Dirigo High School looking to change teacher-parent conference format

DIXFIELD — Dirigo High School Principal Michael Poulin is studying methods to better communicate student progress to parents and guardians as part of the current school reaccreditation process.

“They want a specific plan,” Poulin said, referring to the New England Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation team, which has recommended handling teacher-parent conferences differently.

The school held its first round of conferences from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday and has scheduled the second round for Monday, Nov. 16, at the same time. Each session has 12 slots of 15 minutes each, which means 24 conferences in all are available, Poulin said. The school has about 380 students, and each teacher carries a student load of about 90. 

Poulin said the school sends out periodic report cards, as well as interim grade reports, but he wants more parental contact. He said other options, such as offering student-led teacher-parent conferences, or changing the hours of conferences were scenarios to consider.

Along with the New England Association of Schools and Colleges team is the school's accreditation team, which involves all 25 teachers in various ways, Poulin said. The accreditation process calls for the school to meet NEASC standards in its mission and learning expectations, curriculum, instruction, assessment, leadership and organization, school resources for learning, and community resources for learning.

The school is accredited every 10 years. It began its current evaluation in 2006. The visit by the NEASC team that year resulted in a number of commendations for the high school. Among them were the school's exemplary range of learning opportunities, its well-established adviser-advisee program, the emphasis placed on professional development and peer collaboration, the recognition of student successes and the supportive school climate.

“I like other educators coming in and seeing what we do,” Poulin said.

eadams@sunjournal.com