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Under the past model of conferences,
parents were given no specific appointment
times to meet with teachers. All conferencing
was done on a first-come, first-served
basis in the gymnasium.
Under the new model, parents were
given individual conference times of
20
minutes to review student portfolios/work
samples and discuss student strengths
and weaknesses.
Prior to the conferences, students
collected and organized work samples into
a portfolio.
They then reviewed their work and set
personal goals. At the conference each
student was responsible for reviewing
his or
her work with parents. Teachers facilitated
the process and met with parents.
Overall, Hanshew experienced a significant
increase in parent participation with
average parent participation rising
from 45
percent to 85 percent.
"Student-led conferences
allow teachers to see a
positive and unique side of
the students’ personality. It
gives every student a
chance to assume the
leadership role." Jeanne
Bradner, teacher |
Participants’ quotes
"It gave me a chance to be more involved
with my daughter herself rather than
just her
work. I got to see how she is taking
care of
her work. I think the format is a very
interesting
new way for conferencing."
-Valerie Reinecke, parent
"My daughter and I enjoyed it. She was
proud to be able to show me what she
had
been working on. I felt it was better
than the
other way because we were able to speak
with each teacher in a quieter and more
private
way than having everyone in the gym." -Teal
Team parent
"Parents are very supportive of student-led
conferences. I strongly feel that students
gain a new perspective on their grades,
their work, strengths and weaknesses.
Student accountability was mentioned
time
and again as a plus for student-led conferences.
Another plus, is the way even a
struggling student can produce something
positive for a conference - an art project
or
an essay, perhaps, that wouldn’t show up
on a report card."
-Cessilye Williams, Assistant Principal
"Research indicates that so few parents
and kids have meaningful conversations
with each other and I hope the student-led
conferences can help stimulate further
conversations
between kids and parents." -Vickie McCubbin,
teacher
"The teacher is the facilitator while the
child is the expert on him/herself; too
often
teachers are supposed to be the experts
on
all of their kids. Kids do an excellent
job of
knowing their own strengths and weaknesses."
-Everette Burk, teacher
"Parent turnout was quite high compared
to the old method. Parents remarked that
they appreciated having a scheduled time
and having a less hurried conference."
-Greg Barta, teacher |
