Parent Action Plan Worksheet

Use this worksheet to draft a SMART communication goal and an action plan for partnering with your child’s teacher.

1. Identify Your Communication Goal

1. Describe your specific communication goal. (e.g., “I will schedule a phone call with Ms. Lee to discuss reading progress.”)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. Why is this goal relevant to your child’s learning and your partnership with the teacher?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Make It SMART

For the goal above, complete each SMART component:

• Specific: What exactly will you do?
  
  
  
  
• Measurable: How will you know you’ve succeeded?
  
  
  
  
• Achievable: What resources or supports will help you reach this goal?
  
  
  
  
• Relevant: How does this goal align with your child’s needs?
  
  
  
  
• Time-bound: By what date will you complete this goal?
  
  
  
  

3. Action Steps & Timeline

List the key steps you will take and assign a target date to each.

4. Anticipate Barriers & Supports

What challenges might come up? How will you address them? What support do you need (e.g., teacher collaboration, materials, time)?

5. Reflection & Next Steps

After you’ve pursued your goal, how will you evaluate its effectiveness? What follow-up will you schedule with the teacher?

6. Peer Feedback

Share your plan with another parent. Note one suggestion they gave:

Your Signature: ___________________________ Date: _______________

Scenario Role-Play Cards

Use these cards in small groups to practice effective parent–teacher communication strategies. Read your scenario aloud, assume the role assigned, and apply the strategies you learned. After the role-play, discuss as a group what went well and what could be improved.

Scenario 1: Late Homework Concerns

The teacher notices that your child, Alex, frequently turns in homework late. You (as the parent) want to discuss how to help Alex develop better study habits without making them feel blamed.

Roles:
• Parent: Express concern and ask open-ended questions.
• Teacher: Share observations and suggest strategies.
• Observer: Note use of active listening and clear messaging.

Notes/Strategy Ideas:

Scenario 2: Behavioral Challenges

The teacher calls to report that your child, Maya, has been disruptive during group activities. You (as the parent) want to understand the triggers and collaborate on a plan to support positive behavior.

Roles:
• Parent: Show empathy and ask for examples.
• Teacher: Explain specific incidents and possible solutions.
• Observer: Look for mutual respect & empathy cues.

Notes/Strategy Ideas:

Scenario 3: Academic Struggle in Math

During a progress update, the teacher mentions that your child, Sam, is falling behind in math. You (as the parent) want to request additional resources and set up regular check-ins to monitor progress.

Roles:
• Parent: Use “I” statements and propose SMART check-in goals.
• Teacher: Offer resource suggestions and agree on a follow-up schedule.
• Observer: Notice clarity of messaging and time-bound planning.

Notes/Strategy Ideas:

Scenario 4: Language & Cultural Barriers

You’re a non-English speaking parent, and you’ve missed important information sent via email. The teacher (playing the teacher role) is unaware of this barrier. You (as the parent) want to ask for translation support and clearer communication methods.

Roles:
• Parent: Politely explain the challenge and suggest preferred methods.
• Teacher: Respond with empathy and propose solutions.
• Observer: Watch for scheduling check-ins and confirming understanding.

Notes/Strategy Ideas:

Scenario 5: Special Accommodations Request

Your child, Jordan, has ADHD and needs accommodations for class assignments. You (as the parent) want to clarify what supports are in place and ensure consistency at home and school.

Roles:
• Parent: Ask specific questions about accommodations.
• Teacher: Describe current supports and request parent ideas.
• Observer: Track use of active listening and mutual respect.

Notes/Strategy Ideas:

Scenario 6: Bullying Concern

Your child, Leo, has mentioned being bullied during recess. You (as the parent) want to discuss the situation with the teacher without sounding accusatory.

Roles:
• Parent: Express concern calmly and request collaboration.
• Teacher: Offer context and propose next steps.
• Observer: Listen for clear messaging and solution-focused tone.

Notes/Strategy Ideas:

After completing each role-play, rotate roles and repeat. Reflect on which strategies were most effective and how you might adapt them in real conversations with your child’s teacher.

Parent-Teacher Communication Tips Handout

Use this handout to review the four key strategies for effective parent–teacher communication. Refer to these tips as you practice with the Scenario Role-Play Cards and draft your goals on the Parent Action Plan Worksheet.

Why Strong Communication Matters

• Builds trust and partnership between home and school
• Helps you stay informed and advocate for your child’s needs
• Ensures consistent support and shared expectations

1. Active Listening

• Give full attention: Put away devices, maintain eye contact, nod.
• Reflect & confirm: “So what I hear you saying is…”
• Ask open-ended questions: “Can you tell me more about how that looked?”
• Example: Instead of jumping to solutions, say: “Help me understand what’s most challenging for Sam in math.”

2. Clear Messaging

• Be concise & specific: Focus on one topic at a time.
• Use “I” statements: “I’ve noticed Alex’s homework is late three times this week.”
• Confirm understanding: “Does that make sense from your perspective?”
• Example: Rather than “My child needs more help,” say: “Can we schedule a 15-minute weekly check-in to review Maya’s reading progress?”

3. Scheduling Check-Ins

• Set regular touchpoints: Weekly email, biweekly phone call, monthly meeting.
• Agree on method & time: Choose phone, email or video; send an agenda in advance.
• Respect everyone’s schedule: Offer 2–3 time slots; confirm at least 24 hours ahead.
• Example: “Could we meet every first Tuesday at 4 p.m. for a quick update on Jordan’s accommodations?”

4. Mutual Respect & Empathy

• Acknowledge perspectives: “I understand classroom time is limited.”
• Validate feelings: “I see you’ve tried that approach already—thank you.”
• Keep tone calm & solution-focused: Focus on “how can we help?” not “who’s at fault?”
• Example: “I imagine balancing all students’ needs is challenging. How can I support you at home?”

Bonus Quick Tips

• Prepare an agenda: List 2–3 topics before each meeting.
• Share positive feedback: Start with something that’s working well.
• Follow up in writing: Send a brief summary by email.
• Be culturally sensitive: Clarify language preferences and communication norms.

Next Steps

1. Practice: Use the Scenario Role-Play Cards to try out these tips in real-life situations.
2. Plan: Draft SMART goals on the Parent Action Plan Worksheet.
3. Reflect: Complete the Feedback and Reflection Form after your first check-in.
4. Review: Refer back to the Team-Up Success Slides for more examples and reminders.

Feedback and Reflection Form

Thank you for participating in the Team Up for Success workshop. Your feedback helps us improve and supports your growth as an effective partner in your child’s education.

1. Workshop Feedback

1. What did you find most valuable in today’s workshop?
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. What questions or concerns remain after today’s session?
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Reflection on Communication Strategies

3. Which strategy (or strategies) from the workshop will you apply in your next conversation with your child’s teacher?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. How confident are you in using these strategies? (Circle one)

1 2 3 4 5
(Not confident)         (Very confident)

3. Reflection on Your Action Plan

5. Briefly describe your next steps or progress on your SMART action plan:
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
6. How did feedback from a peer help you refine your plan?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Suggestions for Improvement

7. What changes or additions could make this workshop more helpful for parents?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
8. Are there any additional resources or supports you would like the school to provide?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Additional Comments

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback and commitment to partnering with your child’s teacher!