The document discusses middle school student-led conferences (MS SLCs) as an alternative to traditional teacher-led conferences. MS SLCs will be held on March 28th in classrooms to provide a more comfortable setting for students to present to parents and for parents to hear from their children. SLCs are student-driven, allow more time for conversation, and focus on student accountability, goal-setting, and samples of student work. They are advocated to increase parent involvement, create a positive learning environment centered around the student, teach self-reflection skills, and motivate students.

1. MS SLC = MS Student-Led Conferences

2. Wednesday,
March 28th
MS SLCs will be in
classrooms
● Easier for students to present
● Easier for parents to hear
● More comfortable atmosphere

10. Traditional Conferences
Teacher Driven
Short time frame
Dining Hall or Media Center (large group
setting)
Fragmented (possibly 7+ teachers)
Student-Led Conferences
Student Driven
Longer time frame/conversation
Classroom (small, comfortable setting)
High Accountability
Opportunities for goal setting
Samples of student work
Why MS SLCs?
vs.

11. Why MS SLCs?
● Increase parent involvement
● Create a positive learning atmosphere
● Place Students at the Center of the Conference
● Teach self-evaluation/student reflection
● Focus on the learning journey--Opportunity to recognize progress
● Motivate students
● Practice real life skills-communication, organization, leadership
● Accommodate parents who do not speak English

12. “…this practice [Student led conferences] 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
can also drive them to productive work.”
(Rick Stiggins, Phi Delta Kappan, Nov. 1999)