Counselors Affecting Change: Implementing an
Advisement Program
Kevin Custard and Jenn WalkerOctober 16, 2012
Objectives
• Learners will understand the purpose behind a successful advisory program, its implementation, and curriculum development
• Learners will understand the evolution of a successful advisory program
Omaha North High Magnet School
The mission of Omaha North High Magnet School is to prepare all students for success in life long studies and careers
Excels Goals: Students will advance on grade level each school year with
the goal of graduation in four years All students will demonstrate respect and responsibility for
others in the learning environment and school activities To improve reading comprehension in all content areas To improve numeracy in all content areas
By the Numbers
Enrollment 1800 Ethnicity
White – 45% African American –
45% Other – 10%
Certified Staff 119
Grad Rate ’02-’03 – 66.1% ’10-’11 – 71.05%
Poverty Percentage 61.46
Goals of a Quality Advisory Program
Create a caring school climate Building positive relationships Monitor the academic progress of students Promote critical thinking skills through discussion and
problem-solving activities Assist students in making responsible choices Assist students in accepting responsibility for their own
actions Advisors are well trained in the provided curriculum
Advisory is as important as AYP
Why is Advisory Important?
More one-on-one attention Develop a Personal Learning Plan Informed Course Selection Smoother transition between grade levels Career information More timely help available to students in need Develops positive school relationship between advisor and students
The relationship built in an advisory program is more important than the curriculum
Obstacles
Resistance to Change Fear of the Unknown Existing Rules and Traditions Advisor Training Scheduling/Space Past Experiences
Viking Time
This advisory program is a system in which certificated staff members are assigned to mentor a group of students
Advisors remains with group for four years of high school 15-18 students in each group Meets weekly for 30 minutes Wednesday is “Viking Time Day Schedule” Advisors include Administrators, Counselors, Teachers and
Curriculum Specialists
Viking Time was the winning advisory name developed by student submission
How to Achieve Success? Buy-In from:
Teachers Students Parents/Guardians Counselors Administrators
Advisory programs provide academic and emotional support to students
Getting Started Advisory Steering Committee Established HSTW Leadership Team Members
Attended the national HSTW conference in Nashville in 2008 Focused on advisement sessions Obtained info other schools’ advisement programs
Toured local schools in Omaha with successful advisement programs Addressed the importance of an advisory program during professional
development Jan Struebing (SREB) guided building leadership and provided
professional development regarding creation and implementation
Where We Started (‘07-’09)
Staff Surveyed About Grouping- size, mix,
continuity Schedule – length and
frequency Linking advisory to other
school programs Materials and resources
Staff Input Goals and Outcomes Content, themes, format Advisor – who, role and
expectations? Accountability- students,
staff and program
Advisory groups help the “Mid-Kid” most.
Developing a Curriculum
Compiled survey data Grade level specific lessons Staff modified/wrote lessons, borrowed other school’s advisory lessons,
paid in the summer Staff were trained on the curriculum before school resumed in August, by
assigned grade level
Units of Study (9th-12th)
Self Knowledge Life Skills Educational Development Work Ethics & Citizenship Career Planning Other
Grade Reports Student Conferences Scheduling Information Numeracy & Literacy Lessons
9th Grade Curriculum Ideas
Future goals Study skills Personal learning plan Decision-making skills Conflict resolution skills
Learning Styles Stress Management Reading Transcripts Calculating GPA Time management Communication skills
10th Grade Curriculum Ideas
Test taking skills Interest inventory Career Clusters Community Service Team Work
Character Building Study Skills Time Efficiency Graduation
Requirements
11th Grade Curriculum Ideas
Resume Job interview skills ACT or SAT College Search Technical School Military
Summer Opportunities Community Service Employment Exam Decision-Making Skills
12th Grade Curriculum Ideas
Credit Checks College applications Scholarships Financial aid Career Information Work ethics
Countdown to graduation Register to vote Military opportunities Community Colleges Specialty Schools
Grade Reports Students receive copies of the
reports sent home Students fill out progress
charts, problem solve, set goals
Student is always in the loop as to the status of their grades
Student Conferences One-on-one Ensures that an adult in the
student’s life has talked to them about grades.
Advisor can also help student problem solve, be advocate or support
Also a way for students to be praised/rewarded for progress, achievement
For All Grade Levels
Student Scheduling
January schedule is altered to be twice in one week to allow for students to select courses for the following school year
Guidance provides scripts for advisors to use to aide in this process
First day- students receive info, make initial selections Second day – selections are reviewed by advisor Counselors then have an individual conference Teachers are more aware of/invested in graduation
requirements HUGE IMPROVEMENT IN SCHEDULING!
Year One
Got it all together, and went for it! Graduation requirements presented as professional
development Growing pains with scheduling Quarterly grade-level advisor meetings
Evaluated program in general Evaluated curriculum
Advisors and students surveyed
Year Two
Ineffective advisors were reassigned Curriculum less paper intensive More back-up lessons Competitions
Door decorating Olympics Community involvement
Food time!! “If you like kids, you like Viking Time”
Year Three
No revisions to the curriculum Literacy/Numeracy Strategies included More student voting Teacher/student connections Testing assignments easier (PLAN, Explore) Grade level assemblies
The Future?
Literacy/Numeracy lessons required Second day for silent sustained reading? Continued evaluation/improvement Pep rallies by grade level/Viking Time Class of 2013 will be the first graduating class to have had
Viking Time all four years
BUCKSTARD Viking Time
Beck/Custard Viking Time is the best Viking Time at North High
“Our high school studies are important!” Division of labor Fun Stuff
Food Baby Pictures VT Challenges Field Trips Homecoming parade
The dorkier, the better. We are just ourselves!
Our Suggestions
Don’t rush Get staff input and buy-in all the way Continuous review Part of the school vocabulary Be yourself Don’t force advisor partnerships; use ones that already work Include all staff Have fun, form relationships!
Questions?
Kevin Custard – [email protected] Jenn Walker – [email protected] Viking Time Curriculum and a copy of this presentation are
available online at:
http://www.ops.org/high/north/About/VikingTime/tabid/1042/Default.aspx
Counselors Affecting Change:Implementing an Advisement Program