School Counseling in Today’s World Is implementing the ASCA model even possible? Dr. Carolyn Berger, Nova Southeastern University

S is for School Counselor? I think some people think we wear one of these under our work shirts!

Overview Brief review of ASCA model Making the model work for you: –Tips for using the model –Implementation steps

The ASCA Model

Foundation Philosophy & Mission Statement Crosswalk what your school is doing to the ASCA competencies Sample Middle School Crosswalk: * This is available on the ASCA workbook companion CD!* Standard A: Students will aquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the lifespan 678 A:A2.1 Apply time-management and task management skills X A: A2.2 Demonstrate how effort and persistence positively affect learning X A: A2.3 Use communications skills to know when and how to ask for help when needed XX

Delivery System School guidance curriculum –Classroom instruction –Parent workshops Individual student planning –Advising Responsive services –Individual counseling –Peer facilitation System support –Meetings: professional development, parent/teacher, IEP, etc. –Fair share duties –Testing

Management System Management Agreements Advisory Council Use of Data Action Plans Evaluate use of Time Calendars

Accountability System Results Reports –Impact Over Time School Counselor Performance Evaluation The Program Audit

So you’re probably thinking… SO WHAT? Great model, but there’s no way I can use it when I have so many job demands.

Remember… ASCA recommends a 1:250 counselor: student ratio We are not superhuman!!! But that doesn’t mean we should give up trying…

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for You… 1)Develop partnerships with other people  Other school counselors  Teachers  University members  Parents (volunteers)  Community agencies  Students!

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for You… 2)Involve your administrator  This is a KEY ingredient!  You may have to “sell” the model  You know him/her better than I do, so how you do that is up to you  Show your principal how your counseling interventions are helping increase student achievement (use data!)

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for You… 3)Start somewhere  Conduct an audit (see ASCA book)  Start to fill in the gaps on the audit  Sample starting places:  Do a needs assessment  Write a mission statement  Lay out your goals  Set up a master calendar  Create a better website for the counseling department

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for You… 4)Write out your vision  Set some long term and short term goals  Where would you like to see your school counseling program in 1, 3, 5 years?  How can you start to meet that vision in the next 1, 3, 5 months?  BABY STEPS!

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for You… 5)Don’t reinvent the wheel  You are probably already doing many things that the ASCA model requires  Keep the good and (slowly) get rid of the bad  Continue to use data!  Ask colleagues about what they’re doing that works- share counseling ideas and materials

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for You… 6)Remember the law of parsimony If we work withPer day, we reach Individuals1-10 Small groups30-50 Classrooms School Climate1000+

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for You… 7)Recharge yourself!  Stay linked to both ASCA and FSCA  Attend your Broward County Counselor Association meetings  Go to the conferences as often as you can afford to!  FSCA is this weekend (Nov 4-6) at the Hyatt in Ft. Lauderdale  Try your best to ignore those who will discourage you!

Implementation Steps 1)Educate yourself on the model 2)Get support! 3)Assess what’s working and what’s not 4)Make a commitment to begin by writing out a vision and goals 5)Use data to measure whether you are meeting the goals 6)Share results with stakeholders- get the word out!

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin. – John F. Kennedy

Resources American School Counselor Association (2005). The ASCA National Model: A framework for school counseling programs, Second Edition. Alexandria, VA: Author. American School Counselor Association (2004). The ASCA National Model workbook. Alexandria, VA: Author. Dimmitt, C., & Carey, J. (2007). Using the ASCA National Model to facilitate school transitions. Professional School Counseling, 10(3), Lapan, R.T. (2001). Results-based comprehensive guidance and counseling programs: A framework for planning and evaluation. Professional School Counseling, 4, Myrick, R. D. (1997). Developmental guidance and counselor: A practical approach. Minneapolis, MN: Educational Media Corporation. Riddle, M. & Flanary, R.A. (August/September, 2008). Principal and counselor collaboration. Retrieved from collegeboard.com/08sep/commentary.html Scàwallie-Giddis, P, ter Maat, M., & Pak, M. (2003). Initiating leadership by introducing and implementing the ASCA national model. Professional School Counseling, 6(3),

Resources Sink, C.A., Akos, P., Turnbull, R.J., & Mvududu, N. (2008). An investigation of comprehensive school counseling programs and academic achievement in Washington state middle schools. Professional School Counseling, 12, Sink, C.A. & Stroh, H.R. (2003). Raising achievement test scores of early elementary school students through comprehensive school counseling programs. Professional School Counseling, 6, Stone, C. & Dahir, C. (2006). School counselor accountability: A measure of student success. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Wittmer, J. & Clark, M.A. (2007). Managing your school counseling program: K-12 developmental strategies, Third Edition. Minneapolis, MN: Educational Media Corporation.

Guidance Curriculum Helpful Links ASCA: FSCA: Center for Excellence in School Counseling & Leadership: SchoolCounselor.com: Counselor’s Room:

Feel free to contact me: Carolyn Berger Nova Southeastern University (954)