Counselor Connect 11-9-07 “The Experts Among Us" Welcome Counselors Counselor Connect 11-9-07 “The Experts Among Us"

The old question was… The new question is… “What do counselors do?” “How are students different because of the school counseling program?” The challenge then is not just providing an answer to “what do counselors do?” But to answering the new and most important question, “How are students different because of what school counselors do?” I.e. how are students different as a result of their participation in their school’s SC program?

Goals for the day: Share and discuss best practices Participate in group activities Understand the importance of collecting Data

Breakout Sessions: How are you or your district addressing the… Academic concerns of students academy programs, early intervention, extended day, summer school, tutors, graduation coaches, group counseling guidance lessons etc. Career Development concerns of students EDP’s career pathways, career assessment, job-shadows, CTE, career fairs, PSAT, Explore, Plan, ACT, SAT, Kuder, MyDreamExplorer, etc. Personal & Social Development of students violence prevention, character education, health education, leadership development, self-esteem-coping skills, grief counseling etc.

FOUNDATION ASCA National Standards

School Problems Then & Now Top ten problems in schools in 1940 2007 Talking in class Chewing gum Making noise Running in halls Cutting in line Drug Abuse Alcohol Abuse Pregnancy Suicide Robbery

According to MDE Career Success looks like: Career pathways Completed EDP’s Career Awareness/Exploration Career Assessments Dual Enrollment Opportunities Articulation Opportunities Work-Based Learning Career & Technical Education

All students will gain competencies that empower them to: Acquire Improve Knowledge Skills Positive Attitude Academics Behavior Attendance

According to business and industry, academic success looks like: Skills, foreign languages, as well as history, geography, and global awareness; capable of collaboratively working in culturally diverse settings; leaders who see projects through to completion; Responsible, able to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information; able to effectively communicate with others; proficient in science, mathematics, computer/technical decision-makers who are self-motivated and active political participants; and ethical individuals who are committed to their families, communities, and colleagues (Nidds & McGerald, 1996).

Reforming the School Counseling Program Align counseling program with ASCA National Standards and state standards More Collaboration with students teachers and administrators to address student needs Set measurable goals Implement a consistent data driven program Classroom guidance at all grade levels Intentional guidance for at risk students

Delivery System - Individual Student Planning Assists students in planning, monitoring, and managing their personal and career development through assessment, advisement, placement, and transitions. Examples include: Acquisition of study skills Appropriate course selection Career awareness and exploration Positive work habits

Delivery System - Systems Support Includes program, staff, and school support activities and services through program management, consultation, and coordination. Examples include: Guidance program development Parent education Counselor professional development Teacher/administration consultation After this slide have participants take some time and do the School Counselor activity Worksheet in handout.

Delivery System- Responsive Services Addresses the immediate concerns and needs of students on a referral or self -initiated basis through individual, small group counseling, consultation, and referral to other resources. Examples include: Academic concerns Substance abuse Family issues Interpersonal relationships

Paradigm Shift and Changing Roles Old Model Versus New Model Re-active Pro-active Process Based Results Based Services Provided Data Impact

Guidance Curriculum Elementary Violence Prevention Conflict Resolution Social Skill building Decision Making Substance Abuse Prevention Study Skills Diversity & Career Choice Test Taking Skills Middle School Transition

Guidance Curriculum Middle School Character Education Skills for Adolescents Career Exploring Life Strategies Test Taking Skills Organizational /Study Skills 4 Year Plan (in prep for HS) Violence prevention

Guidance Curriculum High School Keys to High School Academic Success Graduation Requirements College Requirements Career Exploration CTE Post Secondary/College Planning How to Succeed after High School Financial Aid Planning

Management School counselors use data to drive their decisions Develop yearly action plans Monitor student progress Principal’s agreement

Program Evaluation Data Process data: What did we do for whom? Perception data: What do people think they know, believe, or can do? Results data: How are students different as a result of an activity or program?

Intentional Guidance “Some Kids Need More” Attendance Behavior Data Drive Interventions to address: Attendance Behavior Academic Achievement

Examples of Data to Examine Test Scores Achievement State National Enrollment Honors/AP Classes College Track Special Education Graduation Rates By Gender By Ethnicity By SES Attendance Absences Tardies By Grade Level Discipline By Class Types of Problems Gender GPA/Class Rank Retention Rates By Subject Area Gender/Ethnicity Postsecondary Plans Dropout Rates Grade Levels Reason Why

Using Data To Spur Systemic Change School Counselors use data to: Recognize barriers to learning Advocate for system change Create urgency for change Point out the system inequities School Counselors must be proficient in: Accessing data Analyzing data Interpreting Data Presenting Data

School Counseling Program is about... Results How are students different as a result of the school counseling program?

The National Report Card on Higher Education Measuring Up 2006 The National Report Card on Higher Education Figure 1: The United States is still among the top nations in the proportion of older adults holding a college degree…but it drops to 7th in the educational attainment of young adults. Older Adults (Ages 35-64) Younger Adults (Ages 25-34) Source: Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Data represent the percentage of adults with an associates degree or higher in 2003.

The National Report Card on Higher Education Measuring Up 2006 The National Report Card on Higher Education Figure 2: The U.S. remains among the leaders in college participation… but it ranks in the bottom half in college completion. College Completion College Participation Source: Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Data are for 2003. Percentage of Young Adults (Ages 18-24) Currently Enrolled in College. Total Number of Degrees/Certificates Completed per 100 Students Enrolled.