Leaders of Their Own Learning
Chapter 5: Student-Led Conferences
- Student-led conference
is a meeting with a student and his or her family and teachers during which the student shares his or her portfolio of work and discusses progress with family members. The student facilitates the meeting from start to finish. This can be implemented at all grade levels. It puts students in charge of sharing information about their progress.
Why this Practice Matters
Building Student Engagement
Students pick work samples and present to parents. This builds greater pride in the quality of what they do.
Building Responsibility, Organization, and Decision Making
Creating a Culture of Evidence
Passing classes is not about pleasing a teacher; it is about providing evidence of understanding and skill.
Building Strong Home-School Partnerships
Parents become an active participate in the conference and even contribute to academic growth of the child.
Getting Started
Developing the Structures to Get Started with Student-Led Conferences
Key Decisions
How many per year?
End of grading period or middle?
Time allotment? (20 minutes for younger, 45 for older)
What will be shared?
General overview of all subjects? Or specific focus?
What kinds of evidence needed?
Will character growth be addressed?
Which staff members attend?
Scheduling for 100% parent participation
How will you encourage parents to participate?
How will you discuss issues that cannot be discussed in front of students?
Communicating with Families
Student-led conferences are a very different structure to what parents are use to.
Set expectation for 100% participation
Schedule for parent's convenience (www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm)
Let them know the guidelines and procedures beforehand.
Determining the Agenda for Student-Led Conferences
Elementary Age Sample Conference Agenda |
|
|---|---|
Welcome at the door , Sign in |
5 minutes |
Guided tour of all student work |
5 minutes |
Portfolio Review In-depth look at wor |
10 minutes |
Parental and Teacher Feedback |
5 minutes |
Covering the Basics
Schedule well in advance
Prepare students for the conference
Defining Roles of Student-Led Conference Participants
Student Role: Lead the conference following the agenda.
Teacher Role: Set students up for success by having student-engaged assessment practices.
Family Role: Attend and pay close attention, offer feedback.
School Leader Role: Clear communication and logistical assistance.
Preparing Students for Student-Led Conferences
Need ample time to practice.
Provide a sample conference script
In Practice
Deepening Student Reflection and Learning
Portfolios
Updated regularly.
Include word that shows evidence of meeting standards, self-reflections, feedback, and rubrics.
It should show the story of student growth.
Have students write reflections on work they haven't looked at in a while.
Decide a portfolio structure/organization
Goal Setting
Students should set goals at the student-led conference.
Teach students how to set effective goals.
Goal setting is an ongoing and daily practice.
Summary
I had never thought of having a student led the conferences during the year! This makes so much sense. When we put students in charge of their learning, they become accountable and rise to the challenge. Also parents would be more likely to participate because it's their child who will be presenting. This could be very difficult to implement however. Just the management of setting up a portfolio to maintain is a huge task. Then having to teach and practice giving a conference so the students know what to do on the conference day seems like a big time investment. But I feel this alone will make monumental improvements in student achievement!
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