Ty Usually, your child's teacher will contact you to

Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences schedule a meeting time. If you work during the
at Your Child's School day and can only go to conferences after
working hours, be sure to let your child's
teacher know that so you can schedule a
During the academic year, most schools in the meeting time that is convenient for both of you.
U.S. invite parents to come in for regular
parent-teacher conferences. If you have What if I don't speak English?
received a note advising you that your child's If you do not feel comfortable speaking with
teacher wants to schedule a meeting with you, your child's teacher in English, you have the
don't panic. This is a standard part of the right to request that an interpreter attend the
school's efforts to build a strong partnership conference, or to bring an interpreter that you
between parents and teachers. Whether your trust to the conference. If you request an
child is having a positive or negative experience interpreter from the school, make the request
in school, parent-teacher conferences will help at least 24 hours before the conference. Your
you and your child's teacher find ways to work child's school also may have a bilingual parent
together to ensure your child's success. liaison who can help you find an interpreter. It's
important to find a way to overcome the
Knowing that you have to go to your child's language barrier in order to meet with your
school may make you feel nervous, intimidated, child's teacher.
or frustrated as you consider the language and
cultural differences that you face here in the Why does my child's teacher want to meet with
U.S. You may wonder what to expect, and what me?
is expected of you. That's why Colorín Colorado In the U.S. educational system, teachers believe
is here to help! In this article you will find: that a strong partnership between the home
and school will help children succeed in school.
Answers to your questions about parent- If your child's teacher schedules a meeting with
teacher conferences you, it does not necessarily mean that your
Tips about how you can prepare for the child is in trouble. Teachers welcome input from
conference the parents about their children, such as
Suggested questions and topics to discuss information about what the child likes to do or
Tips about how to make the most of the what they are good at. Teachers also
conference understand that each student is different and
This information can be applied to students in learns differently, and that no one knows your
elementary, middle, and high schools. Your child better than you do. You may provide some
child's school may also provide information insight that will help the teacher work more
about parent-teacher conferences in your effectively with your child at school.
language.
It is also helpful for teachers to know if a child is
Frequently asked questions experiencing a difficult situation outside of
What is a parent-teacher conference? school, such as a divorce, the death of a
A parent-teacher conference is a meeting relative, a medical problem, or anything else
between you and your child's teacher to discuss that may affect the child's mood or behavior.
your child's progress in school. Parent-teachers Knowing of such changes will help the teacher
conferences happen in elementary, middle, and provide the child with the necessary support in
high schools. This meeting may take place as the classroom.
part of the regularly-scheduled conferences
held by the school each year, or your child's What information will my child's teacher give
teacher may contact you to schedule a meeting me?
at other times during the school year. Your child's teacher will probably show you
some samples of your child's work, and may
You can also request a conference with your discuss your child's progress, grades,
child's teacher if you have questions or homework, and behavior. The teacher may also
concerns about your child by contacting the ask you about any concerns that she has about
teacher to set up a meeting. your child, as well as questions about his study
habits. These questions are intended to help
How will I know when to go to the conference? the teacher provide your child with any
additional support needed in the classroom,
and are not intended to make you feel spouse or other adults that are caring for your
uncomfortable or defensive. child as well.

Why is it important to go to a parent-teacher Prepare a list of questions

conference? Preparing a list of questions will help you have a
Going to the parent-teacher conference productive conversation with your child's
provides you and the teacher an opportunity to teacher. Prioritize the questions in case you run
work together as a team in order to help your out of time during the conference.
child. You each have an important perspective
to share — as the parent, you know your child's The following questions are examples that will
personality, habits, strengths, and weaknesses. help you learn more about your child's progress
The teacher, on the other hand, has been in school:
trained professionally in the best methods of
teaching, meeting individual student's needs, What is my child expected to learn this year?
how to control classroom behavior, and how to How will this be evaluated?
help your child succeed in school. Working What are my child's strongest and weakest
together you will be able to find ways that each subjects?
of you can provide the appropriate and What are some examples of these strengths and
necessary support for your child. weaknesses?
Does my child hand homework in on time?
The conference is also an opportunity for you to What types of tests and evaluations will my
ask questions about your child's progress, to child have to take this year?
learn more about the class and what the How are my child's test-taking skills?
students are studying, and to find out if you Is my child participating in class discussions and
child is having difficulty with anything in activities?
particular. How are my child's social skills?
Does my child seem happy at school?
In addition, the more you know about your Have you noticed any unusual behaviors?
children's school and classes, the more likely Has my child missed any classes other than
they will be to talk about daily experiences with his/her excused absences?
you. They will appreciate your concern and Do you think my child is reaching his/her
involvement, and they will be more likely to potential?
approach you when they have problems. What can I do at home to help support his/her
academic progress?
Before the conference If your child receives special services (gifted
The conference with your child's teacher will be programs, special education, English classes,
more efficient and productive if you do some speech or occupational therapy, or support for
preparation beforehand. To prepare for the a learning disability), ask about the frequency of
conference: these services and about your child's progress
with them.
Talk with your child
Ask your child what his/her strongest and During the conference
weakest subjects are, and which subjects Be on time
he/she likes most and least. Ask your child if Get off to the right start: come to the
he/she would like you to speak about anything conference on time. Remember that other
particular with the teacher. Make sure that your parents may also have conferences scheduled
child understands that you and the teacher are for that day; if you arrive late, you have may
meeting to help him, so that he doesn't worry missed your conference altogether. You should
about the conference. also plan on ending the conference at the
scheduled time so that other parents can start
Prepare a list of notes their conference on time.
Make a list of topics that you want to discuss
with the teacher and that you think the teacher Be yourself
should know, such as your concerns about the Relax and be yourself. Remember that you and
school, the child's home life, any major changes the teacher both the want the same thing: the
in your family, habits, hobbies, part-time jobs, very best for your child.
religious holidays, or anything that is worrying
your child. Be sure to ask for input from your Stay calm
Stay calm during the conference. Respectful Talk with your child
communication will be the most effective way Talk about the conference with your child.
to work together with your child's teacher. Emphasize the positive points, and be direct
Getting angry or upset during the conference about problems that were discussed. If you and
will make it very difficult to have a positive the teacher created an action plan, explain it to
conversation. your child. Make sure that your child
understands that you and the teacher created
Ask for explanations of anything you don't this plan to help him.
understand
Listen carefully to what the teacher says. If you Start working on the action plan
don't understand something that the teacher Set the action plan in motion. To ensure that it
talks about (such as an educational term or an is working, check your child's behavior and
explanation of a school policy), don't be afraid schoolwork on a regular basis. Ask your child
to ask for clarification. It is important for you to how he feels about school and his schoolwork.
understand what your child's teacher is telling
you. Keep in touch with the teacher
Stay in touch with your child's teachers. This will
Ask the most important questions early in the help you strengthen the parent-teacher
conference partnership, and will be an important part of
Ask the most important questions first as you the child's success in school. When a child sees
may run out of time, especially if other parents that parents and teachers are working together,
are waiting to have their conference after the child will understand that his/her education
yours. You can always schedule another is a top priority at school and at home.
meeting with the teacher to cover any points
you didn't cover.

