In attempting to work towards my smart goal of increasing parent communication I find myself a bit stressed out as some weeks it creates much work for me than time has to offer. I know a few parents have enjoyed receiving regular feedback bi weekly. My goal was to communicate with parents one time per month but I have been trying to stretch it out into two times per month. I have spoken with parents via e-mail, phone conversations, in person, as well through a written progress report format. I have been only keeping record of the ones in which I send out progress reports even though I am in constant e-mails with parents.
As I spend time weekly working on providing feedback to parents, I wonder how beneficial it is for parents. Are parents even looking at it? Are they practicing any of the skill work or ideas I suggest? What is the best way parents like to be contacted?
I have a few families that reply with positive comments and thank me for taking the time to communicate with them. I send most of the progress report forms through e-mail which makes it quite simple, the problem is that not all of them reply to let me know they have received it.
Before the end of the year, my goal is to create a little survey to receive some feedback and hopefully get a better sense in what direction I need to take my parent communication. How is my parental communication in their eyes? What information would they like to hear about more? It has taken a couple hours each week, but hopefully a few parents will become a bit more involved with their child's education.
Good for you Tony for at least trying to increase your parent communication. I as a parent LOVE to receive info by email, but I don't think my son's teacher could ever send me enough.
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