family involvement

Question 1

The ultimate goal of the parent/teacher partnership is

Answer 1

to help the student have the most successful school year possible. Effective conferences can help meet this goal.

Question 2

Conferences with the student’s caregiver need to contain the following:

Answer 2

1. Identification of the student’s strengths
2. Identification of the student’s challenges or places to grow
3. Plan of action regarding the student’s strengths
4. Plan of action regarding the student’s challenges or places to grow

Question 3

It is always a good idea to start

Answer 3

with a positive and to have plan of action for anything brought up to caregivers. Not only do they want to hear what’s been observed, but they also want to know what can be done about it.

Question 4

If a parent or guardian requests a conference regarding a concern, the teacher should

Answer 4

allow them to begin the conversation.

Question 5

While the teacher should be prepared to discuss the concern with the caregiver, it is important to

Answer 5

fully listen and understand before responding. It can even be helpful to summarize the concerns you just heard before responding. This helps the parent feel validated and assured that all parties are on the same page.

Question 6

Thing to DO at parent/teacher conferences

Answer 6

focus on working together for the benefit of the child

focus on the academic progress of the student

provide facts and data to explain the expectations for the grade-level and how the student is performing

present information clearly

set boundaries with your time (reasonable to wait to get back to parents when you are not instructing your class and to schedule appointment for a conference)

Question 7

Things to NOT DO at parent/teacher conferences

Answer 7

point out the caregiver’s shortcomings or play the blame game regarding any challenges a student may be facing

judge a student’s personal life

overuse pedagogical language or explain academic expectations in a way that is not easily understood by the guardian

present information unclearly

be too slow in your initial response or set the conference for the distant future

Question 8

Parent/teacher conferences are really for

Answer 8

the students and helping them achieve and reach their goals.

Question 9

It is important for teachers to foster

Answer 9

positive relationships with students’ families by promoting ongoing, two-way communication and involvement.

Question 10

Beginning of instruction communciation

Answer 10

provide background information about self. Share whatever you are comfortable with to help parents see you as a person and a professional, such as where you went to school and why you like to teach. Include contact information. Don’t forget your school phone number and email address

Question 11

Beginning of instruction (Parents’ contact information)

Answer 11

should be acquired when the year starts. Teachers need to know how to get in contact with caregivers, as well as their preferred method of communicaiton

Question 12

Beginning of instruction other info

Answer 12

general classroom information and clear expectations regarding academic performance.

Question 13

Communication throughout the year

Answer 13

keep families up-to-date (families should know what students are learning and working on)

Question 14

Share progress

Answer 14

progress reports and report cards are provided at regular intervals to communicate student progress and performance to parents. Teachers should communicate between official reports if needed. Parents do not want to be surprised by anything concerning that shows up on an official report.

Question 15

Progress make them aware of observations ahead of time and

Answer 15

how you are trying to help. Parents will appreciate this, and the opportunity to work on the situation with their child themselves.

Question 16

Share involvement opportunities

Answer 16

teachers should also share ways for parents to be involved in their child’s education, whether that be ideas to reinforce concepts at home or volunteer opportunities.

Question 17

Parents reach out

Answer 17

parents should feel comfortable enough to reach out to teachers throughout the year. They can raise concerns, inquire about how to help their children at home, or keep the teacher apprised of anything happening in their family life that could affect the child’s performance at school.

Question 18

For a positive relationship with families to bloom,

Answer 18

be clear and open from the start, and maintain two-way, ongoing communication throughout the school year.

Question 19

Digital methods

Answer 19

create convenient communication opportunities for both teacher and families.

Question 20

When sending the same information to multiple recipients, be sure to e

Answer 20

enter the emails into the BCC section to eliminate violating parents’ privacy by sharing email addresses with others without their permission

Question 21

Frequency of emails

Answer 21

send weekly on the same day, like a newsletter they can expect every Friday afternoon and read it at their convenience over the weekend to prepare for the week ahead.

Question 22

subject lines

Answer 22

carefully choose what you include in a subject line. A well-worded subject will make it clear whether the email is time-sensitive to their specific child, or simply a weekly newsletter.

Question 23

Grammar, professionalism, and tone

Answer 23

always reread an email before sending and consider it from the parent’s perspective. Make sure you’re satisfied with hoy you’re presenting yourself as a professional who cares about the students and has their best interest in mind before hitting send.

Question 24

Text messages

Answer 24

some schools use digital communication platforms that reach parents through text messages. Teachers can text parents without having to display their personal cell phone numbers. The same grammar, professionalism, and tone considerations apply.

Question 25

Class websites

Answer 25

Teachers can also create and maintain class websites to keep families up-to-date using a digital tool. Similar to emailed newsletters, websites can provide important information about what’s happening in class.

Question 26

while digital communication is convenient for many, it’s important to consider that some families may

Answer 26

have unreliable internet access or limited data. It is a good idea to verify families’ preferred method of communication and their contact information either at a beginning-of-the-year Open House event or by sending home a questionnaire.

Question 27

Fostering family and community involvement with ELL students’ education is very valuable. The following advocacy strategies are recommended

Answer 27

Offering parents a wide variety of opportunities for engagement

Welcoming families into the classroom and at school events

looking for ways to increase families’ comfort level with being at the school by providing programs that directly benefit them (Free English classes, information about immigrant rights or community services)

Recognizing and eliminating barriers to family involvement by identifying ways the school can support families and provide what is needed. (Childcare, transportation to and from events, interpreters, dinner, flexible meeting times, and dual language resources)

Communicating with familes’ preferred language and preferred way (email, notes home, phone calls, face-to-face school drop-off or pick-up)

Encouraging families to come to the classroom and share about their cultures

sharing resources and expectations for students with families

ensuring that parents know their rights

Question 28

An effective teacher is a ___ for ELL students’ families

Answer 28

resource for ELL students’ families