TEACHER+SURVEY+DATA

What information did you expect to gain from the interview? || * Information about students that I have not taught before. o Areas of strengths and weaknesses o How the parents can help at home. o How the school will help the child.
 * 1.
 * What student is like at home
 * What kind of leisure activities the student participates in
 * Anything the student is concerned about
 * Focus on what the student would like to be good at in preparation for secondary school.
 * What has the parent heard about the school day or particular subjects
 * Insights into how to manage the student more effectively
 * Any questions that the parent may have about the written report or school life
 * The best way for me to communicate with the parent eg phone, email etc.
 * Parent support for school programs
 * Offers of assistance in areas of the parents expertise
 * Decisions on important areas to focus on for the next semester
 * Would like to hear what the parents are interested in
 * What progress have they noticed this year
 * Collaborative decisions with parents on future learning goals
 * Understand the parents impressions and expectations of the programs at school ||
 * ^  || * Anything relevant re altered situation at home etc if applicable
 * Anything teacher needs to know about student or welfare
 * Any educational testing and the results if a child is being assessed or coached outside of school
 * Any issues for parents, such as child’s compliance with homework, reading, reading log
 * Any impediments to a child’s learning etc
 * Anything positive about the student’s school experience!! ||
 * ^  || * An understanding of parent perspectives, how they perceived their child to be developing.
 * Gain an understanding of any concerns.
 * Develop more of an understanding of parent and family situation so that I can provide the best I can for their child. Situations change regularly so I think this is important. ||
 * ^  || o Child’s progress during semester.

(generally reinforcing information and suggestions made in the child’s report) ||
 * ^  || * Case history / medical history
 * Background information
 * Previous speech pathology assessments and intervention
 * Other assessments ||

What did you find useful about the interview? || * Opportunity to provide ideas to stimulate development
 * 2.
 * Hearing from the student the things that are important to them
 * Watching the student’s level of confidence in participating in the process
 * Gaining the parents’ perspective on the student’s learning ||
 * ^  || * That there weren’t many so close together that you had to “shoo” people out the door
 * I felt more relaxed when there was not too much pressure of time as in the past with interviews 15 minutes apart
 * A chance to share and hear positives as well as plan for improvement ||
 * ^  || * Most useful: was the opportunity to spend time with parents and develop relationships. Parents don’t tend to come and communicate regularly (they come and go) and I find myself too busy to meet with all parents I would like to over the term. I talk to some parents regularly (often relating to behavioural concerns or parents who seem very connected to school). It is a shame there is not more time for some other parents.
 * Gained more of an understanding of family experiences and values. This helps me to understand their child’s better.
 * The opportunity to remind parents in a positive way that learning at home is just as important as at school.
 * Sharing ideas with parents to come up with a plan together to help their child develop. ||
 * ^  || * It is useful for parents to get to know their child’s teacher especially if circumstances prevent this happening on a day to day basis.
 * Clarification of comments made in the school report is useful in a face to face situation.
 * An opportunity to ask questions and discuss any concerns in a confidential environment. ||
 * ^  || * Chance to explore the areas listed in question 1 in more depth
 * Chance to feedback assessment results and student goals and discuss progress ||

In what ways do you think parent-teacher interviews could be improved? || * Commitment to the student being present to discuss their work If parents think they need to see you for longer, they should be encouraged to ask to book a double appointment or make another time ||
 * 3.
 * Change in the venue: to consider home visits to make the interview process easier for parents
 * More interactive by having the opportunity to share work that has been done on the computer by the student
 * Develop a plan that engages families in school life
 * Expectation that it is a partnership and no a one way flow of information from teacher to parent
 * Follow up contact after the initial conference
 * Have something happening at the school to encourage parents to come with their children for example an area where they can have a drink and something to eat and view student work and connect with other families. A BBQ might be a possibility.
 * Less emphasis on conducting them on one afternoon session
 * Know in advance questions from families ||
 * ^  || * It should be made clear to parents that each family is expected to attend either in that week or very soon afterwards. The ones you need to see often don’t make the time to make a time, so you feel like you are putting pressure on them when you instigate a meeting
 * I think we have a lot of time for parents
 * I think we show a lot of care and do a really good job now
 * I give as much time as needed when there a “spaces” in my interview schedule
 * ^  || * I think they should occur more frequently. Maybe once per term. Or other opportunities for parents to come to the school and connect with class and teacher. Parents seem to be pre-occupied or busy. They seem to be willing to be involved when the event refers specifically to their child.
 * Parents could fill out a form before the interview so that they come prepared for the interview- concern, positives, improvements for teacher, questions. (aim to use time given more efficiently). ||
 * ^  || * A reasonable amount of time should be allocated for each interview.
 * Parents should be encouraged to come prepared with any questions or concerns.
 * Teachers should be prepared with constructive comments for individual children.
 * Perhaps a pro forma document with columns outlining key areas of concern, strategies to counter the concerns and a column to revisit at the next meeting to document outcomes. ||
 * ^  || * PSG meetings for individual students
 * Need clear agenda and chairperson to keep meeting on track ||

What kinds of information do you want to find out at the interview? || * What topics the parents would like more information on
 * 4.
 * What family events are they interested in attending
 * Would families come to school if the Library was open either after school or in the evening one day a week
 * Would families appreciate an evening of homework assistance or a telephone help line for issues
 * How families can help with improving areas of the school either inside or outside
 * What fundraising efforts families prefer
 * What the most convenient times are for activities
 * Would families come to a breakfast with the staff once a term or other
 * What improvements families think we could make to the environment at the school and ways they can help achieve this
 * Find out what kind of workshops parents would like to attend ||
 * ^  || * Anything that has or will affect the student’s learning
 * Parent/s view of
 * any issues the student may have
 * the student’s learning etc ||
 * ^  || * How supportive/ responsive parents are towards student learning.
 * What/how learning is occurring at home.
 * How parents perceive their child’s learning to be developing at school.
 * Any information parents are will to share that may effect their child’s learning (i.e. family breakdown). ||
 * ^  || * Observations from the teacher’s perspective.
 * Observations from the parent’s perspective. ||
 * ^  || * Results of previous assessments or intervention
 * What family are willing and or able to do to support therapy goals ||

What types of communication between home and school do you find useful? || * Emails Type in the content of your page here.
 * 5.
 * Phone-calls
 * Parent Support Group meetings
 * Notes
 * Information nights
 * Informal conversations
 * Newsletters
 * Class newspapers
 * Student Thinking books
 * Student Diaries
 * Reader cover wallet
 * Family sessions eg Tribes Welcome BBQ at the beginning of the year
 * Nights held during education week eg Science Activity Evening ||
 * ^  || * Parents letting us know straight away of small issues before they get bigger eg something is going on, child has trouble sleeping, a loved grandparent is dying
 * Parents speaking to the class teacher first, principal second, if there are issues ||
 * ^  || * Communication books
 * Notes
 * Casual chats
 * Fun event nights (encouraging positive bonds between teachers, parents and parents and parents).
 * Parent comments in reports / teacher reports.
 * Parent teacher interviews are very useful.
 * Committee meetings. ||
 * ^  || * It is useful to be able to communicate verbally with the class teacher if and when possible.
 * General information via weekly newsletter and school notices. ||
 * ^  || * Phone contact
 * Written reports and notes ||