About LINKS Barbara Ashcraft, MA, LPC School Counseling Coordinator Training Objectives Participants will… understand why LINKS is important… the potential impact become familiar with.
Download ReportTranscript About LINKS Barbara Ashcraft, MA, LPC School Counseling Coordinator Training Objectives Participants will… understand why LINKS is important… the potential impact become familiar with.
About LINKS Barbara Ashcraft, MA, LPC School Counseling Coordinator Training Objectives Participants will… understand why LINKS is important… the potential impact become familiar with the LINKS Program become familiar with the LINKS Website examine LINKS roles and responsibilities understand the magnitude of the need to plan and secure buy-in explore the planning and implementation Tools explore LINKing LINKS to other school activities and programs Training Objectives Participants will… begin developing an individual school plan for implementation establish school timeline consider logistics Examine current committees and relevance to LINKS and need for expansion understand the magnitude of the need to plan and secure buy-in learn some strategies to secure buy-in Students need to know…. Who they are… Where they want to go… And how they are going to get there! Contributors to Student Success Career goal Connection with caring adult Connection with post secondary opportunities The Silent Epidemic 2007 Grad Nation 2009 Two Important Interrelated Goals — Achievement and Wellbeing Achievement promotes well being Well being promotes achievement Schools often acknowledge 1 but historically have failed to acknowledge 2 8 Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Opportunity Gap Are some students provided more opportunities than others? Access to home computer Knowledgeable parents to support student learning and career exploration Participation in Support Services Tutoring, Mentoring, ESL Classes Participation in Extra / Co-curricular programs Test Prep Programs Dual Credit Programs Early enrollment in college courses 10 IEP, 504 Groups, Tutoring, Peer Helpers, Classroom Guidance Lessons, School Assemblies, Student Advisement Programs, Test Prep Programs, Academic Plans, Field Trips Therapy – Outside or SBMH Centers Groups, Mentoring, Student Helpers, Clubs, Crisis Interventions Short-term counseling Classroom Guidance Lessons, Student Advisement Programs, School Assemblies 11 2007 Pawley’s Group Report Commissioned by 2006 WV Senate Recommendation 7: Develop a model for career counseling, student support and academic advising. – recommended that West Virginia develop a systematic way to help students with career exploration. 2007 Pawley’s Group Report West Virginia must move from “random acts of progress” to a system based on the 4 Ss – Strategic Synergistic Sustainable Scalable st 21 Century Reality Success in a world of change requires schools to ensure that all students have: the capacity to be autonomous, lifelong learners the ability to solve problems and create new solutions the ability to collaboratively work with others st 21 Century Learning… 21st century students need more than reading, writing, and arithmetic; they must be able to solve problems, think critically, communicate effectively, and work in teams. st 21 Century Learning… Personalizing the Learning Environment “High schools of the 21st century must be much more student-centered and above all much more personalized in programs, support services and intellectual rigor.” This means every student should have a personal adult advocate and a Personal Plan of Progress. NASSP. (2004). Breaking Ranks II: Strategies for Leading High School Reform SREB High Schools That Work Ten Key Practices Guidance — Involve students and their parents in a guidance and advisement system that develops positive relationships and ensures completion of an accelerated program of study with an academic or career/technical concentration. Provide each student with the same mentor throughout high school to assist with setting goals, selecting courses, reviewing the student's progress and suggesting appropriate interventions as necessary. Guidance: What is it? Guidance The help all students receive from parents, teachers, counselors, community members and others to assist with educational and career development Counseling The help some students receive from credentialed professionals to overcome personal and social problems that interfere with learning. What is Advisement? 1. A systemic approach to providing ALL students with skills and background to make decisions about his/her education and career 2. A process to aid students in developing self-awareness, option awareness, and decision-making skills 3. A process to help each student improve his/her chances for long-term employment Expected Outcomes All students make informed academic and career plans Parents are systematically involved in development of ISTP plans More students successful in higher level courses Improved school behavior Increased graduation rates Higher test scores Relationships If students know you care you can push even more We can identify and support those who are most vulnerable? Introducing LINKS… Learning, Individualized Needs, Knowledge and Skills Improve Learning for ALL Address Individualized Needs Increase Knowledge and Skills for ALL About LINKS … web-based framework and curriculum for student advisement programs (Advisor/Advisee) in West Virginia designed to advance student learning and development in a deliberate, proactive, manner to encourage individual success About LINKS … involving a personal relationship with at least one adult serving as an advocate for the student. bridge the gap between what is taught in the core curriculum and the skills necessary for success in school and in the work place About LINKS… Piloted in 21st Century HSTW sites 40 lesson plans per grade level (WV specific, downloadable) Standards based (Policy 2520.19 allows schools to offer for credit) Free pilot with Career Cruising (on-line career exploration and planning tool) About LINKS… Can be offered for credit Course code 7676 called LINKS 1 time per week 45/50 minutes ¼ credit per year = 1 full high school credit Online Career Course 1 time per week 45/50 minutes ¼ credit per year = 1 additional full high school credit for 2 full credits. 40 Lesson Plans (per grade level)- Policy 2520.19 Course Code 7676 LINKS Lesson Plan Research based… Garden City High School, Garden City, Kansas (2005) Despite rapidly rising numbers of English as a Second Language students, Garden City High School has raised student achievement in reading, mathematics and science. Even with a more rigorous curriculum and higher graduation requirements, the dropout rate fell from 15 percent in 1993-1994 to 3.4 percent in 2003-2004 the attendance rose from 89 percent to 96 percent. http://www.sreb.org/Programs/HSTW/publications/PubsDisplay.asp?SubSectionID=19 LINKS Student Advisement Program Evaluation Collaborating with ◦ National Center for Family Literacy (Training and Evaluation) ◦ Edvantia / ARCC ◦ WVDE Office of Assessments/Research …to conduct annual and longitudinal study on the impact of this program on student achievement and post-secondary success