How to prep parents for parent-teacher meetings

Before the first meeting, encourage parents to prepare a list of any questions they may have and remind them that there are no silly questions! You can also send them this tool which contains a list of frequently asked questions. The tool also suggests information that parents may want to share about their child. It can also be a good idea to include information about the meeting in the invitation email, such as how long it will last, whether it is a group or individual meeting, a list of school staff that will be in attendance, and an outline of what will be discussed. Parents may also need to be reminded that you will not be diagnosing students with any health issues or learning disabilities. Providing parents with a clear outline will help them feel more at ease.

The parent-teacher meeting is a good time to explain your role as a teacher. It is important to let parents know what your job entails along with your limitations—what you are there to evaluate and what you will not be evaluating. Similarly, it can be useful to explain what other members of the school staff do as well. You can refer to this article to review what other school staff members do, or show it to parents who would like more information on this topic. Quickly reviewing the essential components of the relationship between parents and the school team can also be a good way to familiarize yourself with answers to common questions.
 
Another important aspect will be explaining report cards and concepts such as subject-specific and cross-curricular competencies, passing grades, group averages, etc. You can encourage parents to review their child’s report card (e.g., before the parent-teacher meeting in September) in case they have questions. As needed, you can also provide parents with an overview of the Quebec education system, which might be especially useful for families who are new to the province.
 
The parent-teacher meeting is also a good opportunity to discuss a child’s individualized education plan.

Lastly, you can use this meeting to discuss the parent’s expectations regarding their child’s academic success. All in all, academic success is not just about getting a passing grade. It also involves a wide range of factors that will contribute to the realization of the child’s full potential.

Here is a list of all the resources Alloprof recommends to parents. It can be a good idea to review them before your next parent-teacher meeting:

• Tool to help parents prepare questions
• Understanding the different roles of specialized school staff
• The parent-school relationship
• Understanding your child’s report card
• Understanding Quebec’s education system
• How to foster good communication with your child’s school
• Understanding academic success
• Understanding your child’s individualized education plan

Have a great meeting!