Learning conferences are an opportunity to review the student's progress and achievement, strengths, and areas for growth in relation to the Alberta Programs of Study, including Academic Success, Citizenship, Personal Development and Character (Results 2, 3, 4 and 5) and/or Individual Program Plans.

Learning conferences are focused on evidence of individual student learning (examples of student work, student reflections etc.). Learning conferences focus on the student’s strengths, areas for growth, learning strategies and next steps for improvement in relation to learning outcomes and success criteria. As your child’s first teacher we appreciate that you are an essential part of your child’s learning and we look forward to connecting with you to celebrate their successes.

Conference Dates

Please see our Calendar page for dates and times.

Before the Conference

To help familiarize yourself with what your child is learning and areas of difficulty, parents are encouraged to look over homework and ask students about what they are learning so that come conference time, they will know what to discuss. Preparing questions for the teacher ahead of time will help parents feel more at ease by making sure nothing is forgotten or overlooked. Whether it's your first conversation with the teacher or one of many, it can help if you go prepared. 

These tips can help you make the most of those important meetings:

• In the weeks ahead of a conference, check in with kids about how they're doing on homework and in each subject.
• Review any recent projects, tests, quizzes, report cards, or progress reports.
• Ask your child the questions in the agenda or the weekly email. This will give you a good benchmark as to how they are retaining and making sense of information presented.
• Ask your child if there are questions or issues your child wants you to discuss with the teacher.
• Plan to bring something to take notes with.
• Share a few things about your child with the teacher — interests, strengths, favorite subjects — to help the teacher know your child better.

During the Conference

Teachers usually meet with parents in back-to-back meetings, so try to be on time for your meeting. At the meeting, remember to:

• Decide what the best form of contact is (email, phone call, agenda?).
• Take notes.
• Ask your questions and share information about your child.
• Make the most of this time by focusing on your child's learning.
• Summarize the main points of the discussion to confirm details and any next steps.

After the Conference

To follow up after the meeting:

• Review your notes about what you and the teacher will do to support learning, then make detailed plans about how and when you will help your child.
• Review what was discussed at the conference with your child, including any special learning plans, and share the positive comments the teacher made.
• Keep in mind that you and your child's teacher have the same goal: To help your child succeed in school.