Clear, effective communication with your child’s teachers and others at school can help your child succeed.
Click on a grade level below to find resources to help you have good communication with your child’s school.
Preschool and Kindergarten
Articles
- Building A Bright Future for All: Success in Early Learning Programs and Elementary Schools for Immigrant Families
This document provides information for staff, parents, and guardians about how to build successful early learning programs and elementary schools that serve immigrant families.
(2016) U.S. Dept. of Education - Conference Time! Talking to Your Child’s Teacher or Caregiver
Many parents feel nervous about parent-teacher conferences or other talks with their children’s teachers or caregivers. Here are some parent-tested hints to help you have good meetings with the people at your child’s program. (Also available in Spanish, Polish, and Korean)
(2015) Illinois Early Learning Project - Connecting with Parents: “But He Doesn’t Do That at Home!”
Parents seem stunned when you tell them you would like to find ways to help their child get along better at school. Here are some suggestions that may help when parents say, “He doesn’t do that at home!” (Also available in Spanish and Polish)
(2015) Illinois Early Learning Project - Handbook on Family and Community Engagement
This collection of brief papers covers a wide range of topics related to family and community engagement, including the “curriculum of the home,” parents as leaders, and students’ readiness for college and career.
(2011) Academic Development Institute - Parents: 19 Meaningful Questions You Should Ask Your Child’s Teacher
Consider asking one or more of these questions at the beginning of the school year.
(2016) Terry Heick for Edutopia - Parents’ Guide to Student Success: Kindergarten
National PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end of kindergarten in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. Tips for communicating with your child’s teacher are included.
(2011) National PTA - When the Teacher Calls
If your child’s teacher contacts you about a problem, keep in mind that the teacher probably wants your help because you know your child better than anyone else. (Also available in Spanish and Polish)
(2008) Illinois Early Learning Project
Videos / webinars
- Know what is happening with your child’s education. Stay in contact with your child’s school staff. (Also available in Spanish)
(2015) Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Parental Information and Resource Center, and Georgia Public Broadcasting
Podcasts
- Healthy Children Radio: Does Your Child Hate School?
In this 10 minute podcast, a pediatrician addresses what parents can do to help a child who dislikes, or even avoids, attending school. Click on Download to avoid pre-podcast commercial.
(2013) RAdio MD
Websites
- Understood
The website UNDERSTOOD contains information that may be of interest to families with students who have learning and/or attention issues. They offer many suggestions for Partnering with Your Child’s School.
(2016)
Elementary School
Articles
- Building A Bright Future for All: Success in Early Learning Programs and Elementary Schools for Immigrant Families
This document provides information for staff, parents, and guardians about how to build successful early learning programs and elementary schools that serve immigrant families.
(2016) U.S. Dept. of Education - Conference Time! Talking to Your Child’s Teacher or Caregiver
Many parents feel nervous about parent-teacher conferences or other talks with their children’s teachers or caregivers. Here are some parent-tested hints to help you have good meetings with the people at your child’s program. (Also available in Spanish, Polish, and Korean)
(2015) Illinois Early Learning Project - Parents: 19 Meaningful Questions You Should Ask Your Child’s Teacher
Consider asking one or more of these questions at the beginning of the school year.
(2016) Terry Heick for Edutopia - Parents’ Guide to Student Success: 2nd Grade
PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end of 2nd grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. Tips are provided about communicating with your child’s teacher.
(2011) National PTA - Parents’ Guide to Student Success: 3rd Grade
National PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end of 3rd grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. Tips for communicating with your child’s teacher are included.
(2011) National PTA - Parents’ Guide to Student Success: 4th Grade
National PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end of 4th grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. Tips for communicating with your child’s teacher are included.
(2011) National PTAParents’ Guide to Student Success: 5th Grade
National PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end of 5th grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. Tips for communicating with your child’s teacher are included.
(2011) National PTAParents’ Guide to Student Success: 6th Grade
National PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end of 6th grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. The article includes tips for communication with your child’s teacher.
(2011) National PTA - When the Teacher Calls
If your child’s teacher contacts you about a problem, keep in mind that the teacher probably wants your help because you know your child better than anyone else. (Also available in Spanish and Polish)
(2008) Illinois Early Learning Project
Videos / webinars
- Illinois State Board of Education Welcome Back to School for Families
Welcome back video for families from State Superintendent Smith.
