WVDE | School Counseling Home

Welcome to the LINKS Program WebsiteClick below to enter.

                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                            

  CoordinatorTraining

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

High School Graduate Projections (SREB 2005)

19,267

17,134

16,431

17,256

17,413

17,815

18,252

17,939

17,619

17,435

17,558

17,837

18,040

17,765

16,000

16,500

17,000

17,500

18,000

18,500

19,000

19,500

2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14

The LINKS Program can help:

Reduce retention ratesDecrease truancy and behavioral issuesIncrease test scoresFace the academic rigor of 21st Century schools Explore the broad range of available career

choicesStudents 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!

Workforce Mid 20th Century 21st Century

Professional 20% 20%

Skilled 15% 65%

Unskilled 65% 15%

2007 Pawley’s Group Report Commissioned by 2006 WV Senate

Recommendation 7Recommendation 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

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 2008-2009, pilot in all 21st Century High Schools That Work sites

• Available to all West Virginia High Schools in 2009-2010

Principal

Steering Committee- Principal- Coordinator(s)- Counselor- Teachers - Key Community Stakeholders

Students

LINKSCoordinator

LINKSAdvisor

Grade LevelCoordinators

Parents & Community

StakeholdersCounselors

Coordinator Responsibilities

Pos

t-im

plem

enta

tion

Res

pons

ibili

ties

Pos

t-im

plem

enta

tion

Res

pons

ibili

ties

Ong

oing

R

espo

nsib

ilitie

s

Ong

oing

R

espo

nsib

ilitie

s

Pre

-im

plem

enta

tion

Res

pons

ibili

ties

Pre

-im

plem

enta

tion

Res

pons

ibili

ties

Advisor Training

Parent Consent Forms

Student & Staff

Evaluation

Copy Plans &

Handouts

Student Feedback

Forms

Advisor Logs

Monthly Follow-up Trainings

Student & Parent

Evaluation

Advisor Evaluation

Prepare Student

Portfolios

Public Relations

Update & store

portfolios

Advisor Training

• This training needs to occur during the week prior to students’ first day.

• Use the PowerPoint designed for advisors available on the LINKS Web site

You will need…

• An LCD projector• Computer• AV screen• Internet access• Copies of the Curriculum Delivery Schedule • A sample lesson plan with appropriate handouts

EvaluationIt is your responsibility to assure that evaluations are completed by participants at your school in a timely manner.

–Student evaluation

–Advisor evaluation

ToolsThe following tools are available through the LINKS Web site at http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/

Save this as a favorite site for easy access.

Web site Toolbar Provides Easy Access

Advisor

Counselor

Student

Coordinator

Principal/ Steering Committee

Framework

Resources

When does it start?

• The advisor’s training must occur prior to opening day.

• Advising classes begin with the school-year orientation.

Next Steps

• Advisor training

• Parent consent forms

• Update data base

• Student surveys

• Student portfolios

• Lesson plans and handouts

• Public relations

For more information…

• http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/

• Cynthia Kolsun at ckolsun@access.k12.wv.us 304-558-2348

• Barbara Ashcraft at bashcraft@access.k12.wv.us 304-558-2348