Middle school career guidance Cassidy Klein 2.25.2014

Overview ASCA Comprehensive School Counselor Washington State and OSPI Considerations for 21st Century Career Preparation Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Middle School Career Guidance Individual School Community Tools of the trade Applying what you’ve learned!

When I think of career counseling… Career fairs? Job shadows? Interest inventories? Binders full of jobs? High school only? Let’s explore together from the beginning…

In the “old days”… In the past survival was an individuals career, now career is more tied to an individual’s identity. Source: Kosine, Steger and Duncan

When I grow up I want to be?

ASCA Domains and national standards Academic Career Personal/Social Standard A Standard B Standard C “attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span.” “acquire skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions.” “acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.” “complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options, including college.” “employ strategies to achieve future career goals with success and satisfaction.” “make decisions, set goals and take necessary action to achieve goals.” “understand the relationship of academics to the world of work and to life at home and in the community.” “understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training and the world of work.” “understand safety and survival skills.” Movie Source: ASCA National Standards

Washington State career development Middle School/Junior High Guidance Lesson Curriculum Map Navigation 101 Career Guidance Washington Sparking the Future My Dreams, My Story, My Voice Career Ready Lessons

Is what we have enough? Student outcomes: arches of the rainbow Learning and Innovative Skills – Info, Media and Tech – Life and Career – Flexibility and adaptibility, inititaive and self-direction, social and cross-cultural skills, productivity and accountability, leadership and responsibility 3R’s = reading, writing, and arithmetic (standard core classes) 4C’s = creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration Support Systems: pools at the bottom Source: Partnership for 21st Century Skills

The Influence of middle school Trusty, Niles and Carney report that academic preparation begins in middle school Half of those who pursue associates and bachelors degrees don’t attain them within 8-10 years Long term success can be linked to math and science course success and this trajectory is crystalized during the middle school years School counselors can help by promoting the opportunity for students do learn! Adolescence is a time of establishing identity and self-concept (Kosine, Steger, Duncan) Understanding the influence of culture (it’s bidirectional) Identity and self concept (Erickson) Gender Ethnicity Sexual orientation Geographic location SES Disabilities Belief systems Values

Middle school Career development influences Community Individual School Similar to Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems

Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological systems What do you remember? Interactions with others and the environment are central to development Source: Muuss (1996.) Theories of Adolescence, 6th Ed. McGraw Hill: New York.

Microsystem Intimate social and immediate physical setting that and individual is operating in Family Classroom Peer Group Neighborhood Example: an adolescent microsystem is a social network of relationships The relationship influences the adolescent and the adolescent influences the relationship

Mesosystem The interaction between two microsystems Individuals have different roles in their lives and these roles are constantly changing. Sibling Church member Student Care giver What other roles do students have? Example: Interaction between home and school If parents are involved in activities and decision making in elementary school, students have been showing to receive higher grades and have greater initiative in high school Source: Muuss (1996.) Theories of Adolescence, 6th Ed. McGraw Hill: New York.

Exosystem The structure of the larger community, or the environment in which an individual isn’t directly involved still has direct and indirect impacts. Example: Relationship between parents and their workplace Government Available transportation Parents circle of friends Neighborhood/community influences on family TV watching! Education system How would these impact an adolescent? Tv impacts the interactions in families Source: Muuss (1996.) Theories of Adolescence, 6th Ed. McGraw Hill: New York.

Macrosystem Not a direct impact but is the overarching societal group Cultural values and expectations Different childrearing practices Social customs Mass media Federal government Source: Muuss (1996.) Theories of Adolescence, 6th Ed. McGraw Hill: New York.

Chronosystem The way in which environmental effects develop over time The way that transitions or changes affect the individual’s growth and development Examples: divorce and changing families, moving and relocation Source: NACCE

Student Understand what creates a students microsystem Parent influence and collaboration Students see parents as more influential than anyone else in career choices (Trusty, Niles, Carney) Help students to understand themselves (Kosine, Steger, Duncan) Self identity Understanding of self Help identify academic and work related strengths (example: language) Role of culture Long term success is linked to math and science course Promote opportunities for students to learn Create data through educational career portfolios (Trusty, Niles, Carney) Recognize how career contributes to and influences family and society How can a school counselor do this? Integrate teachers – career into daily lessons, maintaining portfolio, recognizing student strengths! Know you school climate and culture

School Peer mentors/tutors According to Trusty, Niles and Carney peer tutoring can help to close the achievement gap Gains for both those tutoring and being tutored Curriculum that recognizes 21st century and is evidence based New Jersey World Class Standards Collaboration amongst teachers, counselors and administrators Initiatives that promote learning opportunities for all students Career planning that accounts for different outcomes --”the most immediate and persisting issue for students and teachers is not low achievement, but student engagement.” - impacts drop out rates

School Engagement Shin, Daly and Vera define engagement as, “investment and commitment to learning” Disengagement begins by 7th grade 40-60% of high schools have already begun to disengage (Shin, Daly and Vera) Long Term Educational Development (LTED) Student involvement in extracurricular, school sponsored activities has a positive influence on college success and career development (Trusty, Niles, Carney) Strongest effect on Latino and African American students Belief that future success isn’t inline with academics Expectation that they won’t succeed May feel the need to prove their place in academia What are ways to create engagement? Engagement = school activities,

Community Community Mentors Understand role of culture Models Understand role of unique cultures Exposure to communities outside of students own Understand role of culture As a school counselor be aware of your community culture and unique facets First Generation College students Resources Service Learning A concern and debate is always the consideration of culturally sensitive and responsive career development and guidance.

Tools of the trade Connect all of the systems! Create school as central to community Offer translators Invite parents and families Volunteer opportunities Family nights Create a sense of value and belonging (academically and socially) Developmental Cross Walking Tool Education- career portfolios Evidence based curricula 21st Century Careers

Tools of the trade Source: Trusty, Niles and Carney

Applied considerations As a middle school counselor what aspects of career development do you have in place already? What can you spend more time developing? Who needs to be involved to make this a success? As a high school counselor what aspects of career development do you feel are strongly in place as students are entering your high school? What do you think can be more developed at the middle school level?

Questions? Comments? Thoughts?

References ASCA National Standards for Students ASCA National Standards: Developmental Crosswalking Tool Constantine, M.G., Kindaichi, M.M., Miville, M.L. (2007). Factors Influencing the Educational and Vocational Transitions of Black and Latino High School Students. ASCA Professional School Counseling, 10 (3), 261- 265. Middle School/Junior High Guidance Lesson Curriculum Map Career Guidance WA: College and Career Readiness Missouri Center for Career Education – Guidance & Counseling Grade Level Standards Muuss (1996.) Theories of Adolescence, 6th Ed. McGraw Hill: New York. North American Community for Cultural Ecology – Ecology theory of Bronfenbrenner Partnership for 21st Century Skills – Framework for 21st Century Learning State of New Jersey Department of Education – NJ World Class Standards Trusty, J., Niles, S.G., Carney J.V. (2005). Education-Career Planning and Middle School Counselors. ASCA Professional School Counseling, 9 (2), 136-143.