The Real Scoop

Initial Reactions The counseling staff in our building did not have any issues with having a new evaluation system. Developing measurable goals and outcomes and documenting what we did was seen as positive way to build our counseling program and profession. The only issue we had was the number of different forms and timeframes which they needed to completed.

The Process These are the steps that our staff took in our first year of the new counselor evaluation. 1. Collected our data from the previous year 2. Completed the program evaluation & self evaluation 3. Met with our supervising administrator 4. Developed focus areas and goals based on collaboration with administrator 5. Monthly meetings with administrator to review goals & progress

The Goals Our focus areas were student impact and development of our counseling program. Goals: Development of advisory board 2. Promoting counseling program 3. Ensuring each graduating senior had a post secondary plan

Continued Goals Goals 2012 – Ensure 95% of students complete student needs assessment 2. Ensure at least 80% of students complete a FAFSA 3. To provide supportive services to at least 90% of all 9 th & 10 th grade students receiving D’s & F’s on first 9 weeks report card by facilitating parent / teacher / counselor conferences.

Outcomes Our outcomes did improve simply because we were in emerging stages of building a counseling program. We had two new high school counselors and a new set of expectations on what a counseling program should look like. We also discovered that the different standard elements built off of each other. In a sense that fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

Continued Outcomes Some of the things that the new evaluation process has sparked as far as MVHS counseling program include:  Increase in the number of students taking the ACT  Increase in the number of students completing the FAFSA  All seniors now have a post secondary action plan  The school has a counseling advisory board  93.5 % of all students completed the student needs assessment which improved from 52% the year before

Continued Outcomes  Parent conferences were held with 63 9 th & 10 th grade families concerning academic issues the first semester  Implemented the Links program in grades 6-8  Developed the outline for a advisor / advisee program to be built into the high school master schedule for school year  Enhanced distant learning opportunities for school year & by coordinating a dual credit English program, building a credit recovery class into the master schedule, facilitating independent studies for advanced AP classes via distance learning

Continued Outcomes  Increased from three to seven the total number of AP classes being offered  Working with our CTC developed an 8 th grade CTC explore program, several 1 year programs, and started allowing 10 th grade students to attend CTC  Developed character education program to be facilitated in all classrooms All of these improvements started with the information obtained from the student needs assessment and program evaluation.

Where We Are At Program Audit 2011 – 2012 (20/31 areas were marked as emerging) 2012 – 2013 (9/31 areas were marked as emerging) Communication Prior to 2011 – 2012 counselors were not involved with school leadership or regularly scheduled meetings with the administration Our counselors now are part of the weekly administrative meetings and are also part of the school leadership team.

Challenges and What’s Next The biggest challenge was keeping up with all of the paper work and writing SMART Goals. We developed a cheat sheet for the forms and when each was to be completed. The SMART Goals are still a work in progress. Overall we had a favorable experience with the new evaluation system. The biggest thing it did for us was to show us were we were at and where we needed to be.