Scimplementing

Implementing a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

A link to the current educational reform movement emphasizing

achievement and success

Comprehensive School Counseling

Gary L. Spear, Ed.SConsultant - School Counseling Programs

WI Department of Public InstructionP.O. Box 7841

Madison, WI 53707-7841ph: 608-266-2820fax: 608-266-3643

[email protected]://www.dpi.wisconsin.gov/sspw/counsl1.html

Changes in School Counseling

Vocational/Career Mental Health Individualized Services Comprehensive Developmental

Position Program

Results-based

Training versus Expectations

Current Trends In School Counseling

ASCA’s National Standards and Model American School Counselor Association

Transforming School Counseling Initiative Education Trust – DeWitt Wallace

Standard “e” WDGM – update and revision

State Models for School CounselingResults-based School Counseling

From Entitlement … To Performance At-risk emphasis Crisis driven “On call” approach Measures amount of

effort Attends to process of

doing work Focus on good intentions Works to maintain the

existing system Talks about how hard

they work Owned by the counseling

staff

Provides to ALL students Curriculum driven Calendared time Measures impact related to

goals Attends to goals,

objectives and outcomes Focus on accomplishments Changes and adapts to be

responsive Talks about effectiveness Community owned and

supported

Rationale for a Comprehensive School Counseling Program A comprehensive school counseling program is an integral

component of the school’s academic mission. Comprehensive school counseling programs, driven by student data and based on standards in academic, career and personal/social development, promote and enhance the learning process for all students.

• ensures equity and access to a rigorous education for all students• identifies the knowledge and skills all students will acquire as a result of the K-12 comprehensive school counseling program• is delivered to all students in a systematic fashion• is based on data-driven decision making• is provided by a state-credentialed school counselor

School Counseling and ESEA/NCLB

Attendance / Truancy Alternative programs Character Education Conflict Resolution Counseling Drop Out Retention Parent Involvement Classroom Management Pupil Services Personnel

School Counseling Program Impact on Students

Academic Support Study Skills Test Taking Strategies Test Anxiety Tutoring Listening Skills Homework Completion Skills Proper Course Placement


Personal/Social Support Character Education/Citizenship Bullying/Harassment Intervention Peer Mediation/Conflict Resolution Asset Development Positive School Climate Critical Thinking Skills Diversity Skills


Career Individual Learning Plan

Program of Study [replace 4 year plans] Student, Parent, Counselor Educational –

Career Conference Increased sequence of Career/Technical

education courses Fewer “undecided’s”

Provide purpose and direction for students

How Counseling Programs Impact NCLB

School counseling curriculum helps students learn study skills and personal management skills that improve academic achievement

Students are assisted by the end of grade 8 in planning a program of study

School counselors convey high expectations for educational achievement and help students meet them.


Students are encouraged to take challenging math, science and appropriate career-tech classes

Parents are involvedStudents are provided information on

postsecondary optionsCounseling Programs raise student

achievement by personalizing education


As students understand themselves, explore the world around them and establish goals for their futures, they begin to see why an education is important. They no longer attend school simply to receive a diploma or avoid truancy. Instead, students understand the connection between success in school today and success in their careers tomorrow.

ESEA/NCLB Outcomes related to a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Increased student achievement K-12 Increased attendance rates Increased collaboration between parents,

community and school Increased enrollment in higher level courses and

career classes Increased post-secondary school enrollments Decreased discipline problems, suspensions,

and expulsions Decreased drop out rate

Effectiveness of School Counseling Programs

Academic Impact across Grades Elementary: Sink & Stroh [2003] – schools with

comprehensive school counseling programs produced higher achievement test scores

Middle: Lapan, Gysbers & Petroski [2001] – schools with comprehensive school counseling programs have students earning higher grades

High: Nelson, Gardner & Fox [1998] – schools with comprehensive school counseling programs had higher ACT scores on every scale of the test.

See: http://dpi.wi.gov/sspw/pdf/effectivescr.pdf

Benefits of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program Students

Promotes a rigorous academic curriculum for all students

Prepares students for the challenges of the 21st century through academic, career, and enhanced personal/social development.

Relates educational programs to future success. Facilitates career exploration and development. Develops decision-making and problem-solving skills. Provides strategies for closing the achievement gap. Assists in developing effective interpersonal relationship

skills. Provides advocacy for students. Assures equitable access to educational opportunities.

Benefits of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Parents Provides support for parents in advocating for their

child’s academic, career, and personal/social development.

Develops a system for their child’s long-range planning and learning.

Increases opportunities for parent/school interaction. Enables parents to access school and community

resources. Provides training and informational workshops


School Counselors Provides direct services to all students. Ensures involvement in the academic mission of the

school district. Enhances the role of school counselor as a student

advocate. Provides a clearly defined role and function. Provides a tool for program management and

accountability. Provides quality system support within the district.


Teachers Provides an interdisciplinary team effort to address

educational needs. Provides assistance to teachers in classroom

management, teaching effectiveness, and affective education.

Provides consultation to assist teachers in their guidance role.

Promotes teaming to increase student achievement Increases collaboration between teachers and

counselors


Administrators Integrates school counseling with the academic mission

of the school district. Provides program structure with specific content. Provides a program promoting student success Assists administration to use school counselors

effectively to enhance learning and development of all students.

Provides a means of evaluating school counseling programs.

Monitors data for school improvement

Benefits of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program School Boards

Provides rationale for implementing a comprehensive developmental counseling program in the school system.

Assurance that a quality counseling program is available to all students.

Supports appropriate credentialing and staffing. Provides a basis for determining funding allocations for

counseling programs. Furnishes program information to the community. Gives ongoing information about student competencies

attained through school counseling program efforts. Supports standards-based programming.


Community Provides increased opportunity for collaboration among

counselors and business, industry, and the community as a whole.

Enhances the role of the counselor as a resource person.

Increases opportunities for business, industry, and the community to participate actively in the total school program.

Provides a potential work force with decision-making skills, pre-employment skills, and increased worker maturity.

New Wisconsin Promise

A QUALITY EDUCATION FOR EVERY CHILD Closing the achievement gap between

economically disadvantaged students, students of color and their peers

Providing effective pupil services, special education, and prevention programs to support learning and development for all students while preventing and reducing barriers to student success.

The Answer For:

Who am I?Where have I been?Where am I going?What will I need to get there?How can I help myself?Who can help me and how?How can I change when change is

required?

Scimplementing

Education

counseling staff

school increased enrollment

academic achievement

students curriculum

educational achievement

rigorous academic curriculum

schools academic mission

career classes