(2016) ISBE - Keep in Touch With The School
Know what is happening with your child’s education. Stay in contact with your child’s school staff. (Also available in Spanish)
(2015) Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Parental Information and Resource Center, and Georgia Public Broadcasting - What is Response to Intervention (RTI)/Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Information for Families
These videos/webinars provide information about the components of Response to Intervention(RTI)/Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for families.
(2012) Family Matters and Illinois State Board of Education
Podcasts
- Healthy Children Radio: Does Your Child Hate School?
In this 10 minute podcast, a pediatrician addresses what parents can do to help a child who dislikes, or even avoids, attending school. Click on Download to avoid pre-podcast commercial.
(2013) Radio MD
Websites
- Understood
The website UNDERSTOOD contains information that may be of interest to families with students who have learning and/or attention issues. They offer many suggestions for Partnering with Your Child’s School.
(2016)
Middle School
Articles
- Parents: 19 Meaningful Questions You Should Ask Your Child’s Teacher
Consider asking one or more of these questions at the beginning of the school year.
(2016) Terry Heick for Edutopia - Parents’ Guide to Student Success: 7th Grade
National PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end of 7th grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. Tips for communicating with your child’s teachers are included.
(2011) National PTA - Parents’ Guide to Student Success: 8th Grade
National PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn by the end of 8th grade in mathematics and English language arts/literacy. Tips for communicating with your child’s teachers are included.
(2011) National PTA - When the Teacher Calls
If your child’s teacher contacts you about a problem, keep in mind that the teacher probably wants your help because you know your child better than anyone else. (Also available in Spanish and Polish)
(2008) Illinois Early Learning Project
Videos / webinars
- Illinois State Board of Education Welcome Back to School for Families
Welcome back video for families from State Superintendent Smith.
(2016) ISBE - Keep in Touch With The School
Know what is happening with your child’s education. Stay in contact with your child’s school staff. (Also available in Spanish)
(2015) Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Parental Information and Resource Center, and Georgia Public Broadcasting - What is Response to Intervention (RTI)/Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Information for Families
These videos/webinars provide information about the components of Response to Intervention(RTI)/Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for families.
(2012) Family Matters and Illinois State Board of Education
Podcasts
- Healthy Children Radio: Does Your Child Hate School?
In this 10 minute podcast, a pediatrician addresses what parents can do to help a child who dislikes, or even avoids, attending school. Click on Download to avoid pre-podcast commercial.
(2013) Radio MD
Websites
- Understood
The website UNDERSTOOD contains information that may be of interest to families with students who have learning and/or attention issues. They offer many suggestions for Partnering with Your Child’s School.
(2016)
High School
Articles
- 10 Ways to Help Your Child Succeed in High School
This article provides a range of detailed suggestions for ways parents can help their teens do well in school.
Kids Health - National PTA: Parents’ Guide to Student Success
National PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn during high school in mathematics. Tips for communicating with your child’s teachers are included.
(2011) National PTA - Parents: 19 Meaningful Questions You Should Ask Your Child’s Teacher
Consider asking one or more of these questions at the beginning of the school year.
(2016) Terry Heick for Edutopia - Parents’ Guide to Student Success: High School English
National PTA provides an overview of what your child will learn during high school in English language arts. Tips for communicating with your child’s teachers.
(2011) National PTA - When the Teacher Calls
If your child’s teacher contacts you about a problem, keep in mind that the teacher probably wants your help because you know your child better than anyone else. (Also available in Spanish and Polish)
(2008) Illinois Early Learning Project
Videos / webinars
- Illinois State Board of Education Welcome Back to School for Families
Welcome back video for families from State Superintendent Smith.
(2016) ISBE - Keep in Touch With The School
Know what is happening with your child’s education. Stay in contact with your child’s school staff. (Also available in Spanish)
(2015) Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Parental Information and Resource Center, and Georgia Public Broadcasting - What is Response to Intervention (RTI)/Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Information for Families
These videos/webinars provide information about the components of Response to Intervention(RTI)/Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) for families.
(2012) Family Matters and Illinois State Board of Education
Podcasts
- Healthy Children Radio: Does Your Child Hate School?
In this 10 minute podcast, a pediatrician addresses what parents can do to help a child who dislikes, or even avoids, attending school. Click on Download to avoid pre-podcast commercial.
(2013) Radio MD
Websites
- Understood
The website UNDERSTOOD contains information that may be of interest to families with students who have learning and/or attention issues. They offer many suggestions for Partnering with Your Child’s School.
(2016)
