Call it an idea fit for the future, or better yet, one my mother would approve.

Last week, all three of my children in school completed the annual round of parent-teacher conferences.

But this being the age of accountability, it's not just another parent-teacher rap session.

The big trend now is what school districts call "student-led conferences" where kids lead the discussion and assume responsibility for their progress, or lack thereof.

Personally, this is nothing new for me. Starting in high school, my mother - a schoolteacher - refused to attend parent-teacher conferences unless I was sitting next to her with the teacher.

"This is your education, not mine," she would say, with her passive-aggressive sweetness. "You're going to hear what they say about you."

Some 20 years later, I sorta see her frustration. Is it really a mother's fault that her kindergartner likes to eat glue, or that a high school sophomore constantly abuses hall pass privileges?

Looking back, however, most of these confabs were very awkward. There was no eye contact between me and the teacher, but lots of Q&A. Talk about condescending. The discussion always ended with the teachers suggesting to my mother some options for military school in Nevada.

Nowadays, my kids have the process down much easier. The elementary school kids rehearse some of the presentation, in which they unpack a folder of artwork and projects, and review goals for the year.

But for older kids, it's even more useful, if for no other reason than it produces that rarest of teenage virtues - shame.

I'm not saying you should humiliate kids. But there comes a day in life where young adults need to explain their actions, preferably before two or more adult witnesses.

In fact, the student-led parent-teacher conference model has been so successful, it could be adopted in other forms. Some notable possibilities:

Dental consultations: Here's a chance for your kid to sit down with a parent and dentist, and finally explain what he has against flossing. This is a perfect opportunity for any teen to learn that cramming before the X-ray exam, with days of brushing, never works.

Piano lesson intervention: Even Mozart's dad had to crack the whip and make him finish theory lessons. So don't feel bad when you and the piano teacher conspire for more practice. But it's still amusing to hear a teen argue the artistic merits of Guitar Hero.

Clergy counseling: As a parent, you probably shouldn't be in your youth's confessional time with the priest, bishop or rabbi. But a sit-down with all three of you makes a fine opportunity for your kid to say why he sleeps in Sunday school.

It's also worth reminding your son that the sermon on the loaves and fishes doesn't mean he can bring a Filet-O-Fish to class.

David Cooper may be reached at dcooper@magicvalley.com.