1. Home State BoardState Board | Department | Teachers | Parents | Students | Community | DataDepartmentTeachersParentsStudentsCommunityData West Virginia Department of Education 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25305 (Staff Phone and Email by Name) (School Directory)Staff Phone and Email by NameSchool Directory WVDEWVDE | School Counseling HomeSchool Counseling Home Welcome to the LINKS Program Website Click below to enter. Topics: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ For suggestions, questions, problems contact the webmaster Please read our disclaimerswebmasterdisclaimers Coordinator Training

2. LINKS is a Comprehensive student-centered advising program for students in grades 9-12 Structure to deliver specific academic, career, and personal/social content standards Support to students as they transition from school to school in West Virginia and into post- secondary opportunities

3. Why do we need LINKS? 8,000 students drop out of high school each year in WV 52% of WV students qualify for free or reduce-priced meals 6% of WV children live with grand- parent(s) 26% of WV children live in poverty, 11% live in extreme poverty 13% of WV children live in a family where the head of household is a drop- out 31% of children live in single-parent families Arrests of individuals with meth use are the highest in state history

5. The LINKS Program can help: Reduce retention rates Decrease truancy and behavioral issues Increase test scores Face the academic rigor of 21 st Century schools Explore the broad range of available career choices Students build dreams, give hope for the future, and connect students with that caring adult

6. National Trends… Then and Now U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ALL students must hear the right messages! WorkforceMid 20th Century21st Century Professional20% Skilled15%65% Unskilled65%15%

7. 2007 Pawleys Group Report Commissioned by 2006 WV Senate Recommendation 7: Recommendation 7: Develop a new model for career counseling, student support and academic advising. –recommended that West Virginia develop a systematic way to help students with career exploration.

8. Contributors to Student Success Career goal Connection with caring adult Connection with post secondary opportunities

9. Student/Advisor Relationships If students know there is an adult at school who truly cares about them as individuals, they will accept being prodded further Our most vulnerable students are those in greatest need of this meaningful connection

10. 1)Provide a consistent advocate for each student in the school 2)Assure that every faculty member is knowledgeable and well prepared to assist any student with components of his/her academic, career or personal/social needs 3)Assist each student in identifying and addressing his/her unique academic, career and personal/social needs 4)Address specific school needs to help promote a positive and safe school climate Goals

11. 5)Provide each student with a sense of connectedness to school and community 6)Develop a collaboration of stakeholders who encourages each student to progress and succeed 7)Provide an organized structure for consistent delivery of critical content standards and guidance curriculum for every student

13. Outcomes Greater student satisfaction with the high school experience High school experiences that support success in the adult world Improved school attendance and fewer behavior problems More students successfully transitioning from grade to grade A more informed faculty who are prepared to work with all students

14. Outcomes Increased achievement (measured by grades and test scores) Lower drop-out rates and higher graduation rates More informed career decision making Stronger interpersonal skills Students who are well prepared for the workforce and global market More students entering and completing relevant and appropriate post secondary institutions

15. Where will LINKS be used? For 2008-2009, pilot in all 21 st Century High Schools That Work sites Available to all West Virginia High Schools in 2009-2010

18. Advisor Training This training needs to occur during the week prior to students first day. Use the PowerPoint designed for advisors available on the LINKS Web site

19. You will need… An LCD projector Computer AV screen Internet access Copies of the Curriculum Delivery Schedule A sample lesson plan with appropriate handouts

20. Evaluation It is your responsibility to assure that evaluations are completed by participants at your school in a timely manner. – Student evaluation – Advisor evaluation

21. Tools The following tools are available through the LINKS Web site at http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/ http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/ Save this as a favorite site for easy access.

22. Web site Toolbar Provides Easy Access Advisor Counselor Student Coordinator Principal/ Steering Committee Framework Resources

23. When does it start? The advisors training must occur prior to opening day. Advising classes begin with the school-year orientation.

24. Next Steps Advisor training Parent consent forms Update data base Student surveys Student portfolios Lesson plans and handouts Public relations

25. For more information… http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/ Cynthia Kolsun at ckolsun@access.k12.wv.us 304-558-2348ckolsun@access.k12.wv.us Barbara Ashcraft at bashcraft@access.k12.wv.us 304-558-2348bashcraft@access.k12.wv.us