This brief report summarizes a longer report with the same title. It focuses on the outcomes of academic advising within the context of research on contact between faculty and students, student involvement, and persistence. It is suggested that colleges and universities use strategic planning to design advising programs based on relationships of…

While there is general consensus on the importance of good academic advising to student success and support for the American College Testing Program's developmental concept of advising, there is less agreement on the most effective model for delivery. Research suggests that both faculty-oriented advising and professional counselor-oriented systems…

This Digest discusses computer assisted advisory practices currently in use in community colleges, outlining the types of data collected and how they are used, including the use of tracking to plan interventions for at-risk students. Enhanced computer technology has improved the effectiveness of academic advising by enabling more thorough and…

Within the community college setting, counselors in counseling centers have historically provided academic advising, career guidance, and personal counseling. Today, however, the profile of the typical community college student is very different from that of the student of 40 years ago, when counseling centers originated. Today's community college…

This digest discusses the ways in which counselors in middle schools can help youngsters face the challenges of early adolescence and prepare them for life in high school. It focuses on: (1) understanding one's self; (2) family relationships; (3) peer pressure and drug abuse; (4) stressful lives; (5) sexual maturation; (6) academics; and (7)…

The "revolving door syndrome" refers to the ease with which students are able to enroll in community colleges and the equal ease with which they can drop out. In addition to traditional retention strategies, such as assessment, placement, orientation and advising, innovative approaches have been implemented at five community colleges…

Limited-English-proficient (LEP) students and their parents need a network of support to familiarize themselves with school routines, so they may understand and comply with school rules and regulations, take advantage of many school-related services, and successfully follow their course of study. Administrators can help by ensuring that…

This digest describes three complementary approaches to integrating guidance into education: (1) the Comprehensive Guidance Program Model, developed by Norman C. Gysbers; (2) the Teacher Advisor Program (TAP), developed by Robert D. Myrick; and (3) the Invitational Learning paradigm, developed by William W. Purkey. Four references are included.…