Advisories
Key Questions to Consider in Advisory Design
- What will be the primary emphasis of the advisory program in our school (personalization, mentoring, career exploration, decision making, academic advising, leadership development, independent study, community service, self-esteem building, etc.)? How was consensus developed in reaching this decision?
- Have we done our homework on the possibilities and problems associated with advisory programs? Examined the literature? Visited other schools? Brought in outside resources?
- How often and for how long will the advisory groups meet? Is this consistent with our intentions for the program? How will our present schedule be modified to accommodate our choice of program? Will advisory meet only as a group, or will one-to-one meeting time be planned into the school schedule?
- How will the advisory groups be structured? Same grade level? Mixed grade level? Same advisor? Rotating advisor? Self-selected? Assigned? Will every adult be an advisor, or just the teachers? Are these plans consistent with our goals for the program?
- Have we prepared teachers, students, and parents for the advisory we envision? Teacher in-service? Student input? Community involvement? Press releases? Advisory group demonstrations?
- Have we provided the necessary supports to ensure success of our plans? Sufficient time? Staff (and student?) collaboration time for design and improvement? Authority? Resources? Commitment and support from Superintendent and School Board?
- How will we know the program is accomplishing what we want it to accomplish? How will we respond when we learn it is not?
* Adapted from a list of questions created by Douglas Fleming of School Strategies and Options.
The Advisory Design Sequence is another useful tool for creating an advisory program.
Find more classroom resources about advisories.
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