The classic parent-teacher conference setup “is often transactional,” writes former grade-school teacher Emily H. Murphy, in which the educator is the “expert,” the parent is a “passive participant,” and the subject of the meeting is not even present.
In an article for EdSurge, Murphy — a co-founder of Avem Education Partners — lays out the benefits of including the student, who would lead the conversation.
“The teacher might chime in to provide more context, and the parent might ask clarifying questions or offer input, but it is the student who does the majority of the talking,” Murphy writes. “At the end, the student often concludes by sharing the next steps they will take to reach the goals that they set.”
She adds, “If we want students to feel motivated and excited about their own learning, then the very least we can do is to invite them to the conversation.”
Read Murphy’s full article here.
