1. Session 9 Communicating with Parents: Parent-Teacher Conferencing

2. Communicating with Parents: Establish a rapport with your parents early in the school year. Let parents tell you about their child’s interests and extra curricular activities. Parents need to know that you care about their child and you are a competent teacher. Maintain open communication with parents throughout the year. Try to write notes or make phone calls to parents to tell them something positive about their child.

3. Communicating with Parents Cont. Merit awards and certificates are also a form of communication with parents. Know your parents… obtain accurate knowledge of issues of custody, guardianship and access. Know your parent community… which includes the demographics, language and culture. Consider the need for an interpreter in the interview.

4. 7 Steps to Conducting Parent-Teacher Conferences Step 1. Plan ahead and be prepared to … Identify your goals. Provide information about curriculum expectations. Discuss the report card grades. Have samples of the student’s work. Describe the “Next Steps”. Step 2: Welcome parent(s) and state the purposes is to … Discuss the strengths and needs of the student. Answer questions about achievement and learning skills. Provide guidance for assisting the student at home. Step 3. Begin with a positive statement about the student Demonstrate that you know the student with a few specific comments beyond noted in the report card.

5. 7 Steps Cont.. Step 4. Listen actively Empathize with parents and accept how they are feeling. Address concerns without using educational jargon. Step 5. Raise issues with parents that will help the student Establish a partnership and ask parents to follow through on class goals at home Step 6. Document and make notes about any follow-up tasks Plan follow-up contacts and keep parents informed before problems develop. Step 7. End with a positive statment

6. What to do when there is a parental concern… 1. Identify the Problem Ask the parent define the problem and focus on the main issue. Encourage the parent to offer all relevant information. Let the parent express his or her feelings without becoming emotional yourself. Avoid making judgmental comments or expressing opinions. 2. Reach an Agreement Once the problem has been identified and all of the issues are understood, you and the parent(s) can explore a range of possible solutions. Compromise on the implementation of the solutions.

7. What to do when there is a parental concern… 3. Propose an Action Plan This is how the solution will be implemented and it identifies roles and timelines. The parent should leave the interview satisfied that his/her point of view has been heard and that something is going to be done. 4. Following-up Decide on a subsequent interview appointment to assess the effectiveness of the action plan.

8. At all times exhibit… Self-control Active listening skills Clear and honest communication Respect the needs of students and the rights of parents Adherence to professional principles