School Counselors as Advocates The Transformed School Counselor Chapter 5 ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

The Role of Social Advocacy in Schools Social advocacy implies questioning the status quo, challenging rules and regulations that deny student access, and protesting changes that decrease opportunities for the under-represented. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

The School Counselor as an Advocate Surveys the internal and external school to identify barriers that are impeding student success Collaborates to establish the conditions necessary for all students to be successful in their academic, social, emotional, career, and personal development Becomes the voice for students with low achievement, especially low socioeconomic-level and minority students Empowerment is the complex process that encompasses self-reflection and action, awareness of environmental power dynamics and the development of skills to promote community enhancement ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Characteristics of an Advocate The school counselor must possess many personal/social consciousness attributes to be an advocate: Desire to be a voice for students who are underrepresented Willingness to listen Genuine positive regard for others Flexibility Compassion Understanding Empathy Emotional stability Insightfulness Willingness to take risks ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

The Ethics of Advocacy Advocacy is an ethical imperative as well as a legal imperative for school counselors. Kitchener’s Five Moral Principles are applied by counselors when there is an ethical dilemma. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Kitchener’s Five Moral Principles Beneficence – continually seek ways to enhance opportunities for student success Nonmaleficence – consider the impact of one’s action or lack of action to determine if potential harm will result Loyalty – remain steadfast in efforts to make systemic change for all students Justice – look at each individual’s unique needs and be able to justify treating students differently Autonomy – empower each and every child to become his or her own advocate ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Advocacy’s Impacts Advocacy Impacts Systems, Student Opportunities, the School Counseling Program, and Communities Advocating for Systemic Change   Systemic refers to organizational policies, procedures, and practices of a school ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Advocacy’s Impacts, cont’d… Change refers to: Shared vision to guide change Leadership capable of driving change Professional development to implement and sustain the change Organizational arrangements to support change Strategies to implement change School counselors thinking systemically by identifying practices that negatively impact students and those that should be replicated or expanded Reaching many more students ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Advocacy’s Impacts, cont’d… Changing Attitudes and Beliefs The school counselor collaborating with other educators can help foster a vision and belief in the development of high aspirations in every child.   The school counselor’s skills in communication, interpersonal relationships, problem solving, and conflict resolution can impact the beliefs and attitudes of teachers and administrators regarding widening opportunities for students. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Advocacy’s Impacts, cont’d… Advocating for Individual Students   School counselors impact systems to make a difference for every individual in that system. Advocacy requires us to give some individual students more help to right an injustice against them, improve their condition, or provide an opportunity. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Advocacy’s Impacts, cont’d… Advocating for Your School Counseling Program Having a plan in mind assists school counselors to assess the needs of the school and develop program strategies around those needs. Advocacy is educating legislators, school board members, parents, administrators, and teachers about the school counseling program. Advocacy is joining a professional organization which provides school counselors with a legislative voice. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Advocacy’s Impacts, cont’d… Advocating for Social Action in the Context of Community  Families and Institutions of Society Counselors can be agents of social change in the community by helping students and families develop the strategies needed to advocate for themselves when dealing with other institutions.  Service Learning School counselors can encourage involvement of students in service learning and address some of the social problems, issues, and injustices of their larger community. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Advocacy Skills Use of Technology for Advocacy Technology enhances the counselor’s role as an advocate. Counselors must use technology in monitoring student progress, in student career planning, and in accessing the data for informed student decision-making. Many schools have student management systems that contain student biographical information as well as scheduling, attendance, discipline and test history data. Using student information management data guarantees that no student is left out. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Counselors’ Skills for Advocacy Advocacy Through Staff Development  Provide opportunities for staff to practice new skills, gather new information, or learn new behaviors.  Collaborative planning is the best way to proceed and further success. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Steps in Advocating for Change 1. Identify the problem. 2. Gather additional information. 3. Identify the stakeholders. 4. Research the advocacy history of the problem. 5. Identify the institutional and/or environmental barriers contributing to the problem. 6. Develop an action plan. 7. Set goals and develop accountability measures. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.

Guiding Principles of Advocacy 1. Be a calculated risk taker. 2. Believe you can make a difference. 3. Believe in your students. 4. Be kind to yourself. 5. Stay the course. ©2012 Cengage Learning. These materials are designed for classroom use and can be used for educational purposes only. Reproduction for commercial use is in violation of copyright laws.