Parent-teach e-conferences

It's probably true everywhere: parent-teacher conferences as a scheduling nightmare, with 12-hour days for teachers and long waits for parents. In some Detroit-area schools, email "conferences" have become an alternative, the Detroit Free Press reports - at least for the parents of "high-achieving students." According to the Free Press, "many teachers agree that an alternative to the must-attend conference is necessary. But some are less certain about what will be lost and what will be gained with email. And even after years of computer training, not all teachers are at ease with email." What do you think? Is an email PTC just as good, or just better than nothing, when parent-teacher schedules just can't be lined up? Email me (anytime) via anne@netfamilynews.org.