not need further time with the teacher, you’ll just await
the next report card.
But, there may be significant problem areas. Your
child may be unhappy in school or frustrated by one of
the subject areas. The teacher may indicate he is behind
in reading or she is struggling with math. There isn’t
time in that fifteen or twenty minutes to design a plan
to address the problems. And your child’s success is
worth the time it takes to make a workable plan and
then follow through toward a clear goal. So go ahead
and schedule another conference in the near future. Set
a time when the teacher can meet only with you to
begin a separate goal-setting, problem-solving session.
Scheduling another
conference gives the
teacher time to gather
further information and
ensures that you’ll be given
an open-ended time slot
rather than having to rush
through information to
make way for the next set
of nervous parents.
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It’s vital that you
understand the best way to
approach these conference
times is as members of the
same team. Nothing is
gained by confrontational
conversations.
It’s tempting to want to place blame for poor
behavior or poor performance on other people or
circumstances, but the best result for your child will
happen when everyone works together to make a solid
plan. While you await the next conference session, write
down your questions and concerns. Document what you
see at home in relation to homework assignments,
grades on specific assignments, your child’s attitudes and
complaints—anything that will help clarify the issues at
that next meeting.
Your second conference, set up to address specific
problems or issues, might include some of the support
staff at your school. There may be specialists in reading
or math, school social workers, speech therapists or
specialist teachers in music or art. These support
persons may have additional information and
perspectives that will bring new light to your
child’s needs.