Dear Secondary Parent/Guardian,

On December 1st or 2nd, you will be participating in your child's student-led conference. Along with Open House, parent-teacher meetings and graduation, I believe this is one of the most significant events in the school-life of your child. I urge you to please make time in your busy schedules for this conference as there is much to share in a short period of time.

In the past, we prepared for conferences by providing you a drop-by meeting of five minutes, frequently in the gymnasium, and usually after waiting in line for a glimpse into our grade books, where we kept current grades and class assignments. If you were lucky enough to squeeze out more than your five minutes, you may have gotten tips on how your child could be successful in the classroom.

However, with on-line grades and progress reports, we hope you have a current view of this information at your fingertips. Easier access to information through technology and email communication is another way for your child to share in the responsibility AND accountability for his/her own learning. As such, having students assess, communicate and evaluate their work is central to students taking charge of knowing how they can be successful in meeting or exceeding the requirements to pass each class.

Student-led conferences provide an opportunity to listen carefully to how he/she is, or is not, meeting the grade level standard for each core class. At your child's student-led conference, you can expect to have a portfolio/folder containing a standards-based continuum called a rubric defining what your child needs to know and do in order to meet the grade level expectations and skills for the class.

In this portfolio/folder you will find the following:

• rubric
• table of contents
• assignments and other evidence of student work
• other important pieces that are critical in sharing how your child is meeting or exceeding the requirements for that class.

Please allow your child to share where he/she is on this continuum and what successes and challenges he/she faces in meeting the grade level skills for this class. We are busily preparing the portfolios and communication necessary for your conference so you will have a better understanding of your child's performance.

If you have concerns regarding the contents of the portfolio or there is little evidence of where your child is in meeting the higher standards required to be promoted and graduate, please contact your child's teacher or principal.

It is our sincere belief that putting the responsibility for individual success and accountability in the hands of our students via the student-led conference promotes and encourages a clearer understanding of the targets they need to achieve for promotion and graduation.

Carol Matsui, Assistant Superintendent