Assessment capable learners lead conferences.

Assessment capable learners are proficient at self-monitoring, they set goals and are reflective about their progress, they don’t rely solely on the teacher to tell them where they are or what to do next.

Student-Led Conferences place the learner at the center of the learning. Students’ autonomy is supported as they are supported to take ownership and articulate their successes, strengths and learning opportunities. In contrast to traditional parent-teacher conferences where the communication is mainly one-way communication—meaning from the teacher to the parent; student-led conferences represent a process or approach to culminating the teaching and learning that has happened over a determined amount of time between teachers, parents, and students. In order to hold meaningful student-led conferences, teachers and students plan, prepare, and practice. Throughout this process students become Assessment Capable Learners.

Lesson Outcomes

This online learning package was developed for classroom teachers. Inside, you will discover

• The benefits of student-led conferences, and
• Strategies for involving students in conferences.

Reflective Questions

How do you currently conduct conferences in your classroom? What are some of the benefits to having students lead their own conferences?