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Bill Cirone: Preparing for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Not long after the school year begins, the time comes for parents to meet with teachers and discuss their child’s progress.
Parent-teacher conferences can be a very helpful means of communication. Ideally, it is a two-way exchange of information about a child. Parents always want to know how their child is doing, what are his or her strengths and weaknesses, and how they can help, but teachers also want to know of any stresses in a child’s life that could affect classroom performance and, of course, any special-needs a child might have.
To increase the effectiveness of the conferences, parents should consider taking some preliminary steps.
First, take time before the conference to think about your child’s strengths, weaknesses, study habits and classmates.
Ask your child: What do you like about the classroom? What would you like to change? Do you understand the work? Do you feel you’re doing well?
There are also several questions a parent should consider asking the teacher during the conference:
» What are my child’s best and weakest subjects?
» How can I help him or her improve?
» Is my child working up to his or her ability? If not, why do you think so, and how can I help?
» Is my child’s schoolwork progressing as it should? If not, how can I help him or her catch up?
» If my child is ahead of other students, what will challenge or encourage him or her?
» How does my child get along with other students?
» Are there any special behavior or learning problems I need to know about?
» What kinds of tests will be given this year? What are the tests supposed to tell?
» Is my child’s homework turned in on time, in completed form, and does it meet your expectations?
» How much time should be spent on homework each night?
Parents and teachers have much in common. Neither wants a child to fail. Neither wants a child to be caught between the pressures of differing standards at home and at school. Both know that learning goes on at school and at home.
Together, parents and teachers can become a powerful force for positive change in the life of a child. It’s worth taking a little time to make sure the initial conference is helpful and informative for all involved.
— Bill Cirone is Santa Barbara County’s superintendent of schools.
Comments
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» on 09.17.09 @ 05:04 AM
When has Cirone raised a systemic issue that addresses the real problems of education. If he is not writing a parent feel good article he is advocating for the educational status quo. He is totally unaware of the structural issues that need addressing. What a shame.
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» on 09.17.09 @ 05:10 AM
Another stimulating piece, Bill. Hard to imagine anyone coming up with those deep questions without your help. Here’s one you missed-“Does my child easily make friends with the intellectually challenged?”
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» on 09.17.09 @ 07:49 AM
Cirone has been stealing money from public education for at least a decade. Anyone who takes a trip to his County retreat center full of high-paid staffers who don’t work with students, can tell he’s siphoning education money. He even spent education money carving out his name on the fancy sign at his complex.
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» on 09.17.09 @ 08:22 AM
These are always so helpful to us as parents. We really appreciate the effort made to provide useful information and help us. Thanks for taking the time to do it. Why do people make comments that have nothing to do with the subject matter and say such hateful things? It’s happening everywhere and it’s shameful.
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» on 09.17.09 @ 03:16 PM
Everybody can do something to help public education and kids in school. Mr. Cirone gives some great tips and ideas that are very helpful.
Ask yourself this ... what have I done or can I do to help? Writing nasty comments to these articles seems small, to say the least. Are you helping? Setting a good example? Not at all.
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» on 09.18.09 @ 06:37 AM
As a former teacher I’d like to thank Bill Cirone for offering suggestions to assist parents in preparing for conferences with their childrens’ teachers. On numerous occasions I experienced situations where parents seemed ill at ease and uncomfortable in conferences, relying on the teacher to guide the conversation. As teachers, our wish is for a two-way dialogue where we learn more about our students and the parents gain added insights as to how their children behave, perform, and are perceived by their peers and teachers. I wish more of my former students’ parents had received the suggestions offered by Bill Cirone.
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