At SMS conferences are led by the students. During traditional conferences, if the student was present at all, he or she played the role of passive observer while the parent and teacher discussed grades and the student’s behavior. With the student-led format, the student becomes the director of the process, he or she actually leads the conference. This changes the focus from teacher-directed reporting to student-directed reflection. The student is given a greater responsibility in the conference and therefore has a greater stake in the outcome. There are several benefits to student-led conferences:
· Students take ownership of their learning and accept responsibility for their academic performance
· Students develop organizational and oral communication skills and increase self confidence
· Students share with teachers any necessary explanations to parents on the reasons for poor performance and behaviors
· Parent attendance rates are significantly higher
· Students set goals for academics and behavior for past and future grading periods
· Parents are also given opportunities to meet with individual teachers if they wish.
|