“Evaluating the effectiveness of a professional development workshop to increase school counselors' use of data: The role of technology” (2009) examined “the effectiveness of four variations of a workshop designed to improve school counselors’ data use skills. The workshops were designed to vary along two dimensions; the amount of conceptual knowledge participants were exposed to, and the amount of a technology application (EZAnalyze) participants were exposed to” (Poynton, 2009). The study consisted of 144 participants split into four different groups. Group one simply received training on the development of data driven counseling programs. Group two had all of the same instruction as group one, but were introduced to an excel add-in program …show more content…
As a school counselor and a student of educational technology, I was both empathetic and frustrated by the results. I believe heavily in a data driven school counseling program and the effect that it has on student achievement and school accountability. I would have loved the idea that an accessible data program would encourage school counselors to develop comprehensive counseling programs, however, I absolutely appreciate the lack of time and limited technological knowledge that led to failure of the program to sustain interest. Increasing professional development and access to the technology can only go so far without the ability to use it. I thought it was interesting that there was an anomaly in one school because the counselor supervisor had initiated a data driven goal for their counselors. To me, this is where the school needs and the counselor needs should focus attention. If the school administration is fundamentally involved in also seeing that the school counselor be data driven, then the use of technology will most certainly be employed. School counselors today have been overwhelmed with many tasks that draw from their time spent on direct student services. However, school administration that advocates for the availably and education of school counselors to utilize technology to evaluate student data has the ability to make that process more attainable. Fundamentally the school directive has to be instrumental in connecting the two for the accountability of
Teachers are able to target the learning gaps by developing a plan of action based on the needs for our students. Verbiest (2014) and Hershkovitz (2015) argue data is used to tailor (how we sever students, how we offer support, types of support, what resources we need to invest on, whether we take a student to students needs with our school psychologist) instruction for students in all content areas in an effort to increase student achievement. As a result, the school can provide specific professional learning, support, and resources to teachers based on the needs and areas of weakness of our students (Fox, 2001). As lifelong learners, teachers recognize that their professional practice continues to evolve as they reflect and act on new information. If teachers have information that helps them confidently identify the root of educational challenges and track progress, they can more readily develop action plans that will have a positive impact on their students’ achievement (Halverson et al.,
Many years ago, America had two distinct regions known as the North and the South. Although these two regions were apart of the same country, they did not share many similarities. In fact, these regions had many significant differences that set boundaries between Northern and Southern states. These differences included their geographies and climates, economies, and societies and transportation.
In order to provide a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP) that meets the unique needs of Ocean Elementary School, the school counselor must understand the needs of the school. Therefore, conducting a needs assessment can help a new school counselor to evaluate the CSCP in order to plan, implement, and improve the effectiveness of the program (Astramovich & Coker, 2007). Additionally, utilizing the accountability bridge counseling program evaluation model, a continuous evaluation cycle helps to improve services based on stakeholder feedback, the needs of those served, and outcomes (Astramovich & Coker, 2007). Within this model, a needs assessment must be conducted in order to plan and develop services that address the needs of the students (Astramovich & Coker, 2007). Thus, by utilizing assessment questionnaires, the school counselor can gather information from the diverse population of students, parents, teachers, and administrator to determine how the CSCP can best support all students’ needs (American School Counselor Association [ASCA], 2012). Additionally, the use of other data, such as observations, standardized test scores, absentee rates, and student referrals can support the feedback received on the questionnaires. Based on the data, the school counselor can evaluate the school counseling program in order to improve the program in the domain areas of academic, social/emotional, and career development. Thus, within the accountability bridge counseling
school counselors assigned to that specific school. The meeting will address the purpose of the study and the floor will be open to any questions the employees of the school may have regarding the study. This process will continue until the research team has been given permission by 24 high schools (8 in each socioeconomic area) to ask their students to participate in the study.
School counseling programs are designed to serve the school as a whole. They serve the students as counselors, act as consultants to teachers, parents and administrators and coordinate activities to implement the developmental guidance program. However, in order to have an effective program they need to instill the qualities of Lencioni’s model into their interaction with the individuals they serve.
We learned the importance and how to manage our counseling program using data collection, assessments and reporting tools (AR1.2). Finally, the Accountability System includes results reports, impact over time, and performance standards. Data analysis, program results, and evaluation and improvement are all a focus for this component. This component helps the counselors justify programs of change to assistance student achievement. The ASCA National Model School supports the counselor in the implementation of the comprehensive program.
