After the parent conference, the portfolio is taken home for further review. The students and I develop questions they would like their parents to respond to regarding their portfolios and conferences. Parents include their answers in a follow-up letter addressed to the child. In my classroom, student-led conferences are conducted twice per year, once in October and again in March. At the end of the year, we hold a portfolio fair.
Students become more confident and proud of their portfolios as the school year progresses.
A Contagious Idea Implementing portfolios and student-led conferences is a gradual process, but once these ideas are in place, they are contagious. Once one teacher or team begins, others will follow. I started using portfolios four years ago. To support the process, three-inch binders with the school name and mascot on the cover were purchased for every child. This year, for the first time, the portfolios have been passed on to the next grade level.