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PARENT-TEACHER
RELATIONSHIP
The success of a teacher depends, in
part, upon the ability to establish rapport in teacher-parent
relationships. Encouragement should be extended to all parents to have
periodic conferences with their child's teachers. In these conferences, the
teacher should be courteous, honest but tactful, and use diplomacy when
discussing the student's inadequacies. Rudeness or discourtesies on the
part of an educator or school employee cannot be condoned.
Parental Rights
Parents are
encouraged to actively participate in their children's educational
programming.
A parent is entitled
to:
1. request a
change in their child's teacher;
2. request a
transfer to another school;
3. request
the addition of specific courses;
4. request the child be permitted
to attend a class for credit above the child's grade level;
5. have their child graduate
early and participate in graduation at the time the child graduates;
6. have access to all written
records concerning their child (See Accessibility to Records Section);
7. review all teaching materials,
textbooks and other aids used in the child's classroom(s);
8. review
tests administered (after the test);
9. full
information regarding the school's activities; and
10. remove the child temporarily
from a class or school activity that conflicts with the parent's religious
or moral beliefs (written request required; still must pass courses and meet
graduation requirements).
A parent must give
written consent before the school may:
1. conduct a
psychological exam;
2. make or authorize the making
of a video tape of a child or record the child's voice [exceptions are made
for safety surveillance cameras, UIL/extra-curricular events, or purposes
related to regular classroom instruction (i.e. Radio/TV class.]
An attempt by any
school employee to encourage or coerce a child to withhold information from
their parent is grounds for termination.
Parent-Teacher
Communications and Conferences
At least once a year each campus will establish a
time and date for conducting parent conferences. Teachers and parents are
encouraged to stay in frequent contact regarding the student's progress.
This can be accomplished through notes, phone calls and face-to-face
conferences. Teachers are expected to tell about positive work as well as
areas that need help.
When a conference with a teacher is
requested by a parent, an appointment should be scheduled through the
office. A notice giving the date and time will be placed in the teacher's
mailbox or given to the teacher personally.
If at any time a conference becomes
unpleasant, terminate the conference and suggest that it be continued in the
principal's or assistant principal's office. Teachers are required to
participate in conferences (Individual, ARD’s, LPAC’s, SAS, etc.) with
parents as requested by their principal or other district administrators.
Telephone conferences are encouraged where proper rapport has been
established between the teacher and parent. Notes and letters also can
serve as an effective method of communication between the school and home.
All unpleasant letters and notes should be shared with the building
principal. Points to be considered when conferencing with parents:
1. Decide in advance items to be
discussed. Assemble a folder of the pupil's work, possibly containing a
check list of the student's strengths and weaknesses.
2. Begin and end the conference
with a positive statement about the student and the student's work.
3. Use clear, simple language to
explain work or goals for the student. Avoid pedagogical expressions such
as "sibling rivalry" and "peer group".
4. Meet privately and arrange to
sit beside the parent rather than behind a desk.
5. Give the parent a chance to
"sound-off."
6. Suggest ways in which the
pupil's work can improve and ways the parent can help rather than finding
fault. Show them examples of their child’s early work and current work.
7. Avoid making comparisons with
the pupil's brothers, sisters, or classmates.
8. Help parents understand that
the student's success in school is a joint project between school and home.
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