Parent-teacher conferences will soon be upon us. Parents, you know your child in a different light since he/she has grown up with you. Be prepared to share your insights about your child. Teachers know children and their developmental characteristics based on their professional training. They see them in a different setting: the classroom. We need to put this information together. Come to the conference with a positive attitude and with the goal of partnering for your child's success.

Next, think about your own questions or concerns. Make a list of information you want the teacher to know about your child or questions you might have about school programs and policies. (Hopefully many of these have been covered at Open House and through newsletters and flyers.) Some questions to think about or ask are:

• Is my child in different groups for different subjects? Why?
• How well does my child get along with others? In groups? On the playground?
• What are my childÕs best and worst subjects?
• Is my child working up to his or her ability?
• Does my child participate in class discussion and activities?
• How do you measure my childÕs progress? What work samples have you collected to show how my child is doing?

Ask the teacher how you can help at home with any problem areas. The teacher will have some questions for you as well. They are not prying into your personal life, but trying to obtain information that will help them work better with your child.

Be sure to ask the teacher for specific suggestions on how to help your child do well in school. This will become your action plan. If you don't understand something, please ask questions. It's a good idea to end the conference by summing up the decisions you have made together.

After the conference, talk with your child about the strengths they have. Next, talk about any areas that need improvement. Then, implement the plans you discussed to help your child. Your child needs to understand that the adults are here to support and help, but children have a responsibility for their success as well. Children need to put effort into learning. Also, if you hear something about an event at school that doesn't sound "quite right," please contact the teacher for clarification. The ultimate goal is well-adjusted, successful, and well-educated students.