I say that, but we do have 50 more school days left. Still, we are in the home stretch. We are at "mid-term" and with that realization comes the Student-led Conference....
Parent/Teacher conferences happen a little differently here in the UAE... or maybe it's just at GEMS. The students both attend and lead the conference. That's right... THE STUDENTS. They get to tell the teacher and the parent what they feel is their greatest strength and weakness in the particular class. The whole thing has a completely different feel from what I've experienced in the states.
At the very core of GAA's academic policy is that the students... not the teachers and not the parents... have ownership of their own learning. This presents in lots of different ways that I've witnessed just with my own three kids. My kids have had to be responsible for their own homework, coordinating inside and outside of class with their peers on projects, finding information from the internet about related topics, studying DAILY for classes that do not necessarily assign homework for grades, and keeping up with 12 different classes each term. Each kid has had to be their own advocate about grades, disputes between group members, late work, tests, etc. Teachers are neither expected nor required to contact a parent because a student is late with work, is failing a class, or is lacking in effort. Instead, the teacher speaks with the student and the student is expected to resolve the issue. Only in extreme cases is a parent called.
As a parent, it's a little bit terrifying.... and a little bit liberating.
We've experienced a rough patch or two as our kids have adjusted to this new way of thinking. Homework was forgotten, turned in late (with a point penalty), or completely ignored (since it wasn't for a grade).... and the kids have felt the sting of a zero on an assignment or a failing test grade as a result. Consequently, there is often no allowance made for make-up work or "redo". Teachers do not routinely "curve" grades. OUCH. It seems harsh, but it only took once or twice before I noticed my kids studying their Arabic/French/Science/History vocabulary unprompted or doing all the (30 or so) assigned math problems even though the teacher doesn't actually take a grade on it.
Wow. I guess this "accountability" thing really does work in school.
Of course, it works because as parents, we stand behind the teachers. We say to our kids... "Well, why didn't you study? Why didn't you do the math problems? Why didn't you practice the verb conjugations? Why didn't you watch the Arabic pronunciation videos?"
We didn't let the kids "get lazy" in their school work by allowing them excuses. It was a bumpy adjustment for all of us.....
So, back to the school conferences.... The school actually closes classes for the two days the conferences are scheduled. The primary (elementary) grades have actual appointment times (30 min each) and we meet in the classroom. Olivia took me through her classroom, explained the various displays on the walls and how they relate to the topics her class is studying, showed me her portfolio, and then proceeded to explain what she thought her strengths and weaknesses were in her learning process. The teacher was largely silent, only adding comments to clarify a statement or help explain a topic of study. Not surprisingly, Olivia knew exactly where she needs to work harder and what she's most proud of achieving. The teacher then added details about how she works well with others and how she's grown into a very confident presenter. She left feeling largely proud of herself, and yet she was clear what she also needs to focus on for the next 50 school days.
The secondary level does their conferences a bit differently:
All the teachers are in the gym at tables. You wait until your teacher is available and then approach their table. There are no set time tables and no appointments. Basically, it's come-and-go for an 8 hour period. The first day has a late start to accommodate later hours for working parents, and the second day runs over normal school hours.
It feels a little bit like the really old days of college course registration. You know... the one where you had to register for a class in person by standing in line and getting "the section sticker"?
With 12 teachers for each Devin and Madeline, it was going to take awhile... We packed snacks and eReaders.
Again, the student leads the meeting. It took about 10 minute per teacher, but we were able to listen to the kids explain what they think were their greatest strengths/weaknesses/achievements/struggles in each class. The teachers had their grade books available and were able to discuss specific assignments with us. If a grade was missing, we were also told.... all eyes shift to the student and a long silent pause ensues with the clear unstated question of "why?"
I would like to say that both Devin and Madeline had all their work turned in on time, but it wasn't the case. Each of them squirmed in their seat at least once during our rounds that afternoon, but they are better for experiencing that uncomfortable feeling. They were held accountable for their work. We had some really great discussions between them, their teachers, and me as to how to be more successful in keeping up with their assignments and organizing their materials. In many cases, it was just poor habits that is at the root of the problem. But in every case, it is them (not me or the teacher) that must make the changes and be responsible.
In a few cases, the kids were able to discuss how they could correct a mistake, turn in late work (if allowed), and/or raise the current grade with an extra or upcoming assignment. All of which, rested squarely on their shoulders. The kids were given the opportunity to see where they currently stand in a class and then make a plan as how to make adjustments/improvements for the next half term.
All in all.... it was a great afternoon. We left feeling uplifted and with new purpose. The conferences achieved their goals of keeping everyone informed and providing direction for the remaining 10 weeks of school.
I've said it before... but I truly believe that the international school experience is absolutely wonderful for my kids.
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