l. Invite both parents to conferences with you, but be sure to find out first what your student's living arrangement is.
2. Start communicating with parents early Outline your curriculum and expectations and let parents know how they can reach you.
3. Allow plenty of time for the conference. If you're scheduling back-to-back conferences, give yourself a break!
4. Prepare in advance to answer specific questions parents have about their child's ability, skill levels, and achievements.
5. Get organized! Assemble your grade book, test scores, student work samples, and attendance records.
6. You'll help parents feel welcome and relieve their anxiety if you greet them at the door by name.
7. Avoid physical barriers. Arrange conference seating so everyone is treated equally.
8. Begin the conference with a positive statement about the child's ability, work, or interests.
9. Be specific in your comments. Identify problems and concerns with examples. Suggest specific things parents can do at home to help and ways you will proceed at school.
10. Forget the jargon. Try not to use "educationese" because it sounds like doubletalk to most parents.
11. Ask for parents' opinions. Let parents know that you want to hear what they have to say.
12. Focus on the student's strengths. It is easy for parents to be defensive.
13. Use positive body language. Cues like your smile, a nod, eye contact, and posture let parents know you are interested.
14. Before the conference ends, summarize the discussion and the actions you and the parents have decided to take.
15. Keep a record of the conference. You may find it helpful later to have a brief record of the comments.