Conducting Parent-Teacher Conferences

The first conference is usually arranged in the beginning of the school year to allow parents and teachers to get acquaintance and preparing plan for the coming months. Teachers usually receive some training to plan and conduct such conferences. Following steps may be observed for holding effective parent-teacher conferences.
1. Prepare for the conference
 Review the goals and objectives
 Organize the information to present
 If portfolios are to discuss, these are well-arranged
 Start and keep positive focus
 Announce the final date and time as per convenience of the parents and children
 Consider socio-cultural barriers of students / parents
 Check with other staff who works your advisee
 Develop a packet of conference including student’s goals, samples of work, and reports or notes from other staff.
2. Rehearse the conference with students by role-playing
 Students present their goals, learning activities, samples of work
 Students ask for comments and suggestions from parents
3. Conduct conference with student, parent, and advisor. Advisee takes the lead to the greatest possible extent
 Have a comfortable setting of chairs, tables etc.
 Notify a viable timetable for the conferences
 Review goals set earlier
 Review progress towards goals
 Review progress with samples of work from learning activities
 Present students strong points first
 Review attendance and handling of responsibilities at school and home
 Modify goals for balance of the year as necessary
 Determine other learning activities to accomplish goals
 Describe upcoming events and activities
 Discuss how the home can contribute to learning
 Parents should be encouraged to share their thoughts on students’ progress
 Ask parents and students for questions, new ideas
4. Do’s of parent-teacher conferences
 Be friendly
 Be honest
 Be positive in approach
 Be willing to listen and explain
 Be willing to accept parents’ feelings
 Be careful about giving advice
 Be professional and maintain a positive attitude
 Begin with student’s strengths
 Review student’s cumulative record prior to conference
 Assemble samples of student’s work
 List questions to ask parents and anticipate parents’ questions
 Conclude the conference with an overall summary
 Keep a written record of the conference, listing problems and suggestions, with a copy for the parents
5. Don’ts of the parent teacher conference
 Don’t argue
 Don’t get angry
 Don’t ask embarrassing questions
 Don’t talk about other students, parents and teachers
 Don’t bluff if you don’t know
 Don’t reject parents’ suggestions
 Don’t blame parents
 Don’t talk too much; be a good listener .