We all know that parents are critical in our conversations with our students. What would be some critical elements we would need to include in any one-on-one PARENT CONFERENCE?
I find that it's very important to bring in as much paperwork on the student as possible. Some parents come into parent teacher conferences ready to criticize the teacher, but calm down once they see why the student struggles in your class. I try to boost up communication by consistently updating my class website. I invite parents to my classroom quite often. This also helps a lot.
In my experience in parent meetings & IEPs, it has been beneficial and insightful to have the students' AR Points report, AR ZPD Reading level report, ALEKS Report, Destiny Library textbook & library books report, attendance patterns, and the most recent Report Card grades. If the student has completed the online digital IGP in the Google Classroom, then that will be really helpful data as well to have about the student's future goals for college & career as well as other pertinent info :)
During Parent Conference, I have found that bringing as much data and student work samples to support any claims is very important. The numbers and assignments are evident of the students strengths and weakness. I also find that it is very important to enter parent conference with empathy and patience. The parent may unload a lot of other issues giving background to what may be occurring outside of school.
I also bring samples of student work to show how student is doing and support my discussion about the students. I also try to start with positives about student and then discuss any areas need to improve in. After I share what I think the student could improve I ask the parent to help me come up with solutions to ensure the students success. I really value the parents input and try to speak to them as a partner to support their child's success.
Echoing Mr. Bautista, I always try to reflect on the student and consider their strengths as a person, as a student, and try to highlight this in the very beginning. Setting this tone I think can help with trying to have a productive conference. Evidence helps too in terms of student work and documentation. We carry on a lot of different roles as educators, and sometimes I wonder what our capacity is as healers.. so in instances when we learn the student's or family's stories and begin to understand some of the reasons for academic or behavior concerns, to what extent is it on us to engage with the families to heal? This is something I've been thinking on a lot this year, feeling overwhelmed with learning (and many times, inheriting) our students' traumas...where do we go from there? How can we support our students beyond the classroom space?
Parent conferences occur almost exclusively because a student is not working or behaving to their full potential. Thus the main focus of conferences is on what students are not doing correctly, so I like to end conferences with some kind of game plan. This helps end on a positive and motivating note, so parents (and the student if present) feel there are concrete steps they can take to improve in the classroom both behaviorally and academically. Conferences are better viewed as interventions to help prompt academic and behavioral growth rather than a form of discipline in of itself.
In every parent meeting I try to start by emphasizing on the positives and strengths of the students. I try to have anything I may need printed out, with highlighted areas of improvement. Most parents typically want to know why the student grade is low, so by showing them this they have an understanding of what is happening. I often ask what chores the student may have at home, and how more responsibilities is what they sometimes need. I provide my email so we can continue to follow up if needed. I invite parents to come in and sit in class whenever they want if they think it's necessary.
I wonder if it would be helpful to create some sort of Parent Conference Template that we could all have access to? We could have general areas to talk about such as: student's academic, behavioral performance at school. Also, I wonder if we could also talk about incentives and rewards that we offer in our class. Finally, if might be interesting to also ask about student's home life. What responsibilities do they have? How are they held accountable? What rewards and incentives are parents using? It might be a great way to have a powerful conversation with parent.
I find that most of the parent conferences I have during Parent Conference Night are with students who have A's and B's. So usually the conversations are pleasant. On occasion I get a parent to show up that I really need to speak to. However, for the conference night I come with my clipboard. My clipboard contains a day by day account of all participation points, non-suits, tardies, homeworks turned in, doctor's notes, and any specific notes regarding student behavior. The notes on the clipboard generally dictate if the meeting will be positive or negative. However, I do try to find positive things to say regardless of how the students are doing.
first, I always like to share something positive to the parent about their son or daughter, because sometimes the information we have to share is not always easy to hear. I also want to do everything in my power to show the parent that I am working alongside them to ensure their child's success. I like to discuss things like grades, their involvement in class and their conduct or behavior. Furthermore I will normally have print- outs of A.R scores, examples of work, etc.
