ED404290 SP034707

 

Title: Teacher Advisory Groups: What, Why, How and How Successful?
Author(s): Ziegler, Suzanne
Author Affiliation: Toronto Board of Education (Ontario). Research Dept.(SFO88005)
Source: Scope, v8 n1 Jun 93
Pages: 10
Publication Date: June 1993
Available from: EDRS Price MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.
Language: English
Document Type: Collected works--Serials (022); Information Analysis (070)
Geographic Source: Canada; Ontario
Journal Announcement: RIEJUN1997

The Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Education and the Toronto (Ontario) Board of Education have suggested or mandated use of the teacher advisory structure for grades 7 through 9. The establishment of teacher advisory groups involves organizing teachers and students into small groups to permit instruction and advising to be personalized. Their function is to promote students' educational, personal, and social development. Advisory groups often function as vehicles for delivering a guidance-type curriculum to all students in a regular way. The educational agenda emphasizes program planning (secondary and postsecondary) and the social agenda emphasizes strengthening self-concept and peer group relationships and offering "survival assistance." Skills and characteristics of teacher-advisors are listed. Results of research studies on teacher advisory groups at the middle school and secondary school level are reviewed. The paper concludes that teacher advisory groups can increase student motivation and achievement and can connect adults and young people in ways that are genuinely educational and community enhancing. (Contains 14 references.) (JDD)

Descriptors: Advisory Committees; Career Planning; *Educational Counseling; Foreign Countries; *Individualized Programs; Junior High Schools; Program Effectiveness; *School Guidance; Small Group Instruction; Student Development; Teacher Participation; *Teacher Role
Identifiers: Ontario