, weaknesses, and social, physical, and emotional behaviors at school. Use these conferences as a way to get to know your child’s teacher, your child’s classroom, and to help your child progress.
Parent-Teacher Conferences Tips
- Be on time. Teachers are on a tight schedule so they can see every parent.
- Be prepared. Organize a list of questions you might want to ask.
- Come to the conference with an open mind. Open communication facilitates solutions.
- Be willing to discuss your concerns.
- Be open to suggestions of things you and your child can do at home.
- If you don’t understand a teacher’s comment, ask for clarification.
- Feel free to take notes. By working together, your child’s performance at school will improve.
- Deal with the facts. This is a good time to validate rumors by asking the teacher about what you have heard.
- Plan to meet again during the school year to discuss your child’s progress.
- Remember, the goal of a parent/teacher conference is to communicate about your child’s success.
