Some Mapleton schools have chucked the traditional parent-teacher conferences for a new model, called Academic Parent Teacher Team (APTT).

The new model includes three group workshops in which the teachers meeting with all parents in their classroom at once, and one individual conference throughout the year. This format is one that Fred Kerst, a Meadow Community School parent, enjoys because he said that there are other parents, as well as teachers, who had ideas on how to help kids who were struggling.

“It isn’t a one-way street in which the school tells us we need to do things their way,” he said. “Instead, we learned from each other how to help them.”

Teachers at the workshop review academic performance data with the parents, helps them set academic goals and shows them activities they can do with their kids at home. During the one-on-one meeting between the teacher and parent, the pair reviews the student’s performance data and create action plans. The one-on-one meeting occurs between the first and second team workshop.

The APTT programs are being implemented thanks to grant funding from the Colorado Department of Education at Meadow, Achieve Academy, Clayton Partnership, Global Leadership Academy and Welby Montessori. Valley View and Adventure Elementary are also launching the APTT program without grant funding.

Meadow Director Jill Fuller said the school has seen an increase in parent participation and the feedback from parents has been positive.

“Parents feel empowered and motivated,” she said. “Seeing the data and creating goals has helped families to see the impact they can make. Data thus far shows a positive trend; that families that attend APTT workshops have students who show more success on district benchmark tests and state assessments.”

Kristina Pollack, kindergarten teacher at Meadow, said that APTT allows parents to see classroom data as a whole and gives parents a more hands-on approach to their child’s education.

“It also allows for parents to collaborate with other parents and is designed to help parents feel supported in helping their child make the progress needed at their grade level,” she said. “Teachers have high expectations for their students and for their parents. Student goals are created to set them up for success and motivate them to meet and exceed that goal. Overall, I think APTT has improved parent involvement, and has increased student data.”