Guiding All Kids s2

T 2.3

Redesigning School Counseling

SAMPLE VISION STATEMENT – HIGH SCHOOL

We believe all students deserve:

· To be surrounded by a culture where adults not only hold high EXPECTATIONS for every student but also clearly convey those expectations to the every student in concrete terms.

· A rich and vast array of OPTIONS for the future.

· Sound academic and career GUIDANCE so they can develop meaningful academic and GOALS.

· Clearly defined PATHWAYS that will lead them to their personal educational and career goals.

· A rigorous CURRICULUM, engaging INSTRUCTION, and ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE as needed in order to progress along the pathway to their personal educational and career goals.

In our ideal school and community, ideal adult practices include:

· Adults have high expectations for all students and purposely convey those expectations to students in clear and concise terms.

· School counselors provide a student guidance system in which counselors, teachers, and community members work in a coordinated fashion to provide every student the with the information and opportunities needed to make the sound choices in areas that impact high academic success, postsecondary access and postsecondary success.

· School counselors talk with every student at least once a year about their future plans and the decisions students will be making that will impact those plans.

· Teachers provide academically rigorous course work.

· Teachers teach in a manner that is engaging.

· Teachers provide extra help for students that struggle with class content.

· Teachers provide a sound learning environment.

· Parents talk with their children on a continual basis about their academic expectations and monitor their children’s school work.

· Parents talk with their children often about their career and postsecondary education plans.

· Parents have a savings plan to support their children’s education.

· Business members help schools understand global economics and the need for academic rigor.

· Business members give students opportunities for work-site experiences (job shadowing, internships).

· Business members help teachers develop real-world applications for academic content.

· Community organizations convey an expectation for postsecondary attendance and provide postsecondary access actives for the students they serve.

In our ideal school, ideal students choose to:

· Talk with their parents at least once a year about their future

· Talk to their school counselor at least once a year about their future

· Have a postsecondary savings plan

· Take at least one career interest inventory

· Participate in a work-site experience (e.g. job shadowing, internship)

· Have a written career plan

· Have a written postsecondary education plan

· Have a written high school GPA goal

· Gave a written four-year HS course plan (that aligns with their career & postsecondary plans)

· Attend school at least 95% of the time

· Have no discipline referrals

· Turn in all homework assignments on time

· Ask questions in class when needed

· Participate in academic support programs as needed

· Take four years of math

· Take math in the senior year

· Enroll in an AP, IB or dual credit course

· Enroll in math, science, English, social studies and a world language every year of high school

· Take a PSAT or PLAN test

· Take an SAT or ACT test

· Have a written postsecondary transition plan

· Have a written postsecondary financial budget and long-term loan repayment plan

· Visit one or more postsecondary institutions

· Submit at least one postsecondary institution application

· Submit a FAFSA

· Research merit-based scholarships

· Submit at least one merit-based scholarship applications

· Enter a postsecondary institution in the fall following their HS graduation

In our ideal school, the student achievement levels are at these rates:

• % of students who have a 3.0 or better in the academic core courses 100%

• % of students who pass the state math test: 100%

• % of students who pass the state English / Language Arts test 100%

• % of students who have a 3 or better on an AP test, 5 or better on an IB exam, or a C or better in a DC course 100%

• % of students who earn a 1800 or higher on the SAT: 100%

• % of students who earn a 26 or higher on the ACT: 100%

• % of students who graduate with an advanced diploma: 100%