During the
school year, students at
When Are the Conference Days?
The following
days have been set aside for student-led conferences. February 22 & 24 . Most conference appointments will last between 15 and
20 minutes. Students will be scheduling dates and times with you soon.
Why Are We Having Student-Led Conferences?
We
believe that student involvement in the conferences makes learning active,
provides opportunities for students to evaluate their performance, and
encourages students to accept responsibility for their learning. Having
students take charge of the conference makes them more accountable for what
they are learning. In addition, this form of conferencing creates a partnership
between the home and the school that is hard to get in any other way. Both
research and experience have demonstrated that student-led conferences offer
many benefits including the following:
stronger sense of
accountability among students;
stronger sense of
pride in achievement among students;
more productive
student-teacher relationships;
development of
leadership skills among students;
greater parental
participation in conferences; and
greater
personalization for every student.
What Does a Student-Led Conference Look Like?
Prior to the
conference, students will collect work that reflects what they have learned.
Students will be taught how to select work samples and how to evaluate their
work to determine their strengths and weaknesses. This work will usually be
assembled in their GRADs portfolio. As the students conduct the conference,
they will explain skills they have learned and share goals they have set for
themselves.
A block of time
will be scheduled for you and your child to conference together. While the
students advisor will serve as the conference facilitator, the student will
lead the conference.
As your son or
daughter shares his or her work, you may want to ask questions such as:
What
can you tell me about this assignment?
What
did you have to do to complete this assignment?
What
skills did you have to use?
What
would you do next time to improve your work?
What
goals have you set?
How
can I help you meet your goals?
How does this fit into your 13th
year plan?
At the end of
the conference, you will be asked to complete a quick survey that will help us
evaluate the effectiveness of the conference. You can complete the survey at
school immediately after the conference. If time does not permit you to
complete the survey at school, it can filled out at
home and returned to school with your son or daughter.
What's the Role of the Parent in Student-Led
Conferences?
We
believe that student-led conferences are an important experience for all
students and hope that all parents will be able to participate. Your role is
critical to the success of the conference
Your first role is as a listener. Having a
parent audience for learning gives students a powerful reason to learn and work
hard.
Your second role as a parent is to talk with
the student about the work that will be presented. You will gain a better
understanding of the academic expectations set for your child.
Your third role as a parent is to identify
ways you can support the student to achieve goals that will be set for the next
grading period.
What's the Role of the Student During
Student-Led Conferences?
Students should
be able to explain academic progress, discuss how their learning is reflected
in their classroom work, and be able to share goals for improving performance
and preparing for the future.
What's the Role of the Advisor in Student-Led
Conferences?
Advisors have
several roles in preparing and conducting student-led conferences. Critical to
the success of the conferences are three major activities:
The advisor makes sure that all students know
and can discuss the academic standards.
The advisor makes sure conference
materials are available for students and parents.
The advisors help schedules and
organize the conferences to ensure successful communication.
What Should a Parent Do If He or She Cannot
Attend the Conference?
Student-led
conferences can be a very special time for you and your child. Please make
yourselves available for these conferences. Schools will try to accommodate
parent schedules. However, if it is not possible for you to attend alternate
appointment times, you may want to ask a grandparent, another relative, or perhaps
a family friend to take your place.
What Should a Parent Do If He or She Wants a
Private Conference with the Teacher?
If, after
attending the student-led conference, you wish to schedule an appointment to speak
privately with the teacher, please let the teacher know.
Where Can Parents Find More Information About
Grade Level and Course Standards That Need To Be Met?
AHS Instructional Facilitator
(350) 538-2065
AHS Career & Technical Education Department
(360) 538-2038
(360) 538-2044