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Parent-Teacher Conference Checklist

Easy 24 items · 1 hour
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testuser Published 9 hours ago
Lifestyle

Parent-teacher conference slots are often short. Write your questions down before you go, most important first, so the ones that matter get asked before the next family knocks.

Ask your child first. What they find easy, what they find hard and who they sit with at lunch will often give you a sharper question than the report card does.

If the time does not work for you, or you need an interpreter, tell the school when you book rather than on the day. Many schools can arrange a phone or video meeting, or an interpreter, given some notice.

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  1. Confirm the date, time and room, and whether it is in person or online
  2. Ask for an interpreter if you need one — Ask when you book, not on the day.
  3. Arrange childcare for brothers and sisters, if needed
  4. Read the latest report card and any progress notes
  5. Check the school's grade portal, if it has one, for missing or low scores — Write down any assignment you want explained.
  6. Look through recent work your child has brought home
  7. Ask your child what is going well and what is hard
  8. Ask whether there is anything they want you to raise
  9. Note any changes at home the teacher should know about — A move, a new baby, an illness or a death in the family can show up in class before anyone at school knows why.
  10. Write your questions down, most important first
  11. Add a question about friendships and behavior in class
  12. Add a question about what your child should be able to do by the end of the year
  13. Bring the list, a pen and any work you want to ask about
  14. Arrive a few minutes early — If the meeting is online, test the link and your microphone beforehand.
  15. Take notes while the teacher talks
  16. Ask for a specific example when something is described as a problem — If the teacher says your child struggles with reading, ask which part: sounding out words, reading speed, or understanding what they read.
  17. Ask what you can do at home this term
  18. Ask what support the school offers if you are worried — In US public schools you can ask in writing for your child to be evaluated for special education services.
  19. Ask how the teacher prefers to be contacted
  20. Agree on one or two goals before you leave
  21. Book a follow-up meeting if you ran out of time
  22. Tell your child that evening what the teacher said, starting with the good news
  23. Email the teacher a short thank-you that lists what you agreed — A written note gives you both the same record of the goals.
  24. Put a date in your calendar to check how the goals are going
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