Tips to help make your parent conferences productive and successful
Greet parents with a smile and a handshake. First impressions do make a difference.
Open on a positive note. Begin the conference on a warm, positive note. Start with a positive statement about the child's abilities, work, or interests.
Get the name(s) right. Parents may have different last names than their students. Check your records ahead of time to make sure you've got the parent's names right.
Plan ahead. Have in mid a general, but flexible, outline what you are going to discuss relative to each student. To help facilitate the conversation, you may wish to have the following with you: Need to Know form, student grade information (including missing assignments), attendance information, information about unusual or disruptive behaviors, samples of students' work, and interventions you may have attempted.
Be ready for questions. Be prepared to answer specific questions parents may have.
Stress partnership. Let the parent know you want to work together in the best interests of their student.
Speak plainly, avoid jargon.
Offer a suggested course of action. Parents appreciate being given some specific direction about how to help their child.
Ask for parents' opinions. Let parents know you're interested in their opinions, are eager to anser their questions, and want to work with them throughout the year to help them supports their child's education the best.
Body language. Non-verbal
Allow venting; handle with care. Hear what the parents hav eto say in as pleasant as manner as possible without getting defensive. Allow them to express their frustration. Remember these parents have lived with this child from birth. You are probably not the first teacher to bring up some difficult issues. They are upset with their child - not you.
Focus on solutions and suggestions for improvement. Try to offer concrete suggestions that parents can follow up with at home.
Summarize. Before the conference ends, summarize the discussion and what actions you and the parents have decided to take.
Keep a record of the conference. Make notes as soon as possible after the conference, while the details are fresh.
Open on a positive note. Begin the conference on a warm, positive note. Start with a positive statement about the child's abilities, work, or interests.
Get the name(s) right. Parents may have different last names than their students. Check your records ahead of time to make sure you've got the parent's names right.
Plan ahead. Have in mid a general, but flexible, outline what you are going to discuss relative to each student. To help facilitate the conversation, you may wish to have the following with you: Need to Know form, student grade information (including missing assignments), attendance information, information about unusual or disruptive behaviors, samples of students' work, and interventions you may have attempted.
Be ready for questions. Be prepared to answer specific questions parents may have.
Stress partnership. Let the parent know you want to work together in the best interests of their student.
Speak plainly, avoid jargon.
Offer a suggested course of action. Parents appreciate being given some specific direction about how to help their child.
Ask for parents' opinions. Let parents know you're interested in their opinions, are eager to anser their questions, and want to work with them throughout the year to help them supports their child's education the best.
Body language. Non-verbal
Allow venting; handle with care. Hear what the parents hav eto say in as pleasant as manner as possible without getting defensive. Allow them to express their frustration. Remember these parents have lived with this child from birth. You are probably not the first teacher to bring up some difficult issues. They are upset with their child - not you.
Focus on solutions and suggestions for improvement. Try to offer concrete suggestions that parents can follow up with at home.
Summarize. Before the conference ends, summarize the discussion and what actions you and the parents have decided to take.
Keep a record of the conference. Make notes as soon as possible after the conference, while the details are fresh.