Student Conferences are an opportunity for teachers to build relationships with students by addressing behavior or academic concerns, reinforcing positive traits, and examining individual goals. A Student Conference can be in a formal setting or simply a quick five-minute informal meeting.  The teacher’s role during a conference is to create a safe environment, listen, and coach students.

• Identify the purpose of the student conference.  This can be done by observation or by asking open-ended questions relating to the academic or behavioral challenges of the student.
• Determine a schedule for conferences.  Share the meeting time, location, and duration with students.
• Establish expectations for students who are conferencing.  If you are meeting with multiple students at different times, setting behavior expectations for students as well as what they should be doing while they wait.
• Explain the purpose of the meeting to the student in advance of the conference.  Each conference should have a clear plan and outcome that is individualized to the student’s goals.
• Begin the conference with “Glows” and “Grows”.  Solicit student’s perception of his or her area(s) of need.
• Assist students in identifying goals to address their area(s) of need and steps to reach those goals.
• Guide students to reflect on the process and newly defined goals for growth.