In a typical parent/teacher conference the main goal is to share student progress as well as discuss behavior and other issues. Student-led conferences work a little differently. Student progress is still discussed, as well as behavior and other issues, however it is the student that presents this information to the parent with the support of the teacher.
Putting students into the “driver’s seat” at a conference brings the person who is most important to that conference, into the very process itself. What does this accomplish? First of all, in preparing for the conference students must take a good look at their progress and assess how to make further growth. This self-assessment is crucial, and makes students responsible for their own learning! Giving students the opportunity to share this information with his or her parent or guardian makes the student part of the improvement team. The process of writing a goal and a means to achieve it takes a student from having something done “to” him, to something done “with” him. Real improvement can actually happen!
I hope you find this type of conference to be helpful to you and your child. You will be given an evaluation form about the conference before you leave. Just a note, be sure to bring your child to the conference time!
Putting students into the “driver’s seat” at a conference brings the person who is most important to that conference, into the very process itself. What does this accomplish? First of all, in preparing for the conference students must take a good look at their progress and assess how to make further growth. This self-assessment is crucial, and makes students responsible for their own learning! Giving students the opportunity to share this information with his or her parent or guardian makes the student part of the improvement team. The process of writing a goal and a means to achieve it takes a student from having something done “to” him, to something done “with” him. Real improvement can actually happen!
I hope you find this type of conference to be helpful to you and your child. You will be given an evaluation form about the conference before you leave. Just a note, be sure to bring your child to the conference time!