A case study of the impact of a high school advisory program on student behaviors and relationships

This case study dissertation was conducted to determine the perceptions of teachers and students about the school's advisory program. From 2003 to 2008, the high school had 279 student dropouts out of an average student population of 950. As a result of the student dropouts, the school adopted an advisory program. The studied school created the advisory program to change student behaviors and build student and staff relationships.;The research questions that guided the study were: (1) What was the impact of Check and Connect on student and staff relationships; (2) What was the impact of Check and Connect on monitoring student performance; and 3. What was the impact of Check and Connect on the social skills and behaviors of students. The researcher conducted student and staff surveys and focus groups with teachers to determine their perceptions of the program that was in place for the school years 2006-2008. Data from the three instruments was triangulated to answer the research questions and determine ways to improve the program.;An analysis of the data revealed three different levels of student and teacher perceptions of the advisory program being studied. Both teachers and students perceived that the advisory program had a strong impact on their relationships with one another. However, the teachers and students perceived a moderate impact of the advisory program on monitoring student performance. Finally, the teachers and students perceived that the advisory program had a weak impact on social skills and behaviors.