INTRODUCTION TO SCHOOL COUNSELINGFebruary 2013

SCHOOL COUNSELORS ARE… Focused on the Wellness and Achievement of

ALL Students

Aligned with State and District Goals

Concerned with Effectiveness and Results

Committed to Evidence-Based Practices

Dedicated to Family Engagement and Early Intervention

Skilled in Collaboration with Students, Staff and Community

SCHOOL COUNSELING DEFINED School Counseling is concerned with the

academic, social/personal and career development of all students in public schools.

School Counselors help students manage problems that interfere with learning and advocate for student access to essential educational and support programs

School Counselors offer K-12 coordinated services across the spectrum of prevention, intervention and crisis.

Why do school counselors focus on all students K-12?Dropping Out of High School is not a single

event… it is a series of disengagements from the school system that begins as far back as elementary school.

Bullying by a few students is not a problem when the majority of students recognize the behavior and stand up against it.

Career Readiness is a blend of self-awareness, preparation, job skills, and career knowledge that even the highest achieving students need.

ADDRESSING BARRIERS TO SUCCESSCurrent Challenges: School Safety; Drop Out

Prevention; Career/College Readiness; Family Engagement; Positive Climate…

School Counseling Response:HIGH SCHOOL:MIDDLE SCHOOL:ELEM SCHOOL:

HIGH QUALITY SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS Adhere to the American School Counseling

Association National Model (ASCA) Advocate for individuals and also works

systemically to solve problems. Operate within a K-12 plan, sets goals for

improvement, creates a calendar of activities, reports on results, follows a cycle of program evaluation.

Informed by data-driven decision-making, technology, RTI; evidence-based practice.

Team with staff, parents & community resources Act as a trusted advisor to many constituents

PERSONAL/SOCIALELEMENTARY SCHOOL

PROBLEM: A big increase in playground discipline referrals was taking away instructional time.

SOLUTION: School counselor implemented a Peer Conflict

Manager program The number of students who could

peacefully resolve a conflict increased from 55% to 88%

The number of suspended students was reduced from 13% to 3% over the period of 3 years

Academic Career

PERSONAL/ SOCIAL

ACADEMIC INTERVENTION MIDDLE SCHOOL

PROBLEM: After-School detention referrals went from 65 to 120 students over a three month period.

SOLUTION: School Counselor determined reasons for detentions:66% Missing Assignments; 34% Inappropriate

Behavior Counselor matched an intervention to the

problem: Establish a Homework Club and several after-school tutoring classes.

ACADEMICCareer

Personal/ Social

CAREER DEVELOPMENT HIGH SCHOOL

PROBLEM: Poor college readiness skills of graduates and low parent attendance at conferences.

SOLUTION: Implement a 9th-12th grade advisory program with student-led conferences.

Parent attendance at evening guidance events increased from 150 to 500 parents

Scholarship dollars for students increased from $857,000 to $950, 000

Graduation rates improved from 84 % to 89%

Academic CAREER

Personal/ Social

WASHINGTON STATE RESOURCES

The Washington Framework for Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling http://www.cgcpframework.org/

Washington School Counselor Association http://www.wa-schoolcounselor.org/

OSPI Comprehensive Guidance http://www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/GuidanceCounseling/default.aspx