Whether in elementary, middle or high school, parent conferences can be emotional
1. BRING YOUR STUDENT WITH YOU so everyone hears the same message.
This way, the information cannot be misconstrued or misinterpreted.
2. WRITE DOWN YOUR CONCERNS in order of importance the night before.
It helps if you and your student can talk together about what is going on before meeting with the teacher instead of walking in cold.
3. BE READY to listen.
If you are ready to listen along with your student, all concerned can negotiate a plan to follow at home.
4. GIVE YOUR CHILD some credit!
He might surprise you by describing his own needs or understanding of the situation at hand. Remember that your child must learn how to work through difficult circumstances on his own, and it is your role as parent to guide him in doing this.
5. THE FACT IS YOUR CHILD is one of several students that the teacher sees during the school day.
In middle and high schools, classes may be as high as 35 students.
6. KNOW YOUR STUDENT IS accountable for assignments.
It is crucial that your child know what assignment or test is due on what date.
Now this sounds like the teacher is in complete control of the parent conference and that the parent and student are helpless victims of the institution. Not at all. When you walk out of a parent conference, there should be a concrete plan.
Source: Karyn Rashoff, High School Counselor
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