1. In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for Secondary Field Experience Missouri State University Fall 2009 Dr. Marci Dowdy, Faculty

2. Layne Wilson Greenfield High School Greenfield, MO lnh424@live.missouristate.edu 417-637-5328

3. Outline the Problem Example: The counseling department identified nine students who had “target” scores (within a minimal amount of points of making Proficient) on the 8 th Grade MAP test. These students were also screened for academic performance in their current classes so there would be a range of students in the intervention.

4. SIMS (Students, Interventions, Measurements and Settings) Students – 9 th grade students with target MAP scores in 8 th Grade who also have a range of academic performance in current classes Interventions – Counselor-in-training met weekly for 6 weeks with two groups (girls/boys) and engaged in a weekly topic, activity, and skill tip. Measurement – A study skills survey for self-reporting Settings - Counselor met with each group in the school cafeteria after lunch, during gym.

5. Response to the Problem The 9 target students were put in small groups and divided into boys and girls groups These groups met weekly for 1 hour The group sessions involved a weekly topic, activity, and skill tip with some lesson plans from www.mcce.org modified as necessary.

6. Results: The students showed self-reported improvement with study skills and test taking skills. http://missouricareereducation.org/curr/cmd/guidanceplacementG/lessons/dlGuidanceLesson.php?file=AD4-Gr12- Unit1-Lesson6.doc

7. Summary The group as a whole showed self-reported improvement in study skills and test taking skills The students reported during their last group session that the group made them think about their study habits with regards to procrastinating and perfectionism. The students felt that a similar group would help their peers with study skills and recommended another study group for next quarter.

8. Recommendations Continue to identify target students for study skills groups Continue to monitor this group with a quarterly check up in order to address any new study/testing issues as reported by the students Utilize the small group process with additional students

9. Resources www.missouricareereducation.org http://missouricareereducation.org/curr/cmd/gui danceplacementG/lessons/dlGuidanceLesson.php ?file=AD4-Gr12-Unit1-Lesson6.doc http://missouricareereducation.org/curr/cmd/gui danceplacementG/lessons/dlGuidanceLesson.php ?file=AD4-Gr12-Unit1-Lesson6.doc