1. REGION 14 STUDENT SUCCESS PLANS PLANNING FOR SUCCESS FOR ALL STUDENTS Regional School District # 14 Pamela Sordi, Department Chair of School Counseling, NHS Carol Tomkalski, School Counselor, WMS

2. Objectives for Student Success Plans 2 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

3. 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. 3 CT Dept of Ed 2011

4. Components of Student Success Plans 4 21 st 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 courses aligned to a specific career pathway in providing: June Sanford 11/19/2007 ELA/ Reading CT’s Comprehensive School Counseling Curriculum History/ Social Studies World Language Arts Physical Education Science Mathematics

5. Key to Student Engagement 5  An individualized flexible student-driven plan  Helps every student stay connected in school  Helps students achieve post-secondary education and career goals  Begins in 6 th 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 21 st century skills  Utilizes an electronic system for efficiency and portability

6. Core Components of Effective SSPs 6 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)

7. 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

8. Creating the SSP in Region 14 8  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

9. Creating the SSP in Region 14 9 □ 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. 14 th  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

10. Student Success Plan – Grade 6 10 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)

11. Student Success Plan – Grade 7 11 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)

12. Student Success Plan – Grade 8 12 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

13. Student Success Plan – Grade 9 13 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)

14. Student Success Plan – Grade 10 14 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)

15. Student Success Plan – Grade 11 15 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)

16. Student Success Plan – Grade 12 16 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)

17. 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 17

18. Where to get more information 18  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 psordi@ctreg14.org psordi@ctreg14.org 203.263.0253  Carol Tomkalski, WMS School Counselor ctomkalski@ctreg14.org ctomkalski@ctreg14.org ctomkalski@ctreg14.org 203.263.6765

19. 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” 19