Respectfully discuss differences of opinion

If you disagree with the teacher, respectfully
explain why you disagree. If you don't let the
teacher know about your differences of
opinion, the teacher may think that you agree
and will move on to the next topic. Discussing
your differences with the teacher may help
both of you find a more effective way to help
your child.

Create an action plan

Ask your child's teacher for specific suggestions
of ways that you can help your child at home
with homework, reading, organization, routines,
behavioral issues, etc. Make sure you
understand the teacher's suggestions, and ask
for clarification if you don't. This list of
suggestions will become the action plan.
Establish a way to keep track of the child's
progress, as well as the best way to stay in
touch with your child's teacher — through
phone calls, emails, notes, or meetings. Review
the action plan with the teacher as you end the
conference to make sure that you both have
the same expectations.

Thank the teacher for meeting with you

Thank the teacher for her time and support of
your child, as well as for anything specific that
she has done to help your child.

After the conference

 7. Use good human relation skills during the
conference.
Parent teacher conference
- Is a face-to-face meeting between one teacher
and one or both parents (or guardians) of a Before the conference
student. It is an opportunity to discuss a Get informed.
student’s academic progress and social Make sure you’re familiar with your school’s or
Behavior school district’s protocols on progress reports
or report cards, grading policies, and any other
assessment tools.
A Parent –Teacher Conferences Prepare your materials.
is a great opportunity to: Preparing materials well before the
conference will make you feel more at ease
 share academic progress and growth when families show up at your classroom door.
based on classroom observations, Send informative invitations.
testing data, assessments, portfolios, A week or so before the conferences, send
and assignments. home information of where and when the
 learn from parents or guardians so you conference will be held, as well as the meeting
can be better informed about students’ agenda. On the invitation, remind parents that
strengths, needs, behaviors, and they’ll be able to ask questions, because an
learning styles . effective parent-teacher conference is a two-
 discuss enrichment or intervention way conversation about students.
strategies to support students’
learning.
 discuss issues that may be interfering During the conference
with students’ learning . Create a welcoming environment.
reminders when preparing and Make your classroom inviting by displaying
students’ work, and making space fro the
conducting parent-teacher conference with an adult-sized table and chairs.
conferences: Open with positives.
1.Make plans for the conference. When you start the conversation, remind
Set the goals and objectives of the parents that the goal of this meeting is to share
conference ahead of time. information about students’ academic progress
2. Begin the conference in a positive manner. and growth and how their child interacts in the
22Starting the conference by making a positive school environment.
statement about the student sets the tone for Discuss progress and growth.
the meeting. Inform parents about their child’s ability levels
3. Present the student’s strong points before in different content areas, using demonstrative
describing the areas needing improvement. work examples or testing results.
It is helpful to present examples of the Avoid teacher-talk.
student’s work when discussing the student’s K-12 education is loaded with jargon and
performance. acronyms, but a parent-teacher conference is
4. Encourage parents to participate and share not the place to use them. Be sure to explain
information. any terms, curriculum titles, or even words on
Although as a teacher you are in charge of progress reports that aren’t commonly used
the conference, you must be willing to listen to outside the school setting.
parents and share information rather than “talk Ask questions and listen.
at” them. Ask parents or guardians for their input about
5. Plan a course of action cooperatively. students’ strengths, needs, and learning styles,
The discussion should lead to what steps can a well as their hopes and dreams for their
be taken by the teacher and parent to help the children.
student. Make a plan.
6. End the conference with a positive Provide suggestions for activities and strategies
comment. to support learning at home.
At the end of the conference, thank the parents Be honest and have a thick skin.
for coming and say something positive about Its your responsibility to give parents or
the student. guardians an accurate assessment of students’
academic progress. Sometimes this means
delivering bad news. Sugar-coating the fact
defeats the purpose of the conference.

After the conference

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 e-
mail.
Communicate regularly.
Let parents know what’s going on with their
child in an ongoing fashion. Keep families
informed about class projects, homework and
other assignments, students’ accomplishments,
and any problems or concerns that may arise.
Enhance your instruction.
Now that you know a little more about your
students, use that information to make
instructional decisions that will help your
students achieve and grow in the classroom.