Transcript Teacher-Parent Conferences

Teacher-Parent Conferences
Valuable Strategy for Improving
Academic Success
Norman Public Schools
October 2, 2008
Four Things Every Parent Wants
Enlist Parents as Partners
 School is a safe and supportive environment.
 A sense of expectation for their student
 Open communication between school and
home
 Academic success for their student, no matter
what the challenges may be
Build a collaborative,
rather than an adversarial system
 What do you want to accomplish regarding
this student?
 What do you want to share with the parent?
 What would help this student have success in
your class?
The teacher bears the responsibility of developing a
positive relationship with parents to achieve the
goal of successful education.
Rosenthal
 Don’t make it too
formal
 Monitor your own
discomfort level
 Be mindful of
“professional jargon”
 Remember not all
parents had positive
experiences when
they were in school.
 Parents need to
know you are an
advocate for their
child. They will be
more willing to hear
what you have to
say.
The more the teacher is prepared, the smoother
the conference. First Impressions Count !
 Check the parent’s name
to save embarrassment.
 Be able you to explain
your goals for the class
 Create a comfortable
atmosphere, do not sit
behind the desk.
 Have the student/parent
policy book handy for
reference
 Sit where you are aware
of the time, stay on
schedule
 Be preparing is your
greatest tool. Student
portfolio, student
records, report cards,
your school’s
calendar/events
 Schedule another
conference ,if there is a
more involved situation
Know Your Resources

Be prepared for questions or statements like:
How do I help my child do homework?
How do I contact the counselor?
My child is bored in your class.
My child is having a difficult time learning.
How can I volunteer at school ?
When those conversations become
difficult……..
 Be compassionate and listen
 If a family crisis is overwhelming, share with
the parent that you are concerned about their
well-being. Gently suggest that they contact
the principal or counselor. They will need more
resources than time allows for the teacher. This
also helps the parent from becoming
embarrassed if they shared too much
information.
Remember FERPA
 Do not discuss another student if parents ask
for information
 The only grades/test scores to be shared are
with their own student.
 Only talk about discipline issues regarding their
student if that is a topic
PHILOSOPHY
of Student Led Conferences
Student led conferences reflect the belief
that students should actively involved in
their learning and assume responsibility
for the learning process. Through
student led conference, students become
more motivated, reflective and
evaluative. They also become more
critical in their approach to learning.
PURPOSE
 Students accept responsibility for
learning and become more aware of
the learning process.
 They report academic growth to
parents and progress toward
becoming life long learners.
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
1. Begin the year with a student goal setting
conference.
2. Prepare samples of students’ work to show
evidence of growth and goal progress
(portfolio).
3. Notify parents well in advance of the
conferences.
4. Provide opportunities for students to
practice
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
(1)Begin the year with a student goal
setting conference.
(2)Student Interest Inventory/Student
Attitude Inventory
(3)Reflection of work
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
Design a plan of action
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Student responsibilities
Teacher responsibilities
Parent responsibilities
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Decide on evidence to be included in
portfolio what shows progress toward
achieving the goals
•
Prepare samples of students’ work to show
evidence of growth and goal progress (portfolio).
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
Notify parents well in advance of the
conference.
•
Send home a letter explaining the conference
format and why it is being used…
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Why are you having student led conferences?
How will the conferences be different?
If necessary, when can parents talk to you without
the student?
When and where will the conference be held?
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
Provide opportunities for students to
practice.
•
Model the process
• Teacher to teacher
• Teacher to teacher assistant
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With students, develop a checklist describing
student role
Organize student to student practice
sessions
NUTS AND BOLTS
After the Conference
1. Student sends thank you letter to
parent
2. Student completes reflection survey
3. Parent
questionnaire/evaluation/homework
NUTS AND BOLTS
After the Conference
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Student Reflection Survey
What did you like about the student led
conference?
How did you feel during the conference?
What didn’t you like about the conference?
If you could change the conference to
make it better, what would you do?
KEYS TO SUCCESS
 Students and teachers willing to take
risks
 Teachers willing to step aside
 Focusing in on student achievementpower standards and their
accomplishment
 Committing time to…
 Learning
 Preparing
 Practicing
CHALLENGES
First time jitters
Uncertainty of sharing control with students
Need to adopt a student-centered philosophy
Organizing the logistics of conferences
Responding to families who don’t participate
Vision of the student for their academics and
their future
 Schedule separate time if teacher concerns
need to be shared.
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SUMMARY
Student benefits:
 Accountability for their learning
 Students learn to evaluate their own progress
 Students gain greater commitment to school work and
learning
 Builds self confidence and self-esteem
 Encourages student/parent communication
 Builds communication and critical thinking skills
 Places responsibility on the student and parent
 Allows students to become involved
 Puts students in charge of their learning
 Time allowed to share and celebrate in learning environment
SUMMARY
Parent benefits:
Increases the amount of information given to a parent
Learn more about their child’s learning and skills
An opportunity to help their child set positive goals
Active participant in their child’s learning
First language communication
Eliminates standing in line for a conference
Allows for more time in their child’s learning environment
to see what the child has worked on over a period of time
 First hand opportunity to see their child in charge of the
learning process
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SUMMARY
Teacher benefits:
 Less stress (not less work) on teachers, very relaxed
atmosphere
 Less confrontational (more positive)
 Places responsibility on the student and parent
 Increased parent participation
 An opportunity to see students in a leadership role