By examining various data elements, professional school counselors can understand what influences access and attainment. Attainment data helps counselors figure out if a student needs to advance to the next grade and graduate.
There are two different types of madness display in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet . Hamlet's madness was the result of Claudius killing his father and then Hamlet pretended to be mad to fool Claudius. Ophelia's madness was due to Hamlet killing her father, which caused her to be driven into a depressed state later leading to her death. Although Hamlet and Ophelia's madnesses are both extremely similar by the way came about. It is how the two characters deal with their madness that leads to the differences between them.
Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado is thought to be one of his most popular vengeful short novels. The two main characters, Montresor and Fortunato are re-acquainted friends who meet each other at The Carnival. Montresor has intentionally planned to lure Fortunato to his own death by deceiving him to believe that Fortunato is coming to Montresor's family catacombs to taste a fine wine “Amontillado”. After Montresor leads Fortunato into the crypts, Montresor eventually chains Fortunato up in a secluded section and mortars him behind a brick wall while he is still alive. The story ends with Montresor throwing a flaming torch into the small opening while he continues to put the last brick in place, essentially burning Fortunato alive. Edgar Allan Poe creates conflict between characters Montresor and Fortunato which primarily creates the major theme of revenge in this story. Edgar Allan Poe depicts setting in this novel by portraying death by illustrating human bones, within a cold and damp crypt to contribute to the eerie theme of revenge. Montresor's characterization is expressed through the betrayal of his friend, which adds another element to the theme of revenge in this story. In Edgar Allan Poe’s The Cask of Amontillado, Edgar Allan Poe utilizes conflict, setting, and characterization to create a theme of revenge.
With the diversifying population in America’s schools, a profession school counselor should be culturally competent to meet the needs of all students. “The transformed professional school counselor is culturally competent, respectful of human diversity, and a school leader in ensuring that oppressive systemic barriers to academic, career, college readiness, and personal/social development are removed (Erford, 2015, p. 173).” A school counselor needs to have a deep understanding of a variety of cultures to meet the personal, emotional, developmental needs of a student using individual and group interventions while being aware of their cultural and spiritual needs.
School counselor is a continuous learning profession; whether it is the profession itself, or society that continues to change, or government prioritizing different matters within the school systems. The key to be a successful school counselor within the school is through research. Finding out what’s different about this year’s population, students interest, what is the most effective way to provide information to students. These are just a few reasons of why research is valuable and important to conduct throughout the course of one’s school counseling profession. There are different types of research one could utilize, and with all the research found it is important that a counselor has the necessary skills
The goal of a school counseling program to help all students reach academic success by providing supportive services that addresses issues or concerns comprising of academic, career and social/personal development. School counselors are not only concerned with students who are succeeding and motivated to learn, they also aim at encouraging students who are at risk of failing or dropping out of school to continue striving for success and setting goals that encourage productive citizens in communities. In order to create a comprehensive school counseling program, one must first recognize their own assumptions, perceptions and stereotypes regarding students’ behaviors, values and beliefs. One should also have a willingness to accept and understand
School counselors use data to, “identify school counseling program goals; monitor student progress to close the achievement gap; assess and evaluate programs; demonstrate school counseling program effectiveness (Young, 2013).” The purpose of assessments are to identify and plan school counseling programs that align with the mission of schools. School counselors assist students individually to help with academic, personal/social or career concerns. One helps student establish goals as well as develop plans. School counselors conduct informal assessments by interviewing students to obtain information about their current problem or situation.
A school counselor’s role is vital in many schools across America. Many students see their counselor, to work on any emotional stressors, academic changes and challenges. This may include, interventions, group therapy and changes in class schedule, but sometimes with all the implementations given, students do not succeed in school. Perhaps one needs to take a closer look at the programs being implemented and its success rate. In addition, a counselor should guide itself using the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) to provide evidence based practices in schools.
As a future school counselor, I can reflect that these past eight weeks, I have a full understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a school counselor in a traditional high school. Practicum 2 has been learning experiences that I will remember as I start my new profession. I believe that being exposed and actively involved with a group of school counselors brought a wide range of knowledge that I plan to utilize in the future. As a continuum from my Practicum 1, the following CACREP standards are mentioned below.