Parent teacher conferences are about addressing any issues you, the child or the teacher may have. If everything is fine, no need to go unless you want to hear it from the horse's mouth.

I always get a good deal out of the conferences and really enjoy them. But then, we live 5 minutes from school and I am usually able to schedule my two kids’ 20 minute conferences back to back. So all in, we are talking less than an hour.

PP, here. Not the best example, but I am too busy to type a better one. I stand by the p
rinciple.

Get more out of your conference by emailing the teacher a specific question ahead of time. At least two weeks is best. This gives the teacher time to take a note. Stick to one specific question, as this time of year is chaotic. As a teacher, I always appreciated knowing how to make that time valuable to the parent.

Hi Mrs. Smith. At our upcoming conference, I would like to talk about Larla’s friends at recess. She reports that Larlo is “ mean” to her, but I know she tends to interpret things differently than adults would. Would you keep an eye on her this week, and let me know if I need to call Larlo’s mom? I look forward to seeing you on the third.

All these parents who skip conferences are then going to come on here complaining that their teachers don’t give the kids attention. If their parents don’t care why should the teachers?

Who cares if you skip it. The teacher will contact you in other ways if your kid has a problem. BUT, don't schedule it and just not show. That would be a jerk move.

I skip plenty of things that others don’t, but have never skipped a conference. For those of you who hate them, why do you find them useless? We have learned really interesting things about our kids through the years from mild behavioral issues to areas of unusual strength. A couple of my younger kid’s teachers have really impressed us with how well they understand him and how committed they are to pushing him to go more deeply into various subjects.

Anonymous wrote:OP, one poster mentioned a phone conference. Can you swing that? I always go but if I had to take that much time to get there, I probably wouldn't.

I've never had a problem arranging a phone session when I've needed to (new baby, sickness).

Our school does not have a set parent teacher conference day after first grade. There is no sign up genius or organized attempt for the parents to meet with the Teachers. We scheduled one after the first report card. Everything is fine, there is one area of on going concern, but DS is doing just fine in effort, citizenship and all of his subject material. We plan on having another after the third report card in order to touch base.

I won't say that we get a ton of information but we get a better feel for what he is doing, his attitude, and the like.

I found it helpful. I'm unable to volunteer in the classroom, and my kid is very different if I'm in the room anyway. It's nice for me to hear another professional's feedback about how they're doing - the teachers see things I don't and vice versa.

But understandably, that's not needed for everyone...

OP, one poster mentioned a phone conference. Can you swing that? I always go but if I had to take that much time to get there, I probably wouldn't.

1st grade equivalent in a Montessori. Skipped last year and will be doing so again. I do go in for 2 mins at the end of the year just coz it would look bad otherwise. Utterly useless.

Anonymous wrote:I have skipped most of them. I don't like the parent involvement in schools. Plenty of other ways to be an involved parent.

I agree with skipping them but parents need to be more involved in the schools and education, not less.

Anonymous wrote:No, I would never skip a parent teacher conference. I was a teacher before becoming a parent and I know how those parents who skip are talked about among the teachers of all grades.

Parental involvement is a cornerstone to a child’s success. Parent-Teacher Conferences are part of that involvement.

I skip them because the teachers suck and have nothing to tell me and are not interested in working with us on our child's needs. I have no issue if they talk about me. I'm sure they do anyway. Parental involvement is the cornerstone except not all teachers and schools support parental involvement. The only time we are allowed to talk to the teacher is once a year and they go through their speech and its done. No questions, no discussions, no concerns addressed.

I have skipped most of them. I don't like the parent involvement in schools. Plenty of other ways to be an involved parent.