Although this doesnt guarantee follow-through, it allows teachers to have something to fall back on if someone is not doing their part. Dont just tell a parent that their child has not been completing work, show them. What to Ask at a Parent-Teacher Conference: Before, During and After Yes, I ask my kids often about school, but they are not reliable reporters. share the details of the conference with the special education teacher write a note to the parents confirming the decisions you made schedule a meeting with your principal They want to see their child succeed more than anything else. What is your goal or objective for the time you have with parents? The conversation centers on the child's portfolio from the trimester and is all about the child's strengths, progress, and needed improvements. If the information can be easily communicated in writing, then what needs to be discussed that isn't evident? Most schools set aside specific dates and times for conferences, but if they conflict with your schedule, try to find another time that works. Step 1: Explore P roblems. It is good practice to make some type of positive contact with parents prior to any issues occurring. So many times, parents (and others) make promises during conferences but then dont follow through. What would you like to know? They use guided templates for creating the agenda, reflecting on how the meeting went, and makingany needed changes by the follow-up meeting a few weeks later. They are brief meetings, lasting about 10-30 minutes. One year we had a conference with a parent because her son was misbehaving to the point of distracting other students. In order to demonstrate that, a teacher must invest time and energy in creating desired outcomes for that student in the future. If you suspect a student may have a learning disability, however, you don't need to say that specifically. We reinforced the positive habits of both the student and the parents. In response, the school established parent workshopsin which teachers invite parents into the classroom during the school day. Send your questions to lferlazzo@epe.org. For many teachers, parent conferences are often accompanied by a sense of dread. 1. Keep the conference focused on the most important information that needs to be shared in the limited meeting time. Jeremy Chiappetta is the Executive Director at Blackstone Valley Prep (BVP), a diverse-by-design charter school in Rhode Island that has made parent focus groups a priority. Deepen your professional knowledge wherever you are with NAEYCs exciting webinar series and online and face-to-face training opportunities. Attending parentteacher conferences is one way to be involved and help your child succeed. b. the teacher must write down impressions of the child. Your Language Connection. In addition, ESJ presents articles that relate the latest research in child development, cognitive psychology, and sociology to school learning and teaching. Parent conferences might be an opportunity for you to surface your beliefs about parents and reflect on them, but when you engage with parents, even if you hold some doubts about them, put those aside. You are communicating with them because you care and believe in their kid. This was an unreasonable expectation because my time at home was time for my family, and I wanted them to know this upfront. Parent-Teacher Conferences: Tips for Teachers - KidsHealth Ask parents or guardians for their input about students' strengths, needs, and learning styles, as well as their hopes and dreams for their children. Once selected, the teacher's available times will show up on the calendar. According to a 2008 study from the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics, more than one in five parents reported that they didnt regularly attend parent-teacher conferences. Remember that students want to be successful. Step 2: Explore M otivations. Overall, s/he has a great outlook toward learning". That single line of questioning can give you a lot of information that can be helpful in the classroom. For the second trimester, I give students the Conference Note sheet and have them reflect on their learning and if goals were met. When considering how to communicate with families: a. culture and language must be taken into account, c. a childs disability has to be thoroughly understood, d. plan for conferences after school or child care. Help us keep doing that. Edutopia and Lucas Education Research are trademarks or registered trademarks of the George Lucas Educational Foundation in the U.S. and other countries. What Do We Discuss? Current issues are now on the Chicago Journals website. Not surprisingly, the rubric NAEYC developed to evaluate these programs revealed that all 15 programs are of very high quality with a strong commitment to supporting and honoring family engagement. Tara Dale is an Arizona high school science teacher. It didnt take longthirty minutes maybebut it offered a forum in which we were heard, in person, and felt valued as active participants in this thing called school that very much drives our lives from September to June. Sharing contact information along with the best times and methods of communication to be reached shows parents that the teacher will make him or herself . Please read our guidelines for more information. Contact us with your questions-- we're here to help! CD 205 - Exceptional Child - Final Exam Review - JeopardyLabs work with the teacher to help your child do well in school. Don't forget to ask these simple but important questions: "Does your child like school?" You can send one to me at lferlazzo@epe.org. Student Motivation & Social-Emotional Learning. Know that parents will need to debrief with each other (or a trusted confidante), and look at the child with the information youve shared in mind. They want to partner with you. Keep your eye on the clock and politely steer the conference back to what you know you want to share within the time you have.). The secret to all great PTCs is that the effectiveness of the meeting is entirely dependent upon the teachers actions well before the meeting ever takes place. That we want the same thing. On the invitation, remind parents that they'll be able to ask questions, because an effective parent-teacher