The administrator of Tri-City Christian Academy in Tempe, Arizona, Jon Krause, also prefers dealing with both parents. Then I lay out some guidelines for what and how we will discuss, because we are there to discuss the problem and not personalities. We are not going to confuse the two. This generally helps deffuse emotions. Many parents begin with a rehearsed speech, he finds.
Experience helps the administrator keep the discussion focused on the issues.
It is very easy to lose track of the focus or reason for the conference. In our meetings, we try to center on ways the school and parents can work together to help the child improve academically, socially or spiritually. If truth is in question, we believe it will eventually come out, though it may not appear so at the time. It is wrong to involve others who are not part of the problem or the solution. It is wrong to act defensive and act as if teachers and administrators can do no wrong, he says.