How to How to Make the Most of a Parent Teacher Conference

When you attend your child's school conferences you are provided an opportunity to interact one on one with your child's teacher, or if your child is in middle school or high school, an opportunity to interact one on one with multiple teachers. Not only do you get to know the people your children see five days a week during the school year, you have an opportunity to find out how your child is doing academically. Most schools will schedule conferences to fit in with your work schedule because conferences are also an opportunity for school staff to meet you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Ask questions of your child's teacher(s) and do not limit those questions to grades and work completed. Ask about how the teacher structures the classroom and about her teaching style as some teachers prefer to put students in groups for some subjects or may like to use a hands on project approach.

2. Find out from your child's teacher(s) if extra credit work is offered when your child does poorly on a test or fails to complete an assignment to help ensure your child will be still learning and can keep their grades up to par.

3. Tour the classroom to see whether there are any educational aids like wall maps, books, a classroom computer, a globe and so forth for students to access at different times.

4. Find out from your child's teacher, especially if they are in elementary or middle school, what kind of reading program the school uses and ask to them to show you any workbooks or other teaching aids as well as an overview of the program.

5. Consider asking how your child gets along with other students and do they perform better in one work environment over another, like working alone or with a group.

6. Don't be afraid to ask a teacher about any issues that are impacting your child's ability to learn or complete work if they are struggling in a subject, as anything you and the teacher(s) can do together as a team to will help ensure your child's academic success.

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