The Baltimore Parent's Guide to Parent-Teacher Conferences That Actually Help
How to make the most of 15 minutes and walk away with actionable next steps
Parent-teacher conferences can feel like speed dating. You get 15 minutes (maybe 20 if you're lucky) to understand how your child is doing academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally. Then you're shuffled out so the next parent can come in.
If you've ever left a conference thinking, "Wait, what did I just learn?" or "I should have asked about that," you're not alone.
After navigating Baltimore City Schools with two kids—one at a charter, one who went through traditional public—I've learned that parent-teacher conferences are what you make of them. If you show up unprepared, you'll get generic feedback. If you come with thoughtful questions and a game plan, you'll walk away with real insights.
Here's how to actually make conferences work for your family.
Before the Conference: Do Your Homework
1. Ask Your Child What They Want You to Know
This sounds simple, but it's powerful. Sit down with your kid a day or two before the conference and ask:
"Is there anything you want me to tell your teacher?"
"Is there anything you want me to ask about?"
"What do you like most about school right now?"
"What's hard for you?"
Sometimes they'll mention something the teacher won't bring up—a friendship issue, confusion about a subject, or even something positive they're proud of that you didn't know about.
2. Review Recent Work
Pull out assignments, tests, or projects from the last month. Look for patterns:
Are they struggling with the same type of math problem?
Do they rush through reading comprehension?
Are their essays getting longer and more detailed, or shorter and vaguer?
You don't need to grade their work—just notice trends so you can ask informed questions.
3. Write Down 2-3 Specific Questions
Do not go in hoping to wing it. You will forget. The teacher will do most of the talking, time will fly, and you'll walk out realizing you never asked about the one thing you were worried about.
Write your questions down. Bring the paper with you. Don't be embarrassed—good teachers appreciate prepared parents.
The Questions That Actually Help
Most parents ask surface-level questions like "How's my kid doing?" and get surface-level answers like "They're doing fine."
Here are better questions that give you real information:
Academic Questions
"What does my child do well that I might not see at home?"
This shifts the focus to strengths first and often reveals surprising talents.
"Where is my child struggling, and what can I do to support them at home?"
This is actionable. You're not just asking what's wrong—you're asking how to help.
"Is my child working at grade level, above, or below in [specific subject]?"
Don't assume "doing fine" means grade-level. Ask directly.
"What would success look like for my child by the end of the year?"
This gives you a measurable goal to work toward.
Social/Emotional Questions
"How does my child get along with other kids?"
Some kids are completely different at school than at home. You need to know both versions.
"Are there any behavioral concerns I should be aware of?"
Better to ask directly than wait for the teacher to bring it up (they might not).
"If my child is confused or struggling, do they ask for help or sit quietly?"
This is crucial—especially for kids who are people-pleasers or anxious.
Support & Partnership Questions
"How are you challenging my child given their [reading level/math skills]?"
This gets specifics about what's actually happening for advanced learners, not just what should be happening.
"What can we do at home to support what you're working on in the classroom?"
This frames you and the teacher as partners and gets you concrete action steps.
"What enrichment opportunities or after-school programs would you recommend?"
Teachers often know about resources parents don't—especially in Baltimore where there are hidden gems.
For Baltimore-Specific Concerns
"If my child is GAL-identified, what differentiation actually happens in your classroom?"
Don't assume GAL support is automatic. Ask what's concretely different for your child.
"Does this school participate in CTY Emerging Scholars or have any GAL programming?"
CTY Emerging Scholars is free after-school enrichment at select Baltimore schools. Worth knowing if your school offers it.
"What's the process if I want to transfer my child to a different Baltimore City school?"
If the fit isn't right, you need to know your options. Teachers can often guide you on timing and approach.
"Does this school have summer programming? Can my child access Baltimore City's summer programs if we're at a charter?"
Charter students often can't access the city's free summer GAL enrichment—this catches many parents off guard.
What to Skip (And Why)
Don't compare your child to other kids in the class.
"Is my child doing better than most kids?" is not a helpful question. Focus on your child's individual growth.
Don't bring up issues you haven't already communicated about.
If this is the first time the teacher is hearing about a concern, the conference isn't the place to solve it. Schedule a follow-up meeting.
Don't monopolize time if other parents are waiting.
If you need more than 15 minutes, ask to schedule a separate conversation.
Don't use the conference to vent about school policies.
This isn't the teacher's fault, and it wastes time. Email administration separately.
During the Conference: Take Notes
Bring a notebook or use your phone. Write down:
Specific feedback (positive and constructive)
Action steps the teacher recommends
Follow-up questions you think of later
Timeline for checking in again
You think you'll remember everything. You won't.
After the Conference: Follow Through
1. Share One Positive Thing With Your Child
Even if the conference wasn't all good news, find something the teacher said that was positive and tell your child.
"Your teacher said you're really kind to other kids during recess" or "She mentioned you're working really hard in math" goes a long way.
2. Create One Actionable Step
Don't try to fix everything at once. Pick one thing to focus on based on the conference:
Practice sight words for 5 minutes every night
Read together before bed
Work on organizational skills by setting up a homework station
Schedule a playdate to help with social skills
Make it specific, measurable, and sustainable.
3. Follow Up Via Email
Within a week, send a quick email:
Thank the teacher for their time
Recap what you discussed
Confirm the action steps you're taking at home
Ask any follow-up questions you thought of
This keeps communication open and shows the teacher you're engaged.
What to Do If the Conference Doesn't Go Well
Sometimes you leave a conference feeling frustrated, confused, or like the teacher doesn't "get" your kid.
Here's what to do:
1. Give it 24 hours before reacting.
Don't fire off an emotional email. Sleep on it.
2. Request a follow-up meeting.
If the conference raised more questions than it answered, schedule another conversation—preferably with the principal or counselor present if needed.
3. Trust your gut.
If something feels off about how your child is being treated or taught, investigate further. Talk to other parents. Observe the classroom if possible. Ask your child more questions.
Remember Kayon's advice: "Pink flag after pink flag becomes a saturated red flag." If this conference confirms concerns you've been having, don't ignore them.
Baltimore-Specific Tips
Charter vs. Traditional Public Schools:
Charter teachers often have more flexibility in how they teach but may have fewer resources. Traditional public school teachers have more access to specialists (speech therapy, reading interventionists, etc.) but may have larger class sizes.
Ask what resources are actually available at your specific school—don't assume.
GAL Support:
If your child is identified as Gifted and Advanced Learner, explicitly ask what differentiation is happening in the classroom. Don't assume it's automatic.
CTY and Enrichment Programs:
Ask teachers if they know about Johns Hopkins CTY programs, after-school enrichment, or community resources. Many teachers are connected to things you haven't heard of.
Transfer Process:
If you're considering transferring schools, ask the teacher what they think your child needs in a school environment. Their insight can guide your search.
The Bottom Line
Fifteen minutes isn't enough time to solve every problem or understand everything about your child's school experience. But it's enough time to:
Build a relationship with your child's teacher
Identify one area to focus on at home
Show your child that you care about their education
Open the door for ongoing communication
Parent-teacher conferences aren't the finish line. They're the starting point for a year-long partnership.
Show up prepared, ask good questions, and follow through. That's how you make 15 minutes count.
Want a checklist you can bring to your next conference? Download our free Parent-Teacher Conference Prep Checklist—it includes all the questions from this post plus space to take notes.
Download the free checklist here →
I'm Gift Ukpolo—licensed Maryland Realtor, Baltimore transplant, and the person behind Hello Charm City. If you're considering a move or just want to talk Baltimore neighborhoods, reach out anytime: officialhellocharmcity@gmail.com.
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