Helpful Hints::    Ask four questions at your parent-teacher conference                                                          

A wise person once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” Your parent-teacher conference can show you where the teacher wants to take your child this year—and how she plans to get there.

As you prepare for your conference, here are four questions you should ask your child’s teacher:

1. What skills will my child be expected to master this year? If you know that he’s expected to know his multiplication tables by the end of the year, you’ll be prepared to help him master them. If fifth graders do a big project on ancient Egypt, you’ll be prepared.
2. How will you evaluate my child’s progress? Schools use testing in different ways. Kids who don’t do well on some tests might have to go to summer school. Other tests could decide who gets into a special program.
3. What can I do at home to help? As a parent, you have a critical role to play in helping your child. Ask the teacher how much time your child should expect to spend on homework. Ask if there are other ways you can support learning at home.
4. What is the best way for us to communicate with each other? You’re still the best expert on your child. You’ll know the day he’s sad because his goldfish died—or the day he struggled with his math homework. The more you can share those things with the teacher, the better your child’s year will be.

Reprinted with permission from the October 2008 issue of Parents make the difference!® (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2008 The Parent Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc.