Establishing a Parent-Teacher Relationship (contd.)

Guideline 8: Make sure suggestions are provided to increase your child's growth. If your child is doing well, find out what you can do to ensure continued success and progress. If he has difficulties, make sure the teacher goes beyond merely pointing out a problem. The teacher needs to provide ideas for eliminating or reducing the difficulty. Many parents have been discouraged or aggravated because teachers point out problems but don't provide solutions. Don't let this situation occur! If immediate suggestions can't be provided, then a follow-up conference is needed.

Guideline 9: Ask for examples of daily work to better understand your child's strengths and weaknesses By reviewing your child's work, you will learn if progress has been made since the last conference. Have any weaknesses become more severe? If improvement hasn't been made, are other methods or materials being used? As a parent, what should you be doing at home with your child?

Guideline 10: Clarify mid summarize each important point as it is discussed. Thus, both teacher and parent are better able to develop a mutual understanding and agreement. Let's took at a conference in which a parent does a good job of clarifying and summarizing a major point.

If the parent hadn't summarized and clarified what was heard in this conference, a misconception might have developed- By suggesting that she would tape books for Susan, the parent was able to find out if the suggestion was appropriate as well as learning about alternatives. Notice that this parent summarized the conference at the end so both parties received the same message.

Guideline 11: Owe agreement is reached, discuss the next topic. During the conference, you may want the teacher to understand certain things about your child. or you may have a special request. Once your point is understood and the teacher has agreed, it is wise not to continue the same discussion. It may present new questions which may reverse the previously made agreement. Once a decision is made, it is best to start discussing the next point. You will find the conference to be much more productive.

Guideline 12: Make sure you understand the information the teacher is supplying. Often teachers use educational jargon, not realizing parents don't understand. Don't be afraid to ask for an explanation or definition. Make sure when the conference ends you have understood all the information reported. if you're confused or uncertain, your child won't benefit and learning may be hindered.

Guideline 13: Keep conferences short. Conferences that run more than 40 minutes can be tiresome for both parent and teacher. If you can't accomplish all that has been planned, ask for another conference. By scheduling a future conference, you will have an opportunity to follow up on previous agreements and revise them if necessary

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