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Parents
Advise For Parents and Teachers
Talk to your child's teacher Address the teacher directly before school problems have time to fester. Most teachers will respond to a polite parent. Only if your child's teacher does not listen to you should you speak to the school counselor or principal.
Don't be confrontational Your child's education can be an emotional issue, but try to talk about it with a clear head and a calm voice. Save your nuclear bombs for when you need them.
Look to your child More than anyone else, your child knows what is going on in school. Don't ask leading questions like “Is Mrs. Smith a bad teacher? But do ask, How was your day? and listen for hints that anything is amiss. And in the early grades, look out for avoidance behavior, like sudden illness.
Attend parent-teacher conferences Conferences provide neutral territory for a discussion of your child's education. Prepare by writing a list of topics that you want to discuss, and share that list with the teacher.
Ask for specifics If the teacher claims that your child has difficulty with homework, classroom behavior or social issues at school, ask for suggestions on how to help your child.
Find a way to observe Get into the classroom yourself; watch what techniques the teacher uses to manage the class, and his or her teaching style.