Parent-Teacher Conference Checklist

24 items · Lifestyle · Easy difficulty · 1 hour

Before, during and after a parent-teacher conference: what to read, what to ask your child, the questions to bring, and how to follow up.

• Confirm the date, time and room, and whether it is in person or online
• Ask for an interpreter if you need one

  Ask when you book, not on the day.

• Arrange childcare for brothers and sisters, if needed
• Read the latest report card and any progress notes
• Check the school's grade portal, if it has one, for missing or low scores

  Write down any assignment you want explained.

• Look through recent work your child has brought home
• Ask your child what is going well and what is hard
• Ask whether there is anything they want you to raise
• 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.

• Write your questions down, most important first
• Add a question about friendships and behavior in class
• Add a question about what your child should be able to do by the end of the year
• Bring the list, a pen and any work you want to ask about
• Arrive a few minutes early

  If the meeting is online, test the link and your microphone beforehand.

• Take notes while the teacher talks
• 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.

• Ask what you can do at home this term
• 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.

• Ask how the teacher prefers to be contacted
• Agree on one or two goals before you leave
• Book a follow-up meeting if you ran out of time
• Tell your child that evening what the teacher said, starting with the good news
• Email the teacher a short thank-you that lists what you agreed

  A written note gives you both the same record of the goals.

• Put a date in your calendar to check how the goals are going

Printed from TickYouOff — the interactive version tracks your progress and can be shared with others.