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 Principal 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

Movie or motivational piece

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

Variables Contributing Toward Successful Schools School Culture Leadership

The principal is responsible for… Serving as chief supervisor and program advocate Supporting the organization, development, implementation, and evaluation processes

The principal is responsible for… Deciding if LINKS is offered for credit Allotting appropriate time in the master schedule for weekly LINKS sessions

Online resources

Materials for Advisors

9 th Grade / Freshman Year Activity Read the 9 th Grade OnTrack mini-magazine Took a career interest inventory Explored careers and colleges at learnmoreindiana.orglearnmoreindiana.org Took a learning-style assessment Participated in job shadowing Discussed my future plans with my counselor and family Took the Learn More Indiana 9 th Grade Career & College Information Survey Made sure I am on track to graduate Other: 1 0 th Grade / Sophomore Year Activity Read the 10 th Grade OnTrack mini-magazine Took a career interest inventory Explored careers and colleges at learnmoreindiana.orglearnmoreindiana.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 11 th Grade Career & College Information Survey Registered online for Indiana e-Transcript Explored careers, colleges, apprenticeships and other training programs at learnmoreindiana.orglearnmoreindiana.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 to get answers to college, career and financial aid questions Discussed my future plans with my counselor and family Made sure I am on track to graduate Other: 1 2 th Grade / Senior Year Activity Retook the SAT and/or ACT to increase scores (if applicable) 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 by the deadlinewww.fafsa.ed.gov 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 to get answers to college, career and financial aid questions 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. 9 th 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 at for all levels of staff participation: – Advisors – Coordinators – Counselors – Principals and Steering Committee

Materials & Resources Needed: – Time – Space – Leadership – Public relations efforts – Supporting funds

Evaluation

Student Evaluation All students at your school will participate in the LINKS program. Consent forms to participate in program evaluation must be sent home at the beginning of the school year for returning students. New students will receive a consent form with enrollment materials. Only students having parent consent will complete the online surveys at the beginning and end of the academic year.

Student Evaluation Participating students must complete a pre- and post- online survey to assess their knowledge, attitudes and satisfaction with school, advising information and services. Following advising lessons, advisors will be asked to have students periodically complete a simple 4-question feedback form.

Advisor Evaluation An Advisor’s Log is available online for advisors to complete following lessons. This optional tool is important during the pilot phase in order to make appropriate changes to lessons as needed. At the end of the pilot phase, advisors will complete an online evaluation of the LINKS program. This will be available through the LINKS Web site.

When does it start? The advisor’s training must occur prior to opening day. Advising classes begin with the school-year orientation lesson.

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

LINKS Information and Tools Find what you need for implementing the LINKS Program at ** Please save this as a favorite site for easy access to project information and supporting materials.

Principal/Steering Committee Web site Area Roles and Responsibilities Implementation Guidelines Connecting LINKS to Other School-wide Initiatives Planning Tools LINKS Brochures National and State Standards

For more information… Cynthia Kolsun at Barbara Ashcraft at