DID YOU KNOW?

Assessing a student’s progress is an ongoing process
that requires continued communication between home and school.

      Parent-Teacher conferences for Elementary School Students are scheduled for November 14^th, 16^th and 20^th.  Middle School Mid-term Progress Reports were recently mailed home.  Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher(s) whenever concerns arise.  If a Parent-Teacher conference has been scheduled, here are some tips to help you prepare.

·         Parent-Teacher conferences are usually 15-20 minute conversations with the teacher or team of teachers about your child’s progress and classroom behavior. These meetings give teachers a chance to discuss your child’s strengths and weaknesses and suggest ways to meet learning objectives. 

·         This meeting will also provide you with an opportunity to help the teacher(s) get to know your child.  Every child learns differently, and has different work habits.  Conferences are a great time to share what works best for your child.     

·         Teachers come to these meetings prepared with samples of your children's work and with ideas to help them do well in school. So, do your homework and come prepared with questions.  Talk to your child before the conference; ask how school is going, what subject(s) they like best and least, and why.  Also check to see if there is any social issue to be concerned with at school.

·         Time is limited, so arrive on time and keep the topic on your child.  Make sure you bring paper and pen to take notes.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.  If there are concerns, ask the teacher(s) what you can do to help your child at home and develop an action plan. 

·         After the conference, let your child know how the conference went, pointing out the positive information that was shared.  Discuss any action plan that you and the teacher(s) worked out.  Be sure to begin the action plan right away in order to receive the most benefit from it. Make sure he or she knows that you and the teacher(s) care. To see if the action plan is working, watch your child's behavior and check your child's class work and homework.

·         Given busy schedules, parents do not have many occasions to receive candid feedback on their child’s development and classroom behavior.  Parent-Teacher conferences are a great opportunity to fulfill this need.

Some information for this DYK was obtained from: The National PTA, National Education Association of the United States, Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work for Your Child