Data from the Four-Year Plan, Move on When Ready (MOWR), and the College Selection Process core curriculum lessons produced a number of significant implications for the Peachtree Ridge High School (PRHS) Counseling Department.

Four-Year Plan Core Curriculum

The objectives of the Four-Year Plan core curriculum lesson were to review the promotion and graduation requirements, provide students with an overview of required courses, and develop a four-year course plan for high school.

Of the 793 students enrolled as first time 9th graders during the 2015-16 school year, 717 students completed a four-year plan for a 90% completion rate, which is a 7% increase from the 2012-2013 school year. In the past, students completed their four-year plans using an electronic copy of the form that was printed and filed in their student counseling folder. A change to the lesson for the 2015-2016 school year was that the plan was completed online using the Plan of Study tool, which is saved as part of students’ Career Cruising portfolio.

In analyzing the results of the 2015-2016 pre and post-tests, 90% of the students knew how to access their Career Cruising account. Pre and post-test data showed a 51% increase in the number of students who knew the number of credits required for graduation. There was a 30% increase in the number of students who were aware that foreign language is often a requirement for college. While there were positive post-test results, the number of students retained in 9th grade increased from 21 students at the end of the 2014-2015 school year to 40 students at the end of 2015-2016. With 95% of the students promoting, we did not meet our goal of a 97% promotion rate. Many of our targeted interventions did not begin until after the first semester. To address this gap in providing support, we will consult with the feeder schools to identify students at the beginning of the year who may need additional support. Another significant change is the addition of another 9th grade counselor next year, which will provide another layer of support that will have a positive impact on students’ achievement.

Move On When Ready

The primary objective of the 10th grade core curriculum lesson was to provide students with information about Move on When Ready, the dual enrollment program in the state of Georgia, which is a requirement of the Bridge Bill legislation.

The MOWR core curriculum lesson was presented in the World History classes where 826 sophomores received information about MOWR opportunities. Post-test results showed an 131% increase of students knowing the credit requirements for graduation. There was a 59% increase in students understanding they have to meet post-secondary requirements to participate in MOWR. In addition to students receiving information about the MOWR process, students were given dates for upcoming MOWR information sessions, which provided interested students with additional information regarding the application process and timeline for MOWR. Records show 35 sophomores attended an information session during the 2015-16 school year. Currently, 29 of those students are participating in MOWR as juniors for the 2016-17 school year.

Juniors’ participation in MOWR more than doubled from 2015-16 to 2016-17. The lesson provided a platform for students to be better informed about educational opportunities available to them. The lesson will be continued next year with increased communication regarding MOWR information sessions.

College Selection Process

The objective of the College Selection Process core curriculum lesson is to introduce all 11th grade students to post-secondary planning resources. Students were required to save colleges to their Career Cruising account, as well as research types of financial aid. In addition, topics such as admissions requirements, course rigor, and athletic eligibility were discussed.

The core curriculum lesson was delivered through the U.S. History classes. There were 724 students registered as juniors during the 2015-16 school year; 653 students participated in the lesson for a 90% participation rate. Qualitative survey data indicated that students learned how to use Career Cruising to search for college major options, financial aid, admission requirements, rigor requirements, athletic programs, cost, and location. When asked to name three factors to consider when choosing a college, students identified cost, location, and academic major as important factors. There was a 54% increase in the number of students who learned how to utilize the Career Cruising program. Therefore, more students are aware of the resources available to them as they research post-secondary options. In the future, students will meet in large groups during electives as to not impact instructional time in a core subject.

Grade Level: 9th

Lesson Topic: 4-Year Plan/GA College 411- Core Curriculum presented to all 9th grade students introducing them to course curriculum available at PRHS and exploring GA College 411 as a career planning tool

Lesson was Presented in Which Class/Subject:

ASCA Domain, Mindsets & Behaviors Standard(s): Academic, MS: 4, B:LS 7, 8, 10

Start/End: October 13, 2015 – February 3, 2016

Process Data (Number of students affected): 793 students enrolled in freshman language arts; of these students 717 first time 9th grade students completed a 4-Year Plan for a 90% completion rate.

Perception Data (Surveys or assessments used): A random sample were given the pre/post test. The average score on the pre test for the 380 students that completed it was a 67 out of a possible 100 points; these students showed an increase on the post test to 92, for an average 25 point increase.

Outcome Data (Achievement, attendance, and/or behavior data): While students reported benefiting from the 4 Year Plan lesson, unfortunately there was an increase in the number of 9th graders retained at the end of the school year. The number went from 21 at the end of the 2014-2015 school year to 40 at the end of 2015-2016. 95% of first time 9th graders were promoted to 10th grade at the end of the 2015-2016 school year.

Implications: We had an increase in our freshmen retention rate. We will continue adding information to the 4 Year Plan Lesson that proves beneficial to 9th grade students’ knowledge of academic interventions and support available and is critical to their overall achievement.

Attachments

Grade Level: 10th

Lesson Topic: Move on When Ready (MOWR) /Sophomore Advisement

Lesson was Presented in Which Class/Subject:

ASCA Domain, Mindsets & Behaviors Standard(s): Academic, MS: 4, 5, 6, B:LS 4, 6, 8

Start/End: December 1-2, 2015 - April 11-12, 2016

Process Data (Number of students affected): 826 sophomores received core curriculum lesson

Perception Data (Surveys or assessments used): Pre/Post test “I know the name of my counselor.” 198% increase. “Are elective credits needed for graduation?” 9% increase. “In addition to the designated credit requirements which of the following is required for graduation?” 131% increase. “I know some resources to use to find information about colleges, scholarships, and careers.” 28% increase. “I can earn high school and college credit while in high school.” 6% increase. “Students must meet the post-secondary institution admission requirements to participate in MOWR.” 59% increase.

Outcome Data (Achievement, attendance, and/or behavior data): 35 sophomores attended an information session during the 2015-16 school year. 29 are participating in Move on When Ready/Dual Enrollment as juniors for the 2016-17 school year. (83% of students that attended an interest meeting).

Implications: Juniors’ participation in MOWR more than doubled from 2015-16 to 2016-17. The lesson provided a platform for students to be better informed about educational opportunities available to them. The lesson also enabled students to have more interaction with PRHS counselors. The lesson will be continued in the future.

Attachments

Grade Level: 11th grade

Lesson Topic: College Selection Process

Lesson was Presented in Which Class/Subject:

ASCA Domain, Mindsets & Behaviors Standard(s): Academic, MS: 4, 6, B:LS- 5, 7, 9

Start/End: November 2, 2015 - February 25, 2016

Process Data (Number of students affected): There were 724 students registered as juniors during the 2015-16 school year; 653 students participated in the lesson for a 90% participation rate.

Perception Data (Surveys or assessments used): Qualitative survey data indicated that students learned how to use Career Cruising to search for college major options, financial aid, admission requirements, rigor requirements, available Division 1-2 athletic programs, cost, and college location. When asked to name three factors to consider when choosing a college, the majority the of the students identified cost, location, and academic major as factors. Based on pre/post analysis there was a 54% increase in the number of students who learned how to utilize the Career Cruising program.

Outcome Data (Achievement, attendance, and/or behavior data): 700 of the 724 11th grade students were promoted to 12th grade at the end of the 2015-16 school year. 24 students were retained in 11th grade for a 97% promotion rate.

Implications: An increased number of students learned how to search for colleges using the Career Cruising website. Therefore, more students are aware of the opportunities available to them and can use the information to assist them in their college research. The lesson also helped motivate students to do well in high school so they can achieve their post-secondary goals.

Attachments