SURVEY+DATA

There were five questions in the survey about 'Home-School Communication'. Question 1 What information did you expect to gain from the interview? Question 2 What did you find useful about your interview? Question 3 In what ways do you think parent-teacher interviews could be improved? Question 4 What kinds of information do you want to find out? Question 5 What types of communication between home and school do you find useful?   Parent Survey Results

Question 1. What information did you expect to gain from the interview? || STUDENT SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR Ø Interaction with adults and peers Ø Specific behavioural issues Ø Happiness displayed by the child Ø Specific friendships Ø General social interaction with other children Ø Participation in class groups Ø Classroom rules || ACADEMIC PROGRESS Ø Child’s style of learning Ø Child’s concentration and level of participation in class Ø Discuss the report Ø Child’s progress through the year/semester Ø Areas for improvement Ø Strengths and weakness of child in areas of learning Ø A knowledge of the standard that was achieved in the previous semester Ø How was this measured? Ø How to prepare my child for Year 7 Ø My child’s opinions as well as the teacher’s opinions of his/her school work in general || ASSESSMENT Ø What types of assessment has been undertaken within the class? Ø What assessment results are available from the Guidance Officer/Speech therapist or other? Ø What intervention is being provided for my child? Ø What extension activities are being provided for my child? Ø Case history/ medical history to be discussed || YEAR LEVEL WORK Ø Activities in the classroom Ø Solo work Ø \Group work Ø The level/standard of work required by child at this grade level Ø Knowledge of class activities from the teacher’s perspective Ø Direction of the next term and what we as parents can do to assist || HOMEWORK Ø Specific issues that relate to my child Ø Any areas we as parents need to concentrate on at home Ø Opportunity for parents to express their opinions Ø Provision of home/background information ||



Parent Survey Results

Question 2 What did you find useful about your interview? || REPORTS || Ø The report was clear and specific || Ø More thorough assessment of information already contained in the report || PARENT / STUDENT / TEACHER PARTICIPATION || Ø Having my child there was better because he/she could also hear what was said and comment on his/her work || Ø Student had good input into the interview || Ø I particularly liked the fact that most of the discussion was between teacher and student which to me showed a relaxed, trusting and open relationship || Ø I would have liked to have not had my child with me for 10 minutes to discuss my worries without being heard, but I know that I can discuss this at anytime with the teacher || THE INTERVIEW PROCESS || Ø The teacher’s feedback on all the areas mentioned in question 1 || Ø The commitment of a time-frame to talk about my child || Ø One on one focus with no distractions || Ø The interview was not time limited and was therefore more relaxed and informative than interviews in the past have been || Ø The opportunity to ask questions of the teacher || Ø Having extra time to discuss a specific relationship issue for my child || Ø That the teachers concerned were thoughtful, informative and very approachable || Ø That my child’s teachers were very aware of my children as individuals and as class members || Ø All of my queries were satisfactorily answered || Ø Clear information provided || Ø Obtain an idea of teacher’s teaching style and how this affects my child || TRANSITION TO YEAR 7 || Ø Preparation and transition into high school || Ø Readiness for high school || CLASS ACTIVITIES || Ø See class displays || Ø See what is written on the board and other visual evidence of teaching and learning || Ø More insight into the classroom set up || Ø Other activities that are being done in the classroom besides the standard (reading, writing, maths etc.) || Ø I learnt about computer skills being developed || Ø To look at drawings, stories, projects etc. || Ø Work books were available to look inside || SOCIAL SKILLS || Ø Behaviour of the class || Ø Having the opportunity to compare class behaviour with home behaviour || Ø Being able to discuss if my child is coping not just academically but socially as well || Ø I can see my child from a different point of view and I learnt about stories and happenings that my child had not told me at home || Ø I learnt about interpersonal learning || Ø Details of how the school manages my child’s behaviour || Ø Having the opportunity to inform the class teacher about my child’s personality which would help in understanding certain class behaviour || Ø Positive feedback in regard to academia (most of communication is via book, when there is something wrong or a detention notice) & improvement in behaviour || STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT || Ø Strengths and weakness of my child in a constructive and safe environment || Ø Learnt what my child thought he/she was having trouble with || Ø Getting an appreciation of how my child fits into the classroom structure || Ø How my child is going at school || Ø Getting an understanding of how my child approaches work and learning || Ø Being able to see my child’s work both completed and in progress and what they are learning || Ø Learnt what my child enjoyed || Ø Found out about areas that my child did not embrace || Ø Gained a good insight into the progression of my child’s learning and areas that have not developed significantly || Ø Learnt information about my child that I was not aware of || Ø Learnt what my child has improve in || IDEAS FOR ASSISTANCE AT HOME || Ø Ideas to help my child manage his/her time more effectively || Ø Learning hints on how to help my child and contribute to new learning || Ø How parents can apply ideas to help with child’s learning eg ways to assist spelling and reading || Ø Discussing what we are doing well at home and what additional work we can do || Ø Follow up on child’s bookwork || Ø Expressed my frustration with homework because of my child’s lack of time-management ||



