BUILDING NEW RUTTERS WHILE STILL AT SEA—Career Guidance For American Samoan Youth

1. BUILDING NEW RUTTERSWHILE STILL AT SEA—Career Guidance For American Samoan Youth

2. What Conditions Need to Exist? • Staff development is provided to teachers to understand student’s personal needs • Students make realistic choices • Parents have access to information and resources to enable them to assist their children in their education • Guidance is recognized as the fourth “R”

3. What Conditions Need to Exist FOR SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS? • Employers actively employ high school/tech school graduates • Student behaviors and academic success improve • Students, parents, and teachers have access to career and education resources • Teachers integrate career development activities into the classroom

4. What Conditions Need to Exist? • Principals support the program • DOE budgets provide for the guidance program • DOE policy includes certification standards for school counselors • Adequate time is allowed for guidance activities in the school • Guidance program gives credit for participation

5. The Plan to Make it Happen! • Pilot test a few schools with program and resources • Provide training/ongoing • Provide materials and resources • DOE commit to the time for planning and implementation • Plan and implement evaluation strategies

6. The Plan to Make it Happen! • Include business leaders in committees • Involve community groups, Parents, Associations, etc. • Active participation with pilot schools taking the lead • Public relations Tell of success • Marketing so all demand it • Best practices are shared • Recognize achievement is recorded and understood

7. The 7 A’s of Career Guidance Leadership in American Samoa • A model and framework • A plan to succeed • An army of helpers • Advocates everywhere • Ammunition that it works • Arsenal of tools and equipment • Answers for critics

8. Expections for Success • Counselor certification in place • Counselor certification training • Developed written guidance plan • Web page on career, educational, work place data • Elementary career development curriculum • Career development course mandated for all high school students • DOE that is committed • Advisory group • School expectations for guidance

9. American Samoa Are we there yet? • Trained counselors • Expanded and equipped guidance centers • Computer labs used for guidance • Articulation agreements with the college • Test and measurement program in place • Student career planning and portfolio program • Strong relationships with employers and work experience program • Computerized evaluation program tied to student outcomes in the guidance program • Counselor certification • Schools are staffed with counselors • Career planning expectation in schools • Career portfolios being implemented • Web page of career, educational and labor market information • Articulation between MOE, DHR, and college • Measurement tools in place • Annual plans for all schools • Full time MOE guidance leaders • Career development curriculum in place

10. summary All youth want to succeed if there are role models, expectations, and opportunities All youth who participate in Guidance program from elementary thru high school do succeed. Guidance is not just the counselors responsibility—teacher, parent and family also Schools must help all students see a bright future, plan for it and have skills to acquire and maintain.