Student-Led Conferences (Simultaneous Conferences with Multiple Families)

1. Student-Led Conferences(Simultaneous Conferences with Multiple Families) Text Reference: Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane M. Bailey and Thomas R. Guskey

2. Essential Questions? What is the purpose of traditional parent-teacher conferences? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of these conferences? Whose work is being discussed at these meetings? Who is discussing this work? Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

3. Essential Questions • Are traditional Parent-Teacher Conferences outdated? (Same as when you were a child?) • Is there a better way to communicate with families at conferences? (Who do you think the families would prefer to hear from—their child or the teacher?) • Can we increase student responsibility for learning? (Is responsibility related to motivation?) Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

4. What are Student-Led Conferences? A conference with the family in which the student leads a discussion of his/her work and a review of his/her portfolio. • The classroom teacher goes from being the leader of the conference to becoming a facilitator • Student goes from non-participant or passive observer to leader of conference • Families become more actively engaged in discussions with their child rather than the teacher • Support teachers go from non-participant to making sure that work samples are included in portfolio and available for conferences Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

5. Why Student-Led Conferences? Benefits • Requires students to evaluate and reflect upon their work on a regular basis and identify what they do and do not understand about a given subject. • Facilitates students taking more responsibility for THEIR OWN LEARNING. • Helps students connect relevance of daily work and contributes to their metacognitive growth. • Allows for “individual voice” for students. Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

6. Why Student-Led Conferences? Benefits: • Provides structure for goal setting and attainment. • Allows students to learn new skills. • Provides an opportunity for parents to view their child’s work and understand the students’ progress in an effective and direct manner. • Parents are more inclined to attend a student-led conference. • Changes climate of school and perceptions by families-can become a way of celebrating students and the school. Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

7. Changing Roles Student-Led Conferences The teacher’s role • Teachers become facilitators as students lead their families through discussions about their progress and learning. • Teachers are responsible for organizing the conference environment. This includes • Scheduling • Guiding portfolio collection • Rehearsing with the students • Arranging space for meetings Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

8. Changing Roles Student-Led Conferences The student’s role • Student’s role changes from passive observer to one of leader. • Student is the key person responsible for • Identifying strengths and learning needs • Reflecting on collection of evidence to document progress • Inviting parents and scheduling • Role-playing and rehearsing • Preparing physical space for family at meeting • Taking home pertinent information for family Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

9. Changing Roles Student-Led Conferences The family’s role • Families become partners in learning. • Families’ responsibilities include • Providing reinforcement, encouragement & praise • Asking probing questions • Listening and spending time with their child • Seeing what school is like through the “eyes of their child” Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

10. Changing Roles Student-Led Conferences The administrator’s role • Administrative support is essential. • Administrators • Encourage innovation • Facilitate scheduling • Provide time and training necessary for teachers to learn about the concept • Educate parents about student-led conferences Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

11. Changing Roles Student-Led Conferences The co-curricular and support teacher’s role • It is critical that information from these classes is included • Co-curricular teachers roles include • Making sure work is included in portfolio • Helping to design portfolio • Planning exhibits and performances of student work • Promoting student self-evaluation Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

12. What Do Portfolios Include? • Agenda/organizer • Student work/samples (evaluation) • Goal sheets (academic and behavioral) Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

13. Tests Quizzes Group Work Writing Assignments Labs Illustrations/Graphs Homework/Class work Projects Warm-ups Drills Interactive Notebooks Examples of Work to Include in Portfolio Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

14. Preparing For Conferences Introduce concept to colleagues Communicate concept to parents Determine scheduling and location of meetings Determine contents of portfolio and how to collect Arrange child care and refreshments Encourage parent participation Determine and implement evaluation method Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

15. What Forms Do I Need? Invitation to Parent Grade Reflection Behavior Checklist Reflection and Goals Meeting Agenda Conference Follow-up Letter • Helpful Hint: Color code forms or folders Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

16. Student Led Conference Timeline • Invitation to Parent >>> Send home 2 weeks prior to conferences • Prepare Portfolios/Folders/Goals >>> on-going • Rehearse Conference >>>> 1 or 2 days before the conference Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

17. What Is Conference Day Like? • All paperwork is assembled, organized and ready to go!!! • Students are excited about their conference!!! • Room becomes noisy!! It’s ok! Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

18. Traditional Conference vs. Student-Led Conference Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

19. Student-Led Conferences-Let’s Review What is the purpose? What are some of the advantages of these conference? What are some of the disadvantages to these conferences? Whose work is being discussed at these meeting? Who is discussing this work? Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

20. Other Possibilities: • Individual or student-involvement in conferences (especially for very young students) • Presentation or showcase conferences • Portfolio nights • At home student-led conferences • Electronic student-led conferences Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey