Student Focused Learning

&

Character Education

A formalized plan and process that involves students setting learning goals based on personal, academic and career interests, beginning in the middle school grades and continuing throughout high school with the close support of adult mentors that include teachers, counselors and parents.”

Student-Focused Learning

Signs

Engaged Student

Motivated to Learn Committed to Learn Feeling of Belonging Sense of

Accomplishments Relationships support

Learning

Disengaged Student

Poor Grades Uninterested in Learning Absences Little School Involvement Anger, Depressed No plans after HS

Student-Focused Learning

A school that promotes and sustains a culture that values diversity and education experiences/ with a system of beliefs, policies, and structures that support the development of relationships to advance learning.

What does a student-focused school look like?

Personal Learning Plans

Multiple support systems

Relationship building culture

Smaller Learning Communities

Transitions: “In” and “Out”

Advisory Program

Mechanisms for student’s voices

What does a student-focused school look like? (Continued)

Mentoring Programs

School committed to teaching each student

Post-secondary Programs

Families overtly involved

Teachers using a variety of strategies to accommodate individual learning styles

Character Education

Plan ComponentsPersonal Development• Interests and skills assessments• Personality and learning style assessments• Portfolio (personal profile of activities, volunteer internships, job shadow, awards, presentations, etc. to showcase student work and involvement)

Academic Development• Plan for academic goals and high school coursework• Graduation requirements• Statewide test results• Link to state curriculum standards• Plan for support services/interventions• Post-secondary transition planning• College/major search/college applications• Financial aid/scholarship information

Career Development• Plan for career goals (short term and long term)• Career exploration and assessment• Occupational search and career videos• Resume builder