Keys to Planning Parent Conferences

Keys to Parent Conferences  Pre-Conference  Conference  Post-Conference

Pre-Conference Planning  Schedule with parents –mutually agreeable time –Provide notification of the day/time/place  Conference outline -make notes of particular points

Pre-Conference Planning  Organize documentation –examples of child’s work –grade book  Environment is conducive to working together – comfortable, collaborative

Conference  Introduce yourself, ask parents their names  Social niceties  Sincere positive about child

Conference  Ask parents for questions, concerns  Present general data/information  Introduce concern if necessary

If there is a concern…ask the parents if they have noticed it…  If so, how have they responded  What suggestions do they have for you  Problem-solve together  If no, provide documentation for concern  Do parents share concern, if so, move to problem solving… if not, avoid the “brick wall”

Conference  Summarize problem-solving and solutions to be implemented  Sincere positive statement  Social niceties and thanks

Post Conference  Document what happened during the conference (make notes during it if possible)  Follow through on commitments  Follow up with parents as planned