STUDENT LED
CONFERENCES
AND CREATING A VISION FOR
INCREASED STUDENT
PERFORMANCE
At the conclusion of this
workshop you will have ideas
on…
– how to conduct student led conferences
– how student led conferences motivate
students to take responsibility for their own
learning
– how to increase parent participation
– how to market the school
– how vision plays a role in
academic achievement
Everyone is a Winner
• Have you experienced student
motivation problems this year?
• Are you interested in students taking a
more active role in their learning?
• Would you like students to take more
ownership for their work?
• Are you concerned about students
behavior and lack of physical activity at
home?
Student led conferences could help you
put students on “center stage” and take
more responsibility for their academic
achievement, self-discipline, and
physical well-being.
PHILOSOPHY
Student led conferences reflect the belief
that students should be actively
involved in their learning and assume
responsibility for the learning process.
Through student led conference,
students become more motivated,
reflective and evaluative. They also
become more critical in their approach
to learning.
PURPOSE
• Students accept responsibility for
learning and become more aware of the
learning process.
• They report academic growth to parents
and progress toward becoming life long
learners.
POWER
Student led conferences…
• Encourage students to take an active
role in their learning
• Motivate students to take more
ownership for their work
• Allow students to see their progress over
time
• Encourage students to evaluate their
work
POWER
Student led conferences…
• Encourage students, parents and
teachers to openly communicate as
equal partners about student
achievement
• Enhance students’ oral communication
skills
• Build students’ self-confidence
• Build relationships
POWER
Student led conferences…
• Increase parent participation in
conferences
• Move students toward goal of being life
long learners
• Focus discussion on priority standards
and their accomplishment
• Showcase student work
• Encourage students, parents and
teachers to engage in open, honest,
dialogue
POWER
Student led conferences…
• Press students to have a vision for their
future
• Utilize students strengths, interests, and
hobbies to garner higher student
achievement
• Facilitate the development of students
oral communication skills
• Encourage self-efficacy
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
1. Begin the year with a student goal setting
conference.
2. Prepare samples of students work to show
evidence of growth and goal progress
(portfolio).
3. Notify parents well in advance of the
conferences.
4. Provide opportunities for students to
practice
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
(1) Begin the year with a student goal
setting conference.
• Identify strengths and challenges
based upon data…
• Student Interest Inventory
• Parent Questionnaire
• Student Achievement Data
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
•
•
•
•
•
Student Achievement Data
Illinois -- ISAT
Criterion-referenced tests (CRT)
Test of Cognitive Skills (TCS) Performance
Indicator
Classroom assessment and performance
Classroom behavior
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
Administer self assessments
•
Self Assessment
•
•
•
•
•
Team work & cooperation
Behavioral self-evaluation
Citizenship
Organizational skills
Responsibility
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
Student Interest Inventory/Student
Attitude Inventory
•
•
•
•
•
Are you a good reader? Why or why not?
Are you a good writer? Why or why not?
Name 3 topics you would like to read or write
about.
How often do you read for fun?
How often do you write for fun?
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
(1) Begin the year with a student goal
setting conference.
•
Set goals with the grade level priority/power
standards in mind…
•
•
•
•
•
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
•
Design a plan of action
•
•
•
•
Student responsibilities
Teacher responsibilities
Parent responsibilities
Decide on evidence to be included in portfolio
what shows progress toward achieving the
goals
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
(2) Prepare samples of students’ work to show
evidence of growth and goal progress
(portfolio).
•
Include baseline evidence
•
•
•
•
•
•
ISAT/ITBS
Running records
Classroom assessment
Writing assessments
Students’ Attitude Inventory
Have students organize their work with a table of
contents.
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
(2) Prepare samples of students’ work to show
evidence of growth and goal progress
(portfolio).
•
Ask students to explain and reflect upon their choices
(Post-Its or note cards)
•
•
•
I put this in my portfolio because…
I feel good about this piece because…
If I did this piece again, I would improve it by…
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
(3) Notify parents will in advance of the
conference.
•
Send home a letter explaining the conference
format and why it is being used…
•
•
•
•
Why are you having student led conferences?
How will the conferences be different?
If necessary, when can parents talk to you without the
student?
When and where will the conference be held?
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
(3) Notify parents will in advance of the conference.
Develop parent conferencing questions to guide parents
through the process…
Reading:
1. What books have you been reading?
2. What book did you enjoy most? Why?
3. What are you reading now?
4. What new words have you learned?
5. Read me a page from the book you are currently reading.
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
•
•
•
•
•
•
Parent Questionnaire
Letter to parent (see next slide)
What are your child’s academic strengths?
What subjects are the most difficult for your
child?
Describe what your child enjoys doing most in
his/her spare time.
In what clubs or activities does your child
participate?
Is your child physically active?
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
•
Parent Questionnaire
How much time each evening does your
child spend…
•
•
•
•
Watching TV?
Reading?
Completing homework?
What 3 words would best describe your
son or daughter?
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
(4) Provide opportunities for students to
practice.
