Learner-Led Conferences (LLCs) are around the corner. They will be held on Thursday, March 21st (minimum day), and Friday, March 22nd. These conferences create a purposeful way for learners to talk with adults about their learning and offer parents a direct and active role in their child’s school life.
What to Expect at Learner-Led Conferences
A Learner-Led Conference offers your learner not only a real voice in the assessment of their learning, but it also offers her or him practice in speaking to their strengths. This will prepare them for the real-life experience of talking to potential employers as they get older. This process is more of a performance than an evaluation; your learner will compile what they have been learning and review this process with you, the family member.
The first conference can be overwhelming, and learners may be nervous. They will need support from you. Facilitators are at the conference for support only. All of the information about a learner’s work, progress, behavior, goals, and grades will come from the learner. If you would like to talk to a facilitator about specifics, there will be sign-up sheets to schedule a time with your learner’s advisor at a later date.
What is the Role of the Parent at an LLC?
Parents play an important supportive role in this process. The focus of the conference is on learning and growth, not simply a “show and tell” display of work. It is a time for families to “sit beside” their child, listen to and trust their child’s assessment of his/her own learning, and ask good questions. Families may also work with the child to set new goals based on the discussion during the conference. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your child’s facilitator.