Advisory in Action: Advisory at Metro Tech Why We Implemented Advisory How We Implemented Advisory Celebrations and Challenges New Directions

Why We Implemented Advisory Started with a survey question in 2010: I have an adult on this campus who cares about me? Discussed/researched methods to improve in this area Determined Advisory as a strategy

How We Implemented Advisory Form core of teachers to design Visited models at Camelback and Verrado Researched Best Practices Communicated to staff for input and buy-in Developed procedures and expectations

Considerations Number of minutes Time of day Mixed or pure grade level assignment SPED assignments Structured or unstructured activities Grading guidelines

Metro Tech’s Advisory Framework Daily for 40 minutes, after lunch Academic assistance Monday-Thursday Friday is no-travel day; Connection day Classes are mixed One quarter credit per semester All teachers have advisory 15:1 ratio Content labs staffed by ESO teachers

Metro Tech’s Advisory Mission Statement: Metro Tech’s advisory provides a place for students to grow academically, emotionally, and socially through sustained and meaningful relationships with adults and peers.

To personalize the school so that every student is well known through supportive adult-to-student and student-to-student relationships To increase academic achievement in career and college readiness standards To build a strong sense of civic-mindedness, personal responsibility, and self-confidence Metro Tech’s Advisory Goals:

Celebrations and Challenges Celebrations Students feel connected to adults/students/school Increase uninterrupted instructional time Students have chance to get extra help from teachers, content lab, and other students Counselors/Administrators have more access to students Students are completing more out-of-class work

Challenges More professional development needed to move teachers towards “connection” activities Some teachers are uncomfortable in role other than instructor Finding balance between academic and social activities within Advisory time Implementation with fidelity to the procedures

New Directions Encourage teachers to do more connecting activities Move new SPED students to Case Managers Increase teacher adherence to procedures and expectations Provide more opportunities to share and celebrate successful advisories