Helping foreign-born parents with Parent & Teacher Conferences

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Do you know a foreign-born neighbor that has a child in elementary school?

Maybe their child goes to school with your child. In their culture, they may

not have parent teacher conferences. Here are some tips that you may help

another parent prepare for the upcoming conferences:

The Conference Format

The typical conference with your child’s

homeroom teacher takes about 15-20 minutes

and provides you with a valuable opportunity:

• To see examples of your child’s work

in reading and mathematics.

• To review grade-level expectations and

your child’s progress.

• To ask questions about specific

concerns or get additional information.

• To find out how you can reinforce

classroom learning at home.

Before the Conference . . .

Review your child’s report card:

• Do you understand the grading system?

• Is your child below, on or above grade

level in reading and mathematics?

• Are there any learning behaviors that

need improvement?

Talk with your child:

• How does your child feel about school?

• How does your child think he/she is

doing in school?

• Is there anything that your child wants

you to ask or tell the teacher?

Do you have particular concerns about

your child:

• How does he/she get along with other

children?

• Is your child working up to his/her

potential?

Have there been any major changes at home

or school that might have an impact on your

child’s school work:

• Health concerns?

• Family issues?

• New teacher?

• Separation from friends?

During the Conference . . .

Be an active listener and take notes.

To make the best use of limited conference

time, focus your attention on the areas most

important to your child.

Consider the following topics as possibilities

for discussion with the teacher:

• In which area(s) is your child doing well?

• In which area(s) does he/she need to

improve?

• Has your child adjusted well to the

class and the teacher?

• What are some of your child’s special

interests or concerns?

• How can you help your child at home?

• What other resources are available to

help your child?

And yes! You can read to your child if you do not speak English!

Take a picture walk and talk about the pictures!  Make personal

connections...to you and your child's home language! :-)

~ “If you teach the parents, it helps teach their children.”

                                Laurel Conran WASHPOST 7/2011