Parent Survey Results

Question 3. In what ways do you think parent-teacher interviews could be improved? || BEFORE THE INTERVIEW || SATISFACTORY PROCESS || STUDENT PARTICIPATION || LENGTH OF INTERVIEW TIME || INTERVIEW VENUE || 
 * ^  || * Need school reports earlier, I had not sighted the school report until the interview ||
 * ^  || * Portfolio of assessed tasks sent home before interviews and throughout the year. Photos of child on the front of the book and pieces of work and assessed tasks inside. ||
 * ^  || * No improvement needed it was informative from both my child’s report and the class teachers and the integration aides. The staff are ready to talk and helpful. ||
 * ^  || * I have gained the appropriate information with all parent teacher interviews and am satisfied with current practices ||
 * ^  || * Examples of student work need to be shown to the parents ||
 * ^  || * The child should attend the interviews with parents and contribute to discussions on their education. This provides an opportunity for the child to be totally clear of what’s expected and to improve areas if needed. ||
 * ^  || * More than 15 minutes needed ||
 * ^  || * I had 30 minutes but normal length of time given is 15 minutes. I believe 30 minutes is a good length of time and being a small school I believe this could be achieved for children with working parents. ||
 * ^  || * Timing the schedule to allow both parents to attend as in more evening availability ||
 * ^  || * Longer interviews if needed ||
 * ^  || * More time allocated for children who are having difficulties ||
 * ^  || * Have at home interviews with the teachers ||
 * ^  || * Have a relaxed place with more time because sometimes when parents are waiting nearby in can interrupt the conversation and the situation becomes uncomfortable ||
 * ^  || * If parents can’t attend the interview perhaps an email system could be set up to convey information of importance ||

Parent Survey Results Continued

Question 3. In what ways do you think parent-teacher interviews could be improved? || INTERVIEW DISCUSSION ITEMS || Topics / subjects covered over the year ie. Levels of maths/science Safety issues What needs to be completed to have a successful year || FEEDBACK AFTER THE INTERVIEW ||
 * ^  || * In the limited time available spend less time reviewing the written student report and spend more time discussing specific objectives and methods to improve the student’s knowledge or learning ability in the areas of most need ||
 * ^  || * Have an agenda of discussion topics to be covered in the parent-teacher interview. Often as parents there are so many areas that could be discussed but it would be good to know what areas are the best ones to talk about ||
 * ^  || * All teachers should know where the child is at ||
 * ^  || * Being unfamiliar with the curriculum it is hard to know what the teacher is trying to achieve with my child. Perhaps a brief run down of what is happening at that particular level and where it is going. ||
 * ^  || * More information about class program and what planning to do to help the child to make the learning easier ||
 * ^  || * Have a plan to follow up specific issues ||
 * ^  || * A clearer action plan about what will happen next and is then updated ||
 * ^  || * Having access to test rests, so that we can see strengths and weaknesses ||
 * ^  || * If child has been hurt by another child, would like to hear from school, not child ||
 * ^  || * Information sheet on:
 * ^  || * Include discussion on the homework requirements for the year level ||
 * ^  || * Provide a dot point summary of issues discussed at the interview to reduce the information overload. This would be different information to the report as often new information comes up at the interview ||
 * ^  || * Ongoing updates on how child is progressing in areas of work which needs improving ||



