Student Advocacy

Child Advocacy Definition To promote the optimal development of children.

Child Advocacy Definition To protect children’s rights which may be abridged or abused in a number of areas.

Safe Harbor Students want an adult ally and a safe harbor

Student Advocacy Topics All Students School Climate Academic Rigor Career Plan Individuals Abused Behavior Problems Close the Achievement Gap

All Students Advocacy Junior High – 1,000 behavior referrals Teachers – “Those Darn Kids” Students – “Washington is Wacked” Staff – Overwhelmed What would you do to advocate for student to have a positive learning environment?

Chinese Proverb One bamboo doesn’t make a raft.

All Students Advocacy Principal’s Agreement Staff Leadership Team Presented Data at Staff Meeting Staff Discussion

All Students Advocacy Cathartic Set Goals 25% fewer behavior referrals 30% increase in PLE survey School Mission Statement

Washington Mission Statement Students and staff will work together to make Washington a positive place to learn and teach.

All Students Advocacy Outside Speaker Follow-up Washington Way Monthly Themes

All Students Advocacy Student Leadership Team Friday DVD Posters Announcements Prizes Hallway Plan Individual Interventions

1 out of 4 girls are sexually abused 800 students sexually abused girls

Advocating for Abused Students Classroom Presentation DVD Prevalence of Abuse Not Your Fault Repeat Perpetrators Can Feel Better

ASCA Ethical Standards A1A - Has a primary obligation to the student, who is to be treated with respect as a unique individual.

Scenario Jan, a 10 th grader, reports Abby is being sexually abused by her mom’s boyfriend What should you do next as a student advocate?

Student Advocacy Reassure Jan Meet with Jan a few more times Call Abby to office Let her know reason for meeting Confidentiality Reiterate lesson points Abby denied the abuse

Sexual Abuse Fact Approximately 97% of youth who report sexual abuse are telling the truth.

Student Advocacy Told Abby this fact Known situations when it wasn’t true Mandatory Reporter Would not report that she disclosed Abby reported abuse What would you do differently? What would you do next?

Student Advocacy Told Abby that I must report Called Child Protection Let Abby know what happens next Safe Realistic hope CP worker arrives at school Get Abby from class

Student Advocacy Abby met with CP worker Met with Abby after CP worker left Report was unfounded What would you do next?

ASCA Ethical Standards A6 - Make referrals when necessary to outside resources E1 - Function within the boundaries of individual professional competence and accept responsibility for the consequences of his/her actions

Student Advocacy Met with Abby Called mom to make referral Did not follow through with referral Met with Abby weekly Humanistic/Solution-Focused Meetings - bi-weekly to monthly Academic Improvement Group

Sexual Abuse Facts 1 out of 5 have been solicited on internet 1 out of 6 boys are abused 35% abused by family member 40% by older children they know Average age is 9 years old Most children don’t report abuse 80% initially deny it 81% - doing better after counseling

Personal/Social Issues Helping students who most need us 18% Depressed, 31% Anger Problems 30% More Cutting, 24% Presc. Drugs 16%-75% follow through with referrals Not therapists Trained professionals Better prepared to help

Mother Teresa If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

All Students Advocacy High School– fewest advanced classes Test scores about district average Third lowest rate of post-secondary Second highest dropout rate Lowest GPA in district What would you do to advocate for your students?

ASCA Ethical Standards A1B - Is concerned with the educational, academic, career, personal and social needs and encourages the maximum development of every student.

Stress Stress is when you wake up screaming and realize you haven’t fallen asleep yet.

All Students Advocacy Management Agreement Staff Leadership Team Present Data at Staff Meeting Set Goals 10% increase in advance classes Raise GPA by.3 5% increase in post-secondary

Rigor Advocacy Counselors reviewed students with advanced teachers Standardized test scores Teacher recommendations Students of color Contacted parents

Rigor Advocacy Groups – Connect and Check Ethnic Identity Development Grading Period – Review grades Use data to identify new students What would you add, change, or delete?

Academic Advocacy September Theme – Organization Planner Binder Check Grades Parent Night Homeroom Challenges Close the Achievement Gap

Academic Advocacy Small Groups – Study Hall Ethnic Identity Development Grading Period – Check grades Identify new students

Academic Advocacy Identify staff Individuals – Check and Connect Positive Phone Calls What would you add, change, or delete?

Post-Secondary Advocacy Students of Color Naviance in Classroom 4 Areas Match with Career Plan High School Plan Post-Secondary Plan

Post-Secondary Advocacy 11 th and 12 th Grade – Individual Student Planning Parent Nights – 3 annual Reports Follow-up What would you add, change or delete?

Maya Angelou People may forget what you said and did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.