Teacher-Parent Conferences

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Teacher-Parent Conferences

• Valuable Strategy for Improving Academic Success
• Norman Public Schools
• October 2, 2008
• 
  

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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

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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?

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

• Dont 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.

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

• Check the parents 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
  schools calendar/events

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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 ?

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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NUTS AND BOLTS

• Before the Conference
• Begin the year with a student goal setting
  conference.
• Prepare samples of students work to show
  evidence of growth and goal progress (portfolio).
• Notify parents well in advance of the
  conferences.
• Provide opportunities for students to practice

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NUTS AND BOLTS

• Before the Conference
• Begin the year with a student goal setting
  conference.
• Student Interest Inventory/Student Attitude
  Inventory
• Reflection of work

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NUTS AND BOLTS

• Before the Conference
• Design 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).

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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?

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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

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NUTS AND BOLTS

• After the Conference
• Student sends thank you letter to parent
• Student completes reflection survey
• Parent questionnaire/evaluation/homework

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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 didnt you like about the conference?
• If you could change the conference to make it
  better, what would you do?

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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

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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 dont participate
• Vision of the student for their academics and
  their future
• Schedule separate time if teacher concerns need
  to be shared.

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SUMMARY

• Student 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

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SUMMARY

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

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SUMMARY

• Teacher 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