By Tracey Parks and Angela Riffle How Teams Can Talk to Parents… and Get Results How Teams Can Talk to Parents… and Get Results

Pitfalls of Traditional Conferences  Areas of concern are either repeated or not clearly defined  Individual teacher approach rather than a team addressing the big picture  Focus entirely on weaknesses without mention of strengths  No solutions offered There’s got to be a better way!

 We attended workshops at the National Middle School Convention.  We listened to professional development speakers including Dr. Mike Stabile.  We read teaming-focused books such as Wow, What a Team!: Essential Components for Successful Teaming by Randy Thompson and Dorothy Vander Jagt.  Then we compiled ideas from these sources to create a conference method to fit the needs of our team.

Date of Meeting ________________ Follow up date ________________ Team 7A Parent Conference Summary Student’s Name: ____________________________________________ Parent(s) / Guardian(s) Present: ________________________________ School Faculty Present: (circle) Science: Adams, Bauer Math: Harvey, Schorr, Supinger Encore: Akers, Castner, Cottrell, Language Arts: Connaughton, Gillum, Fuqua, Patton, Tignor Harvey, Riffle Other: __________ __________ World Studies: Henrich, Parks Student’s Strengths: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Areas of Concern: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ All team members have input on student strengths and areas of concern. Determine who will lead and who will take notes during the conference. (form included in session handout)

Possible Strategies/Modifications:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ What the student will do to make improvements: ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ What the parent/guardian will do to encourage improvements: ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ What the teachers will do to encourage and assist the student’s success: ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ Signatures of all present: ___________________________ All stakeholders brainstorm possible strategies for success. Determine which strategies will be implemented and who will be responsible. (form included in session handout)

For the next 3 minutes, discuss the following with a neighbor: Please jot down any questions as there will be time for questions and comments at the end of the session.  Initial Thoughts  Concerns  Questions

All team members agree to follow the conference format. All team members give input to strengths, concerns, and solutions. Keep a positive, collaborative atmosphere. Focus on solutions, not just on problems. Parents leave with written strategies and a well defined plan for success.

As we began to use this conference format, we recognized the need for an additional layer of communication. Follow Up. Student: ____________________ Contacting Teacher: ____________________ Team 7A Parent Conference Follow-Up Parent/Guardian Contacted _______________________ Date ________________ Contact made via (circle): phone mailed up-date parent meeting B= Better W=Worse S=Same Initial Problem(s)MathScienceWSLAOtherParent(s) 1 B/W/S (form included in session handout)

H=Helping NH=Not Helping (or Not Happening) NA=Not Applicable Strategies ImplementedMathScienceWSLAOtherParent(s) 1 H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: 2 H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: 3 H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: 4 H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: 5 H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: H/NH/NA Comment: Grade: Follow up Information: _____Continue Plan _____Implement additional strategies (see new sheet) _____Move to formal IAT (Intervention) Comments: What’s the next step? (form included in session handout)

For the next 3 minutes, discuss the following with a neighbor: Please jot down any questions as there will be time for questions and comments at the end of the session.  Initial Thoughts  Concerns  Questions

Source: Batsche, G. M., Elliott, J., Graden, J., Grimes, J., Kovaleski, J. F., Prasse, D., et al. (2005). Response to intervention: Policy Considera- tions and imple- mentation. Alexandria, VA: National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Inc.

Tier 1 Promote use of planner, Teacher web sites, District on-line services, preferential seating, organizational plan, locker checks and/or clean-outs, use of advisory periods, ETC… Tier 2 On-line subscription programs such as Read Naturally or Study Island, books on tape, extended time for homework and tests, study guides provided, copy of class notes provided, ETC… Tier 3 Individualized student-specific program/plan

 Questions?  Comments?  Concerns?  Suggestions?

Session Title: How Teams Can Talk to Parents and Get Results Presenters: Tracey Parks and Angela Riffle CEU Code: #DL7 Website: Thank you! Please take a moment to complete and return the evaluation form. Learning Session Evaluation