Home State BoardState Board | Department | Teachers | Parents | Students | Community | DataDepartmentTeachersParentsStudentsCommunityData West Virginia Department of Education 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston, WV (Staff Phone and by Name) (School Directory)Staff Phone and by NameSchool Directory WVDEWVDE | School Counseling HomeSchool 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 ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ For suggestions, questions, problems contact the webmaster Please read our disclaimerswebmasterdisclaimers Advisor Training

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

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

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

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%

2007 Pawley’s 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where will LINKS be used? For , pilot in all 21 st Century High Schools That Work sites Available to all West Virginia High Schools in

The advisor is not a substitute for the school counselor!

How are advisors involved? Facilitate delivery of LINKS lessons Establish a personal relationship with students that supports and encourages them as they go through high school Develop and support a partnership with parents/guardians to encourage student progress

Advising v. guidance v. counseling Guidance: The help all students receive from teachers, parents, community members, and others to assist with educational and career development. Counseling: The help some students receive from credentialed professional to overcome personal and social barriers to learning. Advising: A process to help all students develop awareness and skills about themselves, career and personal options, and to strengthen decision-making abilities.

How to implement LINKS LINKS is a facilitated learning experience. You support and encourage students’ discussion! Your LINKS coordinator will provide copies of each lesson plan and handouts in time for you to prepare. Lessons are also available online at

When does it start? Advisor Training Advising classes Training – Initial – Ongoing Evaluation – Students and advisors must complete an online pre- LINKS Program survey prior to October 1 st

Advisor Web site Area The following tools are available through the LINKS Web site at Save this as a favorite site for easy access.

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

The Advisor Section contains… LINKS Curriculum Program Evaluation Templates LINKS Brochure Roles and Responsibilities Advisor Responsibility Flow Chart Student Section

Curriculum Curriculum Delivery Schedule Lesson Plans Policy

Curriculum Tools to help advisors deliver and evaluate LINKS lessons, including the – Engaged Learning Rubric – Guide to Delivering LINKS Lessons

Content Standards Indicators Procedures Discussion Goal Materials

Assessing LINKS Lessons – After each session, advisors complete the online Advisor Log available on the Web site – Take time to complete the Advisor Log as soon as possible after the session

Program Evaluation

Templates Two Year Plan Three Year Plan Portfolio

Next Steps Complete this training Review the Web site tools Look over beginning lessons Get copies of plans and handouts from your coordinator Start building those relationships with students—YOU make the difference!

For more information… Cynthia Kolsun at Barbara Ashcraft at