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Parent-teacher conferences: a guide for families
A conference is a short meeting where you and the teacher talk about your child. You know your child at home. The teacher knows your child at school. Together you make a plan. This page helps you get ready, ask good questions and know what to do next.
General information. Your school sets the dates, length and format of conferences. If anything here and your school's rules differ, your school's rules win.
Before, during and after: your checklist
Print it or check it off here. Check marks stay only on this device.
📝 Before
💬 During
✅ After
12 good questions to ask
Pick the 3 that matter most for your child. You do not need to ask all of them.
🧸 Grades K-2
- What does my child do well when reading out loud?
- Which math facts or counting skills are we working on now?
- How does my child get along and share with others?
🎒 Grades 3-5
- Which skills will be on the spring NYS tests this year, and how is my child doing on them?
- Can you show me one piece of writing and what would make it stronger?
- How long should homework take each night?
📓 Grades 6-8
- Which class needs the most attention right now, and why?
- Are there missing assignments, and can they still be turned in?
- How can my child ask you for help during the school day?
🎓 Grades 9-12
- Is my child on track for credits and Regents exams for the diploma they want?
- Which classes or exams should we plan for next year?
- Who is the school counselor, and when should we meet?
3 questions that work in every grade
- “What is one thing my child does really well?”
- “What is the next skill my child is working on?”
- “What is one thing we can do at home that would help most?”
How to read what the teacher shows you
Teachers often show 3 kinds of information. Each one tells a different part of the story.
Grades
A number grade (like 85) or a standards grade (like 1 to 4). Ask: “Is this an average of many tasks, or one test?”
NYS test levels
The state tests in grades 3-8 English and math report Levels 1 to 4. NYSED says Level 3 or 4 means proficient. Level 1 and 2 mean not yet proficient.
Reading levels
Schools use different reading level systems (letters, numbers or other scales). Ask: “Which system is this? What level is expected at this time of year?”
One page, three stories
A grade 6 teacher shows a parent this made-up math information:
| What | Shows |
|---|---|
| Quiz scores this term | 78, 85, 92 |
| Last spring NYS math test | Level 2 |
| Unit check on ratios | “Not yet” on 2 of 10 questions |
What the parent learns: quiz scores are going up (good news to share at home). Last spring's Level 2 is an older picture. The 2 “not yet” questions show the exact skill to practice next.
Good question to ask: “Can you show me the 2 ratio questions, so we can practice that kind at home?”
How to ask for a free interpreter
🗣️ Your language rights in New York
- Families of English Language Learners (ELLs): New York's rule, Part 154 of the Commissioner's Regulations, says districts must meet with each ELL family at least once a year, in addition to parent-teacher conferences, with a qualified interpreter or translator in the language the parent best understands (8 NYCRR § 154-2.3(f)(5)).
- NYSED's Parents' Bill of Rights for ELL families lists the right, under federal law, to a qualified interpreter or translator in your preferred language.
- Every family: if you prefer a language other than English, ask the school. Ask who handles language help in your district and how to request it.
An interpreter is a trained adult. Your child should not have to interpret for you. A child can listen and be part of the talk instead.
- Ask early. As soon as you get the conference date, tell the school which language you want.
- Ask in writing. A short note or email (see the next part) gives you a record.
- Say the language and dialect, for example “Spanish” or “Haitian Creole”.
- Ask how it will work: in person, by phone, or by video.
- On the day: speak to the teacher, not the interpreter, and use short sentences.
A note you can copy and send:
Need more help? Read our ENL family guide or NYSED's Parents' Bill of Rights for ELL families (available in many languages).
Two example conversations
These are made up. They show a calm, friendly way to talk. Use your own words.
Example 1 · Grade 6 math
TeacherThanks for coming. Your child is kind to classmates and always tries the warm-up.
ParentThank you. At home my child says ratios are confusing. Can you show me where?
TeacherSure. On this unit check, 8 of 10 are right. These 2 are “not yet”. Both are rate tables.
ParentWhat is one thing we can do at home?
TeacherTen minutes, three nights a week. Use the Goal100 ratio lesson and the I'm stuck button. Then try a fresh check.
ParentGreat. Can I email you in 4 weeks to see how it is going?
TeacherYes, please do.
The plan: 10 min × 3 nights = 30 minutes a week, check in after 4 weeks.
Example 2 · Grade 3 reading, with an interpreter
InterpreterHello. I will say everything in both languages. Please speak in short sentences.
Parent(to the teacher) How is my child's reading?
TeacherYour child loves animal books and understands stories well. We are working on reading longer words.
ParentI don't read English well. How can I help at home?
TeacherRead together in your home language every night. Talking about books in any language helps. Your child can also use the Listen button in Goal100.
ParentThank you. Who do I call if I have a question?
TeacherCall the main office and ask for an interpreter. They will connect us.
The plan: read together 15 minutes a night in any language.
What to do next: a 3-step plan
- Within 1 day
1 · Share and write down
Tell your child one kind thing the teacher said. Write the 1 or 2 next steps you agreed on.
- This week
2 · Start one small habit
Pick one habit you can keep, like 15 minutes of reading or one Goal100 lesson step.
- In 4 to 6 weeks
3 · Check in
Send a short note: “We have been doing ___. Are you seeing a change?”
How much time is a small habit?
Small and steady adds up. Five hours is like a whole extra school day of practice on one skill.
Helping with homework after the conference? See Homework help without doing it for them.
Questions people ask
Can I ask for a meeting at another time of year?
Yes, you can ask. Email or call the teacher or the school office and ask for a time to talk.
I can't come during the school day. What can I do?
Ask if a phone or video meeting, or another time, is possible. Many schools try to work with family schedules.
Should my child come?
Some schools invite students, and some hold student-led conferences. Ask the school what they do. If your child does not come, tell them one kind thing the teacher said.
What if I disagree with the teacher?
Stay calm and ask to see the work. Say: “Help me understand how you saw this.” If you still have questions, ask who else you can talk to, like the school counselor or principal.
Can Goal100 show the teacher my child's progress?
Progress stays on your child's device. Your child can make a “Send to my teacher” code and share it. Nothing is sent unless your child shares the code. See How we protect your child.
Official sources
Rules can change. If a link and this page ever disagree, the official page wins.
- 8 NYCRR Subpart 154-2 (NYSED), including § 154-2.3(f)(5) annual parent meeting with a qualified interpreter/translator and § 154-2.2 definition of qualified interpreter/translator: https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/bilingual-ed/terms-154-2-effective-2015-16-and-after.pdf (checked Nov 7, 2026)
- NYSED Parents' Bill of Rights for New York State's English Language Learners and Multilingual Learners: https://www.nysed.gov/bilingual-ed/parents/parent-bill-rights (checked Nov 7, 2026)
- NYSED 2026 performance levels and scale score ranges, grades 3-8: https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/state-assessment/3-8-performance-levels-scale-score-ranges-2026.pdf (checked Nov 7, 2026)
- NYSED parent FAQ about grades 3-8 tests: https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/state-assessment/2025-faq-for-parents-3-8-tests.pdf (checked Nov 7, 2026)
- NYSED state assessment parent resources: https://www.nysed.gov/state-assessment/parent-resources (checked Nov 7, 2026)