Parent Conferences

Good education requires support and cooperation between school officials and parents. Initiating and strengthening the working relationship between home and school are major responsibilities of teachers and other school staff members. We must help parents recognize that they are important contributors to their child’s success in school.

Effective parent-teacher conferences rate as one of the best approaches to encourage parental involvement in a child’s educational program. When education is a cooperative undertaking between the home and the school, the child wins. When the home and the school are in disagreement, the child loses. Therefore, parents and teachers must communicate effectively. In most instances, the teacher knows more about the curriculum, the educational process and how the child is doing educationally. The parent knows the child, his/her interests, needs and fears. When these two parties share information, success is more probable. The true experts in understanding a child are the parents. They know their child in ways that teachers cannot. Conversely, however, teachers comprehend aspects of student development which are new to parents. Together, parents and teachers can do more to assist students in achieving success in school than either can while working alone.

A relationship based on mutual trust facilitates effective instruction. When parents and teachers have the best interests of students in mind and believe this to be true of each other, a comfortable relationship can develop. The parent should not be expected to solve the child’s behavior problems at school. The teacher should not be expected to solve the child’s behavior at home. However, if the child is exhibiting the same behavior at home and school, it is helpful when the same corrective measures are utilized consistently.

Each staff member is expected to initiate and conduct parent conferences on a regular basis. Each school has developed a plan for conducting conferences with parents during the school year, and this plan requires the cooperation and support of the professional educator.

When conducting conferences, DO:

· schedule conferences when no problems exist in order to create a positive team approach.

· give a friendly, relaxed greeting.

· begin the conference by indicating an appreciation of the good qualities of the child and the cooperation of the parent.

· approach the conference expecting it to be interesting, pleasant and a new adventure.

· become familiar, prior to the conference, with all available information regarding the child and the parent.

· have examples of the child’s work at hand.

· be mature and professional. Never gossip or pass on unnecessary information.

· remember that every parent becomes subjective and emotional about his or her children.

· establish a positive working relationship. Respect the contribution of the parent.

· encourage a cooperative analysis of the causes of maladjustment or the lack of normal progress.

· be completely honest in matters of fact, but be diplomatic.

· accept the opinions of others. If necessary, lead the discussion into additional possible causes or solutions.

· hear criticism fully. Get suggestions for improvements. Appreciate and consider opinions.

· try to close the conference on a pleasant note, such as plan for a future conference, a statement of reassurance or a restatement.

· remember that the final effect of any conference will be the private opinions of the parents and their reactions to the outcomes of the conference.