Before the Conference
● Sit down with your child before the conference and explain that you are
meeting with their teacher to see how the school year is going. Ask them how
they feel about school and if there is anything they want you to specifically
address with the teacher. Be sure to stress that they are not in any trouble –
this meeting is to see how you can best support their school efforts at home.
● Review your child’s grades, recent homework, and progress reports.
● Talk to family members, after-school caregivers, mentors, coaches, etc. for
their input on your child’s strengths and weaknesses.
● Prepare a list of questions such as:
○ Which subjects are my childs strongest and which are challenging?
○ Does my child turn in homework on time?
○ Does my child participate in class?
○ Does my child seem happy at school?
○ How are my childs social skills?
○ What can I do at home to support your efforts and my childs
academic progress?
○ How are my childs test-taking skills?
○ Has my child missed any classes other than excused absences?
● If meeting virtually, be sure to download or access online the video
conferencing software (Zoom, Skype, etc.) sometime before the designated
meeting time. Open the software and familiarize yourself with the basic
functions of connecting, accessing video, and testing your audio.
● If you don’t speak English, ask the teacher to invite an interpreter to your
meeting or ask a relative or friend to join you. (Do not allow your child to
interpret for you.)
During the Conference
● Be on time (or early) for the meeting. You’ll want every minute allotted to your
conference!
● Ask the most important questions first.
● Share your thoughts and observations of your child with the teacher, including
interests and challenges that you’re aware of.
● Discuss any new learning or medical needs with your child’s teacher, as well
as any recent events that may affect your child (such as divorce, a new
sibling, a death in the family, etc.).
● Remember to remain calm during the conference – both you and the teacher
have the same goal!
● Ask for specific examples or clarification of anything you don’t understand.
● Be sure to ask your childs teacher for ways you can support your child’s
education at home.
● End the meeting on time. There is likely a conference after yours, and your
child’s teacher will appreciate that you have respected the time constraints. If
there is more to say, ask to schedule a longer conference on a different day.
● Don’t forget to THANK the teacher for all he or she does for your child!
After the Conference
● Your child may have some anxiety about the conference, so be sure to talk
about it with them. Keep it positive, but mention any areas of concern. Talk to
your child about any plans/ideas that came out of the conference.
● Stay in touch with the teacher throughout the school year, especially if there
are plans in place for improving your child’s educational experience.
