During the school day, middle schools and high schools across the country are implementing student advisory programs. The purpose of these programs is intervention, which will serve to assist students to develop better study, social, and organizational skills. Typically these courses are offered on a Pass/Fail basis. The advisory is a guidance and communications class which requires students to participate constructively, fully, and respectfully in all activities.
When do these periods take place?: Some schools opt to schedule an advisory period for 30 minutes after homeroom or sometime in the afternoon on a daily basis. Teachers work with a small group of students to help them in a variety of ways. These intimate groups become safe spaces for students and teachers to connect on a wide array of issues affecting our youth.
The advisory period becomes an intimate period where students feel safe to share and be heard.
Here are some elements of the Advisory Period :
1) A community to support students as they learn successful communication strategies and life skills, including timelines, negotiation, conflict resolution, etiquette, and positive outlook.
2) A supplement to college advisement and career explorations, with conversations around interviewing skills, application process, and resume writing.
3) A space to reinforce academic skills or curriculum areas in a more relaxed environment.
I am sure there are some people reading this who think this may be a waste of valuable instructional time. On the contrary, students who a disengaged from the educational process due to factors outside of school affecting them are more likely to benefit from this 30 to 40 minute block of time. Think about it - when students are engaged in school, they are more likely to show up, be one time, participate in classroom discussions, and ask for help when they need it. In New York City, many of our high school students achievement can be linked to their experiences in middle school. New York City school students often feel disconnected and have few personalized relationships with adults who educate them. The advisory period offers a way to overcome anonymity many students feel. By giving each faculty member a small group of students to work with daily, both faculty and students can develop meaningful, long-lasting relationships that help to support students in their learning.
Here is a list of both student and teacher responsibilities during the advisory period:
Students:
1) Participate constructively, fully, and respectfully in all activities and in all discussions
2) Help conduct advisory meetings in a positive manner
3) Exhibit good behavior in the school environment
4) Exemplify leadership qualities in the school
5) Attend school regularly and punctually.
Teachers:
1) The teacher's primary role is to be the advocate for his/her small group of students. The Advisor will serve as the primary link to disseminate information from the school to the students and the primary link between the school and the parent.
2) The teacher must hold students accountable for their participation.
3) Teachers must convey the importance of Advisory as a graded class, as well as keeping accurate records of attendance and lateness.
4) Teachers utilize the period in a structured way that follows structured lessons developed by the Advisory Committee.
5) Teachers help to identify students needs and refer students to appropriate supports.
According to the New York City Campaign for Middle School Success (CFMSS), there are select school-based practices to achieve key elements found in successful middle schools. The Key Elements are: High expectations and rigorous opportunities for all students, effective management of human capital, adolescent development supports, integrated parent and community engagement, and supportive school structure and organization. The advisory period serves as a function to enhance adolescent development supports (comprehensive guidance program) within the school. We have to recognize that every pre-teen and teen does not have a Big Brother or Big Sister from the Boys and Girls Club to mentor them. For the rest of our youth, their greatest resources are their teachers.
The Campaign for Middle School Success' vision is to have middle schools accelerate student learning, create culture of success, engage students through rigorous and relevant instruction, support the development of the whole adolescent, and value parents, caregivers and families as partners. We have to act now because according the CFMSS eighth grade students who are not engaged have on average a 29% graduation rate. Students who show signs of disengagement in middle school - i.e. they have low attendance or fail core courses - are less likely to graduate from high school. By adding an advisory period to a students daily program we can improve middle school and high school student engagement and social-emotional development.
The message is clear: When we improve students engagement we will see a rise in graduation rates.
Time to get to work!!!
