BY JULIE YOUNG

It’s a brief, collaborative meeting designed to update parents about their child’s academic progress, social development, and classroom behavior. Conducted a few weeks into a new semester, the parent-teacher conference is an opportunity to build a powerful partnership that can bridge the gap between home and school. 

While no one will ever know your child better than you do, the parent-teacher conference is a time to learn more about your child from someone who spends a significant portion of the day with them. Take the time to listen to their perspective as they tell you about recent test scores, assignments, or projects. Ask questions about your child’s favorite subjects as well as the ones in which they struggle. Remember that your child’s teacher is a licensed professional who wants to see your child succeed and is a vital part of that success. 

The parent-teacher conference is a great time to keep your teacher in the loop about any major changes your child is going through that may affect their academic progress. Are you planning a move? New baby? Marriage? Divorce? Death in the family? Making your child’s teacher aware of any major life events can help ease the transition. 

If you have a major concern, feel free to address it, but be respectful of your allotted appointment time. Parent-teacher conferences are notoriously short, and some issues require more than the standard 15- to 20-minute window. By taking the time to book a follow-up meeting, you can explore the topic in more detail and work to find a solution in everyone’s best interests.