Student Led Conferences

1. Student Led Conferences Hickory Public Schools Summer Conference June 15, 2009 Amanda Davidson

2. Definition of Student Led Conference • Students take the lead by sharing samples of their course work, discussing interests and goals, and working together with their parents on a preliminary plan for improving or maintaining their current grades / goals.

3. Research behind student led conferences • Spotlight the most important person in the process (the student); improve parent involvement; students become aware and have a desire to improve their work • Highly effective in getting all three parties (student, parent, teacher) involved in the child’s educational career • Effective at all levels of education – elementary , middle, and high school • Support student centered learning, include parents in high stakes environment, and maintain balance

4. Goals of Student Led Conferences: Student-led conferences are designed to achieve one or more of the following goals: • to encourage students to accept personal responsibility for their academic performance; • to teach students the process of self-evaluation; • to facilitate the development of students' organizational and oral communication skills and to increase their self-confidence; • to encourage students, parents, and teachers to engage in open and honest dialogue; and • to increase parent attendance at conferences

5. Parent Expectations of a Student Led Conference • At a student-led conference, your child does most of the talking. • Your child will tell you the Performance Standards he or she is working on in class. • Your child will discuss with you his or her progress in each class. • Your child will discuss with you his or her improvement plan for the upcoming grading period. • After your child has finished, he or she will turn the meeting over to you and the teacher for any further questions that need to be answered.

6. 3 Stages:

7. Before the Conference • Learn about student-led conferences • Reflect on work in each class • Reflect on behaviors and attitudes • Review Evaluation Checklist • Learn ways to improve various behaviors and attitudes • Learn how to set goals • Set tentative goals • Develop an agenda • Practice / Discussion / Role Play

8. Student Preparation • The key to a successful Student Led Conference is the successful preparation of the student prior to the conference. • The student will probably need a form / checklist in order to ensure that he/she has all of the necessary materials for the conference. • Some students and teachers will create a script for the child so that he/she doesn’t feel intimidated by conducting the conference. • The student will need to make sure to have his/her portfolio of work and the necessary questions / prompts ready for his/her parent.

9. Student Responsibilities: Before Conference • Throughout the school year, keep your work and assignments organized in folders or binders. • Be sure to complete the Student Self-Evaluation Conference Form. • Make sure you receive a confirmation time from your teacher, and give it to your parent. • On the day before the conference, make sure your folders and notebooks are in order. • Make sure you have chosen a piece of work to share with your parents. • Think about areas in which you need to improve and areas in which you excel. Be prepared to share this information with your parents. • Come to the conference with your parents. • Use the Student Checklist to help guide you through your student-led conference. • Be sure to check off each item as you complete it.

10. Parent Responsibilities Before the Conference • Make sure the teacher has sent you a Confirmation Form. If you have not heard from the teacher, be sure to contact him/her 24 hours before the conference. • Arrange for a baby-sitter for younger siblings (or, if available, sign up for child care with the school). • Make a list of questions and concerns. • Review the Parent Checklist for Student-Led Conferences that you will receive. It lists steps to follow for a productive and meaningful conference.

11. Teacher ResponsibilitiesBefore the Conference • Train students on student-led conferencing. The teacher should role play with the student how a student-led conference should be conducted. • Give all students time to practice. The more practice they have, the more confident they will be during the conference. • Provide ample time for students to get their folders and notebooks together before the conference. • Notify parents of the new conferencing format. The parents should know that their child will be leading the conference. • Send home the parent handout on student-led conferences. • Be sure to send a Confirmation Form home to the parents within 24 hours of the conference.

12. Student ResponsibilitiesDuring the Conference • Introductions • Review Table of Contents in portfolio • Present report card / progress report and portfolio • Review reflection sheet • Review behavior / attitude checklist • Set goals (Personal Education Plan)

13. Parent ResponsibilitiesDuring the Conference • Make sure your child comes with you to the conference. • Arrive on time. • Take notes during the conference. • Ask for clarification on things you do not understand. • If you cannot make the scheduled conference time, please call to reschedule.

14. Teacher ResponsibilitiesDuring the Conference • Teachers - do not talk! • Encourage the student to keep focused on his or her checklist. • When you have a conversation, be positive and supportive, emphasizing the things the student has accomplished. Keep focused on the Standards. • If parents want to speak to you about their child for more than 5 minutes, then ask them to schedule another appointment for a parent/teacher conference. • Encourage parents to fill out Evaluation forms.

15. Evaluation of Conference • Student Evaluation • Parent Evaluation • Teacher / Course Evaluation

16. Student ResponsibilitiesAfter Conference • What could I do to improve my student-led conference? • Am I doing the best I can in all my classes? • Do I need to attend Extended School Services (ESS) to raise a grade or to work on a skill? • Am I using my Agenda effectively?

17. Parent Responsibilities After The Conference • If you still have questions and concerns, set up an appointment to meet with the teacher on another date. • Fill out the Parent Evaluation of Student-Led Conferences Form.

18. Teacher ResponsibilitiesAfter the Conference • Were my students prepared? • Was I positive with the parents? • Did I think the conferences were effective? • What might I have done differently? • Was it worth the time and preparation?

19. What Students Learn Through This Process: • Goal Setting Skills • Reflection Skills • Self Evaluation Skills • Facilitation Skills • Choice Awareness

20. Benefits of Student Led Conferences • Students assume greater control of their academic progress. • Students accept personal responsibility for their academic performance. • Parents, teachers, and students engage in open and honest dialogue. • Parents attend conferences at increased rates. • Students learn the process of self-evaluation. • Students develop organizational and oral communication skills.

21. Drawbacks of Student Led Conferences • Not every parent will come (after the student has prepared everything) • Some parents want a one-on-one conferences with the teacher. Options for this may include: • The student leaves at the conclusion of the student-led conference, and the teacher and parents meet privately for 5 minutes. • The parent and teacher can schedule an additional conference time.

22. Other Resources • http://www.saskschools.ca/~outlook/ltech/report/sl_conf.html • Videos of Student Led Conference: http://www.asdk12.org/MiddleLink/SLC/about/videos.asp

23. References • Muir, M. (2005). Student led conferences. The Principal’s Partnership. Retrieved June 7, 2009 from http://www.principalspartnership.com/studentledconf.pdf • Dunne, D. (2001). Student led conferences hold kids accountable. Retrieved June 7, 2009 from Education World at http://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr323.shtml • Jefferson County Public Schools. (2000). Student led conferences. Retrieved on June 11, 2009 from Conway Middle School at http://www.prichardcommittee.org/ Portals/1059/Publications/student-led_conferences.pdf