School Counseling and Guidance Program Intentional Guidance Katherine Chang Christine Cura Bonita Vista Middle School

Target Group 7 th and 8 th grade students at risk of academic failure

Target Group Selected Based on the Following Data: Students who have (3) or more F’s at 1 st semester final grade

National Standard Academic Standard A Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span Academic Standard B Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial postsecondary options, including college

Student Competency A:A2 Acquire Skills for Improving Learning A:A3 Achieve School Success B:B1 Improve Learning

Academic Support Groups 7 weeks: one class period a week on rotating bases – Learning styles – Organization and time management – Study habits and test-taking skills – Decision-making – Goal setting and motivation

How many students? 7 th – 16 8 th – 13

Knowledge of Creating Academic Goals Pre Post 7 th - 50% 8 th - 18% 7 th - 64% 8 th - 66%

Knowledge of Creating Academic Goals

Believe Grades are Important to their Future Success Pre Post 7 th - 42% 8 th - 45% 7 th - 64% 8 th - 88%

Believe Grades are Important to their Future Success

Skill in Using Test-taking Strategies Pre Post 7 th - 28% 8 th - 18% 7 th - 42% 8 th - 44%

Skill in Using Test-taking Strategies

Why are we teaching this? We want students to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills to be… academically successful improve their GPAs If students feel more competent and confident, they are more likely to attend school

School Attendance Rates

Academic Group Attendance Rates

Research Overall, research indicates that students who attend school perform better than those who do not (Easton & Engelhard, 1982) Attendance is a stronger predictor of student achievement than poverty (USA Today, 2000)

Results – 7 th Grade GPA Improvement (n=16) 7 (44%) improved GPA from Semester 1 final grade to next progress report 5 (31%) of targeted students earned a 2.0 or better GPA from Semester 1 final grade to next progress report

Results – 8 th Grade GPA Improvement (n=13) 8 (62%) improved GPA from Semester 1 final grade to next progress report 5 (38%) of targeted students earned a 2.0 or better GPA from Semester 1 final grade to next progress report

Improvement in GPA from Semester 1 Final Grade to Next Progress Report

Summary Not many students received a 2.0 GPA, but we have seen slight GPA improvements with each of our 7 th and 8 th grade students

7 th Grade GPA Improvement from Semester 1 Final Grades to Next Progress Report

8 th Grade GPA Improvement from Semester 1 Final Grades to Next Progress Report

What the Data Shows Our 8 th graders are doing slightly better than our 7 th graders Overall, a slight GPA improvement for both our 7 th and 8 th graders

Lessons Learned Rapport-building is important to establish with students, teachers, counselors, administrators We can use data to measure competency achieved, knowledge and skills gained, and attitudes/beliefs of students We can use data to drive decision making Intentional guidance lessons helps close the achievement gap Intentional guidance supports teaching and learning by assuring that all students achieve academic success

Implications/Limitations Intentional guidance was successful at both grade levels Attendance and intentional guidance are an integral piece to student achievement Not all students learn at the same pace Not enough time to process group activities and experiences Focus on more skill-building activities

Next Steps Lower group size and enlist support and help from more teachers Look into impact of intervention on homework completion Disaggregate data to focus on where additional help is needed Increase academic support groups and other additional support for students Collect and gather GPA and attendance data for semester 2 Follow up with students individually to discuss grades and progress in each of their classes

Thank you! Teachers who participated and supported Counselors and administration for consultation and support of the program Together we can work to ensure equity and access to achievement for all!

The school counseling program is committed to contributing in a meaningful way to the academic achievement of all students