Parent Connection

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The purpose of these conferences is for the teacher to meet with you on a regular basis to discuss how you can help your child do his or her very best in school. The teacher is not there to put you on the spot, but rather to make your child's school experience a positive one. Just as the teacher must prepare for the conference, so should you. Here are some ways for you to get the most out of your conference:

1. Ask your child what she would like you to discuss at the meeting. One strategy is to say, "I'm going to be meeting with teacher; what will she tell me?" Your child's response will give you ideas for what to discuss with the teacher. If your child responds, for example, that the teacher will say she is terrible in math, or that she talks all day long, then you should address these issues in the meeting.

2. Come with a list of questions about your child's academic and social issues, as well as the teacher's philosophy. Some good questions to ask may include:
• What are my child's strongest and weakest subjects?
• What can I do at home to extend my child's learning?
• Is my child working up to his or her ability? If not, whatcan we do to change that?
• How well does my child get along with classmates?
• How do you evaluate my child?
• How can you challenge my student if he is excelling? How can you support my child if he is falling behind?

3. Share information. Teachers need your help as they educate your children! Bring sample work you'd like to discuss. The more you share about your child—both strengths and weaknesses—the better the teacher will successfully meet her needs.

4. When sharing concerns, be tactful and thorough. Listen to what the teacher says in response, then find a solution together.

5. Take notes during the conference so you remember what was said. After the meeting, review your notes. If something is unclear, schedule a follow-up meeting to clarify.

6. Use the time wisely. Arrive promptly and try not to bring young children along, as they can cause distractions.

So, how much of the conference should you share with your child?

Francine Ballan recommends only telling what is helpful, focusing as much as possible on the positive aspects. It's essential that your child understand that you and the teacher are there to support him and to make his school experience the best it can be!