Whitewater High SchoolAchievement Portfolio

& Individual Learning Plan

Careers Conference Presentation

Madison, Wisconsin

By Pamela Sonmor-WintzSchool Counselor &

Director of Student Services

January 28, 2009

Whitewater High School Leadership Team

How can we improve academic achievement, purposeful learning and intrinsic motivation within the

student body atWhitewater High School?

State Superintendent’s High School Task Force Report

October 2006

Recommended Strategy: Create an individualized learning plan for

each high school student that provides guidance and focus throughout the high

school experience and includes transition plans to post-high school goals.

Model Academic Standards for School Counseling

Curriculum Standards Met By The Portfolio & Individual Learning Plan

Academic DomainStandard B: Students will develop the academic skills and attitudes necessary to make effective transitions from elementary to middle school, from middle school to high school, and from high school to a wide range of postsecondary options.Standard C: Students will understand how their academic experiences prepare them to be successful in the world of work, in their interpersonal relationships, and in the community.

Personal/Social DomainStandard E: Students will demonstrate effective decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting skills.

Career DomainStandard G: Students will acquire the self-knowledge necessary to make informed career decisions.Standard H: Students will understand the relationship between educational achievement and career development.

Benchmarks at Grade 12

Academic Content Standard BStudents will develop the academic skills and attitudes necessary to make effective transitions from elementary to middle school, from middle school to high school, and from high school to a wide range of postsecondary options.

By the end of grade 12 students will:B.1 Apply the skills necessary to improve learning and make successful academic transitionsB.12.1.2 Become a self-directed and independent learner

B.2 Apply knowledge in establishing and achieving academic goalsB.12.2.1 Demonstrate the ability to establish challenging academic goals in high school

B.12.2.2 Apply problem-solving and decision-making skills to assess progress toward educational goals

B.12.2.3 Identify postsecondary options consistent with interests, achievement, aptitude, and abilities

Academic Content Standard CStudents will understand how their academic experiences prepare them to be successful in the world of work, in their interpersonal relationships, and in the community.

By the end of grade 12 students will:

C.1 Understand how to relate school to life experiencesC.12.1.2 Understand how school success and lifelong learning enhance future career opportunities

Personal/Social Content Standard EStudents will demonstrate effective decision-making, problem-solving, and goal-setting skills.

By the end of grade 12 students will:

E.1 Apply self-knowledge in the decision making or goal setting process

E.12.1.1 Demonstrate commitment and persistence in the pursuit of a goal

Career Content Standard GStudents will acquire the self-knowledge necessary to make informed career decisions.

By the end of grade 12 students will:

G.3 Integrate personal growth and change into career development

G.12.3.1 Describe how career plans may be affected by personal growth, external events, and changes in motivations and aspirations

Career Content Standard HStudents will understand the relationship between educational achievement and career development.

By the end of grade 12 students will:

H.1 Attain educational achievement and performance levels needed to reach personal and career goals

H.12.1.1 Review and revise an individual learning plan to enhance educational achievement and attain career goals

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Career & Academic Career & Academic PlanningPlanningis Extremely Important!is Extremely Important!  Career CruisingCareer Cruisingwww.careercruising.comwww.careercruising.comUsername: wwusdUsername: wwusdPassword: whippets Password: whippets

Career Planning:Who Am I?Where am I going?How do I get there?

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Achievement Portfolio RequirementBeginning with the Class of 2013, all students will complete

an electronic Achievement Portfolio and participate in a senior year exit interview with parents, teachers and community

members.Showcase Student Achievement(Academic, Extracurricular & Personal Accomplishments)Celebrate Learning & Accomplishments at WHS!

Reflect on Yearly ProgressSet Meaningful Long & Short Term GoalsExplore Interests & Careers Plan for the Future

Provide Culminating Educational Experience for SeniorsIncrease Communication & Healthy Relationships with Parents & Community Members

Increase Motivation to Produce Quality Work in High

SchoolShare Meaningful Educational Experiences & Increase Pride

in Individual Student Achievement!

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Part I: Portfolio Requirements

At least three items from each of two core areas and one item from each remaining core area, for a minimum of eight items:

English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies

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Part I: Portfolio RequirementsAt least three items from each of two elective areas, for a minimum of six items:

Agriculture & Natural Resources, Art, Bilingual Education, Business, Computer Science, Driver Education, Family & Consumer Science, Health, World Languages, Music, Physical Education, Technology & Engineering

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Personal Wellness PlanAll students will develop a personal wellness plan that

will articulate individual goals, regarding current fitness levels and how they plan to maintain and/or

improve their current level of physical fitness throughout their lifetime. This requirement will be

completed during 10th grade Physical Education class.

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Personal Financial Plan

Students will create a personal financial

plan based on individual needs and plans for the future. This requirement will

be completed in Economics class during grades 10, 11 or 12.

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Community ServiceMinimum Requirement: 10 Hours

Students will be asked to complete a Record of Service Form which will help them document their hours of service with signatures of adult

supervisors.

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Minimum of Three Items from the List Below

Extra-curricular or co-curricular activities, leadership experiences, awards, certificates, photos, recordings,

newspaper clippings, description of activities performed outside of school, work experience,

evidence of hobbies, collections, trips, and other items that showcase strengths, interests and talents

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Part II: Individual Student PlanningIndividual student planning consists of ongoing activities that help students plan, monitor, and manage their educational, personal, and career development. Students are given opportunities to evaluate their educational, occupational, and personal goals.

Individual Planning Conferences with a school counselor during the sophomore and senior years will include a review of each student’s educational and career options, strategies of individual assessment, advisement, and transition planning. Parental involvement is a vital component of the individual student planning process.

An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) includes a program of study that represents a mapped academic plan reflecting a student’s unique set of interests, needs, learning goals, and graduation requirements.

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Portfolio Completion Plan

Students will begin working on their portfolios in a class

called Freshman Connections in grade 9 and will complete requirements in WHS classes, extended homeroom periods, and

during WKCE testing hours for students in grades

11 & 12.

Students can complete their portfolio at home and

everyday from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. in the LMC where

computers are available.

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Senior Celebration & Exit InterviewDuring the spring semester of the senior year, students will present their completed portfolios to their parents, invited guests, and a team of educators and community members during a Senior Celebration & Exit Interview.

A check list will be used to evaluate the completion of the portfolio during the exit interview and a grade of “Pass” or “Incomplete” will be assigned.

Upon successful completion, students will receive a certificate from the principal for a job well done!

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Goal of the Program:Responsible Whitewater High School graduates who begin their adult life with knowledge, skills, confidence, motivation, meaningful goals, and a self-directed plan for career and lifelong success and happiness!