Parent/Teacher Conferences are right around the corner. Here are some topics teachers should be ready to discuss:

• What are the student’s strengths and accomplishments?
• What areas present challenges, and how can parents help students at home?
• Are there any serious behavior problems to address?
• What test scores or exam results can you share with parents?
• What might students want or need their parents to know?

When the conference starts - be prepared to:

• Greet parents by name in a friendly manner and introduce yourself and any other school staff who are participating.
• Provide paper and pens for parents to take notes.
• Start by briefly explaining the purpose of the meeting and what you hope to accomplish. Parents might be nervous, so set them at ease by explaining your expectations up front.
• It’s always smart to start with a student’s strengths. Parents usually expect to hear from teachers only when there’s a problem. Giving them positive feedback can set the tone for a more cooperative experience.
• If time is very short, ask parents up front if they have any questions or issues to address. Otherwise, provide your own progress report from the notes you made before the meeting, focusing on the most important issues first.
• Be sure to provide action items for any challenges or issues. For instance, if you tell a parent their child is struggling to master multiplication facts, provide some activities they can try at home to help out.
• Ask parents for their own thoughts about their child. How does their child feel about school this year? Have any issues come up that parents would like to discuss? Do parents have any requests or goals for their child?
• Keep an eye on the clock, and start wrapping up when you have about five minutes left. Do your best to end the conference on time, so other parents aren’t kept waiting.

Source: We Are Teachers Staff - October 2023

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October 1 - Preview your 2024 Report Card via MyIRC - be prepared to tell your story!

October 30 - ISBE will publish the 2024 Report Card

• MyIRC Principal Entry Form — The School Highlights pages on the Illinois Report Card pull their content directly from the forms provided through this utility. It allows administrators to update School Highlights, District Narrative, and 5Essentials Feedback.