Providence Schools Make Parent-Teacher Conferences Mandatory for Educators This Fall

Providence Schools Make Parent-Teacher Conferences Mandatory for Educators This Fall

Rhode Island Commissioner of Education Angélica Infante-Greene and Providence Superintendent Harrison Peters announced on Tuesday that all Providence Public School District teachers must participate in parent-teacher conferences this fall, even if those conferences are held after regular business hours. 

Previously, teacher participation in after-hours conferences was optional. 

“We know that parent and guardian involvement is critical to student success, and parent-teacher conferences are the bedrock for all family engagement in schools,” said Peters. “This fundamental change in our approach to conferences is an important step in improving academic outcomes. Informed parents are our best allies.” 

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This announcement comes after Peters approached the Providence Teachers Union (PTU) about making teacher participation mandatory. Conferences will be held the week of November 30 and delivered via zoom at times that are convenient to families. 

"We believe that meeting with families and caretakers is part of our professional responsibilities as educators," said PTU President Maribeth Calabro. "Different schools have identified ways to carve out that time for teachers and by doing it virtually we are able to be more accommodating to the schedules of the families we serve."

"Having the flexibility to complete the conferences over time is also an opportunity to provide more choices for our families," she added. "If an educator is unable to fulfill an after school obligation on a particular day the expectation is that they notify their administrator with that information and complete during another time."

About Engagement

“Robust and effective family engagement is critical to our students’ success,” said Infante-Greene. “Our parents and guardians deserve to have a space to ask questions and receive answers, while our teachers can use that time for feedback. In order to best serve our kids, we need to have conversations that start in these conferences and should continue all year long.” 

In support of this initiative, the school district and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) are holding a series of community engagement meetings via zoom that explore effective parent-teacher conferences as well as expectations for graduating students. Interpretation will be provided at all sessions.  

November 21, 2020 

Topic: Effective and Efficient Parent-Teacher Conferences 

Time: 12:00PM-1:30PM 

Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/97109957167 

Meeting ID: 971 0995 7167 

833 548 0282 US Toll-free 

 

November 23, 2020 

Topic: Profile of a Graduate  

Time: 6:00PM-7:30PM 

Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/94961731426 

Meeting ID: 949 6173 1426 

877 853 5247 US Toll-free 

 

November 24, 2020 

Topic: Effective and Efficient Parent-Teacher Conferences 

Time: 6:00PM-7:30PM 

Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/92856612301 

Meeting ID: 928 5661 2301 

888 788 0099 US Toll-free 

 

The community engagement opportunities will also touch upon key areas of work since November 2019, when the state enacted a turnaround model for Providence Public Schools. For more information on turnaround efforts, visit 4pvdkids.com to read the Turnaround Action Plan.