1. Introduction and Overview to LINKS
                                                                            
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Introduction and Overview to LINKS
Welcome to the Advisor Training for the LINKS student advising program. This training:
Explains the who, why, where, when and how for implementing the LINKS program
Describes your role and responsibilities for making LINKS a success at your school
Points out resources that will support preparation, implementation, first-year wrap-up, and evaluation of the program
Let’s get started!
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 Z
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2. LINKS is a
Comprehensive student-centered advising program for students in grades 9-12
Organized structure for:
Consistent delivery of academic, career, and personal/social content standards
Connecting students with a caring adult
Increased collaboration between stakeholders
What is the LINKS Program?
LINKS is an advising program for high school students that connects each individual high school student with one staff member who serves as an advisor—someone who will be a contact person over the span of a student’s high school years. The advisor will serve as that one caring professional students can connect with on a regular enough basis to build a supportive relationship. And the advisor will help guide students through a period of life where important personal, school, and career decisions are often made. 2

3. However, unless advisory programs of the past where the advisor received lessons and was expected to know what to do with them, the LINKS student advisory program provides a system of support for advisors and school leaders. For the first time in the state’s history an online implementation framework is available to guide schools through easy implementation steps. Roles and responsibilities have been clearly defined so that school staff are working together to support advisors and students. While the principal ideally serves as the chief promoter of the school advisory program, the LINKS structure provides support for program planning through a steering committee. The coordinator then works with advisors, counselors and community leaders to support advisors and students. 3

4. LINKS Lesson Plan
LINKS uses standards based lessons developed specifically for West Virginia’s students that simplify planning and implementation for advisors. And schools can choose to offer credit for the LINKS sessions, which might appeal to many students and staff.

5. Why do we need LINKS?
6,500 WV students drop out of high school each year
10,000 WV teens are not enrolled in school and not working
7,000 school-aged youths are adjudicated annually
Why do we need LINKS?
Certainly there are some less than flattering statistics about high school students that point to needed changes in West Virginia. We have high drop-out rates, high levels of poverty and low educational levels for our state’s adults. 5

6. Why do we need LINKS?
More than half of WV students qualify for free and reduced price meals
Over a quarter of WV children live in poverty
Poverty levels are directly aligned with low achievement and low test scores
15% of WV children live in a family where the head of household is a drop-out
Many of our students live in families at the lowest socio-economic levels—families who pass down the legacy of poverty and educational failure from one generation to the next. Extensive research shows that poverty levels are directly aligned with low achievement and low test scores. 6

7. School-wide student advisement = RESULTS
Improved school attendance
Better classroom behavior
More students have goals
More students graduate
More likely to make AYP
However, research shows that when effective advisory programs are in place, students tend to set higher goals, stay in school and graduate, and have high levels of success. 7

8. According to SREB, the number of graduates produced by public and private high schools in WV will decrease by 2,836 students from 2000 to Assuming factors remain constant, this will yield approximately 1,500 fewer freshman, a figure comparable to the combined in-state freshman classes at Marshall University and Shepherd University. 8

9. Out of every 100 WV 9th Graders 73 will graduate HS
The Brutal FACTS…
Out of every 100 WV 9th Graders
73 will graduate HS
39 will enter college
13 will drop out..freshman year
ONLY 16 will graduate in SIX years.
Based on figures provided in 2004 by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems:
for every 100 WV students enrolled in 9th grade, 73 will graduate and only 39 will enter college. Of those, 13 will drop out after their freshman year and only 16 will actually graduate within 6 years. 9

10. The LINKS Program is designed to help us do a better job supporting our students. That’s why the West Virginia Department of Education has put so much effort into creating a research based advisory program that’s easy to implement. All necessary resources are available on the LINKS Web site.

11. The LINKS Program can help schools meet AYP requirements by improving:
Academic achievement
Standardized test scores
On-time transitions from grade to grade
School attendance
Graduation rates
In addition to improving graduation rates, the LINKS Program can help in many other ways. LINKS makes learning relevant by providing a systemic approach to academic and career planning. On time transitions and improved school attendance impact overall school performance, improves graduation rates and prepares students for Global 21 success. 11

12. The LINKS Program can help support a positive culture for learning by:
Improving the teacher-student relationship
Improving classroom behavior
Informing and preparing all school staff to better assist students
Creating a community of learners
LINKS lessons help build a more informed school staff, creating a positive culture of effective guidance and support for all students. When successfully implemented LINKS positively impacts classroom behavior, allowing teachers to focus on instruction with fewer interruptions which leads to improved learning for more students. 12

13. The LINKS Program promotes student success in school and life by:
Relationship with a caring adult
Career goal
Connection with post secondary options
Three variables have been identified that contribute to student success in school. These include: identifying a career goal, establishing a connection with a caring adult, and developing a personal connection to a viable post-secondary option. LINKS systemically addresses these variables. 13

14. Additional benefits to students:
Better prepared for the global workforce and post-secondary education
Acquisition of school and workplace success skills
Build dreams and hopes for the future
LINKS provides an organized approach to academic planning, career exploration, and development of personal-social skills. LINKS helps students acquire skills to succeed at school and in the global workplace, providing a path for actualizing their dreams and hopes for the future. 14

15. National Trends… Then and Now
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
ALL students must hear the right messages!
Workforce
Mid 20th Century
21st Century
Professional
20%
Skilled
15%
65%
Unskilled
While graduation rates are down, the demand for skilled labor is up. This means that students need, at the very least, a high school diploma. Students may decide as early as third grade that they are not going to college because they don’t have a realistic picture of the world of work. 85% of jobs require some kind of training after high school and this requires academic rigor. LINKS can get accurate messages to students that help make learning more relevant. 15

16. 2007 Pawley’s Group Report Commissioned by 2006 WV Senate
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.
LINKS provides the system of career counseling, student support and academic advising recommended in the 2007 Senate commissioned Pawley’s Group Report, with everything available online to aid schools in easy implementation. 16

17. 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
The relationship component of the LINKS program is essential. Researcher and consultant Malcolm Smith reported in his study titled “Why Are Kids so Angry and What Can We Do About It?” that in over 300 cases where students committed violent acts, the students had no relationship with a caring adult. 17

18. Student/Advisor Relationships
It is important to keep students with the same advisor throughout the high school experience if possible to develop that strong and vital relationship. Some schools who have 9th grade academy keep the same staff with 9th graders only. In that case, students would stay with the same LINKS advisor for grades 10 – 12.
In the case of a personality conflict with an advisor, students may be moved… if this is in the best interest of the student and advisor. Just be cautious about making frequent moves. Consistency is important in building relationships. 18

19. Staff Training Power Points are located under the Resource Section
When you finish reviewing this introductory component of the LINKS training, go to Staff Training Power Points and find Part II which explains each role of staff members in your school…whether that is advisors, counselors, coordinator, principals or the steering committee to learn more about your role in making LINKS a success at your school. These PPs are always available online and can be watched as often as necessary either independently.

20. Additionally, a special LINKS WebTop Community has been set-up on the WVDE website to all schools to communicate and share files with other LINKS users. Share school schedules, lesson plans and professional development ideas. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Join the LINKS Student Advisement WebTop Community by going to the WVDE website, then tools, then WebTop, then WebTop Communities. Contact the WVDE technology office or your local technology specialist if you need help signing up or signing in.

21. LINKS is now available To all West Virginia High Schools
LINKS was piloted in all 21st Century High Schools That Work sites. Program revisions were made and LNKS is now available to all West Virginia High Schools.
For more information and contact information, visit the LINKS website at 21