1. Student-Led Conferences Empower the Student Kari Cox Handouts for this session can be found on the AMLE2015 app

2. Purpose  Allows students to take responsibility for their learning  Students are invested and motivated  Parents attend more conferences when student is facilitating  Student/Parent/Teacher are aware of students strengths and weakness  Communication is stronger and builds relationships

3. Organize Have relevant information in a folder  Grade Cards  State Testing  Goals – Academic/Behavior  Sample Reading/Writing/Math  Achievements Notify parents the conference is student-led  Explain the importance of students being present  Explain there will be time to discuss student without them being present if necessary  Send a survey or questionnaire home in order to gather parents concerns ahead of time

4. Parent Letter Example Dear Parents, Parent-teacher conference time is quickly approaching. I do conferences different than a lot of teachers – my students lead their own parent-student-teacher conference. Your child will share his/her strengths and weaknesses, academic goals, state testing scores, and other data. This is a very exciting time for students. Of course, if there is sensitive matter to discuss, I will ask your child to step into the hallway for a minute so that we may speak privately.

5. Parent Questionnaire Example What are your goals for your child this year? ____________________ ___________________________________________________________ What specific concerns do you have about your child's academic progress? __________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ What specific concerns do you have about your child's behavior? ___________________________________________________________ What questions or concerns does your child have about school? ___________________________________________________________

6. Structure Create a template for students to follow  Provides a guide for students  Keeps conference on track  Helps with time constraints  Practice the conference using the template

7. Template Structure Example In Reading, I am working on___________________________. I am really good at __________________________________. I need more help with ________________________________. Right now I’m reading at a _________ grade level. I should be reading at a ________level. My plan for reading is _________________________________.

8. Template Structure Example My behavior strengths are ______________________________. My behavior weakness are ______________________________. My proudest moment so far this year is ____________________ _____________________________________________________. My goal this year is _____________________________________ _____________________________________________________.

9. Template Structure Example On our state testing for 2015 school year, being on grade level is called ______________. In Math I scored a ________________. In ELA (Reading and Writing) I scored_____________________. On our grade card this year, my grades will be ________. Being on grade level will be ________. A_______ means I am getting close, but still working on it. A _________ means I need help on this skill and I am still learning.

10. Practice Allow time for students to practice with all the information  Review student filled out template one-on-one, add comments, give feedback  Model or provide a video of student-led conference  Have students practice with a partner: one is the student, one is the parent; switch roles

11. Challenges Be aware of possible challenges  Have translators available to help students if necessary  Some students will be nervous at first  Remember it is student focused and led; try to stay passive  Students may skip or rush over important information on the template  Be prepared to guide and prompt shy students  Have a plan if a parent wants to discuss personal issues

12. Session Evaluation Let us know what you thought of this session. Complete an evaluation electronically on the conference app, or complete the paper evaluation located in the back of the program book. CEU Code: OP-86 CEU Code Earn Continuing Education Units (CEU) to maintain your teaching certification. Write down the CEU Code for every session you attend on the CEU card located in the back of the program book.