How To Make A Conference With A Teacher Successful: Part II

Yesterday, I gave you five suggestions for having a successful parent-teacher conference. Below are five more suggestions according to Stacy DeBroff, author of "The Mom Book Goes To School":

1. Remember the reason for the conference: The purpose for the conference is not to hear compliments about your child. Rather, it offers a forum for fostering cooperation and communication between you and the teacher to help your child grow, develop, and learn.

2. If you are communicating negative information to the teacher, try to speak for a few sentences at a time and then ask for a reaction. If you offer up a long monologue, you are likely to overwhelm the teacher rather than give the teacher time to reflect and respond to each point you bring up.

3. Ask the teacher to explain if she uses educational jargon that confuses you, or if you need clarification to gain a more complete understanding of what is trying to be said.

4. Avoid lengthy discussions about topics unrelated to the meeting's central purpose. Background information is often helpful, but make sure your real issue does not get overlooked in favor of inconsequential stories or details.

5. Do not waste your time or the teacher's time by focusing on what cannot be changed, such as the school's general curriculum. Concentrate instead on your child's school experience within the teacher's control.