Parent Survey Results

Question 4 What kinds of information do you want to find out? || All areas were discussed adequately in question 1. || SCHOOL POLICIES || SPECIALIST SUBJECTS || TIME-TABLES || Prior to the interview have a sheet indicating areas required for discussion || Subject area: Discussion points needed English Yes / No Mathematics Yes / No etc Humanities Science LOTE P.E. Classroom behaviour Focus points for improvement: Reading Spelling etc. Homework || SOCIAL ISSUES || ACADEMIC LEARNING || SUPPORT AT HOME ||
 * ^  || * School policies regarding education ||
 * ^  || * Some discussion on how he / she is going in other strands of learning is important Art / Music etc. ||
 * ^  || * Timetables for the week including the subjects ||
 * ^  || * Are there any activities planned for indoors on wet days during lunch and recess break times? ||
 * ^  || * Are there any activities planned for outdoor activities during lunch breaks? ||
 * ^  || * Child’s level of interaction with other students and adults ||
 * ^  || * Is my child feeling confident ||
 * ^  || * Whether the child is happy in the class and school environment ||
 * ^  || * I want to learn everything both good and bad about my child’s learning and behaviour at school because the child’s attitude is sometimes different to what is seen at home with the parents ||
 * ^  || * I would like to know immediately when the teacher notices any changes in my child’s behaviour ||
 * ^  || * What steps are being taken to prevent bullying? ||
 * ^  || * Be informed if any bullying or violence happening against my child ||
 * ^  || * An overall information on all subjects ||
 * ^  || * Areas my child displays interest ||
 * ^  || * How my child is going relative to their age group which could be different to their peers ||
 * ^  || * How my child’s academic progress compares with the rest of the class ||
 * ^  || * Issues the teacher is having ||
 * ^  || * In the areas of underachievement, how are they measured, what are the expectations, what are the major blockers to the student achieving the standard and methods / tasks that can be undertaken to improve the student’s knowledge and desire to learn and improve ||
 * ^  || * How the teacher intends to adjust my child’s learning to suit his/her needs ||
 * ^  || * If my child was performing to the best of his / her ability ||
 * ^  || * Rather than general information such as your child excels in English but struggles in Maths provide examples of each to show parents more detail ||
 * ^  || * Updates on levels for Maths, English and Writing ||
 * ^  || * Naplan testing provides us with a good account of his skills in Maths and English so time does not need to be heavily devoted to how he / she is going in these areas ||
 * ^  || * What kinds of software does the school use? ||
 * ^  || * What programs, projects / topics being taught for the term? ||
 * ^  || * We as parents are concerned at how connected our child is to learning ||
 * ^  || * Areas that my child is working well in ||
 * ^  || * Is my child happy to attempt new tasks? ||
 * ^  || * Can my child ask for assistance when needed? ||
 * ^  || * Is the classroom environment supporting or hindering my child? ||
 * ^  || * I would also like to be informed of progress in areas that I have been asked to support at home ||
 * ^  || * What games are being played so that we can play them at home? ||
 * ^  || * How can we as parents help with transition to Year 7 and other levels within the school? ||
 * ^  || * Relevant information to help my child with school work etc. ||
 * ^  || * Upcoming work to assist with forward planning for helping at home ||
 * ^  || * Homework / Assignments ||
 * ^  || * What maths are my children learning so that I can give them extra work at home? ||
 * ^  || * Information on developing language skills ||



Parent Survey Results

Question 5. What types of communication between home and school do you find useful? || Ø  Assemblies || Ø Class newsletter each term || Ø Communication book is useful for feedback, any achievements / concerns can be readily communicated both by parent and by teacher Ø Reinforcement of verbal communication regarding upcoming events / issues || Ø Conversations with the teacher before and after school to address issues straightaway and to have general conversations || Ø Student diary || Ø Emails are excellent as both parent and teacher can reply in their own time Ø Emails should be sent regarding general activities and specific information that requires a reply as newsletters and flyers often don’t come home Ø Parent/teacher discussions could be emailed to record specific issues || Ø Flyers || Ø Homework diary || Ø Letters with expectations for that year Ø Letters either by myself or the child’s teacher Ø Quick notes || Ø Newsletters to detail events a term in advance || Ø Personal appointment time so I can hear and discuss directly face to face is better than phone because then I can read the on-verbals and have the feeling I am being heard Ø Weekly or fortnightly scheduled appointments with class teacher if there are problems || Ø Personal phone calls Ø Useful when there is a shift in happiness/commitment or the child is unsettled or unco-operative || Ø Reading log || Ø School reports and interview || Ø Teacher’s comments in child’s workbooks || Ø The teachers could add a page in the newsletter related to the work achieved in their class that week || Ø Teacher handing out important notices || Ø Teacher approaching either parent regarding learning or upcoming events || Ø Themes studied ||