1. School Counseling in the 21st Century
Presented by:
Beth Fortin, M.Ed.
Emily Krems, M.Ed.
Maria Paoletti, M.S.
Karen Hidalgo, M.Ed.

2. Objectives
To address the purpose of School Counseling and the roles and responsibilities of school counselors
To review the needs assessment results
Integrating College & Career Readiness (ICCR) Grant & enrichment activities
Next steps

3. Proactive/Data driven Services provided to ALL students
Today’s School Counselor
Proactive/Data driven
Services provided to ALL students
Impact measured via achievement data
Essential role in school improvement process
School counselors work collaboratively
Yesterday’s Guidance Counselor
Reactive
Services provided to few students
Impact measured via feelings or perceptions
Secondary role to school improvement process
School counselors worked in isolation

4. Expanded Role of School Counselors
Improve student achievement
Enhances academic, career, and personal/social development
Delivers programs through classroom lessons, individual student planning sessions, and individual and group counseling
Collaborates with parents, teachers, administration and other school staff to promote student success
Provide leadership and advocacy to promote equity and access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students
School Counselors provide a comprehensive school counseling program that focuses on the needs of all students

5. The American School Counselor Association National Model: A framework for School Counseling Programs
Elements:
Foundation
Delivery System
Management System
Accountability
Themes:
Leadership
Advocacy
Collaboration
Systemic change

6. The development of a comprehensive counseling program can help Improve:
Graduation Rate
Academic achievement
Attendance
Promotion Rate
Post Secondary Enrollment Rate
Standardized Test Scores
School climate

7. School Guidance Counseling Grades 6-8
Expanded College and Career Readiness
Survey shows 7th and 8th grade students think college and career activities are useful in middle school
Increased Enrollment at TFHS
More students are staying at TFHS for Fall 2015
Improved School Climate and Safety
Surveys show that fewer students report in 2015 than in 2013 that they are cyberbullying others
Increased Student Safety
More reporting of student self-harm has resulted from the suicide prevention program
Improved Attendance
Data analyzed and presented to staff, next steps include informing new administrators and discussing stricter policy
Smoother Transition into Middle School
Orientation sessions for all new families prior to year start

8. Needs Assessment Rationale
The TFHS School Guidance Counseling Department administered a Needs Assessment Survey in 2014 to students, parents and staff to improve the way we meet our students’ needs. The feedback from parents, teachers, staff, administrators, community members, and students is critical in developing a comprehensive school counseling program that meets the needs of ALL students.

9. Respondents
Students-100 Parents-46 Staff- 39 Male – 39% 9th grade- 36% Male – 33% Female – 59% 10th grade- 9% Female - 67% Transgender – 2% 11th grade-25% 12th grade-30% 9th grade – 31% Teacher-66% 10th grade – 23% Admin.-5% 11th grade – 29% Staff -17% 12th grade 17% Other -12%

10. Results of HS Needs Assessments
I feel the students at Turners Falls High School need help with: (students, parents, staff)
Career awareness, exploration, immersion (job-seeking skills, interviewing, resumes)
College: admissions, application process, financial aid, scholarships, college search
Decision making & goal setting
All 3 groups had the same 3 topics selected in
their top 5 responses
All 3 groups had the same 3 topics in
their top 5 responses

11. Student Responses

13. Parent Overall Impression of TFHS School Guidance Department

14. Parent Responses
78% know who their student’s High School Guidance Counselor is
68% attended various evening events (open house, financial aid night, college planning night, 8th grade parent night, conferences, etc)
69% used Edline 7+ times to look at their student's academic progress
Preferred method of communication:
Phone
In person
Mail

15. HS Staff Contact with School Counselors

16. College and Career Readiness (CCR)
One of ESE’s primary goals is “Success After High School”
Gill-Montague was 1 of 5 districts receiving competitive Integrating College and Career Readiness (ICCR) grant funds from ESE
1st Yr. Planning
2nd Yr. Implementation
All secondary guidance counselors took leadership roles
(CCR)
Competitive
1st yr. planning
2nd yr. planning

17. ICCR Grant Initiatives
MA Model Implementation in MS & HS
Career activities aligned from grades 7-12
Created & delivered high school advisory lessons and middle school CPR lessons
8th grade college trip to MCLA and Williams College
5th and 6th grade college trip to UMass Amherst
“College is Cool” month at GFMS
Needs assessment survey creation and administration in HS
Ongoing HS guidance webpage postings and Edline blasts to students & parents

18. ICCR Grant Initiatives
Career of the Month series at GFMS
College Week at TFHS
Implementation of Individual Learning Plans for 9th graders
Fifty-one 9th graders - college trip to UMass Amherst and Hampshire College
Twenty-nine 10th graders- college trip to STCC
Go Public Assembly (ALL 9-12)
9th grade seminar (3 guidance lessons: MassCis, 4 year plans/Grad Require., Learning Styles)
HS timeline developed and included in HS Student Handbook
HS Master School Counseling Department Calendar developed & posted on website
Mission and Vision Statements updated and posted on website (joint statement w/ MS)

19. Next Steps
Expand guidance curriculum to include more college & career readiness, decision making and goal setting lessons.
Continue planning and promoting CCR enrichment activities.
Align MS & HS guidance curriculum
Create an advisory council - the advisory council is a representative group of stakeholders (e.g. parent, staff, community, administration, etc.) selected to review and advise on the implementation of the school counseling program.
Partner with teachers to deliver guidance curriculum.

20. HS Field Trips

21. References
Bowers, J. and Hatch, T. (2005). The ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs. Alexandria, VA Schmidt, J. J. (2008). Counseling in schools: Comprehensive programs of responsive services for all students. (5th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon American School Counselor Association. New England Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Public Secondary Schools. Report of the Visiting Committee (2010).