student-led conferences

student-led conferences
The Purpose of Student-Led Conferences
Encourages you, as the student, to accept personal responsibility for your academic performance

Teaches you, the student, the process of self-evaluation and reflection

Provides a place for you, your parents, and your teachers to engage in open and honest dialogue

What are Student-Led Conferences?
Student-led conferences are exactly what they imply; students take the lead on sharing examples of their work, discussing next steps and setting goals.
Steps in Preparing for Your Student-Led Conference
1. Review your academic work and goals, reflecting on your work and evaluating your performance these last 9 weeks.

2. Select work you've done that represents your successes and your struggles.

3. Put together an agenda and presentation.

4. Practice presenting.


The Benefits of Student-Led Conferences
Produces a greater accountability for your own learning

Builds confidence as you present your successes

Creates independence as you advocate for yourself

Gives an opportunity for positive student-teacher relationships

Improves communication with parents, resulting in a deeper understanding of and confidence in what happens at school
Step 1: Review, Reflect and Evaluate
Step 4: Practice Presenting
The Why and The How
Step 2: Select Examples of Your Work
Step 3: Agenda and Presentation
Construct an agenda. Be sure to include the following:
Introductions, Welcome, Thank yous
Explanation of the format and objectives
Report card with comments, attendance
Observations of successes and challenges
Examples of your work
Goals for going forward
Ask for questions or comments
Review: Print a copy of your report card. Read through all the comments and highlight important points.

Reflect: As you think about each class, take an honest look back over the last 9 weeks and consider some of these questions. Do you agree with these comments? What would you add? Do you have a project or theme that you especially enjoyed? Do you have a piece of work that you are proud of? Do you have a project or theme that was especially challenging for you? Do you know why? Where can you see improvement? What are you working on now? Do you have personal goals for each class?

Evaluate: Write down answers to some of these questions. If you need help clarifying your thoughts, discuss these answers with a classmate or mentor.
Think about recent projects and select examples of your work, showcasing a variety of subjects. These could be papers, photographs or even something you have constructed. If you do not have examples of your work, gather them from your teachers.

Get copies of the rubrics for these projects.

On each rubric, highlight how you met standards for each work.

Write a brief description of the process involved and why you selected each example.
Create a Presentation. To guide your presentation, you can use an outline, note cards or even slides in Keynote, PowerPoint or Prezi.
As you practice presenting with classmates, your mentor or at home, keep these things in mind:

Speak clearly, audibly and at an appropriate pace, making eye contact.

Answer questions directly and honestly.

Be proud of successes and take ownership of mistakes.

Be ready for a response. Be teachable and open to any comments by teachers and parents.