Parent/teacher conferences are a valuable opportunity for parents to get involved in their child's education. In addition to the grades on a child's report card, meeting with the child's teacher can give you a realistic measure of his or her performance in school. Use the following questions as a guideline to get the most out of your next parent/teacher conference:
How is my child's classroom behavior? Listening and following directions, focusing attention on the task at hand, completing assignments on time, putting forth their best effort, and working with others are important skills that children should be learning in the classroom each day. In addition, ask about how your child gets along with other children. Is your child easily distracted? Does he or she cooperate with others? Can he or she work well independently? By asking these questions, parents can learn more about their child's attitude toward school, as well as his or her academic skills.
As a parent, is there anything I can tell you about my child that may help you be more successful as a teacher? Nobody knows your child like you do. Wise teachers understand this and seek to tap your wealth of information. Family tension, financial concerns, health issues or marital problems directly impact a child's ability to concentrate in school. When parents share this information, teachers are often able to take measures that can reduce stress for the student. Creating a partnership between school and home is a responsibility that both teachers and parents share.
In what academic areas do you see my child progressing and are there areas where a lack of progress has you concerned? The key to this question, and to the value of conference, is the word "progress." We know that every child develops at a different rate. Whether a child is "above grade level" or "below grade level," the most important information parents need to have is the amount of progress the child is making. Lack of progress is a red flag that cannot and should not be ignored. A child who is not progressing is a child who is falling behind. How does your child handle new material? Does your child catch on easily or does he or she require more explanation and attention? A teacher who has taught your child for a minimum of two months should be able to talk knowledgeably about student progress.
Do you have samples of work that reflects my child's progress? Many teachers are beginning to collect and use portfolios of student work to assist in the evaluation process. The portfolios can be particularly helpful to see where a child is struggling and to measure a child's progress during the course of the school year.
What specific recommendations do you have for me to help my child at home? With 25 other children in one classroom, even the best teacher can be limited in the ability to provide individualized attention. Helping your child at home shows that you care enough to make education a priority and are involved in his or her schooling as well. The conference should not be concluded until you and the teacher have agreed on what needs to be done at home and how to begin. After the conference, talk to your child about what was discussed. He or she should understand what you and the teacher are trying to accomplish. By working together with the school, parents can greatly improve their child's opportunities for academic success
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