Parent-Teacher Conferences
Tips to Help Teachers Communicate Effectively with Parents
A parent-teacher conference guide explaining how to schedule and prepare for a parent conference, create a parent folder, and what to do during and after the conference.
Parent-teacher conferences are crucial to building and maintaining the team approach to education. Conferences give the adults in each student’s life a chance to sit down and share information. This communication provides the foundation for a successful and positive school year. Use the information below as a guide to prepare for and execute effective parent conferences.
How to Schedule Parent-Teacher Conferences
- The best way to ensure a positive conference is to make sure everyone can attend. One month before conference time, send home a letter to the parents letting them know what days the conferences will be held on and ask them what time of day they are free to come in.
- Use that information to develop a schedule of conferences and provide the parents with three weeks notice of their scheduled time slot. This gives all parties time to make adjustments if needed.
How to Prepare for Parent-Teacher Conferences
- Begin gathering student performance data two weeks before the scheduled conferences. Compile information from formal and informal assessments and collect samples of student work.
- Analyze the data and develop a list of strengths and weaknesses for each student. Note any recent changes to the student’s performance or behavior, but make sure that dramatic improvements or backslides are brought to the parents’ attention before the conference.
- Use the information you have gathered to compose an outline of points to discuss with each parent. Be sure to take into account how much time is allotted for each conference.
Create a Parent Conference Folder
- Two days before the conferences, have the students compose a letter or drawing for their parents detailing what they have been learning about in school.
- Create a folder for each set of parents containing the letter or drawing from the student, a blank sheet of paper the parents can use for any notes they may want to take at the conference, and a summary of any assessment information you are going to review during the conference.
- Include a newsletter with information about upcoming school events and information about joining the Parent Teacher Association or volunteering at the school.
During the Parent Teacher Conference
- Start each parent conference promptly and do not go longer than your scheduled time. If there are issues that require further discussion make another appointment with the parents to continue the conversation, don’t make the next set of parents wait.
- While speaking with parents, always use the sandwich method of communication. Start and end the conference by highlighting student strengths and bring up concerns or areas of weakness during the middle of the conference. Beginning and ending with a positive tone sets parents at ease and allows them to get a well-rounded picture of their student without over-focusing on the areas that need improvement.
- Use your outline to guide the discussion, but make sure to allow time for the parents to ask questions and share concerns.
After the Parent Teacher Conference
- Follow up on any parent questions or concerns that were raised during the conference and continue to update all parents on student progress.
- You can communicate with parents through a class newsletter or with monthly progress reports. Choose a method of communication that you can keep up with and meets the needs of your students.
Read The Annual IEP Meeting for information on meeting with parents of students with special needs.
The copyright of the article Parent-Teacher Conferences in Primary School Culture is owned by Megan Sheakoski. Permission to republish Parent-Teacher Conferences must be granted by the author in writing.
