To design a constructive step toward increasing conference attendance, which action is most appropriate?

• A. Holding a meeting with teachers to explain the importance of parents attending conferences
• B. Sending a letter to parents explaining the benefits of attending conferences
• C. Interviewing parents, teachers, and community members to identify attendance obstacles and reduce them
• D. Refusing to release students' report cards unless parents attend conferences

Answer: (C)

The main idea is using collaborative problem solving to boost family engagement by first uncovering the real barriers to attendance. Interviewing parents, teachers, and community members to identify attendance obstacles and reduce them is the best move because it gathers diverse, on-the-ground insights about why families can’t attend—things like scheduling conflicts, transportation, language needs, child care, or information gaps. With this information, you can design targeted, feasible changes (such as offering flexible meeting times, virtual conferences, interpreters, or transportation support) that actually remove those barriers. This approach builds trust and buy-in from families and leads to practical solutions.

Other options rely on one-way communication or coercive tactics that don’t address underlying barriers or respect families, such as simply explaining benefits, sending a letter, or withholding report cards unless attendance occurs.