Conferences take many different forms and occur throughout the year. Meetings, telephone conversations and email messages can all be forms of conferences.

Open Communication

Parents/guardian and teachers form an important partnership to encourage a child’s success. Open communication is necessary in making this partnership work for the benefit of students, families, teachers and the school. Parent/student/teacher conferences support and are supported by open communication.

Purposes of conferences

  • to discuss your child’s learning
  • to set goals together for learning
  • to address issues that impact on your child’s learning at school and at home, and
  • to provide information about your child’s progress that is not covered by the report card

Teachers will share information about how your child is doing in school and what is being done to help your child learn. You are encouraged to share information that might help the teacher better understand your child’s learning needs.

Many schools ask that students also attend the conference. In these cases, students will often talk about their learning and share samples of work.

How to Have a Successful Conference

Preparing for the conference

  • read your child’s report card
  • discuss the report card with your child
  • think about what questions you might want to ask, and
  • ask the school to arrange for an interpreter to attend the conference if one is needed.

At the conference

During the conference, you have the opportunity to:

  • discuss the grades and comments on your child’s report card
  • ask questions about your child’s learning
  • see work your child has completed
  • share information about your child that may affect learning (e.g., changes in behaviour, attitudes, likes and dislikes)
  • be involved in setting goals for your child, and
  • possibly reviewing your child’s Individual Education Plan (IEP)

Questions you could ask the teacher

  • What are my child’s strengths?
  • What does my child do well?
  • What did my child do to achieve this grade?
  • Where have you seen my child struggle or have difficulty?
  • What are the next steps for my child?
  • How can we work together to improve learning?
  • How can I help my child at home?
  • How does my child relate to other children?
  • How does my child get along with adults?