Organization is the key to getting the most out of a parent-teacher conference, according to a group of Michigan principals polled by the Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals (MASSP).
In fact, they say, the first thing that both parents and students should do is to sit down together to talk about an upcoming conference, then compile a list of questions or concerns to discuss with the teacher.
Typically, parent-teacher conferences are held in middle schools and high schools during the fall and spring, and are relatively briefæjust five or 10 minutes with each teacher. The conferences are designed to update parents on how their students are doing in each class, and where improvements can be made. Parents, the principals say, are welcome to schedule more in-depth conferences with individual teachers at a different time.
Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts that principals advise parents to follow for more effective parent-teacher conferences:
- Do talk with your children about their classes before attending a conference. Get their assessment of how they’re doing—strengths and weaknesses, amount of time actually spent on homework, and where they think they can do better.
- Do come to the conference prepared with a list of questions or concerns to discuss with teachers, based on what you learn from your child.
- Do emphasize to your child that you and the teachers work together as a team to help ensure his or her academic success.
- Do find out beforehand whether or not your child is expected to attend the conference with you.
- Do make an effort to see each teacher at conference time, not just those who teach core academic subjects. Michigan principals emphasize that each teacher can give you insight into your child’s abilities and school performance.
- Beyond discussing your child’s grades, do ask how your student’s progress is assessed, where improvements can be made, whether the child actively participates in classroom
- Do have discussions about your child’s social and organizational skills, how he or she gets along with other students, and what you can do to help by supplementing homework or organizing homework time.
- Do ask each teacher if there are any upcoming projects or trips involving your child that you should be aware of.
- Do share information with teachers that may help them to better understand your child—his or her likes and dislikes, unusual home circumstances that may be causing stress, or if your child takes medication that might affect schoolwork.
- Do find out the best way to contact a teacher if you have questions or concerns about your student.
- Don’t use more than your allotted time to talk with each teacher. If you believe a more thorough discussion of your child’s progress is necessary, make an appointment with the teacher for a special conference time.
- Most importantly, if your child is having a problem in a particular subject area, don’t wait until a regularly scheduled conference to address it. Educators say that the sooner you discuss your concerns with the teacher, the better for your child’s academic success.
The Michigan Association of Secondary School Principals, founded in 1911, is the statewide society representing principals and assistant principals in middle schools, high schools, and vocational centers. With more than 2,000 members, including 96 percent of public high school principals, MASSP’s mission is to improve secondary education in Michigan through leadership, research, and promotion of standards of excellence.
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