What do you ask at your parent teacher conference?

[invisibleink]

Are there specific things you expect to find out? Do you ask if the teacher doeant tell you or are we not allowed? WHAT exactly do you want to know? Or do you just let the teacher lead the conversation and not ask anything on the basis that they will tell you if they need to?

I think the teacher will talk and then we can follow up with any questions after that is that how it usually goes?

What should I be asking or finding out?

[Over40]

I assume you mean a parents evening type of meeting??
I always start by asking the parents if they have any specific questions. You only have 10 mins and it can be annoying if at the end they suddenly come out with a long list of issues.
At this time of year all you will get is a general "how have they settled in" type of discussion, which is fine! If you do have anything you need to discuss that will take more than 10 mins (and I MEAN 10 mins not 15 or 20) then ask to make an appointment at a different time. I have learnt to be ruthless with the timing. It may only be an extra 5 mins to one parent but by the end of the evening it means the last parents are waiting an hour for their appointment and I am knackered with the caretaker throwing me dirty looks through the door!