Student Led Conferences
“Through student-led conferences, students become more
reflective learners who are capable of setting realistic,
attainable goals and are more able to accept responsibility
for their actions” (Kinney,2008).
Student led conferences goals:
•
•
Students reflect on their learning and set goals for
continued improvement.
Students dialogue directly with their parents about
their progress in school.
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Students list out their strengths and weaknesses,
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Students describe the support they may need from
their parents and teachers to continually improve.
Traditional vs. Student Led
 Teacher driven
 Greater dialogue between the
 Evaluative Feedback
student and the parent.
 Descriptive Feedback
 Focus on grades and test
 Focus on learning and progress
scores
 Fragmented
 Students assume more control
of their academic progress.
“The success of the student-led conferences relies on preparing
students well” (Skulkind, 2008) .
 Students set goals early on in the year.
 Students are informed about the process and their role in it.
 Students begin to collect work for a portfolio.
 Students reflect on work collected and write short narratives.
 Students identify strengths and weaknesses.
 Students develop a plan for areas of need and revise their goals.
Teacher and School Roles:
 Teachers will discuss students’ progress together.
 Teachers will assist students in preparing for conferences by
 teaching self-reflection.
 compiling student work and highlighting material in each content area.
 setting up opportunities for students to practice conference.
 The School will invite parents and inform them about student-
led conferences.
“By articulating their learning and growth to their parents, students felt that their
academic strengths and weaknesses became clearer” (Skulkind, 2008).
During the Conference:
 Student displays work from each class, discusses progress.
 Student has an increased responsibility for answering parent
questions and concerns about student learning.
 Teacher facilitates the conference and assists in guiding the
discussion, offering support if the student needs it.
During the Conference:
 Student shares action plan and goals they have created.
 As a team, review/revise goals.
 As a team develop a system that parents and teachers can put in
place to support the students goals.
 At the conclusion of the conference, allow time for clarifying
questions or additional concerns to be addressed.
As a result of this process,we hope that students
 Become increasingly accountable for their learning.
 Discover how to evaluate their own progress.
 Gain a greater commitment to schoolwork and learning.
 Gain self-confidence and improve academic self-esteem.
 Invite parent involvement.
 Begin to communicate independently about their progress.
 Improve communication and critical-thinking skills.