Typically, schools hold parent-teacher conferences with parents one to two times a year. Many times, parents dread these conferences because of how they are set up, how they are run and due to the time constraints of the parent, how long they take.
What can teachers and schools do to help make parent-teacher conferences successful? According to the NEA (National Education Association) teachers can do a lot to help alleviate some of the problems that arise at parent-teacher conferences.
The first thing teachers need to do is schedule the conference based on what date and time the parents have previously stated they need to have. Most times, during school registration the school should be asking parents what dates and times work best for them to come to conferences during conference week. Teachers should use this information to schedule a conference with a parent at the time that was requested. Obviously, this doesn’t always work out, so the parents should also have put an alternative time if their first choice doesn’t work.
Once you have schedule the conference, teachers need to send home personal letters that state when the conference is and where it will be located. Sending home a note with the child isn’t always enough, therefore schools should also be sending out mass mailings to all parents to their homes. This way, schools can guarantee that a parent sees the conference notice. Schools also need to request in these letters that a parent contact the school to confirm the conference date and time. If a parent has not called then the school, whether it be the teacher directly, or a school support staff or secretary, needs to call the parent and remind them over the phone and reschedule if the parent can’t make the date.
On the night of the conference the school must phone all parents who do not show up for conferences. Unfortunately, this occurs often and often times, just a quick phone call to a parent can clear up any miscommunication issues and the conference is rescheduled. Teachers do need to expect that not every parent will show up for the conference, even if the school contacts them.
To make sure parents are clear on dates, times and places, the school is responsible for communicating with the parent during the scheduling of parent-teacher conferences. The parent is responsible for letting the school know that either she will be at the conference or that she can’t make the designated time and thus much reschedule. By working together, getting parent-teacher conferences scheduled can be successful!
Related Links:
Student-Led Parent-Teacher Conferences
ADHD in the Land of Middle School