Tips for Successful Parent-Teacher Conferences

Elementary, middle and high school conferences are Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 22 and 23. No classes for students.

APS teachers will meet with parents and guardians the week of November 22 to talk about student progress. There will be conversations about student strengths, interests, behaviors, needs, and learning styles. Discussions will center on expectations, strategies, and next steps.

Most of these talks will occur in virtual meeting rooms as families work, take care of young children, travel, or visit friends and relatives for the Thanksgiving holiday. That's just fine – technology prompted by the pandemic has made it easier for many more of our families to attend parent-teacher conferences over the past couple of years.

Here are a few things parents/guardians can do to help the conference go smoothly and get the information they want and need regarding their children.

Have a discussion with your child about the upcoming conference.

There is nothing wrong with asking your child, "What do you think I am going to hear about at this conference? What do you want me to share with your teacher about you?" Be informed when you walk into the conference.

If you will need a language interpreter, don't wait.

Tell the teacher about this right away, so the school has time to arrange to have a district interpreter at the conference.

Be on time.

Conferences are often scheduled back-to-back. If you arrive late, chances are you will not have the time you need to visit with the teacher.

Remember that the conference has a time limit. If you have only 20-30 minutes, this may not be the best time to delve deeply into issues that require more time and attention. You can ask for an additional appointment if you have bigger issues to discuss.

Don't be shy; ask questions!

Write down a few before you go to the conference, and be sure to listen and ask clarifying questions if you don't understand the teacher's answers. Some important questions you might want to consider are:

• What are my child's strengths and weaknesses?  
• How does my child get along with classmates?
• Is my child working up to her ability? Where could she use improvement?
• What can we do at home to support what you are doing in the classroom?

Keep your cool.

If a difficult subject has to be discussed, keep your temper, stay calm, and keep the student's needs at the center of the conversation. Getting angry is not going to help and may shut down a conference completely. If you feel yourself getting angry or put on the defense, it's best to table the conference, gather your wits and reschedule.

Don't be afraid to ask for resources.

The teacher, counselor, nurse, administration, or social workers at a school can often provide supports for children and families like Clothing Bank referrals, health information, tutoring programs, wellness services, and other supports. 

Follow up with any suggestions.

Try what the teacher may suggest to help your child and let the teacher know if it is working or not. Staying in contact with your child's teacher by email, phone, or in-person when possible will help build a school and family relationship that can really make a difference in a student's school experience.