My 7th grader has 2,1/2 weeks off from school for conferences!

[maveric]

When I was in school conferences were held when class was in session. No huge gaps between lessons where there are tendencies to forget things.
He also tells me that they watch video movies, the non-educational variety, several times during the school week.
Public education is all but dead in CA.

[Selwynn]

1. That must be nice --

We got one single half day off for conferences....

...well also walked ten miles to school up hill both ways in ten feet of snow and ate dirt for breakfast, and we were THANKFUL TO GET IT TOO! :D

[Wickerman]

3. You got dirt? We had to get by on gravel

On the other hand, school is in session longer than it used to be. Not a bad thing - the retention over the summer is a tad stronger by a shorter break. That longer school year absorbs the additional meetings and in-service days. The in-service time is often trash, but so much is required byt he state or the fed to kept teachers up to date with the latest in techniques to torture you kids.

[Timefortruth]

2. There are no conferences at my 7th graders school

and contacting a particuar teacher is actively discouraged.