How do you make students accountable and start to develop ownership for their work in school?  Here’s one idea:  student-led parent/teacher conferences.  The following links provide some great information on how to design effective student-led conferences:

• http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational_leadership/apr96/vol53/num07/When_Students_Lead_Parent-Teacher_Conferences.aspx
• Kansas Parent Information Resource Center: http://www.kpirc.org/uploads/studledpare.pdf
• Scholastic.com:  http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/classroom_solutions/2010/11/student-led-parent-teacher-conferences

It is never too early to start student-led parent/teacher conferences.  Even your pre-kindergarten students can show parents their work and talk about what they are doing in school.

If your school is not ready for the student-led parent/teacher conference, here are some helpful websites with tips for traditional parent/teacher conferences:

• Harvard Family Research Project:  Tips for Principals, Teachers, & Parents
  • http://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/browse-our-publications/parent-teacher-conference-tip-sheets-hojas-de-consejos-para-las-reuniones-de-padres-y-maestros
• Scholastic. Com:  Tips for Teachers
  • http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/teacher-tips-successful-parent-teacher-conferences
• Illinois New Principal Mentoring Program
  • http://www.ilprincipalmentoring.org/website_documents/resources/educational_leadership/Parent-Teacher%20Conference%20Guidelines.pdf