Tapping parents' willingness to be involved, planning productive exchanges, and reaching the hard-to-reach parent are addressed in this article. Ways to establish a partnership with parents are suggested. (MT)

For a successful parent-teacher conference, three main steps need to be addressed: preconference homework, communication during the conference, and followup. Each of these steps is addressed in this article, and a sample form for conference record keeping is included. (IAH)

Presents suggestions to help teachers work with parents during conferences. Before the conference, they should document difficulties, communicate concerns, solicit support, and test out tactics. At the conference, they should welcome parents, take notes, weigh all words, allow for anger, seek parents' suggestions, have responses ready, and partner…

Presents examples of teacher-parent interactions designed to help teachers communicate with parents. The scenarios involve a teacher communicating with parents about a struggling student, a teacher communicating with parents about a student's behavior problems, and a teacher attempting to communicate with a confrontational parent. Teacher prompts…

Examines several ways for teachers to improve public relations with parents through the media, parents' night activities, and parent teacher conferences. (JMB)

Eight teachers contribute their ideas for successfully working with parents. Included are: a parent information/resource center; guidelines for parent teacher conferences; ideas for using parents as classroom volunteers; and skill development activities that parents can use at home with their children. (SJL)

Getting along with parents can sometimes be tough, but a little tact can go a long way. Good communication skills are important in any profession, but for the successful teacher, they are essential. Drawn from their new book, "Teacher Talk!" (Jossey-Bass, 2005), the authors present some snapshots of typical conflicts with parents, paired with…

Presents conference strategies designed to include primary students and show them that their opinions matter. Teachers must create a good atmosphere, let the children describe their classroom performance, let the parents discuss their children's performance, then devise a group plan of action. Teacher tips for creative conferencing are included.…

The phenomenon of "school-hopping" (students transferring frequently to different schools) and its effects on students is discussed. Strategies for teachers to use with parents who practice school-hopping (often to deny that their child may be in need of special help) are described. (CJ)

Teachers, principals, and other educational leaders in the United States were asked what is being done, what works, and what can be used to build a successful parent-teacher team. Here are the results--hundreds of workable ideas organized into a four-part process that combines the best from schools across America. (Author/RK)

This article explains how teachers can use tact and diplomacy to minimize potential problems with parent-teacher conferences. A checklist of tips to help teachers prepare for conferences and conduct them positively is given, along with ideas for keeping in touch with parents the rest of the year. (PP)

Three articles present suggestions to help elementary teachers promote student development. The first describes games that encourage a sense of community. The second deals with making parent teacher conferences a positive experience. The third discusses how to give confused children who are involved in custody battles an alternative to acting out.…