We Can Do Better Palo Alto - presentation at May 17, 2011 meeting. We are a group of Palo Alto parents, students, former students and community members advocating changes to PAUSD policies to reduce academic stress and improve the emotional and mental health of our students.

4. Project Safety Net P-8 Supportive School Environment

10. The Counseling Gap We Can Do Better Palo Alto May 17, 2011

11. % of parents dissatisfied with... Source: PAUSD 2008 and 2010 strategic plan surveys Paly Gunn Counseling services (2008) 21% 39% Counseling services (2010) 17% 33% Availability of counselors (2008) 14% 32% Quality of counselors (2008) 20% 39% Did not receive effective college counseling (2008) 25% 48% Did not receive effective college counseling (2010) 19% 40% Availability of academic counseling (2010) 14% 32% Quality of academic counseling (2010) 19% 34% Availability of psychological counseling (2010) 9% 14% Quality of psychological counseling (2010) 10% 16%

12. % of students dissatisfied with... Source: PAUSD 2008 and 2010 strategic plan surveys Paly Gunn Support from college/guidance counselors (2008) 28% 41% Quality of counseling services (2008) 22% 38% Availability of counselors (2008) 16% 39% Did not receive effective college counseling (2008) 22% 33%

13. 2008-2009 Comparison of WASC data from Gunn and Paly Source: 2008-2009 WASC self-study reports, Palo Alto High School and Gunn High School Paly Gunn Percentage of students who disagree that “a counselor/advisor is available to help me select courses and plan for the future.” 7.5% 14% Percentage of parents who disagree that "a counselor is available to help my child select classes and provide guidance in planning for the future.” 13% 32% Percentage of parents who disagree that "there are effective procedures in place to support communication with teachers." 13% 21%

14. 2008-2009 WASC survey at Gunn Source: 2008-2009 WASC self-study report, Gunn High School Students who would support addition of a teacher-advisor and an advisory period 78% Students who don't look forward to school each day 31% Students who don't "know who to talk to to get information about college applications and scholarships. " 33% Students who don't "know who to talk to to access support services such as personal counseling." 45%

17. Homework (Stress, Workload & Solutions) We Can Do Better Palo Alto May 17, 2011

28. Thank You Please visit our website: WeCanDoBetterPaloAlto.org