What You Should Be Asking Your Child’s Teacher Right Now

When we talk about partners in our children’s education, we often think about a school’s teachers and support staff, and other powerful influencers in our communities. But the most powerful partner in a child’s education is often a parent or caregiver – and even though we may not always realize it, a parent’s involvement can be the difference between success and failure.

To be a great partner, you don’t have to know the content your child is studying or the problem-solving processes their teachers are teaching. You just need to get involved – even if you don’t have a lot of time, every little bit helps.

Have you checked in with your child’s teacher since open house at the beginning of the school year?  By reaching out and scheduling that meeting, you can help put your child on the best possible track to success. Here are some questions you may want to consider asking your child’s teacher right now:

• In reading, writing, and math, how is my child meeting expectations?
• If my child is working below grade level, how are teachers working to help my child improve, and what I can do to help at home?
• What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?

While you’re meeting with the teacher, you can ask to see examples of grade-level work so you can compare it with what your child is doing. The parent-teacher conference is also a good time to ask about how best to communicate with your child’s teacher, so you can stay connected with your child’s progress and deal with any issues that may arise.

There’s no better time than right now to be involved in a child’s education, whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or relative. If you’d like more ideas on this topic, be sure to drop by Parent Involvement Day this Friday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Delmar Stadium Field House (2020 Mangum, 77092).