Teacher-Parent Conferences

Valuable Strategy for Improving Academic Success

Norman Public SchoolsOctober 2, 2008

Four Things Every Parent WantsEnlist Parents as Partners

School is a safe and supportive environment.

A sense of expectation for their student

Open communication between school and home

Academic success for their student, no matter what the challenges may be

Build a collaborative, rather than an adversarial system

What do you want to accomplish regarding this student?

What do you want to share with the parent?

What would help this student have success in your class?

The teacher bears the responsibility of developing a positive relationship with parents to achieve the goal of successful education. Rosenthal

Don’t make it too formal

Monitor your own discomfort level

Be mindful of “professional jargon”

Remember not all parents had positive experiences when they were in school.

Parents need to know you are an advocate for their child. They will be more willing to hear what you have to say.

The more the teacher is prepared, the smoother the conference. First Impressions Count !

Check the parent’s name to save embarrassment.

Create a comfortable atmosphere, do not sit behind the desk.

Sit where you are aware of the time, stay on schedule

Schedule another conference ,if there is a more involved situation

Be able you to explain your goals for the class

Have the student/parent policy book handy for reference

Be preparing is your greatest tool. Student portfolio, student records, report cards, your school’s calendar/events

Know Your Resources

Be prepared for questions or statements like: How do I help my child do homework? How do I contact the counselor? My child is bored in your class. My child is having a difficult time learning. How can I volunteer at school ?

When those conversations become difficult……..

Be compassionate and listen

If a family crisis is overwhelming, share with the parent that you are concerned about their well-being. Gently suggest that they contact the principal or counselor. They will need more resources than time allows for the teacher. This also helps the parent from becoming embarrassed if they shared too much information.

Remember FERPA

Do not discuss another student if parents ask for information

The only grades/test scores to be shared are with their own student.

Only talk about discipline issues regarding their student if that is a topic

PHILOSOPHYof Student Led Conferences

Student led conferences reflect the belief that students should actively involved in their learning and assume responsibility for the learning process. Through student led conference, students become more motivated, reflective and evaluative. They also become more critical in their approach to learning.

PURPOSE

Students accept responsibility for learning and become more aware of the learning process.

They report academic growth to parents and progress toward becoming life long learners.

NUTS AND BOLTS

Before the Conference1. Begin the year with a student goal setting

conference.2. Prepare samples of students’ work to show

evidence of growth and goal progress (portfolio).

3. Notify parents well in advance of the conferences.

4. Provide opportunities for students to practice

NUTS AND BOLTS

Before the Conference

(1) Begin the year with a student goal setting conference.

(2) Student Interest Inventory/Student Attitude Inventory

(3) Reflection of work

NUTS AND BOLTS

Before the ConferenceDesign a plan of action• Student responsibilities• Teacher responsibilities• Parent responsibilities

• Decide on evidence to be included in portfolio what shows progress toward achieving the goals

• Prepare samples of students’ work to show evidence of growth and goal progress (portfolio).

NUTS AND BOLTS

Before the Conference

Notify parents well in advance of the conference.

• Send home a letter explaining the conference format and why it is being used…

• Why are you having student led conferences?• How will the conferences be different?• If necessary, when can parents talk to you without

the student?• When and where will the conference be held?

NUTS AND BOLTS

Before the Conference

Provide opportunities for students to practice.

• Model the process• Teacher to teacher• Teacher to teacher assistant

• With students, develop a checklist describing student role

• Organize student to student practice sessions

NUTS AND BOLTS

After the Conference

1. Student sends thank you letter to parent

2. Student completes reflection survey3. Parent

questionnaire/evaluation/homework

NUTS AND BOLTS

After the Conference

Student Reflection Survey What did you like about the student led

conference? How did you feel during the conference? What didn’t you like about the conference? If you could change the conference to

make it better, what would you do?

KEYS TO SUCCESS Students and teachers willing to take

risks Teachers willing to step aside Focusing in on student achievement-

power standards and their accomplishment

Committing time to… Learning Preparing Practicing

CHALLENGES First time jitters Uncertainty of sharing control with students Need to adopt a student-centered philosophy Organizing the logistics of conferences Responding to families who don’t participate Vision of the student for their academics and

their future Schedule separate time if teacher concerns

need to be shared.

SUMMARYStudent benefits: Accountability for their learning Students learn to evaluate their own progress Students gain greater commitment to school work and

learning Builds self confidence and self-esteem Encourages student/parent communication Builds communication and critical thinking skills Places responsibility on the student and parent Allows students to become involved Puts students in charge of their learning Time allowed to share and celebrate in learning environment

SUMMARYParent benefits: Increases the amount of information given to a parent Learn more about their child’s learning and skills An opportunity to help their child set positive goals Active participant in their child’s learning First language communication Eliminates standing in line for a conference Allows for more time in their child’s learning environment

to see what the child has worked on over a period of time First hand opportunity to see their child in charge of the

learning process

SUMMARYTeacher benefits: Less stress (not less work) on teachers, very relaxed

atmosphere Less confrontational (more positive) Places responsibility on the student and parent Increased parent participation An opportunity to see students in a leadership role