The update on the Franklin (MA) High School Guidance program used this document to make their presentation to the School Committee on Tuesday, June 23, 2015

1. FHS Guidance
2014-2015
Heather McVay, Patricia Gardner, Julianne Horner, Joshua MacCreery, Kyla Moran,
David Soulard, Jodie Walsh, Kathleen Woods

2. Rationale
1)To provide more consistent information in
a timely fashion in order to help all
students develop a college/career mindset
and plan
2) To stay current with professional practices
(developmental curriculum- MASCA)

3. College and Career Readiness Research
Students who participate in career development
curriculum show:
❖ Significantly more understanding of career possibilities
❖ More future orientation
❖ Greater self efficacy and increased school engagement
-Dimmitt 2007

4. Seminar Overview
Who? Students in grades 9-12
What? College and Career Readiness
Seminars
When? 1st quarter: Seniors
2nd quarter: Freshmen
3rd Quarter: Juniors
4th:Quarter: Sophomores
How often: 4 times per quarter
(each counselor/3 seminar groups per grade)

5. Senior Guidance Seminar (1st Quarter)
Topics Covered:
❖ NAVIANCE
❖ SAT/ACT’s
❖ Application Process/Common Application
❖ Financial Aid/Scholarship Search
❖ Timeline
❖ Alternate post high school options

6. Senior Post Survey Data
Students expressed through a survey that Guidance
Seminars were effective.
❖ Decrease in stress about the college application
process
❖ More knowledgeable about scholarships and financial
aid
❖ Increased feeling of overall preparation to navigate
application process

7. Freshman Guidance Seminar (2nd Quarter)
Topics Covered:
❖ Identifying resources and understanding the role of a guidance
counselor
❖ The importance of getting involved
❖ Introduction to Naviance
❖ Identifying learning styles
❖ Understanding the components of a transcript and G.P.A
❖ Identifying Personality type
❖ Time Management
❖ Developing a four year plan/ Goal setting

8. Freshman Pre/Post Survey Data
How knowledgeable do you feel in the following areas? Scale of 1(not at all)- 5(very)
Pre Post % Increase
The role of your guidance counselor 3.7 4.3 16.2%
What a transcript is/ graduation requirements 2.6 4.0 53.8%
Your learning style 3.4 4.1 20.6%
Managing your time 3.6 3.9 8.3%
The different personality types 3.0 3.7 23.3%
Planning for the future 3.2 3.5 9.4%

9. Freshman Pre/Post Survey Data

10. Junior Guidance Seminar (3rd Quarter)
Topics Covered:
❖ Junior/Senior Year Timeline
❖ Intro to College Search/Application Terminology
❖ Naviance SuperMatch College Search
❖ Identifying Good Fit Options
❖ Understanding Standardized Tests (PSAT,ACT/SAT, Subject Tests)
❖ Navigating College Websites (dates/visits/majors)
❖ Factors in College Admissions (GPA game)

11. Junior Pre/Post Survey Data
Students expressed through a post survey that after attending seminar
they:
❖ Had a better understanding as to what a college admissions rep looks
for in an application
❖ Were able to navigate a college website and find pertinent
information
❖ Knew how to conduct a college search with personalized criteria
❖ Understood differences between SAT and ACT and importance of
standardized testing

12. Junior Pre/Post Survey Data
How knowledgeable do you feel in the following areas? Scale of 1(not at all)- 5(very)
Pre Post % Increase
Understanding PSAT Scores 3.5 4.3 22.9%
SAT/ACT 2.8 4.3 53.6%
Naviance SuperMatch 2.5 4.4 76%
Navigating a College Website 3.0 4.2 40%
Factors in Admissions 3.0 4.4 46.7%

13. Junior Pre/Post Survey Data

14. Sophomore Guidance Seminar (4th Quarter)
Topics Covered:
❖ Naviance Interest Inventory
❖ Career development theory applied to the identification of work
preferences
❖ Understanding of career values through a work values inventory
❖ Understanding personal skills and abilities through an inventory
worksheet on achievements
❖ Exploration of career clusters and pathways
❖ Commitment to an initial career plan based on personal assessment
results

15. Sophomore Seminar Goals
Goal: Have students create a Career Plan that can be changed
throughout high school. To include:
❖ Their interests
❖ Their skills
❖ Their values
❖ Goals and future steps
❖ Reflection

16. Sophomore Seminar Desired
Impact
Career Plan Template
❖ Greater career awareness
❖ Greater focus on appropriate college majors
❖ Improved self esteem from increased career awareness
❖ Goal clarity will impact course selection and increase self
determined behaviors

17. Sophomore Pre/Post Survey Data
How knowledgeable do you feel in the following areas? Scale of 1(not at all)- 5(very
Pre Post % Increase
Which of the 6 interest preferences (social, artistic, realistic, etc...) I am strongest in 3.1 4.1 32.3%
What the 6 main work values are and which are important to me 2.7 3.9 44.4%
My skills and how they relate to a career
3.2 4.0 25%
Career clusters and occupations that match my interests, skills, and values 3.3 4.0 21.2%
Next steps I should take to reach my career goals
2.6 3.7 42.3%

18. Lessons Learned
Worked Well Did Not Work Well
1. Consistent grade level curriculum 1. Scheduling
2. Last period of day was effective 2. Students without directed
studies
3. Students understanding connections 3. Tracking attendance
4. Increased presence of guidance 4. Technology (WIFI)
5. SAC’s in Transition (SEL) 5. Classroom Space
6. Basis for portfolio now in place 6. Student engagement (DS)

19. Next Steps
❖ Backwards Design, revising curriculum to have an “end
product.”
❖ Non college bound opportunities
❖ Pursue option for grade/credit/graduation requirement
❖ Potential for Portfolio
❖ Continued conversations around alignment K-12
❖ Aligning to ASCA Mindsets and Behavior Standards

20. FHS Guidance-Additional Programming
❖ Focus on MS-HS Transition (advisories)
❖ Common Application Bootcamp
❖ Video and before/after school seminars
❖ Parent Nights - Senior, Junior (2), Financial Aid,
Curriculum Nights
❖ College rep visits/career exploration (Laborer’s
Training Center)
❖ Transition Opportunities - Dean College

21. Questions
?