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Home : 2003 : January : 29

Conference
By Amanda K.

Here's what I would do at the conference:

I would reiterate the fact that this child is getting quite a bit of extra help in math at school, but does not seem to be paying attention even during this extra help and therefore
is not gaining any knowledge. I would then ask the mother if she has noticed this at home when they are working on their extra work (which they obviously aren't, but maybe you can get some guilty feelings there by putting it back on her). Then, say that you have been concerned because you have sent this extra work home and none of it is coming back. Tell the mother in no uncertain

terms that if this child does not get all the help she can get, at home included, and increase her performance, she will not be going to fourth grade next year. Period. And ask the mom for some follow-up support from home re: the girl's inattentiveness in class and tutoring. You can help this child all you want, but she is old enough to take responsibility for her education and start paying attention to you.

I really don't think that there is anything else you can tell her that you haven't already done. Quite frankly, this child sounds like she will meet the requirements for special ed. placement when she is tested. You've done quite a bit for her already, and her problems sound more like they are coming from home than from school. Do not feel you need to make mom happy... you have done everything you can from your end. It's time for mom to step up to the plate and take some of the responsibility for this. You should not have to feel like there is anything more you should do.