2. Courtney Arnall Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education Universal Encouragement Program

3. Introduction to the Universal Encouragement Program (UEP) Online guidance assessment, reporting, and communications system for supporting student achievement and attainment Provides data for better understanding of student needs, interests, and experiences Targets students in grades 6-12 and beyond

4. Guidance Assessment Whys … Simply put … We want more students to graduate from high school prepared for postsecondary educations, and equipped to be successful in postsecondary education. In the U.S., the national average of student-to-counselor ratio is 430:1. Source: U.S. Department of Education, Common Core of Data, National Institute for Educational Statistics-Public Elementary and Secondary School Student Enrollment and Staff From the Common Core of Data: School Year 2009-2010. Retrieved from schoolcounselor.org (American School Counselor Association). The associate recommends a student-counselor ratio of 250:1.

5. Guidance assessment to improve student outcomes Many data points associated with high school completion and postsecondary participation are evident in … 6 th Grade “… most future dropouts can be predicted as early as 6 th grade by studying academic and engagement issues among these students in elementary and middle schools.” (Balfanz, Herzog, & Mac Iver. 2005)

6. What do we know? Much of what we could know remains hidden … Known Unknown

7. What do we know? In regard to student outcomes. Do we know academic and career guidance needs? Do we know the wants? Do we know what students have done or would be willing to do? Do we know the effects of our efforts to assist students?

8. Do we really know our students wants and needs? Or are they assumptions? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVvbTz_EEk4

9. UEP Provides Aspirations and intentions Desires for interventions and services What steps students have taken What steps they haven’t taken Risk factors that affect achievement

10. Group Activity 2 minutes … no problem!?  Name  Summary of your personal life (kids, hobbies, etc.)  Why they attended this session  A challenge they have counseling students  Where they would like to go on vacation

11. 090 00 2 876543215 1 004987654321039876543210987654321021987654321098765432100 HoursMinutesSeconds Counselor Tango Name Summary of your personal life (kids, hobbies, etc.) Why they attended this session A challenge they have counseling students Where they would like to go on vacation

12. 090 00 1 876543215 0 004987654321039876543210987654321021987654321098765432100 HoursMinutesSeconds Counselor Tango Name Summary of your personal life (kids, hobbies, etc.) Why they attended this session A challenge they have counseling students Where they would like to go on vacation

14. Did you need to know more? What did you learn? Can you remember the information tomorrow? Can you use the information to for a report for your students needs? What is some information you would like to know?

15. What we could learn … View trends – are we moving in the right direction? Understand audience differences Measure the effectiveness of guidance efforts Provide a representation of student needs to funding sources Assert the need for resources, support or change with evidence

16. The UEP Collects data about the person and the group to better understand guidance and support needs, interests, and experiences. Online assessment is quick (10-20 minutes) and easy enough for middle school students to complete. Reports are instantaneous to counselors, education support professionals, and parents/guardians.

17. The UEP Identify specific academic issues Identify specific career and education planning needs Obtain personal and social concerns that affect school performance Report items affecting high school graduation and postsecondary participation

18. The UEP Using the data Get to know your students at a deeper level Find out what your students needs See services and activities your students/clients actually want Better utilize the limited time you have with students Provide targeted information in response to specific needs Assess and track student progress Measure the effect of information and services Provide systematic early warning

19. Form 1 Students in grades 6-8 Personal and family demographics Education Planning experiences Career interests Future plans Activities and services 15-20 minutes to complete

20. Form 2 Students in grades 9-12 Personal and family demographics Education College readiness Career interests Future plans Activities and services 10-20 minutes to complete

21. Form 3 For graduates and other adults Personal and family demographics Education and training Career and employment Involvement Future plans High school experience Non-graduates Military service 15-20 minutes to complete

22. The UEP Available in English and Spanish Reports to counselors in English Reports to parents are the language primarily spoken at home – English or Spanish

23. How to register and view reports UEP Home Page http://capenetwork.org/

24. Questions? Courtney Arnall Oklahoma CareerTech Career and Academic Systems Specialist 405.743.5425 courtney.arnall@okcareertech.org