S TUDENT L ED C ONFERENCES Hickory Public Schools Summer Conference June 15, 2009 Amanda Davidson

D EFINITION OF S TUDENT L ED C ONFERENCE 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.

R ESEARCH 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

G OALS OF S TUDENT L ED C ONFERENCES : 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

P ARENT E XPECTATIONS OF A S TUDENT L ED C ONFERENCE 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.

3 S TAGES : Student Led Conference Before the conference Actual Conference Evaluation of Conference

B EFORE THE C ONFERENCE  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

S TUDENT P REPARATION 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.

S TUDENT R ESPONSIBILITIES : B EFORE C ONFERENCE 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.

P ARENT R ESPONSIBILITIES B EFORE THE C ONFERENCE 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.

T EACHER R ESPONSIBILITIES B EFORE THE C ONFERENCE 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.

S TUDENT R ESPONSIBILITIES D URING THE C ONFERENCE  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)

P ARENT R ESPONSIBILITIES D URING THE C ONFERENCE 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.

T EACHER R ESPONSIBILITIES D URING THE C ONFERENCE 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.

E VALUATION OF C ONFERENCE Student Evaluation Parent Evaluation Teacher / Course Evaluation

S TUDENT R ESPONSIBILITIES A FTER C ONFERENCE 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?

P ARENT R ESPONSIBILITIES A FTER T HE C ONFERENCE 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.

T EACHER R ESPONSIBILITIES A FTER THE C ONFERENCE 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?

W HAT S TUDENTS L EARN T HROUGH T HIS P ROCESS :  Goal Setting Skills  Reflection Skills  Self Evaluation Skills  Facilitation Skills  Choice Awareness

B ENEFITS OF S TUDENT L ED C ONFERENCES 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.

D RAWBACKS OF S TUDENT L ED C ONFERENCES 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.

O THER R ESOURCES l_conf.html Videos of Student Led Conference: os.asp

R EFERENCES Muir, M. (2005). Student led conferences. The Principal’s Partnership. Retrieved June 7, 2009 from Dunne, D. (2001). Student led conferences hold kids accountable. Retrieved June 7, 2009 from Education World at Jefferson County Public Schools. (2000). Student led conferences. Retrieved on June 11, 2009 from Conway Middle School at Portals/1059/Publications/student-led_conferences.pdfhttp:// Portals/1059/Publications/student-led_conferences.pdf