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West Virginia Department of Education1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV 25305(Staff Phone and Email by Name) (School Directory)

WVDE | School Counseling Home

Welcome to the LINKS Program Web site

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 Z

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Principal

Training

LINKS is a

•Comprehensive student-centered advisingprogram for students in grades 9-12

•Structure to deliver specific academic, career,and personal/social content standards

•Support to students as they transition fromschool to school in West Virginia and into post-secondary opportunities

Why do we need LINKS?

•8,000 students drop out of high schooleach year in WV

•52% of WV students qualify for free orreduce-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 familywhere the head of household is a drop-out

•31% of children live in single-parentfamilies

•Arrests of individuals with meth use arethe highest in state history

The LINKS Program can help:

Reduce retention rates

Decrease truancy and behavioral issues

Increase test scores

Face the academic rigor of 21st Century schools

Explore the broad range of available careerchoices

Students build dreams, give hope for the future,and connect students with that caring adult

National Trends…Then and Now

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

ALL students must hear the right messages!

Workforce

Mid 20th Century

21st Century

Professional

20%

Skilled

15%

65%

Unskilled

65%

15%

2007 Pawley’s Group Report Commissioned by 2006 WV Senate

Recommendation 7:Recommendation 7: Develop a new model forcareer counseling, student support and academicadvising.

–recommended that West Virginia develop asystematic way to help students with careerexploration.

Contributors to Student Success

•Career goal

•Connection withcaring adult

•Connection with postsecondaryopportunities

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Student/Advisor Relationships

•If students know there isan adult at school whotruly cares about them asindividuals, they will acceptbeing prodded further

•Our most vulnerablestudents are those ingreatest need of this meaningful connection

1)Provide a consistent advocate for each studentin the school

2)Assure that every faculty member isknowledgeable and well prepared to assist anystudent with components of his/her academic,career or personal/social needs

3)Assist each student in identifying andaddressing his/her unique academic, careerand personal/social needs

4)Address specific school needs to help promotea positive and safe school climate

Goals

Goals

5)Provide each student with a sense ofconnectedness to school and community

6)Develop a collaboration of stakeholders whoencourages each student to progress andsucceed

7)Provide an organized structure for consistentdelivery of critical content standards andguidance curriculum for every student

Movie or motivational piece

Outcomes

•Greater student satisfaction with the high schoolexperience

•High school experiences that support success in theadult world

•Improved school attendance and fewerbehavior problems

•More students successfullytransitioning from grade to grade

•A more informed faculty who are prepared to work withall students

Outcomes

•Increased achievement (measured by gradesand 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 workforceand global market

•More students entering and completing relevantand appropriate post secondary institutions

Where will LINKS be used?

•For 2008-2009, pilot inall 21st Century HighSchools That Work sites

•Available to all WestVirginia High Schools in2009-2010

Variables Contributing TowardSuccessful Schools

•School Culture

•Leadership

The principal is responsible for…

•Serving as chiefsupervisor and programadvocate

•Supporting theorganization,development,implementation, andevaluation processes

The principal is responsible for…

•Deciding if LINKS isoffered for credit

•Allotting appropriatetime in the masterschedule for weeklyLINKS sessions

Online resources

MaterialsforAdvisors

9th Grade / Freshman Year

Activity



Read the 9th Grade OnTrack mini-magazine

Took a career interest inventory

Explored careers and colleges at learnmoreindiana.org

Took a learning-style assessment

Participated in job shadowing

Discussed my future plans with my counselor and family

Took the Learn More Indiana 9th Grade

Career & College Information Survey

Made sure I am on track to graduate

Other:

1 0th Grade / Sophomore Year

Activity



Read the 10th Grade OnTrack mini-magazine

Took a career interest inventory

Explored careers and colleges at learnmoreindiana.org

Participated in job shadowing

Passed the ISTEP+ Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE)

Took the PSAT and/or PLAN (fall)

Visited an area career center

Started researching scholarship opportunities

Discussed my future plans with my counselor and family

Made sure I am on track to graduate

Other:

LINKS Checklist

Activity



Took the Learn More Indiana 11th Grade

Career & College Information Survey

Registered online for Indiana e-Transcript

Explored careers, colleges, apprenticeships and other

training programs at learnmoreindiana.org

Read Next Indiana: A Guide to Life after High School

Registered for rigorous courses to make the most

of my senior year

Took the PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN (fall)

Took the SAT and/or ACT (spring)

Took an ASVAB assessment

Attended a college fair

Visited at least one college campus, training

center or apprenticeship site

Applied for athletic eligibility to the NCAA

Clearinghouse (if applicable)

Participated in Junior Prep Interviews with 21st

Century Scholars (if applicable)

Called the Learn More Helpline at 1-800-922-2076 to

get answers to college, career and financial aidquestions

Discussed my future plans with my counselor and family

Made sure I am on track to graduate

Other:

1 2th Grade / Senior Year

Activity



Retook the SAT and/or ACT to increase scores (ifapplicable)

Visited college campuses and/or training programs

Submitted college or training program applications

Attended the financial aid program at my high school

Submitted a FAFSA application for need-based

financial aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov by the deadline

Applied for scholarships

Developed a budget for life after high school

Attended College Goal Sunday in February

Completed my Affirmation Form for 21st Century

Scholars (if applicable)

Registered for the 21st Century Scholars Pledge

Ceremony (if applicable)

Called the Learn More Helpline at 1-800-922-2076 to

get answers to college, career and financial aidquestions

Made sure I am on track to graduate

Other:

Activities I need to complete each year to ensure that I am well-prepared for post-secondary success.

9th Grade/Freshman Year1 1th Grade / Junior Year

CAREER AND COURSE PLANNER

This Career and Course Planner is designed to complement the LINKS Student Advisement Program. You will use this tool to help you document your career plans, assessment results, experiential learning and course work to help you make meaningful plans for your future.

Student Identification

Student

Materials

Professional Development

Training is available athttp://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/about.htmlfor all levels of staff participation:

–Advisors

–Coordinators

–Counselors

–Principals and SteeringCommittee

Materials & Resources

Needed:

–Time

–Space

–Leadership

–Public relations efforts

–Supporting funds

Evaluation

Student Evaluation

•All students at your school will participate in theLINKS program.

•Consent forms to participate in programevaluation must be sent home at the beginningof the school year for returning students. Newstudents will receive a consent form withenrollment materials.

•Only students having parent consent willcomplete the online surveys at the beginningand end of the academic year.

Student Evaluation

•Participating students must complete a pre- andpost- online survey to assess their knowledge,attitudes and satisfaction with school, advisinginformation and services.

•Following advising lessons, advisors will beasked to have students periodically complete asimple 4-question feedback form.

Advisor Evaluation

•An Advisor’s Log is available online for advisorsto complete following lessons. This optional toolis important during the pilot phase in order tomake appropriate changes to lessons asneeded.

•At the end of the pilot phase, advisors willcomplete an online evaluation of the LINKSprogram. This will be available through theLINKS Web site.