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Today’s guest post comes from the National PTA, a member of the Learning First Alliance. The largest volunteer child advocacy association in the nation, PTA reminds our country of its obligations to children and provides parents and families with a powerful voice to speak on behalf of every child. It also provides tools for parents to help their children be successful students.

So often we hear complaints from parents and teachers that the other is not doing their job. It is hard for teachers to understand the strengths and challenges of parents, and parents often feel like outsiders in the school world.

Breaking down barriers, fostering positive communication between teachers and parents, and having engaged families will lead to better outcomes for students. Research shows that family engagement promotes student success. Students with engaged parents are more likely to earn higher grades and pass their classes, attend school regularly and have better social skills, and go on to postsecondary education. When families, teachers and schools find ways to work together, student achievement improves, teacher morale rises, communication increases, and family, school, and community connections multiply.

Parents want what is best for their children, and teachers do too. The more teachers and parents talk to each other, work with one another and remember that the child is the focus, the more successful that child will be. And we can all use some help on how to make that happen. Here are some tips that can help parents foster a positive relationship with their child's teacher.

• Find time to share your experiences with school and how that has shaped your perception about parent teacher relationships. Talk about how you think schools differ from when or where you attended.
• Discuss with the teacher what you think are the most important challenges facing schools in your community and what strengths your school and community have to meet these challenges?
• Communicate with your child’s teacher(s) early and often. Send emails or handwritten notes. If you prefer direct contact, establish a regular time to visit or call the teacher to set up a time that works for you and the teacher. If something happens in the home that may affect classroom performance, let the teacher know immediately.
• Actively participate in parent-teacher conferences. For example, come prepared with a set of questions, comments, and if necessary, concerns.
• If your schedule permits, volunteer to spend time in the classroom or chaperone class trips. For parents of older students, come to school-wide events. Also, find out how to better support learning in the home.
• Understand that since teachers cannot always communicate during the school day, you may not get as an immediate response as you do at your workplace. But don’t let a call or email go unanswered. If necessary, call or write again.
• If your child is having a problem in class, talk with the teacher first. The teacher will appreciate it and be more willing to work with you. Going over the teacher’s head, in most cases, puts everyone on the defensive.
• Find out how the local school and the school district operates. It will help you understand what teachers can and must do, what their limitations are and how you, the parent, can help. 
• Ask your child’s teacher and the school to clarify what your child should be learning and doing during the school year and ask for ways you can help reinforce the educational program at home.
• Set high expectations for your child. Your child will benefit from it and the teacher will appreciate it.

Of course, parents can face obstacles to getting involved in a child's education at all. But there are ways to overcome them.

For more information, or to find out how to get more involved in supporting your child’s education, visit www.PTA.org.