Get Ready for
SAMPLE COPY
The Parent-Teacher
Conference
school conference is a great opportunity for
A parents and teachers to learn more about students.
You can both use the time to share important
information to help your child succeed in school.
The key to a successful conference, parents and
teachers agree, is two-way communication. By
exchanging information, parents and teachers can
set the stage for a great school year.
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Talk With Your Child
B efore you attend the conference,
spend a few minutes talking with
your child. Tell him that you need
help preparing for the conference.
You might:
• Ask what he would like you
to talk about with the teacher.
• Ask what he thinks the teacher
will say.
• Ask about the things he likes
and doesn’t like, his problems
and successes.
• Let him know that after the
conference you will share and
discuss with him what the
teacher said.
Think About Questions
You’d Like to Ask
repare some questions in advance. There’s
P room on the back of this QuickTip for you to
jot down the questions you most want answered.
Here are some suggestions:
• What is being covered in this grade or
subject this year?
• What are your expectations for homework?
Has my child missed any assignments?
• How are my child’s work habits? Does she
use time well?
• Does my child read at
the level you would
expect for this grade?
• Is my child able to do the math you would
expect for a student in this grade?
• Is my child in different groups for different
subjects? Why?
• Has my child been absent, other than the
times when I contacted the school?
• Does my child qualify for any special
programs—for example, gifted and talented,
English as a second language, or programs
for those with learning disabilities?
• Does my child get along well with others?
• Does my child cooperate in class and
follow directions?
• What can I do at home to help my child
be more successful at school?
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SAMPLE COPY

What Should At the Conference

The Teacher Know? K eep an open mind. Remember that
both you and the teacher want to
Jot Down What
A s a parent, you know your child
better than anyone else. Share the
help your child succeed. Your goal is to
work for cooperation. Even if the teacher
You Want to Discuss
following information about your child says something you disagree with, listen Information I want the teacher
with his teacher: to what she has to say. Also: to know about my child:
• Ask to see your child’s work.
1. Favorite subjects. _________________________________________
There’s no better way to see how
your child is progressing. _________________________________________
• Ask the teacher to explain terms _________________________________________
that are new to you. Every profes-
sion has its own jargon which can _________________________________________
be hard to understand. _________________________________________
• Sum up what you think has been _________________________________________
said. Make sure both you and the
teacher agree on any decisions you Questions I would like answered:
2. Outside interests
and hobbies. have made about your child. If _________________________________________
necessary, ask to meet again.
_________________________________________
• Establish the best way to contact
each other. Email? Phone? _________________________________________
_________________________________________
After the Conference _________________________________________

3. Any medical or Fthinkollow up. Stay in touch

with the teacher. If you
of a question you
_________________________________________
health needs.
didn’t ask, contact
the teacher.
Talk with your child. One of a series of QuickTips®
4. Things happening at from The Parent Institute®, P.O. Box 7474,
Stress the positive Fairfax Station, VA 22039-7474
home that may affect (800) 756-5525 www.parent-institute.com
things the teacher said Stock No. 1001 (English) • Stock No. 2001 (Spanish)
schoolwork—moving, Copyright © 2009 The Parent Institute®
divorce, the birth of a and talk about suggestions for
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child. improvement. Plan with your child Appears Here through December 2016.
how to carry out these suggestions.
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