Communicating with Parents

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Communicating with Parents

• Geraldine HarrisEarnestine McRaeRegina
  Montford Lynneth Whitten

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Communicating with Parents

• Overview
• Reasons
• Methods/examples
• Forms and resources

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Why Bother?

• Research has shown that parental involvement has
  been associated with the following
• Better academic performance
• Improved attendance
• Fewer discipline problems
• Decreased drug use

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Why Bother?

• Parental involvement in education was two times
  more of a predictor of academic success than a
  familys socioeconomic status.
• Schools with intensive parental involvement
  programs have shown a greater effect on student
  performance than any other factor.
• The more intensive the parental involvement the
  more positive the effects on achievement.

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The Importance of Parents

• When?
• Ongoing partnership

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What is the Teachers Role?

• Before School Begins
• Send a letter home to the parents
• Send a letter home to the student
• Visit the home of each student

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Relationship Builders

• Body Language
• Project confidence (sit next or across from
  parent)
• Remain calm, friendly, and professional at all
  times
• Maintain eye contact

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Relationship Builders

• Get Psyched
• Like parent, like child
• Bias
• Be non-judgmental
• Behavior isnt bad, just interfering with
  learning.
• Encourage parents to bring an advocate to the
  meeting
• Its not all about you
• Be discreet

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Relationship Builders

• Actions Speak Louder Than Words
• Listen and keep an open mind
• Make every effort to understand parent complaints
  and concerns
• Exercise empathy and focus on what is best for
  student

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Relationship Builders

• Communication is a Two-Way Street (Positive and
  Constructive)
• Address specific concerns
• Be proactive

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Lines of Communication

• Instead of this expression Try this.
• Must Should
• Lazy Can do better when she tries
• Troublemaker Disturbs the class
• Uncooperative Will benefit by making a greater
  effort to work with others
• Wastes time Could learn to make better use of
  her time
• Truant Absent without adequate
  documentation
• He will fail if He will pass if

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Relationship Builders

• Parting on Good Terms
• Share success stories
• End conferences on a positive note
• Thank parent for coming
• Enjoy the interaction!

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Online Resources

• 27 tips
• What research says
• National Conference of State Legislators views