Meeting with teachers can give you a better idea of how your child is progressing in school.

Few people would disagree with the idea that open and honest communications between parents and educators can have a direct and positive effect on a child’s ability to learn and succeed. With both parents and teachers busier than ever, the most common forum for this communication is the parent/teacher conference. But just what should a parent expect from such a meeting, and what strategies are most effective when it comes time to sit down with a child’s teacher?

Olivia Brown is principal of The Country School, a non-profit private school in California’s San Fernando Valley that helps K-12 students develop their own unique potential within a balanced atmosphere of freedom and structure. Here she explains the importance of parents/teacher conferences and offers advice to help parents effectively cooperate and communicate with teachers:

• Your child’s progress.
  One important purpose of a parent teacher conference is to give parents a gauge of how a child is progressing academically, socially and emotionally.

• Take notes.
  Many parents don’t know exactly what to expect, and this can be a little unnerving. Before you show up for the conference, Brown recommends, taking a look at your child’s report card and taking notes on anything you might think relevant to bring up with the teacher. Is your child performing to your expectations? Is the subject matter what you thought it would be?

• Share information.
  When talking with the teacher, make sure to share your experiences at home with your child. Is there anything the teacher should be aware of, like a sick or absent parent, or something else that could have an effect on school?

• Discuss concerns.
  One thing a teacher might ask is if you think the grades and comments on the report card match what you know of your child. If you have any questions or concerns, make sure to discuss them with the teacher, who will likely have strategies and references to help you and your child.

• Work together.
  The whole idea is for parents and teachers to work together as a team so that the child has a greater chance of happiness and success at home and at school.

United States Department of Education
www.ed.gov

Parents for Public Schools
www.parents4publicschools.com

Parents & Schools
bcn.boulder.co.us/univ_school/psnews/psindex.htm

Connect For Kids: Parents and Schools
www.connectforkids.org/content1556/content_list.htm?attrib_id=340

National PTA
www.pta.org/parentinvolvement/index.asp