Parent-teacher interviews

[Wishing on a star]

Sorry, but I do not see how spending my time waiting for a coveted few minutes to 'listen to the teacher' sitting at little set-up tables in a crowded gym, where anybody who passes by can hear my personal business could possibly be beneficial for anybody. Setting this up as just another mass meeting limited to the gym (no access to the school/classroom) is just another way to limit parents involvment.

NOT the way to encourage parent involvment.

If I need to see my child's teacher. (and yes, I am an 'involved' parent... so I DO need to see my child's teachers) I will need an appointment, thank you. I want to speak in private. Also, I have gleaned a lot just from the experience of being in the teacher's classroom.

BTW, there is a big difference in being involved with your childs best educational interests, and giving time and money to the school. Huge difference. Being involved means BOTH sides working together.

 

[Galahad]

We do something similar at DS's High School. You make appointments with each teacher, but they are lined up in the "commons", hall way, and cafeteria at tables and you get 15 minutes with each teacher. Actually it works pretty well. It forces the teacher and the parent to be organized and present only relevant info. It can work well. I've never noticed a lot of eavesdropping, BTW.

 

[golfgal]

We had the open house style with DS14 for the first time this year. I was a little concerned about how it was going to go but it went fine. We didn't really have to wait for any teacher, if one was busy we just went to the next one. It didn't take that long. They also said that if you had concerns that were going to take a while they preferred you make an appointment. We didn't need to do that.

Beautybell, you can't base your opinion on "public schools" on one district. I have to say that our kids have been in private schools until this year and the public schools are WAY, WAY better about communication with parents, etc. They are also overjoyed with parent involvement. I have done a few volunteer things at the middle school and within 5 minutes of the starting time of that activity the principal has been there to thank all of those helping. I get an email from the twins' English teacher/team leader EVERY day letting us know what is going on in the classes, what it coming up, etc. DS14 didn't turn in a paper, got an email from his teacher asking if maybe he turned it in without a name, etc., basically checking up on him. If your schools are so bad, perhaps moving would help.

 

[Bob Slydell]

BTW, there is a big difference in being involved with your childs best educational interests, and giving time and money to the school. Huge difference. Being involved means BOTH sides working together.

But there's no reason you can't do both and have them go hand in hand.

 

[disneyjunkie]

As far as the OP's question, I just don't see how this is effective. How does the teacher plan if he/she doesn't know what parent will walk in the door next ? I just can't imagine this being a benefit to anyone.

The teachers plans for everyone to show up. (of course that doesn't happen)
They have all the folders out and the grade book ready. It's quick and easy.

In elementary schools the teacher has everything she needs at his/her desk. Parents take turns going up to discuss their child's progress. Other parents are in the class during this time.

In middle and high school the parents tend to form lines outside of the classroom.

I prefer this format because I can plan for it much better. In September were given a calendar with the dates and times for P/T evening and afternoon. Once in the fall and once in the spring. (12-3 or 5-8)

It only takes 3-5 minutes to get a quick over view of what's going on. If you need more time than that, then you need to make an appointment.

Most of the schools in my area have been doing this since I was a kid. It works great.

 

[golfgal]

Sorry, but I do not see how spending my time waiting for a coveted few minutes to 'listen to the teacher' sitting at little set-up tables in a crowded gym, where anybody who passes by can hear my personal business could possibly be beneficial for anybody. Setting this up as just another mass meeting limited to the gym (no access to the school/classroom) is just another way to limit parents involvment.

NOT the way to encourage parent involvment.

If I need to see my child's teacher. (and yes, I am an 'involved' parent... so I DO need to see my child's teachers) I will need an appointment, thank you. I want to speak in private. Also, I have gleaned a lot just from the experience of being in the teacher's classroom.

BTW, there is a big difference in being involved with your childs best educational interests, and giving time and money to the school. Huge difference. Being involved means BOTH sides working together.

I guess it is one of those you don't know how it works until you try it situations. As for "everyone listening to your business" you still have the option of making an appointment with the teacher on another day. Also, there is enough commotion that no one can really listen in on your conference at our school. They have the chairs set up for those waiting set far enough away that you can't eavesdrop. It really isn't an issue. Also, even with a scheduled conference, you only have a limited time to talk and if you have issues so private and important they are going to take more time then given so just make and appointment anyway.

As for preparing for the conference, at our school all the teachers had their laptops with them and could pull up any information needed. They also had folders prepared with various information they wanted to give to parents. At our DS's high school they had about 85% participation for the fall conferences.

 

[marciemi]

Boy - our districts have always done that and I loved it! You just get there early (Disney training!) and hit the "hardest" teachers (usually math/science) first. Then when lines form, it's just a chance to socialize. Teachers are supposed to be limited to 5 minutes - some parents will go way over, but most are good.

This year we moved out of state and our new district does it the "make an appointment" way. Well this is great if you have one kid and a couple teachers during the 2 conference evenings, but if you have 3 kids with 8 teachers each at 3 different schools (we have a 5/6th grade "intermediate" school, a middle school, and a high school), it's nearly impossible. The kids have to sign up, the teachers each have about 50 slots available for 150 kids, you can only send a signup sheet with one kid at a time so they don't end up with conflicts, and it's nearly impossible to get all the teachers in. Plus, then when you end up with 3 back to back and one teacher is running behind, you're out of luck. I haven't been as stressed recently as sprinting from a classroom on one side of the high school to the other with no time remaining - horrible flashbacks from 20 years ago!