Getting Ready for a Parent-Teacher Conference (page 2)

Getting ready for a parent-teacher conference? Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Start the conference right: Be there on time, and plan not to run over the amount of time that has been set aside, usually about 40 minutes.
• If you are a working parent who can't arrange to meet during regular hours,make this clear to the teacher and try to set up a time to meet that is good for both of you.
• The best conferences are those in which both teachers and parents stay calm and try hard to work together for one purpose and one purpose only: to help your child do well. Arguing, or blaming each other for problems your child is having, helps no one.

Each teacher will probably come prepared with samples of your children's work and with ideas to help them do even better in school. You should get ready for each conference, too.

Talk to your children before the conference. Find out what they think are their best subjects, and what subjects they like the least. Find out why. Also, ask your children if there is anything they would like you to talk about with their teachers. Make sure your children don't worry about the meeting. Help them understand that you and their teacher(s) are meeting together in order to help them.

Before you go to the school, write notes to yourself about:

• Things about your child's life at home, personality, problems, habits, and hobbies you feel it's important for the teacher to know.
• Your concerns about the school's programs or policies.
• Questions about your child's progress.
• How you and the school can work together to help your child.

If your spouse can't attend the conference with you, ask for his or her concerns and questions.