In several surveys taken at schools that have adopted the new conference system, most teachers said that they prefer it over the decades-old conference style without students. They are a crucial element. It's their education that we are talking about. The student-led conferences have spawned change. Teachers see many students working harder to clean up their files.
Schools also report better participation by parents.
At McLoughlin, for instance, Principal Matt Utterback said nearly every parent in the school showed up for conferences this fall compared to about half in previous years. Administrators give their staffs much of the credit for the high turnout. Teachers at McLoughlin made the meetings convenient by meeting with parents early, late and on weekends. McLoughlin's secretaries and counselors even gave parents rides. Kids, too, get credit for getting their folks to school.