Fw: Be Prepared This School Year

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The Start of a New School Year

How to Stay Connected

The school year is off to a rapid start. Now that the kids should be acclimated to their new classroom, teacher and peers, it’s a good time to start considering questions that you might ask at a Parent/Teacher Conference. For children who are in a new setting, a conference might be beneficial after about 4-6 weeks of school, depending on how things are progressing. In general, having a Parent Teacher Conference each 9 weeks allows you to be involved in your child’s education. Without parental involvement, parent teacher conferences are a missed opportunity. Conferences are the time to learn more about your child's learning style, relationship with others, what he'll be learning and even about the teacher's teaching

style.

There are a variety of questions you can ask at a parent teacher conference to elicit information and help to make your child's year more successful.

General Questions to Ask at Parent Teacher Conferences:

· What skills are being addressed right now and how does that tie in to the overall goals of my child’s IEP?

· How is my child doing keeping up in class?

· How is my child getting along with other children?

· Could you outline the schedule of a typical day/class period for me?

· What can I do at home to reinforce what he is learning?

· What type of behavior modification program do you use in the classroom?

· How can I supplement what you are doing in the classroom?

· How is he doing during his time with typically developing peers? What supports are there for him in that environment?

Questions to Ask if Your Child is Struggling Academically:

· At what level is my child performing in his academic subjects?

· What types of supports are you using to help him keep up with his grade-level peers?

· What curriculum are you using and is it specific to his needs?

· How much instructional “time with teacher†does he receive each day?

· Do you have any insight as to what may be causing his difficulties?

Questions to Ask if Your Child Struggles Socially:

· Does my child interact with other children?

· Do you see that she has any friends?

· Is she having trouble with specific groups of children?

· Do you feel she is being bullied?

· Can you tell me what your thoughts are about her difficulties with socialization?

· Is there a friendship/peer skills group in which she can participate?

· What can/are you doing to make it easier for her to socialize with other kids?

· What can I do to help her make friends?

Stacey Hoaglund

www.disabilitytrainingandsupport.com

www.fndbroward.com