Student Conferences:

Self-Reported Grades

Why: Let's hear it straight from John Hattie as to why we should consider using Self-Reported Grades in the classroom.

“Student reflection of their performance alone makes no difference. Emphasizing accurate calibration is more effective than rewarding improved performance. The message is that teachers need to provide opportunities for students to be involved in predicting their performance; clearly, making the learning intentions and success criteria transparent, having high but appropriate expectations, and providing feedback at the appropriate levels is critical to building confidence in successfully taking on challenging tasks. Educating students to have high, challenging, appropriate expectations is among the most powerful influences in enhancing student achievement.”

Outcome: Participants will learn to implement self-reported grades with individual student conferencing. They will begin to create an implementation plan and schedule a reflection conversation with a teacher

Activity #1: Learn About Self-Reported Grades (20 min)

Step 1: Review (6 min) Individually, read the background section and complete both of the following:

Read Hattie’s Greatest Effect size: Self Reported Grades / Student Expectations – How we can apply it in the classroom from the Re-Thinking the Classroom/ Teaching and learning website.
Watch this video from Visible Learning with John Hattie explaining Self-Reported Grades. (1:50)

While reading and watching, choose one sentence or idea and write it down. You will share this out when everyone is finished watching and reading.

Copy of Self-Reported Grades Overview

Hattie’s Greatest Effect size: Self Reported Grades / Student Expectations – How we can apply it in the classroom.Number 1 – Self-Reported Grades/Student Expectations (effect size = 1.44) Self – Reported grades or Student Expectations (which Hattie would like to call it now) comes out on top of all influ…

Step 2 : Discuss (2 min) With your group, go ‘Round the Horn, having each member share the one idea or sentence that stuck out to you.

Step 3: Observe and Share (12 min) Watch the two videos below on Self-Reported Grades. The first video will be a teacher and student conferencing and going through the process of setting expectations. The second video will be from a teacher’s perspective on what they do and how they implement Self-Reported Grades.

Student Self-Reported Grades Conference (0 - 3:50)
Teacher Perspective and Examples (watch video from 2:30 - 9:30)

**Bonus material** Watch Teacher Perspective and Examples from 11:30 to 12:28 to learn more about how self-reported grades are meaningful for teachers and students

Step 4: Whole Group Discussion (5 min) As a whole group, share out what you learned about the Student Self-Reported Grades. You may choose to discuss these questions:

How might your learners benefit from this instructional strategy?
What supports (materials, time, etc.) will you need to implement Self-Reported Grades?

Activity #2: Plan for Successful Self-Reported Grades (20 min)

Step 1: Plan (10 min) Think about how you might fit Self-Reported Grades in your classroom. Read 6 steps that go into an effective implementation of Self-Reported Grades. While you read ask yourself these questions:

When is there time during the day to have conversations with individual students? Is it possible to use your homeroom time to conference with students?
Will you give students the Learning Targets before a unit, at the beginning of the week, before a test, or all of these options? Will you be able to meet during the class to meet and talk to students about their expectations?
What form will you use and how will you use that form to facilitate communication, feedback, and celebrations?
What pitfalls do you anticipate? How will you address these pitfalls?

6 Steps

Step 2: Explore (10 min) Review the examples and templates below individually. As you review the documents look for:

1. What is the learner being asked to do?
2. How it this be used for multiple lessons?
3. What are 2 things you can use for collecting Self-Reported Grades?
Google form template - an electronic way to house individual student expectations, reflections, celebrations, and grades. Each student can have one for themselves and take ownership of their expectations and make the Self-Reported Grade strategy digital for those looking for a digital option.
Unit Goal Setting Template - used at the beginning of the unit to capture the learner's expectations, goal(s), and steps to attain their goal(s)
Student Continuous Self-Assessment - This can be used during the unit for the learner to determine progress towards their goal(s) and expectations.
End of Unit Reflection Template - This can be used prior to the end of the unit assessment and then revisited once the assessment has been graded. An individual conversation with the child is needed to celebrate their exceeding expectations, meeting expectations, or figuring out what they need to do better next time to exceed their expectations.

Personal Grade Tracker

Personal Grade Tracker Google Form Template

An electronic way to house individual student expectations, reflections, celebrations, and grades. Each student can have one for themselves and take ownership of their expectations and make the Self-Reported Grade strategy digital for those looking for a digital option.

Unit Goal Setting

Unit Goal Setting Template

This can be used at the beginning of the unit to capture the learners expectations, goal(s), and steps to attain their goal(s)

Continuous Self-Assessment

Student Continuous Self-Assessment Template

This can be used during the unit for the learner to determine progress towards their goal(s) and expectations.

End of Unit Goal Reflection

End of Unit Reflection Template

This can be used prior to the end of the unit assessment and then revisited once the assessment has been graded. An individual conversation with the child is needed to celebrate their exceeding expectations, meeting expectations, or figuring out what they need to do better next time to exceed their expectations.

Step 3: Whole Group Discussion (5 min) Reconvene as a whole group. Share your initial ideas about how you will implement self-reported grades in your classroom.

Activity #3: Plan, Teach, and Reflect (remaining time and beyond)

Step One: Use the remaining time today to solidify your plan. Look at your unit plans over the next month to think about how you will incorporate self-reported grades meaningfully into your instruction.

Step Two: Implement self-reported grades in your classroom.

Step Three: Email Mr. Huber to schedule a meeting before the end of February to reflect on using self-reported grades, or you can send an email to Mr. Huber reflecting on how it went implementing Self-Reported Grades.

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