In a parent conference, I try to comment on the child's strengths and areas for improvement. It is also helpful to emphasize that you are meeting with the parent to better support their child. I also ask for the student's input on what he/she thinks is challenging them and what they need for support.
I think that highlighting a student's strengths in combination with areas of need allows the parent to get a full picture of their student. No parent wants to hear how 'bad' or 'difficult' their student is, so keeping positivity helps parents see that we are here for the best interest of the student.
Additionally, I think that bringing data to support areas of need AND explaining the data supports parents in being part of their students education. Giving the parent's tools and ideas to support their student at home completes this teamwork.
It is important that we highlight strengths, as well as areas for change. I do this by having students bring their notebook, and I compare it with my notebook as a model. We see where the student should be. I also bring my seating chart where I take notes on positive and negative behaviors.
In parent conferences, we should be talking about students’ strengths in the class, their challenges, talk about their report, and the plan of action needed from the student and the parent. There are times when just informing parents of behavior and academics can keep a student on track, but there are times when a plan of action is needed to get students to their ideal place. That plan of action can be getting students to bring their materials to class, to turn in late HW, ensure parents look at their child’s agenda, ensuring parents sign their HW, or even ensuring that students take advantage of the tutoring services after school, especially if technology is an issue.
Great point. How are we as a school informing parents on a daily basis of their child's behavior and academic progress? Getting parents to sign a HW and/or agenda is also a great hard copy of daily communication...so critical in the block schedule!
I have personally found that having accurate and updated student data and student work is best way to prepare yourself for parent conferences. Further having any misis reports whether grades or behavior is really helpful in having the parents understand the student as a whole. I realize that this is just a snapshot but this, incorporated with other class data can prove to be really helpful.
With a Parent Conference I make the student agenda a point of focus. So anytime the parent has a question about what is going on in class (homework, classwork, tests and quizzes, etc.), they can look at the student's agenda. They can also have the student explain what we did in class from what they see in the agenda. I also emphasize the responsibility the student has when it comes to their education. In regards to being honest about having homework, grades they received on tests and quizzes,, or showing parents their progress report grades every 5 weeks.
Like many of you said, I like to start conferences with a positive as well. I also like to end with a practical next step such as starting a behavioral chart for a week or so. I call the student in to the meeting if a need arises to have another conference with the parent.
I like your idea of a behavioral chart. Have you thought of creating (alone or with your department) a behavioral rubric for the entire semester? What does a positive behavior look like?
I always start by highlighting the strengths and show examples of the best work. Then I draw comparisons between that best work and some assignment that needs work or hasn't been completed to show that the student is able and has the skills to complete work at that level and encourage both the student and parent to work on a new focus towards school work.
I print out progress reports from easy grade pro for each students since we don't know exactly who may be coming. On the grade report I have the total ALEKS topics they completed and # of missing assignments. That way when the guardian comes we can focus on how the student does well, areas of concern, and ways to push them further. When a students completes everything and behavior isn't a concern I say: "Ninguna queja"
One element that could be used in a one on one parent conference is an ice breaker. Talk about something positive outside of school. Talk about the students interest.
I like to start conferences with being as positive as possible. I also like to show the parents students’ work and have the students explain it to the parents. I also show the parents the behavioral chart. I feel it is very important we get to know the parents so we can contact them with a positive or negative phone call.
Start with a positive comment, provide samples of work and reports, discuss interventions used at home and in class, set a plan of action, finally ensure that you have the most current and convenient contact information to follow up with parents.
I agree. Always start with something positive. Let parents know that you see the potential; however there may need to be some adjustments for success. Print outs, and student work folders, for examples are great visuals. Reminders of the help and support available at school is also very helpful.
