Case
The Absent Parent

You as a first grade teacher, always feel that parent-teacher conference day is basically a day off for you. "If five parents showed up, it was a lot," you usually say. What is going on? How can you fix this so that you get maximum parental participation in your parent-teacher conferences?

Posted on: 03/01/13 | Views: 1404
Solution #1
Top Solution
Relationship building with your student's parents is something that should be initiated and started from day 1. If parents are unable to attend open-house, reach out to them via a personal phone call to introduce yourself. If a student does something great during the week, call home and tell their guardian about it. Have a big project coming up? Sned home a letter, and follow up with a phone call. I also think the idea of hosting monthly game nights, reading nights, etc. is another way of promoting parent involvement. If including parents in all aspects of your classroom, and keeping frequent, open communication through the year will help when it comes time to parent-teacher conferences.

I agree with this solution! I think the best way to get the communication flowing is to call the parents and address them directly. This allows you to get to know each other and could possibly lead to an incline of attendance from parents.

I agree! Sometimes teachers have to be the ones to open up the communication to the parents. Parent involvement is so important in education.

I agree, teachers need to have an open line of communication with parents.

I found this solution very helpful.

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Solution #2
As a teacher it is very important to have a relationship with the parents of your students. This is important because it gives you a well understanding of the student's background and home life. A way for the parents to show up to the parent-teacher conferences is by contacting each parent and setting up an appointment. You should stress to the parents what will be covered for example, how the student is doing in your classroom and their goals that will get the students passing your class. If a parent can not meet to a face to face meeting he or she can schedule a good time to have an over the phone meeting. This way you can be flexible with all the families. And, also remind the parents that they are their number one motivators to their child.

I agree with this solution. Remind the parents how important they are to their childs success.

I like this solution. I would make a night that would fit most of the parent's schedules to come to school to make it easier for me. If you have a big class that can be time consuming.

Telling the parent what will be covered at the conference might convince them to show up.

I found this study to be very interesting.

This would be the most appropriate way to handle this situation.

yes i agree with this solution

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Solution #3
Be flexible in parent day. I know in the high school where I work, a lot of students come from single parent homes and their parent cannot afford to take off of work for a parent teacher conference. Have you considered using Face Time or Skype with parents? It is still one on one and gives a personal conference. Give them the option of sending them a digital slideshow of their child's work. With today's technology, there is so many ways to stay in touch with parents. Making lots of positive contacts with parents will help build relationships. Think of using Remind.com
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Solution #4
PTCs are your student's time to shine, you should make sure you let the parents know ahead of time the date and time for the ptc. You should have an established relationship to discuss what your student is struggling with and advancing in.
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Solution #5
I will make the parent teacher conference a fun time for all who show up. I would even attempt to establish a parent teacher night once a grading period. I would make it a fun experience for the parents, and have some food, and maybe a picture slideshow or movie for them to watch. Just a fun social get together would make it a pleasurable event for the parents to attend. Hopefully this will attract them to come out to school and get involved.

I like this solution. This can make it more enjoyable for both the student and parent. I would use this.

Parent-teacher conferences are extremely important and not a time for an adult social.

I do not think you should have to bribe your parents with food, and parent conferences are not a time for social hour.

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