Advisories – Individual Advocacy for Every Student

Researchers are consistent in report after report that having a caring adult at school is a factor in a student’s staying in school and in his/her success. While some students naturally or inevitably are known by adults (often because they are seen as being stars or quite challenged or challenging).

AISD has implemented student advisories in every high school and middle school in order to ensure that every student will have at least one adult who knows them and is checking in with them.  

In addition, advisories provide a safe space for…

•  Building a sense of community and shared ownership in school success.
•  Teaching and practicing reflection, planning, time management, and other crucial learning-to-learn skills.
• Monitoring grades, attendance, and progress towards graduation.
•  Planning and preparing for post-secondary life in college and/or career.

AISD is devoted to preparing EVERY student to Graduate Ready for College, Career, and Life.  Advisories are a critical tool for ensuring that no student falls through the cracks.

What’s new in 2009 - 2010?

During the Summer of  2009, over 100 stakeholders including teachers, students, librarians and counselors met in libraries, classrooms and coffee shops all around Austin to review and refine their school’s advisory programs to include key college and career planning activities for all grades 9-12. These revisions are a direct response to findings in a recent AISD report that found that while high percentages of students aspire to continuing their education after high school, much fewer students actually apply and even fewer actually enroll in a postsecondary program.  With the addition of key college and career milestones into the advisory curriculum AISD is poised to become a national model for system-wide college and career planning, preparation and support.

For more information…

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