STUDENT LED REVIEWS: Thursday, October 28 ONLY.

Continued from last week....

The student-led process typically is recognized as three phases: preparation, the actual review, and an evaluation.

Preparation. It cannot be assumed that all students will possess the self-confidence, organizational skills, and communication skills necessary to lead a successful review. Therefore, teachers must adequately prepare students and provide them with the skills and tools needed. In the week prior to the conference, our teachers will instruct students how to lead the review, assist them with collecting and preparing information to be shared with parents, and describe how to explain and interpret any information to be shared. When students become actively involved, they will be motivated to improve their academic performance.

The Review. The student is in charge of the review and is now adequately prepared to assume this responsibility. There will be three two reviews taking place in the homeroom simultaneously, with the teacher moving freely from family to family and spending only a few minutes with each group.

Discussion of academic grades is typically the primary focus of the student-led parent review, but the review also provides an excellent opportunity for students to share the contents of their portfolios and to explain why each work sample was selected for inclusion. Additionally, the review agenda may include discussion of artifacts that help explain grades (such as test and homework scores, homework assignments and student projects, and records of class attendance, class participation, and the number and types of missing assignments) and discussion of self-selected academic and social goals for the upcoming term.

The review format should be envisioned as a process, rather than as an event. All OLF teachers are participating in on-going communication with the parents. Communication takes place via the Teacher Webs, Gradelink, e-mail, and scheduling conferences as needed. It is our hope that all concerns are being addressed as they arise and are not being held until the student-led parent review.

Evaluation. Following the review, the students, parents, and teachers will be given an opportunity to provide their feedback concerning the effectiveness of the student-led format. This feedback is essential so that OLF can continue to fine-tune the review model and can be responsive to the expressed needs of students and parents.