The conferences, which are based on student portfolios, provide reason for students and teachers to collect and monitor student work. Teachers, students, and parents have the opportunity to talk about student work together at the conference. Students show that they are responsible for what they are learning by collecting their work throughout the year in their portfolios and presenting it to their parents at the conference. Many parents who may not otherwise visit the school spend time there with their child and their child's teachers. During the second 10 minutes, teachers discuss the student's report card, progress reports from each of the student's subject-area teachers, and support services for the subjects in which students are falling behind.
Parents have time to ask questions.
After the formal conference is over, students and parents are encouraged to spend time in a central place in the school talking about additional work and portfolio contents. They provide an incentive for students to keep and organize their work throughout the year and to be accountable for it at the student-led conference. Students collect work for their portfolios throughout the year, in preparation for the conference. Teachers receive stipends for conferences they conduct in off-hours to accommodate parents. Students are naturally nervous when talking to their parents about their work and progress in school.