conference is a two-way conversation about students. Conclusion. As a teacher I want to make sure my students know that I am in their corner, even if there are things to work on. There are few children whose academic experiences have been wholly unaffected. An effective way to stop a harmful behavior is to: b. redirect the child after a short, specific, verbal statement. Nervous about blindsiding parents, I sometimes gave them a heads up via email before a conference if I knew I wanted to discuss something difficult. If this is the first time you're sitting down with parents, it's a great opportunity to hear their perspective on their child's school experience so far, on what their child likes to do outside of school, on the questions, and concerns they have about their child. Make sure to communicate the value of coming prepared with priority questions: It will allow more efficient use of time, and parents will identify what they want to know. I suggest that after the conference, either the same or next day, a copy of notes that outline the outcome of the meeting should be emailed or sent home to parents. Then explain the purpose of the meeting, such as, We wanted to talk with you today because Timmy isnt turning in his homework. After discussing the problem and creating a solution, end the conversation with another positive aspect of the student because it sends a message to parents that you desire only to improve an improvable situation. Shelly Rees Parent Teacher Conferences do not need to be a stressful time! 1. With many schools doing virtual programming or some hybrid of virtual and in-person learning, some families are better able to give support at home, and remediation and enrichment may be easier than in the past when it usually occurred after an already long school day. . As educators, if we focus on the three areas below, the conference will be productive, flow smoothly, and increase the partnership between the teacher and the parent. Offer multiple ways for parents to ask questions and provide feedback (phone, text, email, or virtual meetings). During free play, it is the teachers responsibility: a. to sit back, watch, and plan for the next activity, b. to plan lessons for the day and week if possible while they play, c. to observe the children and interact and facilitate play opportunities. Enhance your career and improve your knowledge, skills, and practices with our in-person and online training. If not, why?. Furthermore, alternative formats for organising CPCs may be required to facilitate greater focus on the child. To take advantage of these opportunities, it will be critical for teachers to provide parents with detailed information about their childrens learning. Find a sponsorship opportunity thats right for you and help support early childhood educators, parents, and other professionals. Lines of people wait their turn for these 15- to 20-minute interactions. Here are a few tips on getting the most out of your conferences: Get informed. To handle tricky situations when you have to give negative feedback at conferences, an approach suggested by Joe Hirsch, a leadership coach and former curriculum developer, might help. There are ways to help yourself through stressful moments. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff. In this model, all parents are brought together in a large group setting three times a year to discuss the entire classs academic data with the teacher. c. what a child says and does must be recorded systematically. Some resources include things like, 20 Questions to Ask at a Parent-Teacher Conference. Asking questions is a key skill for thinking, learning, acquiring information, and taking action. And parent focus groups are quick and inexpensive. in educational leadership from Arizona State University. Check in with the teacher to follow up on your child's progress. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and The New York City education department says an ideal parent-teacher conference is a conversation"their emphasis"between you and your students parent about their childs progress at school. The Baltimore school district asks, Do your parents view themselves as equal partners in their childs education? Grades must mean something and measure what they were told is important in terms of outcomes. Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference & Relationship Step 3: Explore S olutions and S caling. Solution: Quickly handing over a report card or assessments in a conference can leave parents uncertain of their child's performanceor how to help. Kindness first. Meeting with parents regularly ensures that all members of the village are working toward the common goal: a childs success. Usually there is negative emotion and frustration on both ends, especially if the parent has called the conference. The definition of family includes biological parents only. Prepare your materials. Face to Face in the Parent-Teacher Conference - JSTOR Most conferences are called because of what has gone awry. As I pencil in my name on the calendars posted in my kids classrooms this year: Busy teachers marching through an endless conference schedule, I see you. The parent-teacher conference does not have to focus on the report card. Moms and dads deserve more chances to be heard about what did and didnt workthe hits and missesduring the 180 or so days schools worked with their kids. Read the latest issue.The Elementary School Journal has served researchers, teacher educators, and practitioners in the elementary and middle school education for over one hundred years. As you move through the conference, the report card or progress report can be a springboard for discussion and help guide you through the meeting. Every three weeks, she sends home data folderscontaining printouts about specific skills students are tested on, graphs showing how each student performed, and descriptions explaining the assessment data and any confusing terminology used to explain it. Let us know over at ourWeAreTeachers HELPLINEgroup on Facebook. On Twitter, shes @LuzSantana20: Parent-teacher conferences are valuable opportunities for educators and parents to work as a team and set a plan of action to support a childs education. Explore key early childhood