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Parent-Teacher Interviews |
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November 13, 2008 by Rhona Sallay
Parent-Teacher interviews provide opportunities for you and teacher to dialogue about your daughter or son’s progress and achievements, as well as her/his social well being. It is also a time for you and the teacher to work together as a team to discuss ways both of you can help your daughter or son to succeed.
Preparing for a parent-teacher interview can ensure that you will have a positive and successful meeting. We have included some tips that could be helpful for you in preparing for the interview and following up.
Getting Ready for the Interview
Talk to your child
- Find out what s/he likes most and least about school
- What are her/his best subjects and worst subjects
- Discuss in more detail subjects that s/he finds difficult and if there are carry over problems from previous years
Make a list
- Prior to the meeting, it might help to write down the things that you want to talk about with the teacher.
At the Interview
Allow the teacher express her/his views. Be friendly and appreciative of the positive things that the teacher does.
Make sure that you ask questions that will allow you to focus the discussion on topics that you find most relevant and important. Here are some questions you may want to ask:
- What kinds of projects and assignments have been planned?
- How long should my child be spending on homework?
- How would you assess her/his progress so far this year?
- Does my child participate in class discussions and activities?
- How well does my child get along with others?
- What can I do at home with my child to reinforce what you are teaching in class?
If your child is having problems, it is important that you and the teacher focus the conversation on what can be done to help your daughter or son immediately.
Action Plan
- Before you leave the interview, you and the teacher should have an action plan to support your child’s learning
- Be sure you clearly understand what the teacher suggests
- Agree how you can work together
- Set up a way to check on your child’s progress
Following up
- Review the parent teacher interview with your child and discuss action plan with your child
- Implement the actions to which you agreed
- Stay in touch with the teacher to discuss your child’s progress
In summary, meeting your child’s teacher should build a parent-teacher partnership. By working closely with your child and establishing a good working relationship with teachers, you can help your child have a great school year.
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