This book discusses several types of parent-teacher conferences and issues relevant to parent-teacher conferences in 10 chapters. Chapter 1 outlines a working model for successful parent-teacher conferences. Research on parent attitudes and relationships with teachers is summarized in chapter 2. Chapter 3 discusses communication topics, including listening skills, ways to respond to parents, ways to clarify messages, and body language. Chapter 4 examines the changing structure of the family. Chapters 5 through 7 describe characteristics of conferences that relate to academic performance, referrals for handicapped children, and discipline problems. Conflicts between parents and teachers are examined in chapter 8. Chapter 9 considers unsuccessful conferences and conferences without planned agendas. The final chapter promotes the development of partnerships between parents and teachers. Many of the issues raised in the 10 chapters are illustrated with vignettes. Appendixes include a conference evaluation checklist, a vignette of a conference dealing with a discipline problem, a set of role-playing activities, and a list of suggestions for facilitating conflict resolution. A 68-item bibliography and a 31-item resource list are provided. (BC)