Chalkbeat reports that less families took part in parent-teacher conferences last school year when compared to pre-pandemic numbers — down 40 percent, according to city data.
When the pandemic began, parent-teacher conferences were forced to go remote. A few years later, these conferences remain remote, making it easier for many parents to meet with their child's educators about their progress in school without having to travel or find childcare for those meetings. However, moving to remote parent-teacher conferences also creates a burden for those with less access to technology or language barriers, Chalkbeat notes.
While the city Schools Chancellor David C. Banks has said parent engagement is a top priority, participation in these parent-teacher conferences is far less than the most recent school year before the pandemic hit.
City Department of Education (DOE) officials defended the virtual meetings after an inquiry by Chalkbeat, saying that it has expanded opportunities for families to meet with teachers. The DOE also said that these conferences can occur in person upon request, at a mutually agreed-upon time.
Many parents, according to Chalkbeat, were unaware that this was an option.
Parent-teacher conferences are held multiple times throughout the school year.
Staten Island Youth and Teens
- NYC sees low participation in virtual parent-teacher conferences, report says.
- NYC high school applications are due soon: Here are four tips when applying.
- 9/11 Flag Football players compete on a sunny Saturday at Bloomingdale Park (67 photos)
- Veterans Day 2023: Sacred Heart School honors U.S. heroes (34 photos)
- Pilot program aims to integrate rigorous academics in NYC community schools, including one on Staten Island
©2023 Staten Island Advance, N.Y. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
