February 2025: 

The MLO Minute: “Four Tips to Prepare for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference” 

By Jacqueline Lembeck, Esq., Lead Wyomissing, Pa Special Education Attorney — 

It’s almost that time of year again for spring parent teacher conferences. This is an important time to connect and collaborate with your child’s teacher. However, it can sometimes be an intimidating process for parents, particularly those who may be concerned that their child is struggling in school. Follow the tips below to help make this a productive and valuable tool for your child.

1. Take a few minutes before you arrive to write down your top questions or concerns and bring the list with you. Using the notes app on your phone is a great way to make sure you will not forget the list! Conference time slots are often short, and teachers have a lot to cover, so being prepared will help you make the most of your time. List your questions and concerns in order of importance from high to low to help you prioritize.

2. If your child is able to provide feedback to you, ask your child in advance if there is anything they want you to discuss with their teacher. Students may open up about difficult subjects, difficulty seeing the board or hearing the instruction, distractions in the classroom, peer issues, or other concerns when given the space to express themselves. Let your child know that you are there to advocate for them and share their important perspective.

3. Ask for context. Parent-teacher conferences are a great way to learn about your child’s assessment scores and benchmarking data, but context matters! Don’t hesitate to ask for the numbers to be put into perspective. For example, you may need to know a score’s grade level equivalent, percentile, or how it changed from the last time that assessment was administered to really appreciate what the information means. If you’re still uncertain, ask for further explanation.

4. What if you don’t get to cover all of your questions? Before you leave, make a plan for the next steps. You should be respectful of the teacher’s limited time on that particular day but leave with an understanding of how you will continue the conversation. For example, you can send a follow up email with your remaining questions, set up an additional time for a virtual or in-person meeting, or plan to involve other teachers who may be necessary to address your questions and concerns. Try to leave with dates and times, if possible, or with concrete next steps to take.

If you are concerned that your child is struggling in school, we are here to help. We offer free consultations and record review, and most cases are handled on a contingency basis where families do not pay us a retainer or our hourly fees, which we can recoup upon successful completion of the case from the public school or charter school. If your child is struggling or you believe that appropriate services have not been provided, please reach out to us by CLICKING HERE or by calling any of the phone numbers on our website!