Hosting a Student-Led Conference is a best practice for teachers everywhere to implement.
Student-Led Conferences are a way to take the pressure off of the teacher and help control teacher burnout by putting the preparation and lead role in the students hands.
Many teachers like myself, have come to see that Student-Led Conferences are a success. The students are so excited about the entire process and the parents love the change up from the traditional parent teacher conference.
What is a Student-Led Conference?
A Student-Led conference is a time when teachers do very little talking. The student does almost all of the talking to their own parent(s), is in charge of the conference and covers the following, plus more. This is a chance for the student, not the parent to discuss their own academic progress.
- Samples of work
- Grades
- Successes
- Struggles
- Goals moving forward
Why should you have Student-Led Conferences?
- Students are in charge of their learning and take complete ownership.
- Students become the expert of their own learning.
- The student is highlighted.
- For many students, this setting is a confidence booster and a self-esteem riser.
- Students feel comfortable talking “school” to their parent(s) with preparation and support of their teacher.
- Parents are able to see and hear their child in a child’s school setting in order to comprehend and “feel”
- Parent and student attendance are high.
- Parents feel more comfortable with their child’s teacher.
- Students physically SHOW families what they are learning!!!
- Parents see activities and academics that their child participates in daily.
- It becomes an opportunity for parents to stop comparing their child to others and focus only on their child’s abilities.
Incorporate a Written Reflection:
In our classroom suite, I have created a self evaluation reflection sheet for all students. One for their ELA block with me and one for their Math/Science block with my counterpart.
How to host a Student-Led Conference?
Designate a Time:
At our school we have a fall and spring conference night. My teaching partner and I use these two evenings for students and parents to come to school in the window of time that is convenient for their family. We also hold Student-Led conferences after school and on workdays. This is perfect because these set times we have made are uninterrupted.
Prepare a Letter Home:
A month prior to the Student-Led conference a printed letter goes home along with an email. Days prior to the Student-Led conference a message through Remind goes home and a Tweet goes out. This helps attendance rates. In our two homerooms, we typically only have four or less families who were unable to attend. Therefore, we schedule another time to meet.
Prepare Student Artifacts:
Decide with the student what areas to highlight specifically during the conference.
Students in my classroom have an ELA file. This includes all essays, assessments and work samples. We are also a 1:1 classroom, so students have their digital notebook along with all the websites we utilize. In preparing for the conference, I typically pick 3-5 items I specifically want students to share with their parents and then the student picks 3-5 items they want to share with their parents.
TIP: Over prepared is better! This is my motto, I find that when the students have a list of items to share, they don’t feel like they have to try to hold the conversation with their parent on their own.
Prepare Student Dialogue:
A few weeks prior to the conference, a take a few minutes out of each day to prepare students with sample dialogue. This includes acting in a little role play with me and with peers. Little lessons in how to present and how to hold a conversation. Prior to the conference students practice the entire conference with a peer. One student will have all of their work prepared and meets with another student who pretends to be their parent. This allows the student to be comfortable in sharing and explaining their work.
TIP: Parent Practice Cards – On in index card I write down a few questions. This is to help during our role play time. The pretend parent asks these questions to the student, so if the real parent does, they feel comfortable responding.
Tips for a Successful Student-Led Conference:
- Try to typically ask questions directed at the student versus the parent.
- Keep the setting casual and full of happiness by celebrating the successes of each child based on their gains.
- As a trio (teacher, parent, student) have questions prepared to ask to make the conference collaborative versus statements.
- If wanted or needed, offer time to parents who have concerns and want to speak with you one on one without their child present.
Hope this post has inspired you to host your first Student-Led Conference!
