By Tracey Parks and Angela Riffle

How Teams Can Talk to Parents… and Get Results

Quotes

Pitfalls of Traditional Conferences

Areas of concern are either repeated or not clearly defined Individual teacher approach rather than a team addressing the big picture Focus entirely on weaknesses without mention of strengths No solutions offered

There’s got to be a better way!

The Search Began…

We attended workshops at the National Middle School Convention. We listened to professional development speakers including Dr. Mike Stabile. We read teaming-focused books such as Wow, What a Team!: Essential Components for Successful Teaming by Randy Thompson and Dorothy Vander Jagt.Then we compiled ideas from these sources to create a conference method to fit the needs of our team.

Our Answer to the ProblemDate of Meeting ________________ Follow up date ________________

Team 7AParent Conference Summary

Student’s Name: ____________________________________________Parent(s) / Guardian(s) Present: ________________________________  

School Faculty Present: (circle)            Science: Adams, BauerMath: Harvey, Schorr, Supinger Encore: Akers, Castner, Cottrell,Language Arts: Connaughton, Gillum, Fuqua, Patton, Tignor Harvey, Riffle Other: __________ __________ World Studies: Henrich, Parks Student’s Strengths: ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Areas of Concern: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

All team members have input on student strengths and areas

of concern.

Determine who will lead and who will

take notes during the

conference.

(form included in session handout)

Our Answer to the ProblemPossible Strategies/Modifications:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What the student will do to make improvements: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What the parent/guardian will do to encourage improvements: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________What the teachers will do to encourage and assist the student’s success: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Signatures of all present:___________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ___________________________

All stakeholders brainstorm

possible strategies for

success.

Determine which

strategies will be

implemented and who will

be responsible.

(form included in session handout)

Turn and Talk

For the next 3 minutes, discuss the following with a neighbor:

Please jot down any questions as there will be time for questions and comments at the end of the session.

Initial Thoughts Concerns Questions

Key Points for SuccessAll team members agree to follow the conference format.

All team members give input to strengths, concerns, and solutions.

Keep a positive, collaborative atmosphere.

Focus on solutions, not just on problems.

Parents leave with written strategies and a well defined plan for success.

A Work in Progress

As we began to use this

conference format, we

recognized the need for an additional

layer of communication.

Follow Up.

Student: ____________________ Contacting Teacher: ____________________

Team 7A Parent Conference Follow-Up

Parent/Guardian Contacted _______________________ Date ________________

Contact made via (circle): phone e-mail mailed up-date parent meeting

B= Better W=Worse S=Same

Initial Problem(s) Math Science WS LA Other Parent(s)1

B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S

2

B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S

3

B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S

4

B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S B/W/S

(form included in session handout)

A Work in Progress

H=Helping NH=Not Helping (or Not Happening) NA=Not Applicable

Strategies Implemented Math Science WS LA Other Parent(s)1 H/NH/NA

Comment:H/NH/NA

Comment:H/NH/NA

Comment:H/NH/NA

Comment:H/NH/NA

Comment:H/NH/NA

Comment:

2 H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

3 H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

4 H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

5 H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

H/NH/NAComment:

Grade: Grade: Grade: Grade: Grade:

Follow up Information: _____Continue Plan_____Implement additional strategies (see new sheet)_____Move to formal IAT (Intervention) Comments:

What’s the next

step?

(form included in session handout)

Turn and Talk

For the next 3 minutes, discuss the following with a neighbor:

Please jot down any questions as there will be time for questions and comments at the end of the session.

Initial Thoughts Concerns Questions

Response to InterventionSource:

Batsche, G. M., Elliott, J., Graden, J., Grimes, J., Kovaleski, J. F., Prasse, D., et al. (2005).

Response to intervention: Policy Considera-tions and imple-mentation.

Alexandria, VA: National Association of State Directors of Special Education, Inc.

Tier 1Promote use of planner, Teacher web sites, District on-lineservices, preferential seating, organizational plan, lockerchecks and/or clean-outs, use of advisory periods, ETC…

Tier 2On-line subscription programs

such as Read Naturally or Study Island, books on tape, extended time for homework and tests, study guides

provided, copy of class notes provided, ETC…

Tier 3 Individualized

student-specific program/plan

Three Tiers

of RTI

It’s Your Turn.

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Suggestions?

Please share.

Session Title: How Teams Can Talk to Parents and Get Results

Presenters: Tracey Parks and Angela Riffle

CEU Code: #DL7

Website: http://ParentTeamConference.wikispaces.com

Thank you!

Please take a moment to complete and return the evaluation form.

Learning Session Evaluation