Writing a Positive Feedback Letter

Once you've begun to write letters, be sure to write when things are going well, too!

If a teacher, therapist, or other staff member has made good things happen for your child, let them and their supervisors know. Everyone likes and needs compliments and encouragement from time to time. Positive feedback is what keeps good schools running well. Just as you want to know "how it's going," so does the school staff.

Good communication, team work, and effective schools take a lot of hard work. There's an old saying that goes, "Things can go wrong all by themselves, but you have to work hard to make things go right." This statement applies doubly to maintaining a successful parent-professional working relationship. Be sure your child's teacher(s), principal, and superintendent also hear from you when things are going right.

Sample Letter 13: Writing a Positive Feedback Letter

Today's Date (include month, day, and year)

Your Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Daytime telephone number

Name of Person to Whom You Are Writing
Title
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear (name),

I am writing to let you know how very pleased I am with the education my son/daughter, (child's name) is receiving at (name of school).

(Child's name) has had great success with (briefly say what is going right). In particular, (name the professionals working with your child and how they have made a difference).

I look forward to (child's name) continuing progress. Thank you for all your efforts, and those of your staff.

Sincerely,

Your name

cc: If you write to the school district's Superintendent or Director of Special Education, make sure to copy the people who directly deserve recognition for your child's success - the principal, teachers, and other staff.

Always keep a copy of your letter for your own files.

This is a sample letter excerpted from NICHCY's (National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities) Parent Guide: Communicating with Your Child's School through Letter Writing.

If you need help writing a letter to your child's school, please contact your Texas Parent Training and Information Center (PTI) and your PATH, PEN, or TEAM Regional Coordinator. Don't know which PTI or Regional Coordinator covers your region? Check the Texas PTI Map or contact us at 1-800-866-4726.