Student-Led Conferences

Conferences are a time for parents to gain a greater insight on their child’s learning progress. In traditional circumstances, the parents will sit at a table across from the teacher and the teacher will lead the conversation displaying test scores, projects, or other pieces that the child has worked on.

What if we changed this dynamic and held the students accountable for their learning? What if students instead discussed their learning to their parents and talked about their strengths and their challenges? What if students reported on their behavior and set goals for the upcoming trimester?

In sixth grade, we have students lead their own conferences. In student-led conferences, the students prepare for their own conference by reflecting on their learning in every subject including their behavior. Students examine tests, projects, and other artifacts from their learning throughout the semester to compile a list of their strengths and things that challenge them. The students then create goals for the next trimester in each subject. I was extremely impressed by how honest all of the students were and the goals they have set for the upcoming trimester. Students also brainstormed ideas on how they would achieve this goal. For example, something we practiced a lot in writing was the creation of a story arc before writing a story to make sure all things were included such as the exposition, the rising actions, the climax, etc. Some students wrote in their conferences that this was still challenging to them. The goal they then created was to make a story arc before every writing piece to gain additional practice. I thought this was a great way to take initiative in their learning by continuing to practice this skill even if it is not required by the teacher. 

The students did an incredible job during parent-teacher conferences! I was extremely impressed by how students dressed, presented their learning progress in a professional manner, and answered any questions that were asked. I am looking forward to seeing students reach the goals they created for second trimester by taking greater initiative in their learning.