Conference time is just around the corner for some parents, and it may already be here for others. Parent-teacher conferences are traditionally the most formal means of communication between parents and teachers, and they should be seen as providing a rich opportunity to build communication and understanding between the home and school. Yet the value of parent-teacher conferences to parents, teachers, and children depends on the active participation of each person involved. In addition, parent-teacher conferences are likely to be more successful if there have been many other opportunities for communication during the year.

However, parent-teacher conferences can be stressful for many parents. Working parents may have to rush to a conference early in the morning before work, take time off at lunch, or wait until the end of a long day to meet with their child's teacher. Other parents may be anxious about meeting with their child's teacher because of their own school-related experiences as a child. Either way, this stress and anxiety can lead to strained or shortened conversations between the teacher and parent which will not benefit them or the child. To reduce this tension and stress, it is very important for parents to come to a conference well-prepared so that the time can be spent efficiently.

How To Prepare For Parent-Teacher Conferences

Before the Conference

It is important for parents to discuss the conference with their children. By including the children in this discussion, parents can generate a list of questions and concerns relevant to their children as well as themselves.

Parents should:

* Ask their children if there is anything important to ask the teacher.
* Ask their children what they like best about school.
* Ask their children who their special friends are.
* Ask their children if there are things they would like to do more often at school.
* Discuss with their children whether any family problems should be mentioned to the teacher. If so, how much should be said about the problem?
* Make a list of what they want the teacher to know about their children.
* Make a list of questions to ask the teacher.

Possible questions to ask include:

For preschool-aged children:

1. How is my child progressing developmentally?
2. Does my child do really well in some area that I can reinforce at home?
3. Does my child need special help with anything?
4. Does my child make friends easily?
5. Does my child participate in group activities?
6. What is my child like during the day?
7. What can I do to continue the learning process at home?

For older children (elementary-school age and older):

1. What is my child studying this year?
2. What aspects of school does my child appear to enjoy the most?
3. What are my child's best/worst subjects?
4. How well does my child get along with classmates?
5. Has my child completed assignments regularly?
6. Does my child willingly participate in class activities?
7. Does my child follow directions?
8. Have you noticed any changes in my child's behavior during the year?
9. What tests has my child had or will my child have?
10. What do the test scores tell me about my child's progress?
11. How does my child handle taking tests?
12. Does my child need help in any academic area or need to be referred to school specialists?
13. How much learning do you require be done independently?
14. What do you do to accommodate individual differences among children?
15. What expectations do you have for children in your class?

Once parents have made their list of questions, it is important to prioritize the list. This ordering allows parents to have their most important questions listed first in case time with the teacher is limited.

The Day of the Conference

Parents need to notify the teacher if they cannot attend the conference at the scheduled time. In addition, parents should initiate rescheduling the conference if needed.

Also, parents should be sure to arrive at the conference on time. Teachers often have several conferences scheduled in a row, so time is usually not available to continue discussions.

During the Conference

Parents should start the conference off on a positive note. Positive comments can be anything from telling the teacher how much their child likes to draw, how pleased they are with their child's reading, or to even saying thank you for taking the time to meet. These comments show the teacher that they appreciate his or her time and that they are interested in working together.

* After this brief opener, parents can ask the teacher their most important questions.

Once these questions have been discussed, depending on how much time is still available, parents can:

* Ask the teacher for examples of their child's work.
* If there is equipment in the room that they are not familiar with, parents can ask how it is used and for what purpose.

Finally, before parents leave, they need to ask the teacher what they can do to continue helping with their child's education. Also, they should have the teacher explain anything they do not understand.

If there was not enough time to discuss all of their concerns, parents should ask to meet again.

After the Conference

Once the conference is over, a parent's work is not yet finished.

Parents should:

* Discuss the conference with their child, including any "action plan" that has been agreed upon with the teacher.
* Act quickly on any suggestions made by the teacher (e.g., schedule an eye appointment if needed, go to the library to get any books the child needs).
* Keep working with the teacher by staying in touch to discuss the child's progress.

It is important that children feel that their teacher and parent are working together on their behalf. A good partnership between the home and school will help make sure that children get the best education possible.

Sources:

Calvert County Public Schools. (1996, October). Questions for parent-teacher conferences. URL http://calvertnet.k12.md.us/depts/pupilservice/qsptconferences.html [Editor's note: this url is no longer available 5-8-2000]

Illinois Education Association-NEA. Making the most of parent-teacher conferences. URL http://www.ieanea.org/family/ptc.html

Peterson, Evelyn. Parent-teacher conferences. URL http://www.earlychildhood.com/Articles/index.cfm?FuseAction=Article&A=22

Vermont-NEA. Making parent-teacher conferences work for your child. URL http://www.vtnea.org/vtnea13.htm

YMCA. YMCA parent tips: Parent-teacher conferences-Staying in touch for your child's sake. URL http://www.ymca.net/programs/family/ptptconf.htm