Virginia Career VIEW VSCA Conference 2014 Bridging the Accountability Gap in K-8 Career Development

How are you/your school currently integrating career exploration into the core curriculum? What are some barriers you have run into? How are the barriers different at the elementary and middle school levels? and Has your school system implemented any accountability measures for school counselors? Discussion in groups

When students perceive math (e.g., Hulleman, Godes, Hendricks, & Harackiewicz, 2010) and science (e.g., Ainley & Ainley, 2011) to be useful, they tend to be more interested in it. Instructors can demonstrate the usefulness of the content by explaining to students how the material is related to their interests, career goals, and/or the real world; or by providing opportunities for students to engage in activities that demonstrate the usefulness of the content (for examples, see Jones, 2009) (Jones, B., Ruff, C., & Osborne, J.W., in preparation). Why should we connect career development to classroom learning? Jones, B. D., Ruff, C., & Osborne, J.W. (in preparation). Fostering students identification with mathematics and science. In K.A. Renninger, M. Nieswandt, & S. Hidi (Eds.), Handbook on interest, the Self, and K-16 mathematics and science learning. Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association.

There isnt a negotiation if youre a teacher, says [Lynn] Linde, a past president of ACA. Why as a school counselor do you have to negotiate? You dont tell a math teacher how to teach math. Teachers have a lot of latitude within their classrooms. Why dont we [as school counselors] have the same latitude (p. 35) Counselors will play a role in ensuring that all students have access to the courses that properly prepare them for college (p. 36). Often times administrators look at school counselors as not having a class list and papers to grade, and programs suffer because counselors are often assigned to extra duties, such as running the school wide testing program, filling in for absent teachers, performing supervisory duties, etc. (p. 36) [Administrators] simply dont understand the depth of what these counselors offer, says Patricia Henderson, school counselor and guidance administrator for over 30 years (p. 36). Counseling Today Claiming their rightful place at the table Shallcross, L. (2013). Claiming their rightful place at the table. Counseling Today, Volume 56/Number 2. August 2013.

Support classroom learning; working toward same goals Reinforces/reviews classroom learning Student Motivation: MUSIC Model (Jones, 2009) –eMpowerment –Usefulness –Success –Interest –Caring How does career exploration connect to classroom learning? Jones, B. (2009). Motivating Students to Engage in Learning: The MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Volume 21. Retrieved from Increased motivation Increased learning Increased performance

Study conducted in 2012, Dr. Michele Seibert –Survey sent to 1178 counselors in Virginia via –387 responders met criteria for the study (full or part-time elem. counselor in ) –1/3 of elementary counselors in Virginia represented in the study –When asked: What Activities are being used by Counselors with the Highest Self Efficacy? Used online career exploration programs Informed parents of career development school counseling standards Informed teachers of ways to incorporate career development into the classroom (Seibert, 2013) Current Research Seibert, M.G. (2013). The impact of elementary career development practices and elementary school counselor self-efficacy (Doctoral dissertation, Virginia Tech). Retrieved from

Addressing Barriers: Finding Solutions Barriers: –Counselor doesnt have enough time to teach a lesson in every class –Teachers not interested in having classroom time interrupted –Administrators not supportive of career exploration; dont see the importance –Community [in general] doesnt value post-high school plans –Others?

K-8 resources by grade Easy-to-edit templates Sample school program Teacher Guides Guides and grids to easily identify SOL connections Cards for teacher feedback Resource: Strategic Planning Guide

Reach out to teachers –Send a letter with attached resources and ask teachers to consider using the resources to support a lesson –Offer to come help teach the lesson (co-teach) –Suggest including career exploration resources as part of a substitute teacher lesson plan –Invite teachers to a 30 minute training about how career exploration connects to classroom learning…and give them resources! –At the middle school level, ask exploratory teachers to include a career development piece relevant to their subject; offer to provide resources –Or, ask elective teachers to be a part of a school-wide assembly and have each teacher talk a little about what careers relate to their field of teaching How to engage teachers

Engage: Use the Classroom Career Connections program as an opportunity to talk to parents about Career Pathways, ACPs, 21 st Century Skills, STEM Initiatives, etc. and why career exploration is relevant to their childs future [and so important!] Reach: Post updates to the school website, facebook page, or weekly newsletter/ Inform: Keep parents informed Remember…Parents are the MOST influential figure for students when it comes to making career choices How to engage parents

Connect classroom learning to the real world Make the core curriculum relevant to the future Encourage students to explore interests –Kids Search and Who R U –Career Search and School Search Recognize student successes; highlight great work –Vimeo Video –Glogster –LiveBinder Encourage: Post contests/experiences opportunities for students on school bulletin boards, in newsletters, s, or school website How to engage students

Point out the state and/or federal initiatives will be supported by integrating career exploration into the core curriculum Start a school-wide program (ie: Classroom Career Connections) incorporating teachers, parents and students Accountability: –Keep track of the connections being made –Use pre- and post- tests to show how student learning has [improved] because of the classroom-career connection How to engage administrators

Career Development Standards Checklist Career Development Standards Detailed Record Student Feedback: Lack of student data (Seibert, 2013). Accountability: Resources Seibert, M.G. (2013). The impact of elementary career development practices and elementary school counselor self-efficacy (Doctoral dissertation, Virginia Tech). Retrieved from

Student Motivation Motivation Inventory Easy to use Easy to score Clear results Practical implications Jones, B. (2009). Motivating Students to Engage in Learning: The MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Volume 21. Retrieved from

Explore VIEW Website

K-8 printable resources Guides and grids (by career cluster, SOL, Counseling Standard) Interest Assessments [Kids Search, Who R U? VIEW Toolkits –College and Career Readiness –Academic and Career Plans –STEM Occupations Booklists Parent and Teacher Guides VIEW Resources Supporting Core Curriculum

Classroom Career Connections Program Sample letters/response cards Teacher guides Sample event flier Career Pathways document Academic and Career Plan Educator Guide At least 4 resources per grade connecting career exploration to career exploration Strategic Planning Guide Resources

Virginia Career VIEW Emily Fielder