•
•
•
Model the process
• Teacher to teacher
• Teacher to teacher assistant
With students, develop a checklist describing
student role
Organize student to student practice sessions
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
Conference Checklist for Students
•
•
Introduce your parent to your teacher
Tell your parent about…
•
•
•
Your reading goal
Your reading log and the books you have read
Your reading reflections about what you have read
NUTS AND BOLTS
Before the Conference
Conference Checklist for Students
•
•
•
Tell your parents about…
– Our reading rewards program
– Your vocabulary journal and new words that you
have learned
– ____________________________
____________________________
Ask your parent if he/she has questions
Thank your parent for coming
NUTS AND BOLTS
During the Conference
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Introduction (1 minute)
Orientation (2 minutes)
Students Achievement Data (5 minutes)
Students Goals (3 minutes)
Action Plan (5 minutes)
Students Work (10 minutes)
Debriefing (2 minutes)
NUTS AND BOLTS
During the Conference
Introduction/Orientation
• Introduction - Student introduces parent
to teacher (1 minute)
• Orientation - Teacher explains
conference procedures (2 minutes)
NUTS AND BOLTS
During the Conference
Student Achievement Data
• Examining the Data - Teacher shares
data that helped student and teacher
identify goals (5 minutes)
NUTS AND BOLTS
During the Conference
Student Goals and Action Plan
• Examining Student Goals - Student
shares goals and explains why they
were selected (3 minutes).
• Sharing Action Plan - Student and
teacher discuss their responsibilities for
parent (5 minutes).
NUTS AND BOLTS
Conference Organizer
While we look at my work, please notice these
things:
• Math goal ________
• Steps I will take to reach goal
1. _____________
2. _____________
3. _____________
•
•
•
•
How parents can help me reach the goal _____
Plan to monitor progress _______
These are the things I do well ______
These are the things I am working on ______
NUTS AND BOLTS
During the Conference
Student Work
• Examining Student Work - Student
shows work and reflections from
portfolio to demonstrate his/her
progress toward achieving goals (10
minutes).
NUTS AND BOLTS
During the Conference
Debriefing
• Evaluating the Conference Process The teacher, parent, and student
discuss and comment on the
conference process (2 minutes).
NUTS AND BOLTS
After the Conference
1. Student sends thank you letter to
parent
2. Student completes reflection survey
3. Parent questionnaire/evaluation
NUTS AND BOLTS
After the Conference
•
•
•
•
Student Reflection Survey
What did you like about the student led
conference?
How did you feel during the conference?
What didn’t you like about the conference?
If you could change the conference to make
it better, what would you do?
NUTS AND BOLTS
After the Conference
•
Parent Questionnaire
Which conference (traditional or student
led) gave you a better appreciation of…
–
–
–
What your child was learning?
What your child studied in class?
Your child’s study habits such as finishing
assignments and handing work in on time?
NUTS AND BOLTS
After the Conference
•
•
•
•
Parent Questionnaire
Which conference format did you prefer? Why?
What are the benefits of student led
conferences?
What are the disadvantages of student led
conferences?
What more would you like to learn in the
conference?
KEYS TO SUCCESS
• Students and teachers willing to take risks
• Teachers willing to step aside
• Focusing in on student achievement-power
standards and their accomplishment
• Committing time to…
• Learning
• Preparing
• Practicing
CHALLENGES
•
•
•
•
•
•
First time jitters
Uncertainty of sharing control with students
Need to adopt a student-centered philosophy
Organizing the logistics of conferences
Responding to families who don’t participate
Vision of the student for their academics and
their future
THE ROLE OF VISION
•
•
•
•
Vision is a dream in action
Vision gives direction
Vision determines your destination
Vision always precedes great
performance or action
THE ROLE OF VISION
• Vision clarifies purpose
• Vision empowers students beyond
known assets
-Vision Enables
-Vision Empowers
-Vision Enhances
THE FUTURE-FOCUSED
ROLE IMAGE
Unsuccessful students had:
• Very short horizons
• Believed their lives were in the hands of
fate
• Had no idea of where they were going
academically or personally
THE FUTURE-FOCUSED
ROLE IMAGE
Successful students had:
• A vision of their future
• Goals
• Believed in their own self-efficacy
• Saw multiple options in their life
SUMMARY
Student benefits:
• Accountability for their learning
• Students learn to evaluate their own progress
• Students gain greater commitment to school work and
learning
• Builds self confidence and self-esteem
• Encourages student/parent communication
• Builds communication and critical thinking skills
• Places responsibility on the student and parent
• Allows students to become involved
• Puts students in charge of their learning
• Time allowed to share and celebrate in learning environment
SUMMARY
Parent benefits:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Increases the amount of information given to a parent
Learn more about their child’s learning and skills
An opportunity to help their child set positive goals
Active participant in their child’s learning
First language communication
Eliminates standing in line for a conference
Allows for more time in their child’s learning environment to
see what the child has worked on over a period of time
• First hand opportunity to see their child in charge of the
learning process
SUMMARY
Teacher benefits:
•
•
•
•
•
Less stress on teachers, very relaxed atmosphere
Less confrontational (more positive)
Places responsibility on the student and parent
Increased parent participation
An opportunity to see students in a leadership role