Making the Most of Parent-Teacher Conferences, Essay Example

Engaging various stakeholders in the educational arena is vital to plan for open access to excellent teaching and leading. Small group meetings that engage parents to become active in their children’s education has proven to be quite effective. Parent group meetings should evince the intersection between parent support and parent education and provide a space in which parents have the opportunity to get to know one another; to discuss various challenges parents face within family life; and to offer a support system amidst the trials and tribulations of child-rearing. Parent group meetings always take place in a classroom so that there is a sense of intimacy, a setting that would facilitate a sense of community amongst parents. Meetings usually have approximately 15-20 parents participate on a weekly basis, and they last two hours. A daycare service will be provided for parents to use while they attend the meeting. They will be encouraged to read or work on homework during this time period under the auspices of a few staff members. Healthy snacks will be provided for the children. The following parent group agenda for a group meeting provides a forum to congregate parents  in order to share and discuss a set list of topics.

Sample agenda:   

1. 20 minutes: Introductions and Open Circle: Pose a question that parents can answer so that they are engaged and leave their distractions and stress at the door. Moreover, such a discussion will encourage parents to share positive information. Possible opening questions could be “What positive things have gone on in your family this week” or “Have you implemented any of the mechanisms we discussed during our last group meeting.” Participants will introduce themselves as they each respond to the opening question.  Meeting objectives would then be discussed while any new participants provide their contact information for the electronic mailing list, which circulates during this time.
2. 20 minutes: Week-in-Review: Parents will be put into small groups where they discuss any problems or challenges they have faced during the week. Parents will be put into different groups each meeting in order to foment a sense of community
3. 40 minutes: Presentation/Information-Sharing/Speakers: group leaders lead a set curriculum in which various topics are discussed. Two speakers are asked to discuss particular topics and themes in two 20-minute segments. Topics include cultural diversity and curriculum adjustments, and informative handouts are disseminated to maintain attention. Lectures are meant to be engaging so that an ongoing dialogue and discussion can take place.
4. 20 minutes: Reflection: group members discuss the weekly topics, expounding on the personal implications of each.
5. 15 minutes: Discussion and question and answer
6. 5 minutes: Conclusion: summation of main themes.

References

Starr, L. (2002). Meeting with the parents: Making the most of parent-teacher conferences. Education World. Retrieved September 14, 2015.

Tips for chairing an IEP meeting. (N.d.). Retrieved September 14, 2015   from http://www.smcoe.org/assets/files/learning-and-leadership/selpa/forms/iep-meeting- outline-agenda.pdf