I find that it's very important to bring in as much paperwork on the student as possible. Some parents come into parent teacher conferences ready to criticize the teacher, but calm down once they see why the student struggles in your class. I try to boost up communication by consistently updating my class website. I invite parents to my classroom quite often. This also helps a lot.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience in parent meetings & IEPs, it has been beneficial and insightful to have the students' AR Points report, AR ZPD Reading level report, ALEKS Report, Destiny Library textbook & library books report, attendance patterns, and the most recent Report Card grades. If the student has completed the online digital IGP in the Google Classroom, then that will be really helpful data as well to have about the student's future goals for college & career as well as other pertinent info :)
ReplyDeleteDuring Parent Conference, I have found that bringing as much data and student work samples to support any claims is very important. The numbers and assignments are evident of the students strengths and weakness. I also find that it is very important to enter parent conference with empathy and patience. The parent may unload a lot of other issues giving background to what may be occurring outside of school.
ReplyDeleteI also bring samples of student work to show how student is doing and support my discussion about the students. I also try to start with positives about student and then discuss any areas need to improve in. After I share what I think the student could improve I ask the parent to help me come up with solutions to ensure the students success. I really value the parents input and try to speak to them as a partner to support their child's success.
ReplyDeleteEchoing Mr. Bautista, I always try to reflect on the student and consider their strengths as a person, as a student, and try to highlight this in the very beginning. Setting this tone I think can help with trying to have a productive conference. Evidence helps too in terms of student work and documentation. We carry on a lot of different roles as educators, and sometimes I wonder what our capacity is as healers.. so in instances when we learn the student's or family's stories and begin to understand some of the reasons for academic or behavior concerns, to what extent is it on us to engage with the families to heal? This is something I've been thinking on a lot this year, feeling overwhelmed with learning (and many times, inheriting) our students' traumas...where do we go from there? How can we support our students beyond the classroom space?
ReplyDeleteParent conferences occur almost exclusively because a student is not working or behaving to their full potential. Thus the main focus of conferences is on what students are not doing correctly, so I like to end conferences with some kind of game plan. This helps end on a positive and motivating note, so parents (and the student if present) feel there are concrete steps they can take to improve in the classroom both behaviorally and academically. Conferences are better viewed as interventions to help prompt academic and behavioral growth rather than a form of discipline in of itself.
ReplyDeleteIn every parent meeting I try to start by emphasizing on the positives and strengths of the students. I try to have anything I may need printed out, with highlighted areas of improvement. Most parents typically want to know why the student grade is low, so by showing them this they have an understanding of what is happening. I often ask what chores the student may have at home, and how more responsibilities is what they sometimes need. I provide my email so we can continue to follow up if needed. I invite parents to come in and sit in class whenever they want if they think it's necessary.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it would be helpful to create some sort of Parent Conference Template that we could all have access to? We could have general areas to talk about such as: student's academic, behavioral performance at school. Also, I wonder if we could also talk about incentives and rewards that we offer in our class. Finally, if might be interesting to also ask about student's home life. What responsibilities do they have? How are they held accountable? What rewards and incentives are parents using? It might be a great way to have a powerful conversation with parent.
ReplyDeleteI find that most of the parent conferences I have during Parent Conference Night are with students who have A's and B's. So usually the conversations are pleasant. On occasion I get a parent to show up that I really need to speak to. However, for the conference night I come with my clipboard. My clipboard contains a day by day account of all participation points, non-suits, tardies, homeworks turned in, doctor's notes, and any specific notes regarding student behavior. The notes on the clipboard generally dictate if the meeting will be positive or negative. However, I do try to find positive things to say regardless of how the students are doing.
ReplyDeletefirst, I always like to share something positive to the parent about their son or daughter, because sometimes the information we have to share is not always easy to hear. I also want to do everything in my power to show the parent that I am working alongside them to ensure their child's success. I like to discuss things like grades, their involvement in class and their conduct or behavior. Furthermore I will normally have print- outs of A.R scores, examples of work, etc.
