REGION 14 STUDENT SUCCESS PLANSPLANNING FOR SUCCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS

Regional School District # 14

Pamela Sordi, Department Chair of School Counseling, NHSCarol Tomkalski, School Counselor, WMS

Objectives for Student Success Plans2

Prepares students for:□ postsecondary education, careers and life□ competition in a dynamic global economy

Provides students:□ opportunity to design their own future with the support of critical

adults and innovative school policies□ opportunity to know and understand self in a positive learning

environment

Why High School Reform includes SSP’s for all

Reality Check - surveys by Public Agenda, Inc. have found that most parents believe their child is doing all right in school. Nearly seven in 10 believe their child will have the skills needed to succeed in college, and six in 10 say their child is getting a better education than they did.

But their biggest concern isn't academics. It's social problems and student behavior. When asked about the most pressing problem facing local high schools, 73 percent of the parents said "social problems and kids who misbehave" compared to only 15 percent who said "low academic standards." Low income parents are even more concerned. Nearly three-quarters worry "a lot" about protecting their kids from drugs and alcohol, compared to 56 percent who worry a lot about low quality public schools. 

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CT Dept of Ed 2011

Components of Student Success Plans4

21st Century Skills

• Critical Thinking • Problem Solving• Innovation• Creativity• Self-Direction• Work Ethic• Collaboration• Written Communication• Information Technology• Leadership

•Experiential Learning: Job Shadows, Internships, Community Service•Dual/Concurrent Credit•Capstone Project

Professional Skills

• Interpersonal• Work & Personal Ethics• Communication• Attendance• Interview Abilities• Attitude• Teamwork• Time Management• Organizational Leadership• Cultural Awareness

• 21st Century and Professional Skills across-the-curriculum• Evolving post-secondary plan

Foundation: Rigorous academic courses and a related sequence of elective coursesaligned to a specific career pathway in providing:

June Sanford11/19/2007

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Key to Student Engagement5

An individualized flexible student-driven plan Helps every student stay connected in school Helps students achieve post-secondary education and career goals Begins in 6th grade and continues through high school and beyond Establishes an adult support team which may include teachers, counselors,

school psychologists, social workers, parents/guardians, community members, etc.

Provides student support in setting goals for personal and academic growth Explores education, interests and career paths Provides a vehicle for integration and demonstration of 21st century skills Utilizes an electronic system for efficiency and portability

Core Components of Effective SSPs6

Academic Development □ Acquiring skills, knowledge, attitudes to be effective learner and for life

Specific Model Criteria: Rigorous courses linked to interests, skills and career pathways Courses for the attainment of Education and/or Career goals Successful completion of Portfolio/Capstone Project Support & Assessment of Student Progress with Mentor/Advisor Timely Intervention and Student Support Learning experiences outside of the classroom

Career Development□ Acquiring skills needed to investigate world of work and achieve future career success

□ Specific Model Criteria:□ Interest and ability inventories□ Career exploration and interest courses□ Post Secondary Education and Career Pathway Development□ Experiential Learning (i.e., work-based learning, community service, capstone project)

Core Components of Effective SSPs

Social, Emotional, & Physical Development□ Developing an understanding of and respect for self and others□ Understanding the necessary steps for decision-making and goal attainment□ Acquiring safety and survival skills

□ Specific Model Criteria:□ Empathetic Interactions and Community Service□ Self Regulation and Resiliency□ Healthy and Safe Life Skills/Choices□ Broadened Awareness of Self within a Global Context□ Identification of School and Community Resources

Creating the SSP in Region 148

2010 – 2011 School Year Attended professional development specifically on SSP’s Talked to other school districts about their SSP’s Purchased the upgraded version of Naviance for Middle & High School

All school counselors attended Naviance trainings, spent time working with software and creating content

School Counselors reviewed current program and State SSP Guidelines Revisions made to existing school counseling activities to meet SSP Guidelines Naviance utilized as a resource for students and management /communication

tool for counselors(this is on-going at the middle school) Created the Middle School SSP Survey for use in Grades 6,7, & 8

Creating the SSP in Region 149

□ 2011 – 2012 School Year Presentation to High School staff in June on SSP’s Began implementation of 6-12 SSPs

Collaboration with: Teachers (through advisory, classroom, etc) Parents (on individual basis)

Attended State SSP conference Nov. 14th

Met with superintendent Presented to district administrative team

What is next? Creation of a district level SSP team Evaluate effectiveness of our SSP, make changes as necessary District team will report to BOE on district SSP’s

Student Success Plan – Grade 610

Guaranteed experiences that incorporate 21st Century Skills into the academic (A), personal/social (P/S), and career (C) domains

