How to Conduct Parent-Teacher Conferences

In an effort to get to know your child's teachers, it is imperative that parents set up a parent-teacher conference. Typically parents wait until the teacher or school district sets the conference date. Sometimes that may be too late to let the teacher know your child's special needs, academic strengths and areas that need improvement. Being proactive both allows for early two-way communication as well as serving as a means for the teacher to know you care about your child. Following these three steps will typically result in a successful parent-teacher conference.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• organizer or calendar
• list of questions or comments

1. Contact the teacher well in advance. Allowing the teacher to know well in advance provides time for him to clear his schedule to make adequate time for your visit.

2. Prepare comments, questions and concerns in advance. Exact references to any pertinent information relative to your child that would be helpful to the teacher should be in writing. This helps to be respectful of both your and the teacher's time.

3. Be punctual and conscience of time. A teacher's time is valuable when used and becomes a devastating loss to possibly the entire class if it is wasted because extra time can be used to prepare lessons for students, grade projects and attend staff development activities. Being on time, sticking to the issues and not digressing ensures the conference is well managed.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to thank the teacher for her time. Also, follow up on your conference with a brief e-mail or card of thanks. These gestures tend to go over well, and keep the lines of communication open for your receiving more feedback about your child's performance.
• After the initial conference, wait a few weeks before setting up another one unless a problem occurs that requires your immediate attention.