This article describes how parent communication across an urban school district was improved through student-led, teacher-supported conferences. According to "This We Believe," student-led, teacher-supported conferences empower young adolescents to accept responsibility for their own learning. Such conferences invite parents into the…

Tips to break the tension and make parent-teacher conferences productive are offered. A reproducible page with suggestions for parents entitled "How To Get the Most Out of Parent-Teacher Conferences" is included. (MT)

A typology of teacher encounters was derived from observations of elementary school teachers for the purposes of ordering field data and indicating teaching experiences outside the classroom which affect, through sociocultural forces, classroom teaching behavior. From observations of teacher encounters in the auditorium, faculty room, school…

Presents a child-centered, developmental conference model for implementation with mildly handicapped, normal, or gifted children in preschools and elementary schools. Techniques for assisting children's participation are related to each conference step. (RH)

Effective communication is a two-way process. Educators must be willing to listen to parents and create convenient, comfortable avenues and forums. A Missouri school reversed the usual parent-teacher conference format, allowing parents to lead discussions about their children's strengths and weaknesses. Parents enjoyed this format, and teachers…

Suggestions are given to teachers of handicapped students concerning developing helpful relationships with parents. Topics covered include what parents want to know, preparing for a teacher-parent conference, selecting a place, making arrangements for the conference, obtaining further information, communicating with parents, and working with…

Nineteen articles present an overview of ideas dealing with many facets of school public relations. Analysis and suggestions cover topics such as (1) planning and use of press conferences; (2) proper balance between techniques and message in public relations programs; (3) potency of education in economic and social development; (4) interpretation…

Guidelines are given for conducting positive, effective conferences.

This tongue-in-cheek article gives examples of ways in which educators give lip service to such principles as recognizing the rights of parents and valuing parent contributions but actually still try to avoid significant parent impact on their own work with students. (DB)

Offers guidelines for teachers in telephoning to set up visits with parents and dealing with visits by irate parents. (CBC)

Author is the 1972 National Teacher of the Year. (Editor)

This handbook for teachers on conducting a successful parent-teacher conference offers suggestions on: (1) key factors of a successful conference; (2) kinds of individual conferences; (3) creating a positive conference environment; (4) preparing for the conference; (5) conducting the conference; (6) concluding the conference; (7) following the…

The most desirable and effective form for informative evaluation is a narrative which spells out in detail what the student has achieved and what he has failed to achieve. (Editor)

The text is primarily intended to encourage a particular attitude among teachers to guide them in their relationships with parents, and secondarily to be useful directly to parents. Through an analysis of the parent teacher conference relationship, the author presents particular concepts and outlines a plan of action. Personal dynamics of both the…

Offers guidelines designed to diminish many commonly held teacher fears about conferences with parents. Stresses planning, commonalities, climate, control, and conclusion. (FL)