Designing a Sustainable Advisory Program

Facilitated by Linda Ruest

NYSMSA President

Educational Consultant

ruest@nysmsa.org

Guiding Question

“What would it take to create, develop, implement, and sustain a viable advisory program?”

Today’s Goal:Thinking about Advisory

Believing In and Committing to Its Importance

Parts of the Advisory Puzzle

• Who? ________

• What? ________

• When?________

• Where? _______

• Why? ________

• How? ________

Who?

What? When?

How?

Why?

Where? ??????

??????

5 Key Dimensions of Successful Advisory Programs

Purpose

Organization

Content

Assessment

Leadership

Key Dimension #1 Purpose

Successful advisories have a clearly defined and understood mission or purpose that is supported by all members of the community.

Advisory is an opportunity to…• To advise students about academic decisions and

monitor academic achievement

• To provide developmental guidance (both formal and informal)

• To foster communication between the home and school

and among members of the school community

• To encourage supportive peer relationships and practice conflict resolution

• To promote an awareness of diversity and tolerance

Advisory is an opportunity to…• To undertake community service both within and

outside the school

• To facilitate community governance and conversations

• To prepare students for life transitions including career development and post-secondary opportunities

• To promote character development and explore moral dilemmas

• To explore the process of group development and have fun

Advisory isn’t…

• Schmooze sessions

• Time wasters

• Study halls

• Teachers being guidance counselors

•

•

Key Dimension #2 Thoughtful Organization

How an advisory program is structured has a significant impact on how personalized the advisory experience will be.

Organizational Considerations

• Advisory personnel and size of groups,

• Frequency, time and length of groups,

• Professional development and support, and

• Staff and student ownership.

Key Dimension #3 Relevant Program Content

The content of an advisory program will vary based on the purposes to be achieved, on the nature of the school, and on individual advisors. It may be organized around essential questions, themes, or skills. Advisors may follow a common curriculum, pick and choose from an advisory handbook, or organize their own activities to personalize the advisory experience.

Types of Advisory Activities

• Advocacy

• Development of a Spirit of Community

• Academic Support

• Developmental Guidance

• Invigoration

• Administrative

Key Dimension #4 Ongoing Assessment

Successful advisory programs are assessed at several levels to determine if the purposes of the program are being met, to determine if participants are meeting expectations, and to measure other advisory program-specific outcomes.

Levels of Assessment

• Individual students/advisees;

• Individual advisors;

• Advisory groups as a whole;

• The overall advisory program; and

• The school and program leadership.

Key Dimension #5 Strong Leadership

Successful advisory programs have strong leadership where an individual or team within the school community is charged with designing, implementing, overseeing, supporting, and assessing the program. Essential among the duties of the leadership are creating buy-in among community members and ensuring that advisors have adequate training, resources, and support.

Advisory Leadership

• Administration

• Teacher Leaders

• Other Staff Leaders

• Student Leaders

• Parent Leaders

• Community Leaders