Student-Led Conferences

Purpose

• Encourage students to accept personal responsibility for their academic performance and progress

• Teach students' the process of self evaluation, reflection and meta-cognition

• Increases students self-confidence and self awareness as a learner

• Actively develops students' organizational and oral communication skills

• Increases parental engagement in learning

Outcomes of the Student-Led Conferences

• The child will identify their successes and strengths as a learner using the Portrait of a Learner competencies.  [Mindful, Resilient, Globally Minded, Curious, Thinker, Contributor]

• The child will reflect, identify where to improve, and set a goal on one of these competencies. 

• The child will identify some strategies to help them reach their goal.

• The child will go through each subject on their portfolio site and describe where they are at against the learning objectives and where they still need to grow.

• Once this 15-20 minute conversation is finished, the child and the parent will have an eight-minute conversation with the teachers where teachers will provide supportive or additional information about what was discussed.

What are Student-Led Conferences (SLCs)?
A student-led conference is a meeting with a student and their family and teachers, during which the student shares a portfolio of work and discusses progress with family members. The student facilitates the meeting from start to finish.

Why SLCs?
SLCs make the age-old practice of parent-teacher conferences more engaging and informative for parents. They give students an opportunity to explain their own progress as learners. Research has shown that SLCs can transform school culture, improve family collaboration, and boost students’ ownership of their work.

What subjects will the conference cover?
Student presentations will address learning in all academic areas, including the arts and physical education. Students will also discuss their goals and progress in various areas of our Portrait of a Learner.

When will conferences be held?
October  - Goal Setting
March -  Celebration of Goals

What if I can’t make it on conference day?
Contact your child’s school or teacher, and they will arrange an alternate time for you to come to the school for the conference.

What is the specific format of the conference?
Students will conduct the Student-Led Conference with their parents during a 30-minute block of time where you will have a 15-20 minute conversation just prior to their first conference that is scheduled with teachers.

Will I get to talk to the teachers?
Following the Student-Led Conference you will be able to meet with each of the teachers for a short conversation (8 minutes). to ask further questions.  If you need to have a longer conversation, you can schedule one for another time.

How can I support my child during the SLC?
Please support your child’s growth by asking questions that make students think about their work, such as “What are you most proud of about this piece?” or “How did your work change from the first draft to the final draft”? Criticism will lead a student to be less likely to share information about their successes and challenges. 

Will every child have a conference?
Yes! 100% of our students will lead a conference.

What if I need to talk to my child’s teacher privately about something?
Parents are always welcome to schedule a separate meeting with a teacher.

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