topics such Developmentally Appropriate Practice, play, and math. (Of course, youre in charge of this conversation. I have also sat across from teachers who I wanted to jump up and hug;they so clearly cared about my boy. Kids and teens do better in school when parents get involved. Ask questions and listen. All rights reserved. Then, all parties sign off on the contract, and copies are made available. If you'll be phone- or video-conferencing, send home copies of materials ahead of time so parents can have them in hand while you talk. Case Conference Procedures Stay up-to-date on issues in early childhood education and hear perspectives from a wide range of educators. By submitting your name, you grant us permission to publish it with your letter. Then describe how the students actions impact others emotionally and why that matters. Contact the teacher with any questions you didn't have time to ask. Be consistent. Here is how you do it: If the PTC is the first time you are talking or communicating with a parent on an individual basis, then expect the conference to be less productive and have a heightened level of tension. c. what a child says and does must be recorded systematically. Unexpectedly, COVID has introduced an opportunity to make these conversations more honest and transparent and start a trend that could persist post-pandemic. In fact, thats a mistake we made while working in a low-income community outside Boston. Parent Teacher Conference Template Teaching Resources | TPT So, very quickly I had to step my conference game up or else parents were going to come in and tear me to pieces. They are an active participant.. Required fields are marked *. Some parents track their child's schoolwork and progress and already know what they need to talk about with the teacher. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. (This is the first post in a three-part series). Share the character attributes the student displays in your classroomleader, follower, helperor maybe some other type of characteristic. You are not providing a list of recommended questions parents should be asking. Avoid teacher-talk. share your child's strengths and needs. Parents asking questions is not a silver-bullet solution to all the challenges associated with parent-teacher conferences and school-family relationships, but its a concrete, simple activity to help move in the right direction. The schoolheldevents from 4 to 6 p.m., so there was still enough light out for families to walk home afterward. Always convey a growth mindset. In 2014, she was an Arizona teacher of the year finalist. How Interpreters Assist During Parent-Teacher Conferences But that night, Mom went home and shared the plan with her son, who had a very different perspective on the situation. Share with the parent the strategies you are currently trying and ask them for suggestions. Join NAEYCs team and help us advance the education of young children across the country. They needed more attention from teachers, but the virtual format made that difficult. Experiencing low attendance at larger family events, the school started looking more closely at families needs and restrictions. Conferences are typically scheduled 1 to 2 months in advance. Make it a point to communicate frequently and positively so that you have already developed a relationship before you hit bumps in the road, she says. This is especially true if parents have certain grade expectations the student hasnt met. Worse is when you cannot articulate or defend current grading practices not aligned with what we know works in education. Some teachers like students to attend part of the meeting to show that parents and educators are both part of the instructional team. If so, how? Popular Searches:DAP;Coping with COVID-19;E-books;Anti-Bias Education;Online Store. TRUE 200 When considering how to communicate with families: a. culture and language must be taken into account b. transportation is a consideration c. a child's disability has to be thoroughly understood d. plan for conferences after school or child care As a parent, I have sat across from teachers whose feelings I couldn't identify -- I actually questioned whether or not they cared about my son as a human being and as a student. Other parents may be talking with the teacher for the first time. I then hand them a Conference Notes form that has a breakdown of each subject area as well as lifelong learning habits (which is a category on our report cards). If necessary, carve out 3-4 minutes at the beginning of the conference to generate some questions on the spot. Keep Communication Open. This story about parent-teacher conferences was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Terms of Service apply. I only conference second trimester with students who have an area of concern or with families who have requested a conference, but I send the Conference Sheet notes home with everyones report cards. Since I keep published writing at school, I pull out the students writing binder, we review it, and parents take it home for the night to read over in depth. Do you see this behavior at home ever? If a parent knows about a concern before the conference, chances are you'll both be better equipped to discuss possible solutions during the conference. School staff and families see the light at the end of the tunnel, people are tired, and in many schools its uncomfortably hot. Engaging in conferences to showcase the positive is also effective and appreciated by parents. Anything shared at that delicate hour probably reflects a much higher drama quotient than reality. In every parent conference, the focus must be: on issues related to the child's development and learning To become more culturally competent, an early childhood teacher should: "learn more about the families in the community that she serves" and "learn words and forms of greetings in the family's language" Some teachers keep worksheets with strengths, needs, and social or behavioral notes to guide them through conferences. A parentteacher conference is a great opportunity to: Parentteacher conferences usually happen once or twice a year. Pamela D. Brown is a clinical and school psychologist who works at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, a private