Parents: If you have concerns about your child's grades or behavior, the teacher likely can provide some insight. Refrain from being accusatory, angry, demanding or rude. Ask for a conference, even if it must be conducted via phone. Explain the problem and ask for the teacher's viewpoint. Then ask her for some solutions to resolve the problem. Take notes and jot down questions to ask later,, but refrain from interrupting her.
Teachers: In many instances, parents simply want to know they are being heard and action is being taken. When a parent calls, quietly listen. Don't interrupt or interject. Remember there might be underlying reasons a student is acting out, and listening to the parent might help you figure out the problem. Jot down notes, if need be, and ask questions. Then ask the parent for his suggestions on how you might work together.
Parents: Purchase a notebook for your child and ask the teacher to write it in each day, alerting you to bad behavior, grades and extraordinary accomplishments. Alternatively, give the teacher with your e-mail address for the same purpose.
Teachers: Set up an online forum in which you can disseminate general class information to parents, such as deadlines on upcoming projects, test dates, overall class performance information and homework assignments. This keeps parents in the know and allows them to ask specific questions about the work their student is doing in class.
Parents: Be diligent about attending conferences with your child's teacher, and be sure to bring your child with you. Face-to-face interaction among the three of you gets everyone on the same page. Since kids tend to stretch the truth regarding what occurs in class, sitting down together with the teacher will usually net you clearer answers.
Teachers: Schedule three in-person parent-teacher conferences each semester, if possible. Conduct one at the beginning of the semester to make it clear to both parent and student what your expectations are, what the coursework will be like, what students will be expected to learn and what resources are available to them. Check in midway through the semester to let the parent know how the student is doing. If possible, have one more conference to end the semester. This will allow all of you go over the goals and expectations set forth at the beginning of the semester and brainstorm solutions if there were problems meeting these expectations.