Mastering the Parent-Teacher Conference
The parent-teacher conferenceis vital to the academic growth of all children. Yet, neither the parents nor the teachers are actually trained in how to handle the conference situation. Teachers develop their conference techniques from older teachers or by trial and error. The parents are generally apprehensive. It is the parents inital experience where a stranger is evaluationg their child. This anxiety is directly related to a feeling that our parenting skills are also being evaluated. Think for a moment, too often we are more concerned about our child's behavior rather than the child's academic performance. Oftentimes, negative behavior is directly related to a deficiency in a particular academic skill. It has been my experience that teachers will generally provide the parent with three positive attributes for every negative attribute regarding the students behavior or academics. It is important that the parent share information about the child that can assist the teacher in guiding the student's academic growth. However, it is not useful for parents to share personal information and turn the conference into a venting session. The conference is not about you! It is about the child.
I strongly suggest that the parent actually sit in the classroom and observer what is taking place. Remember, teachers who have inferior classroom management techniques, generally will have created a learning environment that is alien to academic growth. Additionally, a visit to the cafertia will provide you with a firsthand view of how many adults are actually supervising your child.
When faced with a situation where you and the teacher disagree, remember to focus on how to assist your child verse defending your child's performance or behavior. It is more potent if you address your concerns, after some reflection, in a letter to the principal that states your concerns and your expectation of a response by the principal.
I believe that there are some Vital Expectation that each school administrator should require of all teachers. The administrative team should monitor these Vital Expectation when review weekly lesson plans. As a principal, I felt that this was reasonable, yet more importanly, it was vital to the academic growth of all students.
1. How are the students informed about the academic standards that they are expected to meet? This should include the types or projects and assignments that are planned to assist the students in meeting higher academic standards.
2. How will the students be evaluated? How are grades determined?
3. How will the teachers communicate with the parents? Academic growth is a collaborative effort between the parent and the teach?
4. How will the teachers accommodate different leaning styles?
5. How can the parents support the teacher's efforts in implementing more academic rigor in the lesson?
6. What can the parent do at home to complement what is happening in the classroom?
posted by Cope @ 7:10 PM
6 Comments
6 Comments:
I agree 100% with this blog....The part you mentioned about the anxiety that our parenting skills are being evaluated is true for me at this moment. I am cautious with what I say to teachers.I have a friend who requested her daughters CUM file for home studies. While reading the file she found alot of things noted in there that was based on the teachers opinion of the parent. How can one's opinion be placed on a legal document? These aren't facts. It's important to stick to the facts during a conference. Thank you Cope...I could go on but, I'll stop here.
P.S. Does this page provide a questions and answer board? I have many questions in regards to our school system.
Tasha Weaver
Tasha, thanks for your comments. At the present time I do not have question and answer board, however, I will respond to all questions on the blog or by private email if requested. It is not unusal for negative info to be placed in the Cum. The Cum should purged of personal statements prior to releasing to another school and once the student moves from elementary to Jr/Middle school to High schoo. Additionally the Cum must be locked at all times. It seems that in the case that you mention the administration did not provide the necessary supervison of this document. Also, the parent has a right to view the CUM at anytime and question what is included within the CUM.
How do you get your child to work on being the person you want them to be with out telling them ?
Great question. However, I believe that the real question should be: How to get a child to work on becoming the person that he should become. Reflect for a moment on your own childhood...in most cases as children or teenagers we rebel at the thought of becoming the person that our parents wanted us to become. The growth, actually happens when we are working on our own individual becoming! If you can embrace this simple change, then spend 10 to 15 mintues a week, specifically at the same time, discussing a philosophical question. For example, it is important to use open-ended questions that would create a discussion. I woould start by sharing a portion of Joe Darion's lyrics, "The Man from La Mancha", To dream the impossible dream..I would start this way..Son I came across these lyrics the other day and I am trying to apply these lyrics to my life, how would you apply the lyrics to your life? I would just listen and only ask clarifying questions. For example, how do you handle disappointment. By the way you can obtain the lyrics on ask.com. Good luck and keep communicating. I hope this has been helpful.
In my own personal experience of working with parents of drop outs or near drop outs- I would say to lure those parents in you must include a little something about Parent's Rights. "How to empower your child- know your parent rights" Many parents just believe without question, what it is that the school says about their child. Hearing pure negative causes frustration, hopelessness, and ultimately alientation from the school. Which then makes it easier for their child to drop out. Parents knowing their rights does not mean that parents will lash out at the school. Parents becoming better advocates for their own children mean better chances of students being successful.
Some important rights to know:
* Right to observe in the classroom (schools may require a 24 hr notice)
* Right to have your child tested for learning disorder or special education
* Right to view the Cumulitve file
* Right to an education!! For everyone between ages 6-18! The school can not just kick your child out without providing an alternative school.
* Right to a Hearing. A Behavior Hearing or an Attendance Hearing does not mean it is one sided (school is right) NO!! There is panel or at least a Hearing Officer that lets you speak your side and a decision is made based on both sides.
I like to add that along with rights, there are parent/student responsibilities. One of the biggest responsibilities is "Regular School Attendance".
Good luck, Mr. Copeland. You will do fine, you are a DYNAMIC speaker!!
Marie Perez
Maria, thanks for your suggestions and insightfullness. I will inform you when I have my first session with the parents in Lakeland.
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