Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Students Handle Conferences

Parent conferences at Nevada Elementary School October 19 held a special treat for parents in rooms piloting student-lead portfolio conferences.

The students conducted the usual parent/teacher conferences. The work collected by the students was explained to the parent by the students. It was a very meaningful experience for all participating.

Sandra Browning's grade five/six, Sherry Moore's grade four, Francis Barnes' and Carrie Bowie's grade three and Jan Hastings' kindergarten were brave explorers of this ingenoious program.

The school first learned about the method at the Arkansas Supervision and Curriculum Association meeting in Hot Springs attended by Natalie Sherwood, principal, and Kay King, counselor.

Lindy Franks, teacher center coordinator for the Southwest Educational Cooperative, enabled the teachers to get in the innovative workshop she had scheduled this past summer on portfolios. Ann Buisson, teacher consultant, motivated all in her workshops to try to the student-led conferences.

The school is undergoing a North Central Accreditation self study. One of the committees has included in its activities the continuation and further in service of the student-led portfolio conference.