1. Achievement Portfolio
Whitewater High School
Achievement Portfolio
& Individual Learning Plan Careers Conference Presentation
Madison, Wisconsin
By Pamela Sonmor-Wintz
School Counselor &
Director of Student Services January 28, 2009

2. Whitewater High School Leadership Team
How can we improve academic achievement, purposeful learning and intrinsic motivation within the student body at
Whitewater High School?

3. State Superintendent’s High School Task Force Report October 2006
Recommended Strategy:
Create an individualized learning plan for each high school student that provides guidance and focus throughout the high school experience and includes transition plans to post-high school goals.

4. Model Academic Standards for School Counseling
Curriculum Standards Met By
The Portfolio & Individual Learning Plan
Academic Domain
Standard B: Students will develop the academic skills and attitudes necessary to make effective transitions from elementary to middle school, from middle school to high school, and from high school to a wide range of postsecondary options.
Standard C: Students will understand how their academic experiences prepare them to be successful in the world of work, in their interpersonal relationships, and in the community.

5. Personal/Social Domain
Standard E: Students will demonstrate effective decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting skills.
Career Domain
Standard G: Students will acquire the self-knowledge necessary to make informed career decisions.
Standard H: Students will understand the relationship between educational achievement and career development.

6. Benchmarks at Grade 12 Academic Content Standard B
Students will develop the academic skills and attitudes necessary to make effective transitions from elementary to middle school, from middle school to high school, and from high school to a wide range of postsecondary options.
By the end of grade 12 students will:
B.1 Apply the skills necessary to improve learning and make successful academic transitions
B Become a self-directed and independent learner

7. B.2 Apply knowledge in establishing and achieving academic goals
B Demonstrate the ability to establish challenging academic goals in high school
B Apply problem-solving and decision-making skills to assess progress toward educational goals
B Identify postsecondary options consistent with interests, achievement, aptitude, and abilities

8. Academic Content Standard C
Students will understand how their academic experiences prepare them to be successful in the world of work, in their interpersonal relationships, and in the community.
By the end of grade 12 students will:
C.1 Understand how to relate school to life experiences
C Understand how school success and lifelong learning enhance future career opportunities

9. Personal/Social Content Standard E
Students will demonstrate effective decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting skills.
By the end of grade 12 students will:
E.1 Apply self-knowledge in the decision making or goal setting process
E Demonstrate commitment and persistence in the pursuit of a goal

10. Career Content Standard G
Students will acquire the self-knowledge necessary to make informed career decisions.
By the end of grade 12 students will:
G.3 Integrate personal growth and change into career development
G Describe how career plans may be affected by personal growth, external events, and changes in motivations and aspirations

11. Career Content Standard H
Students will understand the relationship between educational achievement and career development.
By the end of grade 12 students will:
H.1 Attain educational achievement and performance levels needed to reach personal and career goals
H Review and revise an individual learning plan to enhance educational achievement and attain career goals

12. Career & Academic Planning is Extremely Important. Career Cruising www
Career & Academic Planning is Extremely Important!   Career Cruising
Username: wwusd
Password: whippets
Career Planning:
Who Am I?
Where am I going?
How do I get there?

13. Achievement Portfolio Requirement
Beginning with the Class of 2013, all students will complete an electronic Achievement Portfolio and participate in a senior year exit interview with parents, teachers and community members.
Showcase Student Achievement
(Academic, Extracurricular & Personal Accomplishments)
Celebrate Learning &
Accomplishments at WHS!
Reflect on Yearly Progress
Set Meaningful Long &
Short Term Goals
Explore Interests & Careers
Plan for the Future
Provide Culminating Educational
Experience for Seniors
Increase Communication & Healthy Relationships with Parents
& Community Members
Increase Motivation to Produce Quality Work in High School
Share Meaningful Educational Experiences & Increase Pride in Individual Student Achievement!

14. Part I: Portfolio Requirements
At least three items from each of two core areas and one item from each remaining core area, for a minimum of eight items:
English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies

15. Part I: Portfolio Requirements
At least three items from each of two elective areas, for a minimum of six items:
Agriculture & Natural Resources, Art, Bilingual Education, Business, Computer Science, Driver Education, Family & Consumer Science, Health, World Languages, Music, Physical Education, Technology & Engineering

16. Personal Wellness Plan
All students will develop a personal wellness plan that will articulate individual goals, regarding current fitness levels and how they plan to maintain and/or improve their current level of physical fitness throughout their lifetime. This requirement will be completed during 10th grade Physical Education class.

17. Personal Financial Plan
Students will create a personal financial plan based on individual needs and plans for the future. This requirement will be completed in Economics class during grades
10, 11 or 12.

18. Minimum Requirement: 10 Hours
Community Service
Minimum Requirement: 10 Hours
Students will be asked to complete a Record of Service Form which will help them document their hours of service with signatures of adult supervisors.

19. Minimum of Three Items from the List Below
Extra-curricular or co-curricular activities, leadership experiences, awards, certificates, photos, recordings, newspaper clippings, description of activities performed outside of school, work experience, evidence of hobbies, collections, trips, and other items that showcase strengths, interests and talents

20. Part II: Individual Student Planning
Individual student planning consists of ongoing activities that help students plan, monitor, and manage their educational, personal, and career development. Students are given opportunities to evaluate their educational, occupational, and personal goals.
Individual Planning Conferences with a school counselor during the sophomore and senior years will include a review of each student’s educational and career options, strategies of individual assessment, advisement, and transition planning. Parental involvement is a vital component of the individual student planning process.
An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) includes a program of study that represents a mapped academic plan reflecting a student’s unique set of interests, needs, learning goals, and graduation requirements.

21. Portfolio Completion Plan
Students will begin working on their portfolios in a class called Freshman Connections in grade 9 and will complete requirements in WHS classes, extended homeroom periods, and during WKCE testing hours for students in grades
11 & 12.
Students can complete their portfolio at home and everyday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the LMC where computers are available.

22. Senior Celebration & Exit Interview
During the spring semester of the senior year, students will present their completed portfolios to their parents, invited guests, and a team of educators and community members during a Senior Celebration & Exit Interview.
A check list will be used to evaluate the completion of the portfolio during the exit interview and a grade of “Pass” or “Incomplete” will be assigned.
Upon successful completion, students will receive a certificate from the principal for a job well done!

24. Goal of the Program:
Responsible Whitewater High School graduates who begin their adult life with knowledge, skills, confidence, motivation, meaningful goals, and a self-directed plan for career and lifelong success and happiness!