Parent-Teacher Conference Tips for High School Students
As your child advances through high school, it becomes even more important to play an active role in their math education by establishing and maintaining an open line of frequent and productive communication with them and their math teachers. The parent-teacher conference is a valuable meeting that you can use to partner with your child’s math instructors to help your child create a strong foundation that will benefit them as they venture out into the world as a future leader. As you prepare for your next high school parent-teacher conference, here are a few topics to review and discuss before the meeting.
Prior to the conference, observe your child’s behavior as they are completing their math assignments. Are they spending hours at the dinner table each night completing homework? Are you noticing increased frustration or less enthusiasm when they talk about their math class? Or is your child telling you they are constantly bored and flying through their homework? Whatever the outcome, the conference will be the perfect setting to discuss your observations with your child’s teacher and receive feedback about the next best steps.
Make sure you are aware of your child’s math grades before you meet with the teacher. The teacher should be able to provide you with their grades directly or you may be able to access the information through the school’s website. Review the teacher’s grading policy and prepare any questions you may have. The school year will be done in a flash and you don’t want any unwelcome surprises the last week of school that may impact your child advancing to the next grade or their ability to graduate due to a low grade. Considering the interruptions Covid-19 has caused, it’s vital to make sure your child is maintaining an acceptable grade point average. The earlier you can address any learning challenges, the more you can lessen any potentially negative impact.
Be mindful of the topics that will be covered in your child’s math course(s) for this period. If your child is just beginning their 1st or 2nd year of high school, monitor the courses they are selecting. For example, if your child wants to take Algebra I and you know they can handle Calculus based on their skills, have your child’s teacher discuss the benefits of taking advanced math courses with them and not downplaying their abilities due to social pressure or other influences.
If your child will be taking a standardized test this year, it’s a good idea to become familiar with the type of test, what it will measure and the scoring system. Your child’s teacher will likely have this topic on the agenda and by reviewing beforehand you will be better prepared to evaluate the information and how it will impact your child. Preparation will be especially important if your child experiences test anxiety. Knowing what to expect yourself can help you prepare your child and leave plenty of time for practice runs before test day.
During high school, your child’s academic experience is intertwined with their social and emotional well-being as going to school is their main outlet. With the current events over the last year, it’s important to be aware of any social or emotional issues your child may be experiencing in addition to academic performance. If you notice your child is becoming withdrawn or acting out in unhealthy ways, make note of your concerns. Your child’s teacher will be able to advise of avenues that can support you and your child during any difficult periods.
Talk with your child about their plans after high school graduation. Do they want to attend college or move straight into the workforce? Are they interested in participating in summer internships or summer enrichment programs? It’s never too early to encourage your child to think about their future and the teacher can then offer insight at the conference regarding available resources for college, such as job or college fairs (likely virtual), the college application process and financial aid options.
The progress made during these four years will have a considerable impact on your child's future academic and professional opportunities. Prioritizing attending the conference will signal its importance to your child and model the value of having open communication with teachers.
As your local Mathnasium center, we are here to be a part of your child’s progress. We offer individualized instruction for children in grades 2 – 12, with in-person and online instruction. Give us a call or reach out to us online today for your child’s free assessment.
Best of luck at your parent-teacher conference!
