The power of ownership—letting students lead parent and teacher conferences
This interesting blog post on School Spring describes a growing trend of student-led conferences.
“For years the process of parent-teacher conferences has been the same,” it writes. “The teacher hurriedly telling a parent about their child’s progress (mostly meaning their grades and participation in class) and not much time, if any, for discussion.”
It mentions an article from Education World that describes a growing trend toward conferences instead led by students, increasing the sense of ownership on the part of students and elevating them to a more equal status with the adults.
If the role of student can be successfully expanded into conferences, could it be elsewhere in the schooling process, as well?
Image: Student leading conference at McGraw Elementary, in Ft. Collins, CO
November 10, 2010 - 11:55am
Here is my checklist for schools using student-led conferences:
Community Learning Centers
Student Led Parent-Advisee Conferences
Checklist
This is about holding a conference with the student and caring adults (advisor, parents) not about the student. It is another good learning experience for the student: they think about goals, express themselves and demonstrate accountability.
1. Prepare for the conference:
o Check with other staff who work with your advisee.
o Develop a packet for the conference:
Student’s PLP and goals
Samples of work
Reports or notes from other staff (can do at a staff meeting).
2. Rehearse the conference with students by role playing:
• Students present their goals, learning activities, samples of work.
• Students explain the material, not just hand it out.
• Students ask for comments and suggestions from parents, e.g. goals.
3. Conduct conference with the student, parent, advisor. Advisee takes the lead to the greatest extent possible:
• Have a comfortable, pleasant setting.
• Establish a time period for the conference, e.g., 20 minutes.
• Review goals set earlier. If none, it’s time to set goals.
• Review progress toward goals.
• Review progress with samples of work from learning activities.
• Review attendance and handling of responsibilities at school/home.
• Modify goals for balance of the year as necessary.
• Determine other learning activities to accomplish goals.
• Describe upcoming events and activities.
• Ask how the home can contribute to learning.
• Parents give their thoughts on student’s progress.
• Ask parents and students for questions, ideas.
4. Bonus: ask parents about sparks or resources for the school.
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