Parent Roles and Responsibilities

PARENTS’ ROLES IN THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION AND LEARNING

Schools want parents to be involved in their children’s education. Parents can be involved in their children’s education in many ways. you can:

• Talk to the school principal and teachers

• Attend school activities or parent trainings

• Volunteer at the schools (must fill out a background check first)

• Talk to their children about their school day and school work

• Join the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) or the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

• Serve as chaperones during field trips (background check is required)

What is a parent-teacher conference?

A parent conference is a meeting held with your child’s teacher, counselor, the school team or administrator to discuss your child’s academic performance and socio-emotional needs .

Why are parent-teacher conferences important?

Parent conferences are important because you, as the parent or appointed guardian, have the opportunity to engage in a dialogue with school staff. Parent-teacher conferences are designed to discuss your child’s academic and social progress.

During the conference you and the school team may develop a plan to support, discuss progress and challenges, your child may face. A Personal Educational Plan may be developed to address your child’s unique needs. The parent teacher conference also discusses other topics that are important to support your child’s performance in school, (i.e behavior, attendance, truancy, etc).

Who can participate in a parent-teacher conference?

The parent or guardian or school staff may request a parent conference. You may invite professionals or family, with knowledge of your child’s strengths and needs. This may include a community partner, medical provider, mentor or others that you feel can contribute with their input to the meeting.

How do I schedule a parent-teacher conference?

Contact the professional school counselor, teacher, or administrator at your child’s school to schedule a parent conference.

• Make a list of things you want to discuss at the conference.

• Ask your child if there is anything that he or she would like to talk about with the teacher or for you to discuss on his or her behalf.

• During the conference focus on how your child is doing in school and at home and ask how to support your child to do better in school and socially.

• Ask what you can do at home to support your child.

• Develop a plan that you and the teacher, counselor or administrator work out together and discuss the plan with your child.

• Stay in touch with the school to monitor child progress.

What can I do at home to help my child learn?

Successful students come to school ready to learn and have good study habits. There are many ways parents can help their children do well in school. You can help even if you speak very little English. You do not have to know English to help. Here are important things you can do to help your children’s learning:

School Supplies: Children need to bring school supplies to class everyday. School supplies are paper, pencils, pens, and erasers. Sometimes children need other supplies such as rulers, scissors, or glue. Usually teachers will give students a list of the school supplies they need. If you are not able to afford the school supplies, contact the teacher or school for further assistance.

Talking about Schoolwork: Parents should ask their children each day, “How was school today?” “Do you have any homework tonight?” Schools want you to discuss schoolwork with your children. You can ask your children about what they are learning in their classes. You can also ask your children to bring home and show you their graded papers.

Reading and Talking Together: Children who read at home do better in school. It is a good idea to have family reading time in your home. During reading time, you can read to your children or your children can read to you. Everyone can read by himself or herself during reading time. It is important for your children to see you reading in English or in your native language. If reading is difficult for you, then tell stories to your children. You can tell stories about your family when you were young and about when your children were babies. Your children can also tell you stories. You can tell stories in English or in your native language.

Article from www.colorincolorado.org