An Inquiry into Student-Led Conferences: The Yellow Brick Road Preparing Students for Their Future
Date
2020
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Florida Southern College
Abstract
Student-led conferences are a transformational shift from traditional parent-teacher conferences to the student discussing their progress with their parent. Student-led conferences have occurred in a variety of educational settings for three decades. This one aspect of change has not occurred consistently, if at all. From preschool through college and career placement, students receive numerous assessments. What is lacking is a measurement of students’ understanding of their performance, progress over time, and making a connection to their long-term goals for their future. The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of those using student-led conferences, to determine how student-led conferences may prepare students for future academics and careers, how teachers use student-led conferences to inform instruction, and how school leaders create a school culture that fosters student-led conferences. This dissertation presents findings from a qualitative phenomenology study conducted by interviewing participants in two schools; a public elementary Title I school with a poverty rate of over ninety percent in the northern United States, and a charter public secondary collegiate school with a poverty rate of thirty-three percent in the southern United States. The schools and participants represent diversity in demographic data from levels of poverty, gender, and race.
Findings from this research indicate student-led conferences benefit many stakeholders and once the shift occurs from teacher-led to student-led conferences stakeholders prefer student-led conferences. Student-led conferences help students improve their communication skills. Teachers observe how students demonstrate their learning to their families to inform instruction. School leaders are instrumental in creating a school culture for student-led conferences.
Description
Dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership in the School of Education at Florida Southern College by Lana Tatom.
item.page.type
Dissertation
item.page.format
Keywords
Educational leadership, Educational evaluation
Citation
Tatom, L. (2020). An Inquiry into Student-Led Conferences: The Yellow Brick Road Preparing Students for Their Future (Order No. 28649057). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: The Humanities and Social Sciences Collection. (2572592777). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/inquiry-into-student-led-conferences-yellow-brick/docview/2572592777/se-2