Anonymous wrote:My 4th grader also told me that her teacher said the kids were supposed to come to the conferences. I'm not happy about it at all. We have ONE 15 minute conference per year with the teacher. That conference will be completely different if my child is there. I want the adults to speak freely so that we are all clear and honest about how things are going (and I don't think that will happen the same way w/my DD in the room. For ex., I want to know the teacher's thoughts about social dynamics and the fact that my DD's best friend in the class might not be a good influence. However, I don't need/want my DD to hear me ask about those things.
I don't like the idea of having to fight for a private conference with the teacher. It starts to feel like more MCPS hide-the-ball. Even the conferences are getting watered down.
The teacher and you, as a parent, should be able to talk freely about your child's progress. A 15 minute conference isn't meant for dealing with social issues regarding peers.