When parents and teachers see different points of view on deciding which behavior interventions to use there is a need to write down the specific options that are needed to be explored and make decisions. If the parent faults the teacher it’s important to describe specifically what the parent is saying. Ask parents for permission to record their comments as they describe them during the conference. You can do his by writing down on a scratch pad the specific problems the parents are concerned with. After the parent finishes the comments turn the scratch pad around to have the parent validate and verify her/his comments. You cannot follow through and correct a situation or solve a problem if you’re really not clear exactly what the problem is. After the parent has validated everything you have said, concur and begin to target and timeline each of the areas in dispute.

– Gene Bedley