Following a change in state law, principal Dr. Stephanie Bonneau and administration separated advisory and class time in the second semester, beginning Jan. 8. Updated legislative law, HB 1416, states students who do not achieve approaches or higher on STAAR grades three through eight or EOC assessments must be provided additional instruction during the school day, and advisory will be the allotted time for this.
“I believe this will actually be an advantage for all high school students,” Dr. Bonneau said. “It gives everyone the opportunity to see and form a connection with a teacher everyday you may never have had a conversation with.”
At Legacy specifically, there are about 700 students required to complete the additional in-school instruction time. The amount of time spent doing the online curriculum will depend on the amount of STAAR or EOC tests the student failed and the subject failed.
“I think the new advisory change will help clear up some confusion on who should be leaving class and who shouldn’t be,” Academic Associate Principal Ms. Stephanie Monajami said. “Right now everyone is leaving advisory, and we’re trying to emphasize that everyone should be going, it’s not an option.”
Similarly to last year, there is no grade attached to advisory, however, it is included in Skyward for attendance purposes.
“Advisory is not like your typical classes where if you miss a certain classes you can lose all your exemptions,” Ms. Monajami said. “However, if you are a regular skipper you will receive a referral which can lead to AC, causing you to lose your exemptions.”
Unlike last year, special clubs and organizations like football and cheer will not attend their individual classes for advisory, however, administration hopes to implement that procedure next school year. Dr. Bonneau hopes advisory can be a creative way for students to reset and organize their schedule during the week.
“I hope certain things can happen on different days. For example, FOMO Monday, where students and teachers read the Friday newsletter or organization Tuesday, so students can have time to clean out their backpacks,” Dr. Bonneau said. “None of these are set for sure, but overall, my goal is that advisory can be a time for additional connection and communication.”
