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

2. Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey
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. Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey
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Are traditional Parent-Teacher Conferences outdated?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? (From 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 the 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
Require 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.
Facilitate students taking more responsibility for THEIR OWN LEARNING.
Help students see relevance of schoolwork to their lives and contribute to their metacognitive growth.
Allows for “individual voice” for students.
Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

6. Why Student-Led Conferences?
Benefits:
Provide structure for goal setting and attainment.
Allow students to learn new skills.
Provide an opportunity for families to view their child’s work and understand the students’ progress in an effective and direct manner.
Families are more inclined to attend a student-led conferences.
Change 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 teachers’ 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;
Collecting and reflecting 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 and 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 must:
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 teachers’ roles
It is critical that information from these classes be 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. Examples of Work to Include in Portfolio
Illustrations/Graphs
Homework/Class work
Projects
Warm-ups
Drills
Interactive Notebooks
Tests
Quizzes
Group Work
Writing Assignments
Labs
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 family participation
Determine and implement evaluation method
Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

15. What Forms Do I Need? Invitation to Family 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

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

23. 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

24. Traditional Conference vs. Student-Led Conference
Only parent and teacher meet
Students, parents (families) and teachers meet
Meeting time is limited
Student can spend as much time as needed to review portfolio with family
Limited number of slots available
Multiple conferences can be held simultaneously
Implementing Student-Led Conferences
Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey

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

26. Implementing Student-Led Conferences Jane Bailey & Thomas Guskey
Other Possibilities:
Individual 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