Audience: Teachers
The research reported in A New Wave of Evidence, by Anne Henderson and Karen Mapp supports that family involvement linked to student learning has a greater effect on achievement than more general forms of involvement. Parents are familiar with conferencing and although sometimes they may be nervous about meeting with their child’s teacher, it is one avenue of communication through which schools attempt to reach as large a percent of their families as they can. Ideally, parents are made aware of the student’s progress at the conference and agree on areas on which the school and home will work together.
Many teachers have discovered that additional positive outcomes associated with conferencing can be realized through student-led conferences. The student is given the responsibility of sharing a growth and progress report with his or her parents at a conference scheduled for that purpose. Much planning is needed in the weeks leading up to the conference so that students are adequately prepared when the conference day arrives. They will see the value in setting goals and making plans for reaching those goals. The teacher’s goals, in addition to building positive relationships with families, would include that students will learn to take more responsibility for their learning and grow in their self-confidence as learners. As a result of the conferences, families may be more engaged in supporting their children’s learning at home which is linked to improved student achievement.
Birth to 5
Elementary