Four times a year, each Edison student, a parent or other family member, and the child's teacher gather to discuss the Quarterly Learning Contract, or QLC. The conference is scheduled after school-at this hour or later-or on weekends, at the family's convenience. The principal, reading teacher, and other specialist teachers may also attend, either to discuss a problem or how to develop a child's special talent.

The student's presence is unique. In most schools, conferences are between parent and teacher. At Edison schools, the student is actively involved in explaining and demonstrating learning during the conference by presenting examples of his or her work from the Edison Structured Portfolio that each child keeps.

The teacher evaluates the child's performance in each curriculum area against the Edison Standards-clearly defined concepts and skills each student is expected to master-for that subject. Both child and family members are kept fully aware of how the student is progressing and where additional effort is needed.

The conference closes with student, teacher, and parent all agreeing on a common goal for the next quarter. Each party states what he or she will do to meet the goal. It's written up as a contract, and student, parent, and teacher each sign. It's not unusual to see kids dressed extra smartly on a day they have a QLC or to sport a "special pen" for signing their QLC contract.