Getting the Most from Parent-Teachers Conferences

Parents and teachers will soon get an opportunity to meet and talk about their students at Parent-Teacher Conferences.

Teachers aren’t the only ones who should be preparing for those conversations. Conferences are not new to parents, of course, but as standards increase for students, taking the time to discuss what’s happening in the classroom is more important than ever.

Parent-teacher conferences should be interactive, so as teachers prepare to present to parents, so should parents do their homework and come prepared for a good conversation. Parents can talk with their students prior to meeting with the teacher. Getting feedback from students about the classroom and classes makes the teacher discussion even more valuable. Ask your child what would help them be more successful in their classes. Constructive suggestions coming from students are appreciated by teachers who seek to engage all sorts of learners. If there is a problem, address it by also offering solutions or tips on how to work through the issues. Simply stating problems in terms of blame and anger don’t encourage resolution.

Teachers care about the students in their classes and want them to do well. Many parents view meeting with their child’s teacher as something that happens when there is trouble or poor grades. Even if your student is a high achiever and does well in school, visiting with the teacher is important. Don’t skip out on an opportunity to discuss academic expectations, upcoming assignments, or classroom needs. Keeping an open door and establishing parental support pays off through the entire school year.

Attending PTC gives parents first hand access to important academic information. Parent teacher conferences also provide an opportunity for parents to be in the school and see classrooms and projects, visit with the principal, ask questions and get more school information. It’s not just about the grades either. Parents can get information about any new school events or practices, review state standards & testing and remind themselves of Powerschool logins. Many schools offer before or after school tutoring programs which students sometimes forget to mention to parents. For juniors and seniors, this is a great time to learn more about dual credit or AP classes. Counselors are available to discuss college entrance exams, scholarships, and schedules.

Conferences are the perfect time to share your at home experiences. Teachers are working on pacing and developing expectations for homework and grades. Receiving good feedback on what’s working and what’s not helps teachers guide instruction. If necessary, make a list of things you want to talk about with the teacher. It usually doesn’t take too much extra thought to point out the negatives. Those are the easily recognized aspects of school. Take the time to develop potential solutions for problems and come prepared for a proactive conversation.

Parents and teachers who partner in a student’s education provide the most effective way for students to be successful. Students with involved parents perform better on tests, attend school regularly, have better attitudes towards themselves and others and have better behavior. Since each party shares the goals of student achievement, communication during the year is critical. You don’t have to wait for formal meetings to engage your child’ teacher though. Regular emails, phone calls and face-to-face visits provide the support school kids need. Working together to better your child’s education is a priority. Make it your priority to attend Parent Teacher Conferences.

This article was written in 2015 by Superintendent Debbie Critchfield when she was working with the Cassia County School District (almost 8 years before she was elected as the Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction). Two references to Cassia County, one reference to the time of year and two references to a new math curriculum for grades K-6 have been removed from this version—all else remains the same. The original publication can be viewed HERE where it was first published by MagicValley.com .

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