1 Engaging Parents in Effective Parent-Teacher Conferences Presented by:Nathan BiggsTiffany Bucher Trista CuthbertsonMegan MacKay Erica MorrisDarrin San Romani Shelby Wehrman

2 Agenda Historical Perspective Problem Statement & Research QuestionsLiterature Review Methodology 2

3 Agenda Data AnalysisResultsConclusions Recommendations 3

4 4 Historical Perspective

5 Parent-Teacher Conferences started in the early 20 th century. The most influential factor in the learning process is the home environment Parent-Teacher cooperation maximizes learning Parent interest in school has increased

6 Why Parent-Teacher Conferences? Changes in society Changes in organized education Changes in legislation

7 7 Problem Statement & Research Questions

8 Problem Statement Parent-teacher conferences too often fail to meet the expectations of teachers and/or parents. The low attendance of parents during parent-teacher conferences needs to be investigated.

9 Research Questions 1. What do parents perceive as an effective conference? 2. What factors affect parent attendance at conferences? 3. What do parents prefer as an effective communication tool for student progress?

10 Literature Review

11 Views of Parent-Teacher Conferences Parents = kids safety & getting them to school Teachers = parental presence in the classroom

12 Parent Attendance at Conferences 41% of elementary teachers report almost all parents attend 34% of high school teachers report none to fewer than half of parents attend

13 Parent Motivation Beliefs of their impact on child’s education Time to contribute and knowledge level Family culture and resources Invitation to be involved

14 Teachers negative impact Teachers lack skills for communicating with parents Conveyance of negative information School to home relationships require hard work

15 Methodology

16 Methodology Participants were selected from two middle schools in Kansas; one rural school & one urban school Parents and teachers of 8 th grade students were invited to participate 44 teachers & 349 parents were invited to participate Participants returned consent forms & completed either an electronic survey or paper survey Questions were developed based on themes from the Literature Review Units of meaning were developed from the surveys and converted into an electronic format for data analysis

17 Data Analysis

18 Are parent-teacher conferences an effective communication tool for student progress? TEACHERSPARENTS

19 Are parent-teacher conferences an effective communication tool for student progress? Parent Comments: – “I get to hear first hand how my child is doing, what she needs to work on, the positive aspects of what she is accomplishing in class, as well as the negative.” – “They could be effective, but teachers don’t show up as well…” Teacher Comments: – “Establishes a contact—would be better with students present.” – “The parents you need to see do not typically come to conferences…”

20 Of the following possible methods to “conference”, which do you believe is the most effective?

21 Of the following possible methods to “conference”, which do you believe is the most effective? Parent Comments: – “When you are actually talking to a teacher you can get a feel for them and how they relate to your child. Body language is an important tool.” – “While face to face is nice, it is quite the time commitment with long waits to talk to teachers and often times many aren’t there.” Teacher Comments: – “The parent is right there and we have their attention. Also, it’s a time we can show student work…” – “ because it can be immediate.”

22 Parents were asked: Which conferences are you most likely to attend?

23 Teachers were asked: Which conferences are most effective?

24 Parents were asked: When attending parent teacher conferences, what information is most valuable? PARENTS

25 Teachers were asked: When attending parent teacher conferences, what information is most valuable? TEACHERS

26 Some school systems are using an “invite only” type of parent-teacher conference format where the parents of students who are failing or need some kind of additional help are asked to attend. Would you support this? PARENTS

27 Some school systems are using an “invite only” type of parent-teacher conference format where the parents of students who are failing or need some kind of additional help are asked to attend. Would you support this? TEACHERS

28 Should we continue to host parent-teacher conferences in the current format? PARENTSTEACHERS

29 Should we continue to host parent-teacher conferences in the current format? PARENTS & TEACHERS

30 Should we continue to host parent-teacher conferences in the current format? Parent Comments: – “I like that we don’t have to schedule a specific time, but I feel like something needs to change because I was there for over two hours, and still did not get to see all the teachers.” – “[I] don’t think it works for a lot of families out there.” Teacher Comments: – “It is a great way to meet with all families.” – “Technology has taken the need away. The main reason for conferences used to be to find out how a child was progressing academically. Parents are using apps and to check on progress.”

31 Parents were asked: How many teachers use some form of communication throughout the year to inform you of your child’s progress?

32 Parents were asked: Do you find it difficult to attend parent-teacher conferences? PARENTS

33 Parents were asked: Do you find it difficult to attend parent-teacher conferences? “I care about my child’s education so that is one of my high priorit[ies] so I have to make time whether I have the time or not.” We have three children in three different buildings. Between the conference schedules and student activities it is always difficult for us to get there but we always make it work.”

34 Teachers were asked: If the school district eliminated parent-teacher conferences, would you be willing to contact parents as often as is necessary without additional compensation? TEACHERS

35 Parents were asked: Do you feel the importance of attending parent teacher conferences decreases as your child enters secondary school? PARENTS

36 Parents were asked: Do you feel the importance of attending parent teacher conferences decreases as your child enters secondary school? “No, it is almost more important because of so many different teachers, and the many different things kids have to deal with as they get older.” “I still want to be involved no matter what grade my child is and to it becomes more important since the child is entering new territory.” “They should know by then what needs to be done as far as school work and behavior.” “We can check grades online and teachers with concerns. That is more efficient.”

37 Results

38 Results Face-to-face conferences are more effective –Easier communication –Establishes contact –Better understanding All parents need to have the opportunity to meet with teachers –Does not matter if child is good or bad –Shows importance of education Academics, behavior conduct, and social conduct are all important –Easier to gain information from teacher

39 Results Conferences are good but need work – New Format – New Time – Ineffective – Get parents involved Conferences do not lose importance – More important as child progresses – New issues as children get older – Teachers have more students to keep track of

40 Recommendations

41 Recommendations Importance of face to face conferences Content of conferences- academic, behavioral, and social conduct Fall Conferences- Open house, family-friendly atmosphere Team of teachers to identify high-risk students Spring Conferences- Invite-only and open conferences

42 Recommendations Schedule conferences around extra-curricular activities Communication should happen early and often Schools should keep data on school-parent communication

43 Questions from Audience

44 Thank you!