Printable: Help families prepare for parent-teacher conferences
By Amanda Morin
Expert reviewed by Bob Cunningham, EdM
Parent-teacher conference worksheetPDF
Parent-Teacher Conference Worksheet (Spanish)PDF
Parent-teacher conferences are a great opportunity to connect with parents and caregivers and strengthen your partnership with them. By finding out in advance what’s on a parent or caregiver’s mind, the conversation can be more productive for both of you.
Send this worksheet home to parents and caregivers well ahead of the conference dates. For instance, you might attach it to the conference notice and ask families to fill it out and return it with their preferred conference time. Let them know you’ll be using the same worksheet to organize your own thoughts and notes.
Asking parents and caregivers for their input shows that you’re interested in their perspectives. They’ll see that you take seriously this opportunity for family engagement. Using the worksheet can also put both you and the student’s family at ease — knowing you will address the issues that are most important for their child.
Key takeaways
Use questionnaires to learn more about your students and their families.
If you hold student-led conferences, provide students with a downloadable 3×3 card so they can share their strengths, challenges, and strategies for success.
About the author
About the author
Amanda Morin is the author of “The Everything Parent’s Guide to Special Education” and the former director of thought leadership at Understood. As an expert and writer, she helped build Understood from its earliest days.
Reviewed by
Reviewed by
Bob Cunningham, EdM has been part of Understood since its founding. He’s also been the chief administrator for several independent schools and a school leader in general and special education.
