|
|
Search The Edge Files |
Narrative: In 1996, the Henry County Board of Education made the decision to place all 9th grade students into the newly renovated Grove School campus. The idea was seen as a way to transition students from the elementary environment to the high school environment, especially as students are coming from four rural elementary schools and the City School system. Studies showed that there was a tremendous need for socialization and study skills to be emphasized at this level. This need resulted in the design of a new course to be required of all 9th grade students, known as Academic Counseling. The purposes of Academic Counseling are defined as:
· "Decrease student failures
· Provide students with an advisor
· Improve student organization skills
· Improve academic achievement
· Improve self-esteem and self-reliance
· Make students more aware of their own identity
· Use cross-curriculum approach to integrate learning."It Works! In the three years that this class has been a requirement for all ninth-grade students, disciplinary infractions have decreased by 70%; suspensions have dropped from 233 in 1995-96 to 20 in 1998-99. TCAP performance has also improved. Over the three-year period from 1995 to 1998, Math scores improved from 65% to 68%, and English scores improved from 78% to 83%. The number of students who failed English has dropped from 47 in 1995 to 9 in 1998. Educators are seeing the success of this initiative and are currently developing an Advisor/Advisee program to be implemented in the 10-12 grades at Henry County High.
Contact:
Kris Bailey, Education Edge Director
217 Grove Boulevard
Paris, TN 38242
(P)901- 642-9551
901-642-8073
E-mail: baileyk4@ten-nash.ten.k12.tn.us