Parent-Teacher Conferences: Important Questions You Should Ask

Hard to believe it’s already November and soon many parents and teachers will be meeting to discuss their students’ progress in the classroom so far this year. During this time, parents are given the perfect opportunity to connect one-on-one with their children’s teachers and work together to help them succeed the rest of the school year.

Here is a list of questions for you to ask during your next parent/teacher conference to help foster communication and build on your children’s classroom development:

• How can I help my child with homework he/she finds difficult?
• How can I help my child study and prepare for tests?
• How often does my child participate in the classroom?
• Does my child appear to be working to the best of his/her ability?
• What subjects and skills are students expected to master this year?
• How much time do you expect students to spend on homework assignments and how are homework assignments graded (accuracy or completion)?
• Is my child a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic (tactile) learner and what are some ways I can apply that to help him/her learn at home?
• What are the best ways that I can communicate with you when I have questions or concerns (email, phone, notes home)?
• What reading and math concepts is my child working on and what are some books that you recommend he/she read at home?
• Does my child seem happy and engaged in school?
• How is my child’s behavior in the classroom and on the playground?
• Do you have any concerns about my child’s progress academically, emotionally and/or socially so far this year? If so, how can we improve them?
• What do you consider to be my child’s strongest attributes in the classroom?