In Norwegian schools, home-school collaboration is enshrined in the constitution. Parents are active participants in their child's education – not passive recipients. Here is everything you need to know as a newcomer.
What is a Parent Meeting and When Are They Held?
Parent meetings are gatherings where all parents in a grade level are invited. In Norwegian schools, normally 2 parent meetings are held per school year – one in autumn and one in spring.
At the parent meeting, the class teacher informs about:
- Academic and social development in the grade
- Curriculum, assessment methods and term tests
- School rules and what the school expects from home
- Information about trips, events and community service days
Parent meetings are not mandatory for parents, but it is strongly recommended to attend. It is an important venue for getting to know the school and other parents.
Note: The parent meeting is for all parents in the grade – not for discussing individual children's development. This happens in the parent-teacher conference.
Parent-Teacher Conference: Preparation and What You Can Ask About
The parent-teacher conference (development conference) is an individual meeting between parents and the child's class teacher about your specific child. It is held minimum 2 times per year (usually autumn and spring) – this is enshrined in the Education Act.
At the parent-teacher conference, the following are discussed:
- The child's academic development
- Well-being and social relationships
- What the school can do better for your child
- What home can contribute with
- Any concerns from school or home
Good questions you can ask:
- How is my child doing socially?
- Are there subjects where my child is struggling?
- What does the school do to support children who are new to Norway?
- Does my child have the right to special Norwegian language instruction?
- How can I help my child at home?
FAU (Parent Council Board): What Do They Do?
The FAU is the organized voice of the parent group at the school. It is a statutorily required body (Education Act § 11-4) at all Norwegian primary schools.
The FAU:
- Represents all parents in meetings with school management
- Arranges social activities for students and parents
- Issues statements on school environment, rules and school plans
- Can raise issues about bullying, school routes and other common matters
All parents at the school are automatically part of the parent council. The FAU is elected from among these. You can stand for election to the FAU even if you are new to Norway.
How to Communicate with the School as a Newcomer
Digital channels: Norwegian schools use digital platforms for communication:
- Visma InSchool / Vigilo / Tieto Edvard – common systems in Viken, Oslo and others
- Itslearning – learning platform where homework and messages are posted
- Email – direct contact with the class teacher
The class teacher is the key person. Feel free to contact them directly by email or phone. Teachers in Norway are used to communicating with parents and expect it.
What you should inform the school about:
- If your child has been through traumatic experiences (war, flight/fleeing)
- If your child has special health needs or diagnoses
- If your child has not attended school before, or has gaps in schooling
Interpreter at Parent Meeting: Your Right and the School's Obligation
If you do not have sufficient Norwegian language skills, you have the right to an interpreter at the parent-teacher conference and at important meetings with the school. This is set out in the Public Administration Act and the Education Act.
How to order an interpreter:
- Contact the school in good time (preferably a week in advance)
- Specify which language you need an interpreter for
- The school is responsible for ordering and paying for the interpreter
Remember: You don't need to bring relatives or friends as an interpreter – a professional interpreter is free for you.
Communication tips:
- Feel free to use translation apps (like Google Translate) for informal contact
- The right to an interpreter applies especially in serious matters (special education assessment, behavioral issues, concern reports)
See also bilingual education for children in Norwegian schools and special education support in Norwegian schools.
Parent-Teacher Conference: What Questions Do You Ask?
The parent-teacher conference is one of your most important opportunities to gain insight into how your child is doing at school. Many parents are unsure what to ask about, or are nervous about asking "silly" questions. The most important thing is to be concrete and focused on what is best for your child. Here are recommended questions:
Academic Development:
- What are your child's strengths in Norwegian, mathematics, and English?
- What areas does your child need more help with?
- Is your child at the same academic level as the rest of the class, or are there differences?
- Has an individual education plan (IEP) been developed for your child? (This is relevant if your child has diagnosed needs.)
- What can I do at home to support academic development?
Language and Norwegian Language Skills (Important for Newcomers):
- How is your child's Norwegian language skills progressing compared to when they came to Norway?
- Does your child use Norwegian or their native language most at school?
- Is your child receiving Norwegian language instruction or other language support?
- How quickly is your child expected to achieve Norwegian subject language?
- Is an interpreter or written information in the child's native language arranged when needed?
Social Well-being and Friends:
- How does your child get along with the other students?
- Has your child made good friends?
- Are there reports of bullying, conflicts, or exclusion?
- How is your child's behavior in class – respectful toward teachers and classmates?
- Does your child participate in break-time activities and school events?
Mental and Physical Health:
- Does your child seem stressed or worried about school?
- Does your child sleep well at night and have energy during the day?
- Has your child had appointments with a psychologist, speech therapist, or physiotherapist?
- How does your child handle frustrations and disappointment?
- Are there any signs of anxiety, sadness, or anything else concerning the teacher?
Practical Questions:
- What is the expected amount of homework each day?
- What tests or grades will your child be receiving?
- How can I stay informed between meetings – which channel is best?
- Are there any activities or equipment I need to buy or organize?
Tip: Write down two or three main questions before the meeting and focus on them. It's OK to ask the teacher to elaborate on her answers. If you don't understand something, ask again – there is no shame in it.
