The Why Behind Student Involved Conferences

Unless there are an abundance of snow days, January and February are typically quieter months in the life of a school. As a teacher, I strategically planned to teach my meatier subject matter during the winter months. Sandwiched between the busy holiday season and the end of the year crunch time, these cold winter days provide solid learning time. That’s not to say learning doesn’t happen during other times of the year nor does it mean there aren’t events and activities happening, but these months provide a nice, consistent chunk of time to dive deeper into the curriculum. 

This time also brings the next formal conference opportunity. In middle school, these winter conferences are student involved conferences. The middle school students attend the conferences along with their parents to discuss their progress this school year, while looking ahead to the next grade level. By having the students participate in the conferences it helps them not only have a voice in their education, but also helps teach some of those lifeskills that we focus on, including self advocacy, responsibility and setting goals. 

A few benefits of the student involved conferences include:

Encouraging Responsibility and Accountability

We work with our middle school students to become independent and take some ownership of their education. These conferences require them to reflect on their performance, set goals, and articulate their progress to their parents and teachers. This process encourages accountability as students present real data and examples of their work, as well as strategies for areas in which they can improve.

Building Communication Skills

Speaking in front of others, as well as effectively advocating for oneself are important lifeskills. In a student involved conference, students practice organizing their thoughts and presenting them clearly to trusted adults. This experience boosts their confidence and helps them articulate their needs and successes, preparing them for future interactions in high school, college, and beyond.

Strengthening the Home School Connection

Conferences that include the students provide a unique opportunity for parents to see their child’s school experience through their eyes. Hearing directly from their child about accomplishments and challenges can foster a deeper understanding of their academic journey. This shared experience strengthens the bond between home and school, creating a unified support system for the student.

Fostering Reflection and Goal Setting

Reflection is an important part of both personal and academic growth. Prepping for a conference requires students to analyze their work critically, identify strengths, and pinpoint areas needing improvement. This process not only helps them understand their own learning but also instills the habit of setting realistic and actionable goals.

Having students involved in conferences allows parents, teachers, and students to work together to create a collaborative educational experience. When students take part in the conversation as well as the planning, they don’t just learn about their progress-they learn about themselves.