1 Commissioner's Review Rhode Island School Counselor Association November 2006 Technical Assistance Workshop for School Counselors

2 What Is the Commissioner’s Review? The Rhode Island Commissioner of Education has initiated a review process in which districts must demonstrate how they are organized to support student success and the progress they are making in school reform.

3 Five Components Component I—Graduation by Proficiency Component II—Support to Students –Part A—Scaffolded Adolescent Literacy –Part B—Personalization –Part C—Comprehensive School Counseling Component III—Support to Staff –Part A—Professional Development –Part B—Common Planning Time –Part C—School-wide Coordination and Leadership Component IV—Communication Component V—Policy Infrastructure and Use of Data

4 What Are Your Initial Perceptions about the Commissioner’s Review Process?

5 Are you confused?

6 Just More Hurdles Placed in Our Path

7 Makes Us Stand on Our Heads for No Reason at All

8 Forces Us Out on a Limb so We Will Fall

9 Makes Us Try to Fit Square Pegs in Round Holes

10 Targets Us Unfairly

11 Holds Our Feet to the Fire

12 The Commissioner's Review Is an Opportunity The Commissioner’s Review allows us to work individually as counselors and collectively as school-based and district-wide counseling departments to demonstrate our contribution to: –Systemic Change (e.g., participating in school improvement initiatives) –Advocacy (e.g., communicating needs of students, promotes equity and excellence) –Leadership (e.g., acting as a catalyst for change) –Collaboration (e.g., working with teachers, other support staff and building leadership to improve the school and personalize student learning)

13 What Is in RISCA’s Response Guide? Instructions Self-Study Response Template Compelling Evidence Template Planning Template to Produce the Evidence for Submission to RIDE The Response Guide is available for free download on the RISCA Website:

14 What Is Compelling Evidence? Compelling Evidence is Documented Evidence that: –Clearly Demonstrates that We are Successfully Implementing a Comprehensive School Counseling Program –Clearly Demonstrates that We are Helping Students Meet the Requirements of the RI High School Diploma System –Clearly Demonstrates that We are Contributing to More Personalized Learning Experiences for Students

15 Toolkits Can Be Used to Produce Compelling Evidence Priority Products (What to Focus on First) 1.Program Description (TK2) a.Scope & Sequence b.Curriculum Alignment with ASCA & NCDG c.Some Documented Curriculum Activities 2.Plans (TK1 & TK7) a.3-Year Strategic Plan (TK1) b.Implementation Plans for Current & Upcoming School Year (TK1) c.Individual Counselors Planning for Results (TK7) 3.Data (TK3) a.SPARC 4.Individual Learning Plan Program (TK8)

16 “ Students are advantaged or disadvantaged by what we do.” —Pat Martin Why Is It So Important for School Counselors to Get Involved?

17 10 Steps You Can Take 1.Gather Documents Submitted to RIDE, in particular Component II (Support to Students)—Section C (Comprehensive School Counseling) and the Commissioner’s Response to this Section that Your School Received. Ask Your Principal to Help. 2.Assemble a Work Group and Schedule a Meeting. 3.As a Work Group, Review the Documents Listed in Step 1 and Agree on What Needs to be Done. 4.Complete the Compelling Evidence Template. 5.Use the Commissioner’s Review Planning Tool to develop your plan.

18 10 Steps You Can Take 6.Obtain Sign-off on the Plan from School Counselors and Building/District Leaders. 7.Implement Your Evidence Producing Plan, Continuously Monitoring to Ensure that Periodic Benchmarks are Met and that Expected Results can be Achieved within the Specified Timeframe. 8.Participate in School Governance & Reform Initiatives. 9.Join the RISCA ListServe and Check the RISCA Website ( and Newsletters. 10. Participate in RISCA’s Technical Assistance Workshops and/or let RISCA Know You Want Help.

19 When Opportunity Knocks Will We Open the Door?

20 Contact Belinda Wilkerson Counselor-in-Residence at Providence College Office of Graduate Studies 549 River Avenue, Providence, RI Telephone: