How to have a conversation with parents about their child's STEER data

Whilst we don't advise exporting and sharing STEER data with parents, we know that when teachers and parents work together, it leads to positive outcomes for students. Here are three ways that STEER data can guide and resource teachers and tutors to have the right conversation with the right parent at the right time.  

1. After each assessment, the STEER platform flags students whose data indicates concern. Teachers and tutors get an early heads up that a proactive, exploratory conversation with their parents may be supportive in understanding their needs. For example "Just a quick check in to see how you think Jack is getting on at school this term..."

2. STEER highlights the causes and risks for each flagged student. This guides teachers and tutors in how to subtly frame conversations with parents. For example "I'm wondering whether Jack may be struggling with something at school, but not sharing that struggle with us. Do you have any thoughts about what that might be? Have you noticed anything different in how he's feeling or talking about school?"

3. STEER action planning tools resource teachers and tutors with small but highly strategic strategies to guide their interactions with individual students. Tell parents what you're going to do to reassure them you have their child's best interests in mind. For example "I'm going to ask Jack's football coach, to touch in with him each session giving him an opportunity to share anything that might be on his mind. I wonder if there is anything you could do at home? Would you like some ideas?" 

If you were Jack's parent, you'd be reassured that his tutor was being pastorally proactive - acting early before little things escalated; open and mutual - asking for your input so you could work together to support Jack;