Shivela Middle School School Counseling Program Intentional Guidance Presented by Mary Davis, Ginger Hawkins, and Mary Ricks
At Shivela, we are committed to empowering students to be life long learners who care for themselves and others and have a realistic goal for their future. (SMS Counseling Mission Statement) To inspire every student to think, to learn, to achieve, to care. (MVUSD Mission Statement)
American School Counseling Association National Standard Academic Standard A Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span. Student Competency A:A3 Achieve School Success
Target Group � At the district counseling meeting, we discussed intentional and grade level guidance lessons. The goal was to create one intentional intervention that all schools embraced, by grade level. � 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th grade students with two or more “F” grades at the first progress report of semester 1, 2009. � 63 total students were targeted (approximately 20 from each grade level). � Objective: To improve academic GPA by comparing 6-week grades with semester grades.
Preparation and Logistics for Academic Workshop � First semester: November 5 – December 3, Room 201 � We met every Thursday for four weeks during the student’s PE or Exploratory class. � During PLC time, counselors collaborated with teachers regarding the targeted students’ individual needs. � Weekly Academic Workshop topics were emailed to parents and teachers encouraging reinforcement at home and in the classroom. � Counselors committed to having at least two counselors present each Thursday (periods 1-5).
Pre-Test Results � 26% of the students were aware of teacher help times. � All of the targeted students believed grades mattered. � 33% of students knew how to calculate a GPA.
Pre-Test and Student Survey: What we learned… Students were disconnected from their 1. grades. (percentages, GPA, on-line grade book, transcript) Students lacked awareness of 2. resources on campus. (after school tutoring and teacher help times) Students were not sure “why” grades 3. are important. (promotion, athletics, HS graduation, career)
Weekly Lessons 1. “Getting to know” (activity, use of agenda, ABI grades, established consistent routine) 2. “Why grades matter?” (teacher help times, ABI attendance, weekly review of grades and agenda) 3. “What do all these numbers really mean?” (GPA calculation & relevance, individual CSTs, EOCs, retention policy, weekly review of grades and agenda) 4. “Digging Deeper” (Open discussion regarding grades, studying for tests, promotion and graduation requirements)
Post-Test Knowledge of Teacher Help Times 100 90 80 70 Percentage 60 Pre 50 Post 40 30 20 10 0 Prior to the workshop, 26% of the students were aware of teacher help times. After the workshop, 73% of students knew specific tutoring times.
Post-Test Believe Grades Matter 100 90 80 70 e g 60 Pre Test ta n 50 e Post Test rc 40 e P 30 20 10 0 e e re re g g . A A S Pre-Test results indicated that all students believed grades mattered. Post-Test results indicated that 22% of student beliefs changed from agree to strongly agree that grades matter.
Post-Test Skill in GPA Calculation 100 80 Percentage 60 Pre Test 40 Post Test 20 0 Know how to calculate Pre-Test = 33% of students knew how to calculate a GPA Post-Test = 85% of students knew how to calculate a GPA
Results Reduction in “F” Grades at Semester � 6 th Grade – 74% reduction of F’s (50 to 13) � 7 th Grade – 59% reduction of F’s (46 to 19) � 8 th Grade – 12% reduction of F’s (25 to 22) GPA Improvement � 6 th Grade – 33% increase of GPA � 7 th Grade – 16% increase of GPA � 8 th Grade – 21% decrease of GPA
Other Barriers We asked students if they faced other negative external or internal barriers they have individually. Students completed the survey (59 students in all) and indicated the following: � Depression: 8 students � Anxiety: 8 students � Anger Management: 7 students � Family Conflict: 11 students � Grief: 2 students � Substance Abuse: 0 students � School Conflict: 11 students � Friend Issue: 8 students � Thoughts of suicide: 0 students Our Response – We will be inviting students to join us in school-wide support groups next semester.
Implications and Next Steps � Results indicated a greater success rate in 6 th grade, than in 7 th and 8 th grade. We will work on targeting students earlier. � MOST students want to learn and succeed; some need more encouragement and monitoring than others. � We will continue working with these same students this semester during another 4 week workshop. We will focus on addressing the specific barriers to learning they indicated.
Feedback � “Thank you so much for allowing my son to take part in this class. He is so excited about the agenda and calendar. I can definitely see a positive attitude, acceptance, and affect this class is having. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help!!” – parent � “I am happy for the improvement, prayerful for the lesson to take root and for her to use this going forward in life. Thanks for you and your counseling team's assistance.”- parent
Feedback (continued) � “Thank you very much for all your help to our kids. God bless you” – parent � “This is great - just what these kids need - plus the invaluable bonus of knowing that others are taking such an interest in them.” – LA/AVID teacher � “Are we doing Academic Workshop again? I made honor roll. I know it was because of Academic Workshop that I made it.” - Student
Thank you! � Shivela administration and staff members (especially PE and Exploratory teachers) for consultation and support of the program. � Board members for your time tonight. Working together we are succeeding!
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