©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 1 RISCA Toolkit 2 Define Your Counseling Program & Document Your Curriculum Rhode Island School Counselor Association—Professional Development Initiative

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 2 A National Goal The ASCA Model provides a compelling vision for implementing comprehensive k-12 school counseling programs The Model establishes the implementation of comprehensive programs as the primary goal for the profession We participate in this national effort by implementing comprehensive programs in our districts that are based on the ASCA Model

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 3 Planning Comprehensive School Counseling Assembly Required Data Implementation Instructions Advocacy ASCA Model Now What?

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 4 In an Ideal World … We would have a clear sense of purpose and direction Be well resourced Be well trained Stay on track Arrive at our destination without major problems Fully Implemented Comprehensive School Counseling Programs

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 5 But in Our Real World … School counselors are overworked and understaffed Counselors are assigned many non-counseling responsibilities which diminish the amount of time they have to spend with students Not many outside the counseling department know what counselors actually do and the positive impact we have on student success Counseling positions are an easy target in times of severe budget constraints …And You Want Us to Do What?

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 6 The Bottom Line The future of school counseling depends on the successful implementation of comprehensive programs School counselors must transform their roles and produce evidence that demonstrates their positive impact on student success The road to success will not be easy The RISCA toolkits can make your life a whole lot easier

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 7 RISCA Toolkit Approach The key to successful implementation consists of: –Structured processes –Clearly defined protocols –Easy to use tools

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 8 What is a Toolkit A Toolkit is a set of tools that helps you implement critical components of a comprehensive school counseling program based on the ASCA Model

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 9 The Toolkits Will... Lay a solid foundation for your counseling program Help you switch between critical activities with ease Keep you from jumping the tracks and crashing

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 10 RISCA Toolkits 1—Strategic & Annual Planning 2—Essential Counseling Program 3—School Counseling Data Management 4—Professional Development Program 5—Family & Community Engagement 6—Program Implementation Management 7—Individual Counselors Planning for Results 8—Individual Student Learning Plans The RISCA Toolkits Approach Consists of a Series of Toolkits that Help Districts Implement Comprehensive Programs Based on the ASCA Model

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 11 TK2 Delivers TK2 Helps You Define Essential Activities in All Four Sub- Components of the ASCA Delivery System It Helps You Define and Document Your Essential Counseling Curriculum It Enables You to Publish a District Curriculum Framework for School Counseling Responsive Services and System Support Activities are Addressed in TK6 Individual Student Planning is Addressed in TK8 TK2 Address Section 5 of the Rhode Island Framework

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 12 Toolkit 2—Step 1 Visit the Welcome Center Assemble a work group Review a PowerPoint presentation Gain knowledge about TK2 and ASCA’s Delivery System Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your current Curriculum Delivery System Develop a plan for using the Toolkit in your school and district

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 13 Toolkit 2—Step 2 Define Your Essential Counseling Program Give a name to each activity you consider essential to your counseling program Sort the activities by the four sub-components of the Delivery System

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 14 Toolkit 2—Step 3 Identify Expected Results for the Counseling Curriculum For each curriculum activity, define the primary result students can be expected to achieve by participating in the activity

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 15 Toolkit 2—Step 4 Align with Standards Align each curriculum activity with the ASCA standards Align each curriculum activity with the National Career Development Guidelines (NCDG)

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 16 Toolkit 2—Step 5 Develop a Scope & Sequence Develop a scope and sequence for your counseling curriculum by grade and month Templates are provided for three levels—elementary, middle and high school

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 17 Toolkit 2—Step 6 Document Your Curriculum Document each activity in your scope and sequence Maintain a log to manage the documentation effort Use a rubric to assess the quality of your documentation

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 18 Toolkit 2—Step 7 Publish a Framework Compile information produced by the TK2 tools to publish a Curriculum Framework for School Counseling for your district

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 19 Toolkit 2—Step 8 Accountability Reports Assess student progress toward counseling standards Assess the impact of delivering your counseling curriculum Report the results of this initiative to shareholders in the school community

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 20 Needed: A Community of Dialog & Self-Reflection All Toolkits are important and critical to the successful implementation of comprehensive school counseling programs Toolkit 2 is perhaps the most important as it provides a mechanism for establishing a community of dialog and self-reflection and involves all counselors in the process

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 21 TK2 Guides You Toward the Light at the End of the Tunnel All Aboard! and Speeds You to Your Destination

©2007 Dr. Karl Squier 22 RISCA Toolkits Are Free The RISCA Toolkits are available for free download from the Rhode Island School Counselor Association’s website: