Student Led Conferences/APTT

ISPR-Sept. 23, 2015

“…this practice is the biggest breakthrough in communicating about

student achievement in the last century. When students are well

prepared over an extended period to tell the story of their own success (or

lack thereof), they seem to experience a fundamental shift in their internal

sense of responsibility for that success. The pride in accomplishment that

students feel when they have a positive story to tell and tell it well, can be

immensely motivational. The sense of personal responsibility that they feel

when anticipating what it will be like to face the music of having to tell their story of poor achievement can also

drive them to productive work." ~Rich Stiggins, Phi Delta

Kappan, 1999

The Practice

of Student

Led Conferen

ces

Top 10 List: Why do STUDENT LED

conferences in Middle School? Improves Home/School Communication

Practices real life-skills - communication, organization, leadership, etc.

Teaches self-evaluation, self-reflection skills

Focuses on learning

Goal setting process has buy-in by all involved

Top 10 List: Why do STUDENT LED

conferences in Middle School?Easier scheduling - easily accommodates

late arrivals, walk-ins

Provides quality time between parent and child

Less stress on teacher during conference days

Accommodates parents who do not speak English

Students are the center of the conference

What do Middle School

Teachers Say?“I now look ahead to the types of assignments I willdo this trimester and what I want to include in theportfolio.”

“When students need to present to their parents themissing assignments sheet, there is no place for thatstudent to brush off the blame on someone else.”

“Kids now get their work in.”

What do Students Say?

“I love it; it encourages me to be very well organized.”

“It helps bring out the best in me.”

“I like (creating the portfolio); I’m more in charge.”

“Things at home are about the same, but my mom helps me more now.

…And How About Parents?

“My child is more reflective, more self confident, self-directed, owning her work.”

“I am so impressed with the enthusiasm my son shows in regard to learning more and understanding schoolwork.”

“I stay at conferences as long as they will let me; time is always too short.”

“I want to thank you for everything the school and teachers have done.”

“ I’m really proud of my son and I was so impressed with his attitude and the way he conducted himself.”

Preparing YOU for the Middle School Conference:

Tips for Success Understand difference between your role as

TEACHER & conference FACILITATOR. *You help students work through goal setting process *You help students organize their work , data, goals, etc… * You teach the conference process/script *Allow time for students to practice, practice, practice! *Have students send a personal invitation to parents

Select work to Present: ~How many pieces of work per subject area? ~Who selects work? *Teacher Selected; Student Selected; Shared Decision

Gather & Organize Materials, Graphs, Rubrics, Goal Sheets, etc..Ahead of Time

Preparing YOU for the Middle School Conference:

Tips for SuccessDesign & TEACH use of Self-Evaluation and Self-Reflection Tools Self-Evaluation: *Rubrics *State Scoring Guide

Self-Reflection: *Why? -to help students understand the learning process; & how to assess themselves as a learner. - It encourages honest recognition of strengths, areas to work on, and goal setting. *How? (Examples) - Responding to highly specific questions in writing -Making a graph of effort (Effort Tracker-coming soon), satisfaction, interest and value -Letters to teacher or self - Checklists or charts -Journal or learning log entries

Data Notebook Contents: The Non-Negotiables

SMART Goal: Character and Academic

(Not necessary for students to create 1 for every class. They simply need to create 1 for an area of weakness, or an area they would like to improve)

Effort Tracker (Leisa will model use of this tool, with you and your students )

Data (STAR, Gradebook Report, Teacher Created Assessments, etc…)

Authentic Work Samples (How many? Who chooses?)

Self-Assessment example (Rubric)

Self-Reflection example (See examples; slide 9)

So, by the end of today’s session…1. Choose plan for helping students create their

SMART goals

2. Use “Missing Assignment Sheet” provided or create your own.

3. Use/tweak Lana’s “Student Led Conference Script/Checklist.

4. Decide number/types of work samples to be included.

5. What rubric/s do you plan to use?

6. What self-reflection pieces will be shared with parents?

7. Use template for parent invite, create your own, or have students create?

8. Sign up for a time for Leisa to present effort tracker. Please specify which periods if more than one.