What is the School's Obligation to Parents Who Don't Speak Norwegian?
If you do not speak Norwegian fluently, you have certain legal rights that are guaranteed in the Education Act. The school should not expect you to master Norwegian in order to participate in your child's schooling.
Right to an interpreter: According to the Education Act § 2-8, parents who do not speak Norwegian have the right to an interpreter when required to ensure communication. This applies to parent meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and meetings about your child's learning plans or any problems. The school must pay for the interpreter – it is a cost to the school, not to you. You have the right to a professional interpreter, not a family member or other child as an interpreter.
Practical implementation: Contact the school at least 1-2 weeks before the meeting and request an interpreter. Specify which language you speak. The school should confirm the interpreter no later than 3 days before the meeting. If the school refuses or says that an interpreter is "too expensive," it is illegal – contact the County Governor or the Education Authority.
Written information: The school should also provide you with important information in a language you understand. This includes: information about school start, bullying guidelines, parent payment statements, and important messages. The school can use translation or interpretation services for this. You can request translation of transcripts, information about tests, and your child's grades.
Digital communication platforms: Most Norwegian schools use digital systems such as Visma Flyt School or IST for daily communication with parents. These systems should have built-in translation or interpreter options. If your system does not have this, contact the school and request an alternative – for example SMS or email in your language.
Parent-teacher conferences and meetings: If you are worried that you don't understand everything that is said at the meeting, request interpretation throughout. You can also request a written summary of the meeting – this is reasonable to expect. Write down your questions before the meeting and be prepared.
FAU and parent representation: Even if Norwegian is not your first language, you have the right to participate in the Parent Council Board (FAU) and influence school activities. If there are other parents who speak your language, you can be a voice together.
Concern reports and complaints: If you perceive that your child is not receiving adequate education or that the school is not respecting your communication needs, you can submit a concern report to school management or file a complaint with the County Governor. The school must then have an interpreter available to discuss the concern.
Your Rights as a Parent in Norwegian Schools
As a parent in Norwegian schools, you have legally established rights that go far beyond just attending parent meetings. Many parents are not aware of these rights.
Access to assessments: You have the right to access all documents concerning your child and their schooling. This includes grades, transcripts, tests, teacher observation notes, and individual education plans (IEPs). You can ask to see these documents at any time – the school must respond within a reasonable time, normally 1-2 weeks. You can also get copies that you can take with you.
Meeting about grades and assessment: If you disagree with the grades your child has received, you can request a meeting with the teacher to discuss the assessment. The teacher must be able to justify the grades concretely. If you still disagree, the grade can be appealed to the principal. The principal must conduct a new assessment. This is a formal appeals body.
Complaint about decisions: If the school makes a decision that you disagree with – for example a decision regarding suspension, special education, or transfer to another school – you can appeal to the County Governor within 6 weeks. The complaint must be in writing and justified.
Concern report: If you observe signs that your child is not developing normally (for example increasingly greater academic difficulties, social difficulties, or signs of abuse), you can write a concern report to the school. The school is required to follow up on the concern, and you should receive feedback about what will be done. You can also report to child welfare services yourself if you believe your child needs help.
Participation in learning plans: If your child has an individual education plan (IEP), you should be involved in developing it. You have the right to participate in the meeting, provide input, and receive a copy of the plan. You are also involved in evaluating the plan once per year.
Right to Norwegian language instruction for the child: If your child has Norwegian as a second language, they have the right to Norwegian language instruction adapted to their level – either as separate classes or integrated into regular instruction. The school must assess which arrangement is best. You can influence this assessment.
Information and accessibility: The principal and teachers should be available for dialogue. You can request a meeting – and if there are pressing matters, you can get a meeting quickly. The school should not only contact parents when there are problems – you should also hear about it when things are going well.
Collaboration with Kindergarten: What is Different?
If your child is in kindergarten, collaboration with staff is also important, but it works a bit differently than in school.
Daily contact: In kindergarten, you normally have daily contact with staff when you drop off and pick up your child. These short conversations are important – staff can tell you how your child is doing that day. Conversely, you can share information about the home situation that staff should know about (sleep, illness, major events, etc.).
Conversations and parent meetings: Kindergartens also organize formal parent-teacher conferences, normally once a year. These are more loosely structured than school meetings, but the purpose is the same: to discuss your child's development, well-being, and any concerns.
Observation notes: The kindergarten should observe and document your child's development in play, social interaction, language, and motor development. You can request access to these notes.
Inclusion in activities: As a parent, you can participate in kindergarten activities – celebrations, excursions, outings. Many kindergartens want parent involvement. You can also contribute resources – for example by reading stories or sharing from your cultural background.
Complaints and concerns: If you have concerns about how your child is being treated in kindergarten, or about kindergarten practices, you can speak with the manager. If it is not resolved, you can file a complaint with the County Governor or the municipality's health and care office.
Language support: If your child has Norwegian as a second language, the kindergarten should support your child's language development in Norwegian and respect their native language. The Kindergarten Act stipulates that the kindergarten should be inclusive and respectful of minority languages.
