That’s why Colorín Colorado is here to help! In this article you will find: You may wonder what to expect, and what is expected of you. Knowing that you have to go to your child’s school may make you feel nervous, intimidated, or frustrated as you consider the language and cultural differences that you face here in the U.S. Whether your child is having a positive or negative experience in school, parent-teacher conferences will help you and your child’s teacher find ways to work together to ensure your child’s success. This is a standard part of the school’s efforts to build a strong partnership between parents and teachers. If you have received a note advising you that your child’s teacher wants to schedule a meeting with you, don’t panic. invite parents to come in for regular parent-teacher conferences. By listening intently, asking pointed questions, and being open to the teacher’s point of view, you can gather the information you need to help your child have a smooth, successful year.During the academic year, most schools in the U.S. The parent-teacher conference is an important way to build a relationship with your child’s teacher. When teachers and parents communicate often and well, everybody wins, especially your child. Some teachers are open to communicating via email or talking by phone in the afternoon or at night. You’re within your rights to request a meeting with the teacher, Tingley says. If you have questions that come up during the school year, you don’t have to wait for the next parent-teacher conference to ask them. It may be tempting to take a condescending attitude toward a young, new teacher. Being defensive, hostile, and intent on finger-pointing will not help your child. Whom does he sit with at lunch? Does he have a lot of friends? Do other kids want to work with him during group projects? Does he play well with others on the playground?Įven if you don’t get along with your child’s teacher, remain civil and polite, as you would with any other professional, Tingley says. If your child is spending several hours on homework and frequently ends up in tears, the teacher needs to know.Īsk about your child’s social life. If you have questions or concerns about homework, the parent-teacher conference is an appropriate time to ask and express them. Will it impact classroom grades? Will it be used in considering placement in honors courses or gifted programs? Make sure you know how the test data will be used. You want to know if your child is doing well. It’s OK to ask how your child compares to others. When reviewing test scores, ask exactly what the numbers mean. If the teacher is only saying good things, let her know you know no child is perfect and would like to hear about your child’s weaknesses as well as strengths. “Some teachers don’t like to deliver bad news,” Tingley says. If you think the teacher is sugarcoating her assessment of your child, assure her you want to know the truth. “Get specific information about your child,” Tingley says. It’s not a poor reflection on you if you don’t know everything about his social or academic life.ĭon’t use the parent-teacher conference to address broad, schoolwide issues such as the dismissal process. All kids withhold information from their parents, especially as they approach puberty. “Make time to say what you really need to say.”ĭon’t be embarrassed to ask questions about your child, even those you think you should already know the answers to. “Think about what you really want to know,” Tingley says. It’s frustrating to just be asking your first question when there’s already another parent waiting at the door. If the teacher starts to ramble or go off on a tangent, use your list to get back on point. Though the teacher will probably take the lead, you have a right to get your questions answered. Make a list, bring it with you, and refer to it during the conference. Here are some additional tips for parents from Tingley, author of How To Handle Difficult Parents: A Teacher’s Survival Guide, a witty take on school-home communications, including relevant information for parents.ĭecide ahead of time what you want to talk about. With problems out in the open, you can work with the teacher to come up with solutions. It’s important for parents to be open to hearing what’s really going on with their child at school, even if the news isn’t all good, says Suzanne Capek Tingley, a former superintendent, principal, and teacher who, as a mom, has sat on both sides of the table. Middle School Study Skills: Getting Organized.High School: What To Expect in 9th Grade.
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