CREATING A CULTURE OF STUDENT SUCCESS TOOL KIT™

Recent studies of school models of reform indicate a compelling need to personalize the school experience for students in such a way as to address their individual interests, goals, and academic abilities. Life Decisions Group has created an innovative, comprehensive program designed to create cultures of student success in middle schools and high schools by providing that personalized experience for every student. Schools that create cultures of student success can decrease dropout rates, increase graduation rates, and improve academic performance by helping students develop and implement effective decision-making skills while providing them with the necessary resources and support. Using the materials provided in this toolkit, schools and students together, can create cultures that emphasize, encourage and engender success.

• A Summer or In-School Reading Assignment stresses the importance of students making good decisions regarding their educational, career, and life choices. All students should begin by reading It’s Your Decision for Teens, A Commonsense Guide to Making Better Choices. Tax-exempt organizations can order books from the publisher, AuthorHouse, at a non-profit rate of $6.50 per book. (888-280-7715 or www.authorhouse.com)
   
• A Student Assembly, “It’s Your Decision” (on Creating a Culture of Student Success CD) reinforces the reading and can be presented by school counselors, teachers, and/or administrators.
   
• The “It’s Your Decision” Presenter’s Guide (on Creating a Culture of Student Success CD) provides presenters with an engaging and educational script.
   
• Students use the Student Success Planner to organize information they will need to make personal, educational, and career decisions. This planner, completed by the student with the assistance of school personnel and success team members, provides structure for on-going discussion and serves as a resource for decisions that the student will make during middle school and/or high school.
   
• Peer Mentor/Reader Reflection Guides (on Creating a Culture of Student Success CD) enhance the reader’s understanding of topics explored in It’s Your Decision for Teens, A Commonsense Guide to Making Better Choices. In peer mentor or teacher-led groups, readers relate personal experience to chapter content. In the absence of mentoring or other discussion group opportunities, the Reader Reflection Guide facilitates individual introspection.
   
• With the assistance of primary advisors, students utilize Success Team Inventories (on Creating a Culture of Student Success CD) to create teams of individuals who they believe can provide the support, information, and resources as necessary to address academic and non-academic issues and concerns. It is these Success Teams that students will look to for support as they make important educational and career decisions.
   
• A Parents’ Program flyer/agenda (on Creating a Culture of Student Success CD) can be customized by the school to invite parents, guardians and others to presentations that engage them in the school’s efforts to develop a culture of success.
   
• A Post-Graduation Survey (on Creating a Culture of Student Success CD) is used by administrators to assess the impact of Culture of Student Success initiatives on students’ decision-making skills by surveying their graduates as to the outcomes of their initial college and career decisions.
   

The cost for the Creating a Culture of Student Success Tool Kit is $34.95, including shipping and handling.
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