Parent-Teacher conferences in schools are important meetings that all parents should attend. Teachers make every effort to meet the needs of the parents by scheduling conferences according to the time frame the parents may be available. Usually the conferences are used to discuss a student's progress, his strengths in the classroom, or possibly issues that are causing the student to not be successful.
In many schools, the conferences are mandatory. Teachers are instructed to schedule conferences as soon as a problem may arrive. There are also schools which set aside a particular day or week when the conferences must be held. This alerts parents to plan for the dates so that they can attend and discuss their child's performance in school.
Telephone Conferences Between Parents and Teachers
Teachers will sometimes contact parents via the telephone. This type of conferencing can meet the needs of parents in many ways. By discussing matters on the telephone, the parent can arrange for the call to be made to the home or possibly his place of employment. This alleviates the parent having to drive to the school and make special arrangements linked with working.
Whenever a teacher contacts a parent by phone, the parent should write down any notes that are linked with what the teacher is reporting, what the teacher may be suggesting, and what the teacher is using as the form of assessment which may be determining the particular report. The teacher will also write down information that the parent may convey. This form of parent-teacher communication can work quite well. The goal remains the same, that being that the teacher and parents are working towards solving any issues that may be causing the child to have difficulties in school. The call is also used by teachers to offer positive reports linked with the child's academic performance and behavior.
Conferences at the School
Conferences at the school are also another way of linking the home and the classroom. Whenever parents attend a scheduled conference, the teacher is able to discuss the student's progress and can show the child's work personally. By looking at a student's completed work, the parents then can see what the teacher is referring to and can easily understand what skill or behavior needs to be reinforced.
Parents should take notes during these types of conferences. To rely on what the teacher may report by way of memory does not always work successfully. Whenever parents write down what the teacher's suggestions may be, they are able to help their child more effectively. The parents' questions should also be planned prior to attending the conference. This allows the teacher to hear what they may want to know regarding certain things their child is saying about school. Questions also lead parents and teachers to understanding what piece may be missing when linked with a student not doing well in school.
Parents working with teachers will always lead to successful outcomes for children and teenagers. Consistent conversations, whether at school or on the telephone, can lead parents and the teachers in the right direction when linked with helping a student improve. The majority of teachers plan conferences that will build communication. The conferences also send the message to the student that both are working together to insure the he will do the best he can while in school.
Donna Hupe - I am a retired teacher with 31 years of experience including teaching in a private school for special needs children, directing and ...
