1. RAMP Process Becoming a Recognized ASCA Model Program
Sarah Majoros, School Counselor
Madison Elementary School – Des Moines, Iowa
Sarah Majoros – school counselor at Madison Elementary school since 2004
Madison Elementary School – received RAMP in 2010 / re-RAMP in 2016

2. Why RAMP? Is based on the ASCA National Model.
Is a recognition program for individual schools, not districts or school counselors.
Gives you the confidence that your program aligns with a nationally accepted and recognized model.
Helps you evaluate your program and areas for improvement.
Increases your skills and knowledge.
Enhances your program's efforts to contribute to student success.
spending the time to pursue RAMP…
increases your knowledge and understanding of the ASCA National Model
data driven program
gives you a better understanding of where you are with your comprehensive school counseling program
the application is an overview of every aspect of your program

3. RAMP Timeline
RAMP applications are due by 5pm (Pacific) on October 15th.
Once a comprehensive school counseling program is in place, you will need at least one full academic year to collect data and information needed to fulfill the RAMP application process.
RAMP is an extensive process
after you have your comprehensive program in place…
a year of data collection
compiling the information and writing the narratives
application submitted by October 15th
reviews will occur in November and December
results are sent out in mid-January
if your score is a 54 or above, you receive RAMP
if your score is a you can revise and re-submit by the end of February
if your score is 47 or below, you do not receive RAMP
re-submissions are due the end of February and re-reviews are done in March
final results are sent out in April
award is given at the ASCA national conference in July

4. 12 RAMP Components:
1. Vision (3 points) 2. Mission Statement (3 points) 3. Program Goals (6 points) 4. ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success (4 points) 5. Annual Agreement (5 points) 6. Advisory Council (5 points) 7. Calendars (5 points) 8. School Counseling Core Curriculum Action Plan and Lesson Plans (6 points) 9. School Counseling Core Curriculum Results Report (6 points) 10. Small Group Responsive Services (6 points) 11. Closing the Gap Results Report (6 points) 12. Program Evaluation (5 points)
Although the points vary for each component, each is an important part of the application
vision – school counseling program, school and district vision statements (“provides a rich and textual picture of success”)
2. mission – school counseling program, school and district mission statements (include all components in the rubric)
3. program goals – SMART goals focused on attendance, behavior and achievement / everything in the application ties back to the program goals
4. ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success –
5. annual agreement – one for each counselor / detailed and specific
6. advisory council – cannot be created solely for the purpose or RAMP / a representative group for your school (secondary should include students)
7. calendars – cover all parts of your day/week and match the time allocations on your annual agreement (yes, reviewers do check! )
8. school counseling core curriculum action plan and lesson plans – include all core curriculum for the school year / lesson plans for one grade level unit of study / use ASCA template
9. school counseling core curriculum results report – you only need to include one results report for one unit of study for one grade level
10. small group responsive services – need to include all action plans for all small groups throughout the school year
11. closing the gap results report – articulate how the gap was identified and how it relates to program goals
12. program evaluation – articulate leadership, advocacy and collaboration skills that led to systemic change / detail the systemic change

5. Resources: Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) Scoring Rubric
ASCA National Model Implementation Guide
ASCA National Model
examples of outstanding applications online

6. Data:
Outcome Data: the impact on attendance, behavior and/or achievement.
Process Data: the number people involved and/or the number of lessons, etc.
Perception Data: can be data collected from teacher or students on knowledge, skills and abilities.
data driven programming is vital to a comprehensive school counseling program
you must understand the different types of data
as counselors, we KNOW the work we do is important…outcome data allows us the opportunity to show how students have changed because of the work we do

7. Benefits of RAMP:
An engraved plaque, suitable for display on your office wall.
Communication sent to your school's principal and superintendent informing them of your exemplary school counseling program.
Template press release to individualize and send to local press.
Use of RAMP logo for business cards, letterhead, Web site or printed materials
School recognition at ASCA's annual conference.
Two tickets to the RAMP awards celebration at ASCA's annual conference.
Free conference registration for RAMP school principal the year RAMP is awarded.
Recognition in ASCA School Counselor magazine and on the ASCA website.
Advocacy for School Counselors and School Counseling Programs.
RAMP designations are good for 5 years

8. Tips and Tricks: Use the ASCA Model Templates.
Use the Scoring Rubric – if you include everything listed in the rubric to receive the highest score, you will have a complete application.
Clearly articulate EVERYTHING in your narrative… use all available space!
Time intensive!!
Detail oriented!! Don’t leave anything blank…
the applicants are expected to utilize the ASCA model templates
points are deducted if the rubric says to use templates and they have not been used
it is easiest to begin the application using the templates
use the scoring rubric as a guide
clearly articulate everything in your narrative…even if you think it is “understood” or “assumed”
use all available space and words
the more information available, the more complete the application…the less questions reviewers will have
RAMP is a time intensive process…don’t wait until the last minute
RAMP reviewers are also very detail oriented
RAMP is like a giant puzzle…everything is tied together through the program goals and each piece has an important role in a comprehensive school counseling program

9. Scoring:
After submission, each application is assigned to a team. Each team consists of a lead and three evaluators.
The team members review each application as individuals, then as a team discuss the scores given.
All scores must be within one point of each other (ex. an application will not receive a 2 and a 5 for the same section).
All three scores are averaged together to calculate the final score.
Scores 54 or above receive RAMP / scores between can revise and re-submit their applications / scores 47 and below do not receive RAMP.
as a reviewer, scoring is designed to not be subjective
we are given a guide for reviews that mirrors the rubric

10. Questions??
If you have additional questions, please feel free to me at
please let me know if you have specific questions regarding RAMP