Communicating with Meetings and talking with other parents • Parent–teacher conferences . A Parent ... • Is his or her behavior meeting your expectations?

Communicating with Your Child’s Teacher

Child Home School

OUTCOMES

We will:

• Learn strategies to improve communication with teachers

• Prepare for parent–teacher conferences

• Learn from other parents

• Provide feedback

Two-Way Home–School Communication

• Improves children’s academic achievement

• Improves parent–child relationships

• Enables parents to have a better understanding of their child’s education

• Helps parents and teachers problem solve

Opportunities for Communication

• Open House, Back to School Night

• MCPS and school Web sites

• Written documents and notes (in your own language)

• Informal conversations, telephone calls, e-mails

• Newsletters, handbooks, bulletin boards

• Edline, report cards, assessment information, student work

• Surveys, focus groups, advisory groups

• Meetings and talking with other parents

• Parent–teacher conferences

A Parent–Teacher Conference Provides an Opportunity to:

• Talk with your child’s teacher/s about your child’s academic performance and share important information about your child

• Ask specific questions about the curriculum and instructional program

• Ask the teacher what you can do at home to help your child be successful

MCPS Parent–Teacher Conference Days NOVEMBER 10 and 11, 2011

Elementary School • Parents should receive notice of a scheduled

conference date and time.

High School • There are no set conference dates, but parents may request a conference through their child’s counselor.

Middle School • Parents may receive notice of a scheduled conference date and time or may contact the counselor to request a conference.

Typically 15–20 minutes

Before the Conference

• Make sure you can make the conference. If you cannot, call the school to schedule another time.

• If possible, arrange for a babysitter, family member, or friend to care for young children.

• Contact the school in advance if you need an interpreter, or bring someone with you.

• Review your child’s school work samples.

• Talk with your child about school.

• Prepare notes of things you want to share.

• Prepare questions you want to ask.

Communication with Your Child

• Talk with your child daily about school.

• Ask what he or she is learning in class.

• Find out how the day went.

• Ask about your child’s friends.

• Listen to your child and learn from them.

What You Might Tell the Teacher

• Your child’s special interests and abilities

• Your dreams for your child

• Your concerns about your child

• What your child says about school

• Any special health or family concerns

Questions You Might Ask the Teacher

• May I see samples of my child’s work?

• What books are being used?

• Is my child performing on grade level in reading and math?

• What standardized tests have been given to my child in the past year? What do the scores mean?

• What services are available for my child to reach his/her grade level?

• What can I do at home to help my child?

Questions You Might Ask the Teacher

• Have you observed any special interests or talents my child may have?

• What are the ground rules for completing homework, turning in assignments, being prepared for class?

• How well does my child get along with classmates?

• Is his or her behavior meeting your expectations?

• Is my child on target with the required credits?

• What do we need to do to get ready for college?

During the Conference

• Be factual and non-judgmental.

• Assume the outcome of the discussion will be positive.

• Work in partnership to develop solutions.

• Clarify next steps with each other.

• Ask how to contact the teacher if you have additional questions and be sure to let the school know how to best reach you.

• If you run out of time but have more to talk about, ask for another meeting.

• Take action notes.

After the Conference

• Talk with your child about what you and the teacher discussed.

• Share the “good news” first.

• Follow through on supporting your child’s learning at home.

• Keep the teacher informed.

Remember… You and the teacher are on the same team.

You and your child’s teacher have your child’s

best interest at heart. Take advantage of the

insights the teacher can share about your child.

Department of Family and Community Partnerships

301-279-3100

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/

departments/familycommunity/

Carver Educational Services Center (CESC)

850 Hungerford Drive, Room 50

(West Entrance)

Rockville, MD 20850