Increasing Parent
Involvement Through
Student Led Conferences
G. Ray Bodley High School
Fulton, New York
Presenters
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Brian Buchanan, Principal
Jennifer Brown, Team Leader
Ami LaDuc, Team Leader
Denise Pawlewicz, Team Leader
Zach Mizener, Student
Hannah Geitner, Student
Geri Geitner, Parent/Administrator
Fulton City District Profile
• Small City School District (Population 10,000 /
Student Enrollment Approximately 3700)
• 4 Elementary Schools (2130) / 1 Jr High (552) / 1
High School (1165)
• Average Secondary Class Size: 20
• Racial / Ethnic Origin:
2% Black or African American
3% Hispanic or Latino
1% Asian
94% White
High School Profile
• Grades 9-12 (1165 students)
• Traditional 9 Period Day (38 minute classes) + 1
Advisory Period (23 minutes)
• Advisory Program year 4 of implementation for
grades 9, 10 and 11
• Supported by 4 Guidance Counselors, SchoolHome Liaison, 2 Assistant Principals, and 1
Principal
• 75 students enrolled in Advanced Placement
Courses
• Post High School Plans
• 40% 4 year colleges / 40% 2 year colleges
20% work/military
Accountability
Timeline
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2003-04:
2005-06:
2006-07:
2007-08:
SINI Year 1
SINI Year 2
Corrective Action Year 1
Corrective Action Year 2
Profile Shift
2003-04 2009-10
Free Lunch Eligible
41%
51%
Graduation Rate
59%
80%
SWD Graduation
Rate
SES Graduation
Rate
34%
53%
58%
74%
Program Mission
Our program mission has four goals:
1. Build a relationship with an
advisor
2. Foster a sense of community
3. Develop essential skills
4. Improve academic performance
Discussion Point
How are you
currently achieving
these four goals in
YOUR district?
Advisory Overview
Freshmen First Day
• First Day of School—
Freshmen Only
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Advisory Team Building
Building Tour
People You Should Know
Fashion Show
Know the Rules
Follow Your Schedule
Practice Opening Your
Locker
Logistics
• Advisory consists
of a maximum of 15
students.
• Advisory meets
every day for 23
minutes.
• Advisory moves
together by grade
level with Advisor.
Advisor
Responsibilities
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Monitor attendance, grades and discipline.
Provide academic support.
Assist in student goal setting.
Arrange tutoring services or parent teacher
conferences.
Act as a liaison between students and adults.
Advocate for students and parents.
Offer community service opportunities.
Communicate important information to students and
parents about school functions.
Collaborate one day a week and monthly with other
advisors.
Sample of
Advisory Activities
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Career Exploration
Community Service
Academic Support
Skill Development
Academic/Career
Planning
Goal Setting
PSAT/SAT Prep
Options Day
Peer
Mentoring/Tutoring
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Career Fair
College Visitations
Scholarship Search
College Visits/Search
Bowling Party
Advisory Picnics and
Field Trips
• Birthday and Holiday
Celebrations
• Community Building
Activities
Zach and Hannah
The Student Experience
• Academics
• Social Interaction
• Community Service
• Student Led Conferences
Discussion Point
Consider the positives
and negatives an
advisory program would
present in your building.
Student Led
Conference Overview
Student Led
Conferences
• Student leads a conference with parents,
advisor, and other important adults in his or
her life focusing on the student's reflection of
learning and achievement.
• Students are encouraged to share academic,
career, and personal goals.
• Each Student Led Conference is individualized
where a student may use technology,
showcase projects, and use his or her portfolio
to demonstrate learning and achievement.
Getting Started With
Student Led Conferences
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Choose a Date
Communicate to Parents
Prepare Students
Schedule Conferences
Confirm Requests
The Conference
Post Conference
Sample Student
Led Conference
Mrs. Geitner and Hannah Geitner
Discussion Point
“Student Led Conferences provide
students with an opportunity to take
ownership over their educational
experience. The students are given the
time to reflect upon their goals,
academics, strengths and weaknesses,
and how all of these factors will help
build their future.”
-Advisory Leadership Team
Outcomes
• Percentage of Students Involved in a
Student Led Conference in 2010: 78%.
• Percentage of Parents Surveyed
Described the Student Led Conference
Experience as Either Good or Excellent:
96%.
• Graduation Rate Increase: From 59% to
80%.
• Approximate Percentage of Students
Scheduled for Student Led Conferences
for 2011: 85%.
Things You
Cannot Measure . . .
Working Together
Parents/Guardians
Student
Advisor
Administration