Outcome data for results report 1 from the freshman lesson showed a 46% decrease in the number of students retained this academic year (2015-2016) when compared to the previous school year (2014-2015). Pre and post-test results suggested students increased their knowledge consistently; the impact of that knowledge was demonstrated by the number of promoted students. That said, knowing the requirements to pass to the next grade only yielded an increase of 39%. Furthermore, there was only a 24% increase in awareness that failing math will cause a student to be retained. Counselors will need to emphasize how failing a core subject will negatively impact their progress through school. Additionally, counselors will need to ensure all students know how many electives and core classes are required. As a result of this lesson, counselors will continue to go into freshmen classrooms and talk about the graduation and promotion requirements. Additionally, we will ensure enough time is given to answer all questions during the group discussion. Furthermore, we will hang posters in classrooms as a reminder of the information covered and we will collaborate with 9th grade teachers to make sure they are aware of the requirements so they too can assist students. Additionally, we will disseminate this information to parents through community call outs. These changes will hopefully improve students’ understanding of all the academic requirements.
Outcome data from results report 2 on the junior lesson showed that 97% of juniors were successfully promoted to senior status during the 2015-2016 school year. During the 2014-2015 school year, 92% of juniors were promoted to senior status, thus showing a 6% increase in promotion rates from the 2014-2015 school year to the 2015-2016 school year. When looking at the perception data, there was an increase in knowledge concerning types of colleges, ways to pay for college, and how to sign up for the SAT/ACT test. Results from this report indicated that prior to the lesson, 35% of our students did not know how to sign up for the SAT and/or ACT test. As a result, the counselors will distribute information about the two tests, including how to sign up, the differences, costs, and pros/cons in future lessons. Additionally, we will disseminate ACT/SAT information to parents through community call outs and e-blasts. In terms of the understanding the various ways to pay for college, most students knew about grants and scholarships, but few had done any research about the various grants/scholarships that are available. The counselors will create a game about financial aid and ways to pay for college. Additionally, we will look at ways to help students understand the importance of looking for grants and scholarships to help them pay for college. One initiative that we will implement is called “Dollars for Scholars.” This program will be offered to any junior interested in participating in a weekly scholarship search with the counselors.
Outcome data for results report 3 showed that 93% of students graduated high school at the end of the 2015-2016 school year. This data is consistent with the 2014-2015 graduation rate of 93.4%. To improve the percentage of seniors graduating, we will need to make some adjustments to our program. One goal this upcoming year is to schedule additional group meetings with seniors to review their current status. We will do this by going in advisement classes throughout the year and presenting students with copies of their transcripts and current grades. Data from the pre and posttest suggested the knowledge of credits needed for graduation increased by 53%; which we believe has continued to make a positive impact on the graduation rate. Additionally, we need to better encourage students to see their counselor if they have questions or concerns. The pretest indicated that only 72% of seniors thought that it would be important to see their counselor if they have an academic issue. Although there was a 26% increase during the posttest, it would be prudent for students to see their counselor as an important tool earlier in their high school career. We will use bulletin boards throughout the school to help disseminate this message to all grade level students.
Each of these lessons were geared to help students become college and career ready and promote academic success in high school so that students can be successful in their post-secondary plans. We hope to use these results to implement additional programs to support our student’s academic success and graduation rates.