ReplyDeleteIn a parent conference, I try to comment on the child's strengths and areas for improvement. It is also helpful to emphasize that you are meeting with the parent to better support their child. I also ask for the student's input on what he/she thinks is challenging them and what they need for support.
ReplyDeleteI think that highlighting a student's strengths in combination with areas of need allows the parent to get a full picture of their student. No parent wants to hear how 'bad' or 'difficult' their student is, so keeping positivity helps parents see that we are here for the best interest of the student.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I think that bringing data to support areas of need AND explaining the data supports parents in being part of their students education. Giving the parent's tools and ideas to support their student at home completes this teamwork.
It is important that we highlight strengths, as well as areas for change. I do this by having students bring their notebook, and I compare it with my notebook as a model. We see where the student should be. I also bring my seating chart where I take notes on positive and negative behaviors.
ReplyDeleteSandwich an area of improvement with two things that their child is doing well in class.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn parent conferences, we should be talking about students’ strengths in the class, their challenges, talk about their report, and the plan of action needed from the student and the parent. There are times when just informing parents of behavior and academics can keep a student on track, but there are times when a plan of action is needed to get students to their ideal place. That plan of action can be getting students to bring their materials to class, to turn in late HW, ensure parents look at their child’s agenda, ensuring parents sign their HW, or even ensuring that students take advantage of the tutoring services after school, especially if technology is an issue.
ReplyDeleteGreat point. How are we as a school informing parents on a daily basis of their child's behavior and academic progress? Getting parents to sign a HW and/or agenda is also a great hard copy of daily communication...so critical in the block schedule!
DeleteI have personally found that having accurate and updated student data and student work is best way to prepare yourself for parent conferences. Further having any misis reports whether grades or behavior is really helpful in having the parents understand the student as a whole. I realize that this is just a snapshot but this, incorporated with other class data can prove to be really helpful.
ReplyDeleteWith a Parent Conference I make the student agenda a point of focus. So anytime the parent has a question about what is going on in class (homework, classwork, tests and quizzes, etc.), they can look at the student's agenda. They can also have the student explain what we did in class from what they see in the agenda. I also emphasize the responsibility the student has when it comes to their education. In regards to being honest about having homework, grades they received on tests and quizzes,, or showing parents their progress report grades every 5 weeks.
ReplyDeleteLike many of you said, I like to start conferences with a positive as well. I also like to end with a practical next step such as starting a behavioral chart for a week or so. I call the student in to the meeting if a need arises to have another conference with the parent.
ReplyDeleteI like your idea of a behavioral chart. Have you thought of creating (alone or with your department) a behavioral rubric for the entire semester? What does a positive behavior look like?
DeleteI always start by highlighting the strengths and show examples of the best work. Then I draw comparisons between that best work and some assignment that needs work or hasn't been completed to show that the student is able and has the skills to complete work at that level and encourage both the student and parent to work on a new focus towards school work.
ReplyDeleteI print out progress reports from easy grade pro for each students since we don't know exactly who may be coming. On the grade report I have the total ALEKS topics they completed and # of missing assignments. That way when the guardian comes we can focus on how the student does well, areas of concern, and ways to push them further. When a students completes everything and behavior isn't a concern I say: "Ninguna queja"
ReplyDeleteOne element that could be used in a one on one parent conference is an ice breaker. Talk about something positive outside of school. Talk about the students interest.
ReplyDeleteI like to start conferences with being as positive as possible. I also like to show the parents students’ work and have the students explain it to the parents. I also show the parents the behavioral chart. I feel it is very important we get to know the parents so we can contact them with a positive or negative phone call.
ReplyDeleteStart with a positive comment, provide samples of work and reports, discuss interventions used at home and in class, set a plan of action, finally ensure that you have the most current and convenient contact information to follow up with parents.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Always start with something positive. Let parents know that you see the potential; however there may need to be some adjustments for success. Print outs, and student work folders, for examples are great visuals. Reminders of the help and support available at school is also very helpful.
ReplyDelete