School Counseling and Guidance Program

Intentional Guidance

Katherine ChangChristine Cura

Bonita Vista Middle SchoolBonita Vista Middle School

Target GroupTarget Group

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

Target Group Selected Based on the Target Group Selected Based on the Following Data:Following Data:

Students who have (3) or more F’s at 1st semester final grade

National StandardNational 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 CompetencyStudent Competency

A:A2 Acquire Skills for Improving LearningA:A3 Achieve School Success

B:B1 Improve Learning

Academic Support GroupsAcademic Support Groups7 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 How many many students?students?

7th – 168th – 13

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Students who have (3) or moreF's at 1st semester grade

7

8

Knowledge of Creating Academic Knowledge of Creating Academic GoalsGoals

Pre PostPre Post7th - 50%8th - 18%

7th - 64%8th - 66%

Knowledge of Creating Academic Knowledge of Creating Academic Goals Goals

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

7th 8th

Pre TestPost Test

Believe Grades are Important to Believe Grades are Important to their Future Success their Future Success

Pre PostPre Post

7th - 42%8th - 45%

7th - 64%8th - 88%

Believe Grades are Important to Believe Grades are Important to their Future Success their Future Success

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

7th 8th

Pre TestPost Test

Skill in Using Test-taking Skill in Using Test-taking StrategiesStrategies

Pre PostPre Post

7th - 28%8th - 18%

7th - 42%8th - 44%

Skill in Using Test-taking Skill in Using Test-taking StrategiesStrategies

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

7th 8th

Pre TestPost Test

Why are we teaching this?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 RatesSchool Attendance Rates

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Pre Post

7th

8th

Academic Group Attendance RatesAcademic Group Attendance Rates

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

2008

7th

8th

ResearchResearchOverall, 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 – 7Results – 7thth Grade GPA Grade GPA Improvement Improvement

(n=16)(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 – Results – 88thth Grade GPA Grade GPA Improvement Improvement

(n=13)(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

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

Final Sem 1 Prog Report

7th8th

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

SummarySummary

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

77thth Grade GPA Improvement from Semester 1 Final Grade GPA Improvement from Semester 1 Final Grades to Next Progress ReportGrades to Next Progress Report

7th Grade GPA

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

Students

GP

A Series1

Series2

8th Grade GPA

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

4

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Students

GP

A Series1

Series2

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

What the Data ShowsWhat the Data ShowsOur 8th graders are doing slightly better than our 7th

graders

Overall, a slight GPA improvement for both our 7th and 8th graders

Lessons LearnedLessons LearnedRapport-building is important to establish with students,

teachers, counselors, administratorsWe 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/LimitationsImplications/Limitations Intentional guidance was successful at both grade levels Attendance and intentional guidance are an integral piece to

student achievementNot all students learn at the same paceNot enough time to process group activities and experiencesFocus on more skill-building activities

Next StepsLower group size and enlist support and help from more

teachersLook into impact of intervention on homework completionDisaggregate data to focus on where additional help is

needed Increase academic support groups and other additional

support for studentsCollect 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!Thank you!Teachers who participated and supportedCounselors and administration for

consultation and support of the programTogether we can work to ensure equity and

access to achievement for all!

The school counseling programThe school counseling program is committed to contributing is committed to contributing

in a meaningful way in a meaningful way to the academic achievement to the academic achievement

of all students of all students