Strong Parent-Teacher Communication is Key for Student Success

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This video from the California Department of Education will help you and your child learn about California's new Student Score Report of year-end standardized test results.

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--()--Strong interaction, teamwork and partnership between families and teachers creates the optimal environment for student success. California State PTA offers parents easy communications tips this back-to-school season:

  • Approach interactions with a positive attitude and an open mind. Listen to others’ viewpoints.
  • Share your child’s strengths, talents and interests with your child’s teachers.
  • Share expectations and set goals together for your child. Understand and reinforce school rules and expectations at home.
  • Make appointments as needed to discuss your child’s progress or concerns.
  • Participate in informal opportunities to talk with and get to know school staff and educators. Attend back-to-school night and parent-teacher conferences with specific questions you want to ask.
  • Address concerns or questions honestly, openly, and early on.
  • Attend PTA or parent meetings regularly.
  • Read classroom and/or school newsletters.
  • Visit your school’s web page. Know school staff’s extensions and office hours. Read and know your school’s handbook.
  • Request that information be available in all relevant languages.

“Together, parents and teachers can make sure children have a great school year,” said California State PTA President Justine Fischer. “The lines of communication must be open, strong and frequently used in order for our children to truly succeed.”

NEW STUDENT ASSESSMENTS OFFER PARENT-TEACHER OPPORTUNITY

California’s student assessments offer a unique opportunity to communicate and plan with your child’s teacher during this back-to-school season. Parents of children who just completed grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11 are scheduled to receive copies of their child’s scores from the new assessments in the mail within the next few weeks.

Parents can discuss the assessments score reports with their child’s new teachers during back-to-school night, parent-teacher conferences and other meetings to plan and work together on their child’s individual educational needs, keeping in mind that the scores are only a single component of our upgraded educational system, and just one way of measuring student progress, along with class assignments and report cards.

California State PTA is distributing tips and resources for parents this back-to-school season. For more information, visit www.capta.org.

About California State PTA

California State PTA connects families and schools, and has more than 800,000 members throughout the state working on behalf of public schools, children and families, with the motto, "every child, one voice." The PTA is the nation's largest and highest profile volunteer association working to connect families and schools, and improve the education, health and welfare of all children and youth. The PTA also advocates at national, state and local levels for education and family issues. The PTA is nonprofit, nonsectarian and noncommercial. For more information: www.capta.org.

Contacts

California State PTA
Michelle Eklund, 916-440-1985
Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives
meklund@capta.org

Release Summary

California State PTA offers parents tips for communicating with teachers this back-to-school season.

Contacts

California State PTA
Michelle Eklund, 916-440-1985
Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives
meklund@capta.org