Pre-K to 12 school in Philadelphia. Find out how parents like to be communicated with and if there is any information that they can share with you regarding how to best support their child. When you send materials to parents ahead of upcoming conferences, include a handout inviting them to generate and prioritize their own questions in advance. Are tutors available to fill learning gaps that may have grown in the past year? But not knowing about struggles leaves parents unable to support their children where they need it. This mother ended up contacting me after the conference, upset that I didnt like her daughter. We met again, and reframed the conversation. Connect with professionals in your community at conferences, networking events, advocacy efforts, leadership opportunities and more! Before my November parent-teacher conferences, I sit down one-on-one with each student and go over their draft report card. The program promotes positive relationships among all children and adults. During the last year, even students attending schools with ample resources have experienced reduced days and modified curricula. It's all too easy to let discussions veer off-task during conferences, so try to limit all talk to learning and how to support the student's instruction. Many schools have found thatquick text messages work just as well, and a number of services will translate texts into different languages. K-12 education is loaded with jargon and acronyms, but a parent-teacher conference is not the place to use them. Previously, I had taught in urban schools for a decade. In early 2009, NAEYC invited early childhood education programs across the county to submit a written application. Become a leader in your professional association. Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. You can find her on Twitter @LSkae: Two years ago, I began teaching at an academic magnet, and it was a completely new experience for me. So often we get angry before we really know the facts about what is happening. I also spend time coaching teachers on preparing for parent conferences. Spend the last few minutes of the meeting on your specific goals for the student. If necessary, divorced parents can ask a teacher to schedule separate conferences. On a practical level, its an immediate, concrete and doable preparation activity. safety, visibility, ease of movement, matching children and equipment, teacher availability, and offering choices. They want to see their child succeed more than anything else. Families who expect all As can be very challenging, just as parents who dont seem to be concerned when you tell them their child is struggling. Covering Innovation & Inequality in Education. Each site visit included. She also served a term as an elected school committee member. Be able to have evidence to support areas of concern as well as paper to write down notes and final outcomes from the conference. Some may have been talking with teachers at IEP or 504 plan meetings. While we say repeatedly that were all a team to help support them, some students really struggle being the center of attention and feel very vulnerable. Next, share specific and objective observations about what happened. Give them time, and follow up as needed. Many parents want to know how their children compare to their peers, but remind them that you're discussing their child's individual instructional levels, not their standing in class. Establish a collective focus on supporting the student and then say your piece in person. When I started in my first classroom teaching position straight out of undergrad, I had lots of ideas. Please message the teacher to find out how you can schedule your student's . You can also prepare an outline or agenda for conferences and share them with parents so they know what to expect. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. After much trial and error, we developed the Question Formulation Technique, or QFT, a step-by-step process for generating and prioritizing questions. Parent conferences might be an opportunity for you to surface your beliefs about parents and reflect on them, but when you engage with parents, even if you hold some doubts about . The QFT is one practical tool for making parent-teacher conferences more effective, and it can help build skills for stronger school-family partnerships over the long term. To ensure a high-quality baseline, eligible programs had to be NAEYC-Accredited and/or rated in the highest or second highest levels of a recognized statewide or pilot quality rating and improvement system (QRIS). Put sticky notes on the items you want to share, select the best examples of the growth, and jot down a few notes. We are partners in raising and educating the future. Programs invite families to actively take part in making decisions . If this is an initial conference, it must be sent 5 days prior. A week or so before the conferences, send home reminders of where and when the conference will be held, as well as the meeting agenda. First, name the contextthe time and placewhere the problem occurs, like during small-group interactions. Virtual days tend to end earlier than regular in-person school days. Sarah currently teaches 5th grade in Rancho Cordova, Calif., and serves on the Washington Unified school district board in West Sacramento, where she lives with her husband and two young childrena 2nd grader and preschooler: The best teacher-parent conferences are the ones with no surprises for students or families. Learn about our work with governments and NGOs around the world to support young children and their teachers. There is nothing worse than not being able to articulate what a rubric says or realizing during the conference that your rubric is not strong. Saylors encourages scheduling morning and evening conferences when parents are out of workor even visiting students homes, if possible. Students share their work with their parents for the first half hour, and then teachers give a 30-minute presentation just for parents that builds on the work students are doing in school. Parent-teacher conferences are one of the few opportunities for families to converse with teachers about their children's progress and needs.
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