Grade 6 SSP Survey (Individual Plan Session with school counselor) Set & Update S.M.A.R.T. Goals (Advisory) Learning Style Inventory (Multiple Intelligence Survey) Career Key Interest Inventory Career Exploration & “My Favorites” List School Culture Survey – how do I fit in (Social & Emotional Questions) Activity Resume (Advisory)

Student Success Plan – Grade 711

Guaranteed experiences that incorporate 21st Century Skills into the academic (A), personal/social (P/S), and career (C) domains

Grade 7 SSP Survey ((Individual Plan Session with school counselor) Set & Updating S.M.A.R.T. Goals (Advisory) My Personal Inventory Continue Career Exploration & “My Favorites” List School Satisfaction Survey Update Activity Resume (Advisory)

Student Success Plan – Grade 812

Guaranteed experiences that incorporate 21st Century Skills into the academic (A), personal/social (P/S), and career (C) domains

Grade 8 SSP Survey (Individual Plan Session with school counselor) Set & Updating S.M.A.R.T. Goals (advisory) Transition Planning for High School (NHS/WMS school counselors and teachers) Career Clusters Inventory Career Exploration & “My Favorites” List updated Career Project – related to Career Day (teachers and unified arts) Grade 8 SSP Survey (Social & Emotional Questions) Update Activity Resume (Advisory) School Satisfaction Survey MS/HS Transition Survey

Student Success Plan – Grade 913

Guaranteed experiences that incorporate 21st Century Skills into the academic (A), personal/social (P/S), and career (C) domains

Freshman Orientation Freshman Success – Transition to High School (two day classroom guided session) Individual Planning Sessions

4-Year Academic Planning Personal Reflections

Goal Setting and Future Planning (two day classroom guided session) Career Fair Truth About Hate (Freshman presentation/small group sessions) Advisory – designed to address social and civic expectations Learner Expectations –(grad. requirement)

Student Success Plan – Grade 1014

Guaranteed experiences that incorporate 21st Century Skills into the academic (A), personal/social (P/S), and career (C) domains

Individual Planning Sessions Update 4-Year Academic Plan Personal reflections guided by portfolio

Career Exploration Do What You Are (Personality Inventory) Career Interest Inventory Career Project Career Fair

College Panel /Underclassmen Night Advisory – designed to address social and civic expectations Learner Expectations –(grad. requirement)

Student Success Plan – Grade 1115

Guaranteed experiences that incorporate 21st Century Skills into the academic (A), personal/social (P/S), and career (C) domains

Junior Post-Secondary Workshop – (three day workshop w/ English dept.) Individual Planning Sessions

Update 4-Year Academic Plan Personal reflections guided by portfolio Post-secondary planning

Resume Building Junior Ambassador Program College Fair College Panel /Underclassmen Night Financial Aid Night Advisory – designed to address social and civic expectations Learner Expectations –(grad. requirement)

Student Success Plan – Grade 1216

Guaranteed experiences that incorporate 21st Century Skills into the academic (A), personal/social (P/S), and career (C) domains

Senior Seminar – ( the college and post-secondary process) Update Resume The College Essay

Individual Planning Sessions Update 4-Year Academic Plan Personal reflections guided by portfolio Post-secondary planning Measure Learner Expectation #5 (self-directed, productive, accountable individuals)

Setting & Updating Career Goals Post-Secondary Planning

Decision Days College Representative Visits

Advisory – designed to address social and civic expectations Senior Post-Graduate Survey Learner Expectations –(grad. requirement)

What is next?

Creation of district level team Evaluate the effectiveness of SSP’s; make necessary changes Ensure SSP’s are embedded in student’s school day Fill in any gaps i.e. capstone

Greater involvement with parents Follow up with data mobility among school districts Communication of plan with all stakeholders Presentation to BOE

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Where to get more information18

CT State Department of Education Secondary School Reform Link

SDE Contact Persons: June Sanford, Jocelyn Mackey, Judi Andrews

Region 14 School District Pamela Sordi, NHS Dept. Chair of School Counseling

psordi@ctreg14.org 203.263.0253

Carol Tomkalski, WMS School Counselor ctomkalski@ctreg14.org 203.263.6765

Just wondering???

How did you begin the process?  Where, MS or HS?  Is your system portable from one to the other? Did you establish a district team; if so, who was a part of team? What is the role of administrators? How are parents involved? Do you have the advisor/advisee in place and if so, how often and

when do advisors meet with students?  (Did this require a school schedule change?)

How did you engage staff and what type of PD is offered to them? How did you incorporate elements of the  Social, Emotional and

Physical Development Is you plan electronic and if so, what system? Managing the process “challenges and solutions”

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