Partners in Student Achievement t. Rebecca Cameron President, Nevada School Counselor Association

Transcription

1 Partners in Student Achievement t Rebecca Cameron President, Nevada School Counselor Association RCameron@washoeschools.ne

2 What do school counselors do? Provide all students with vital social and emotional skills Prepare and deliver classroom guidance lessons Study data to determine how to best meet students needs Use data to improve systems, program delivery and implementation of interventions Ensure that all students are ready for a post-secondary opportunities including college, trade programs, and employment Provide education so students can make informed choices Create job-readiness programs

3 How do school counselors impact student achievement? Schools with a comprehensive school counseling curriculum have more positive behavior and less aggression. School counseling decreases classroom disturbances and enables teachers to provide quality instruction. Comprehensive school counseling programs significantly improve student behavior, attitude and knowledge in areas such as goal-setting, problemsolving, career exploration and school resources. School counseling services are one of the key elements of effective dropout prevention initiatives.

4 How do school counselors impact student achievement? Group counseling by school counselors has positive effects on academic achievement with underachieving elementary and middle school students Students who participate in school counseling curriculum have shown significantly stronger math and reading scores on both national and state tests. Students who participate in career development curriculum provided by their school counselor show significantly more understanding of career possibilities and increased school engagement. Career interventions that do not use school counselors (e.g. computerized career guidance programs) have been found to be significantly less effective.

5 Standardizing effective school counseling support services Nevada Department of Education Counseling Standards ASCA National Standards for academic development guide school counseling programs to implement strategies and activities to support and maximize each student s ability to learn. Academic Development Domain Career Development Domain Personal/Social Development Domain

6 Supporting Student Achievement through Mindsets and Behaviors School counselors encourage 1. Self-confidence in ability to succeed 2. Belief in development of whole self, including integration of academics with activities at school, home and the community that enhance learning and life experiences 3. Understanding that postsecondary education and life-long learning are necessary for long-term career success 4. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve highquality results and outcomes 5. Positive attitude toward work and learning

7 Supporting Student Achievement through Mindsets and Behaviors Behavior Standards These standards include behaviors commonly associated with being a good student. These behaviors are visible, outward signs that a student is engaged and putting forth effort to learn. The behaviors are grouped into three subcategories. Learning Strategies: Processes and tactics one employs to aid in the cognitive work of thinking, remembering or learning. Self-Management Skills: Continued focus on a goal despite obstacles (grit or persistence) and avoidance of distractions or temptations to prioritize higher pursuits over lower pleasures (delayed gratification, self-discipline, self-control). Social Skills: Acceptable behaviors that improve social interactions such as those between peers or between students and teacher.

8 Currently in Nevada Academic, Career and Personal Social Development instruction must be accessible to all students in grades K- 12. (NAC ) Access to comprehensive school counseling programs implemented by licensed professional school counselors varies by district and across the grade levels. Access to a school counselor is not required for students in grades K-6 as it is for students in grades 7-12 (Nrs ) Nevada s 437,149 students are supported by 880 professional school counselors. This is an average of one counselor for every 497 students.

9 How can our legislature support Nevada s students? Provide access to a comprehensive counseling program for all students by requiring a professional school counselor in every school across our state. Adopt the Nevada Counseling Standards and/or American School Counseling Mindsets and Behaviors Legislative Action to support student access to school counselors Work to improve the counselorstudent ratios toward the recommended 250:1 Require instruction in guidance and counseling be provided by professional school counselors for students in grades K-6 as well as grades 7-12.

10 References Brigman & Campbell (2003). Helping students improve academic achievement and school success behavior. Professional School Counseling,7, Campbell & Brigman (2005). Closing the achievement gap: A structured approach to group counseling. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 30, Dimmitt (2007). The Real Game evaluation results. Washington, DC: America s Career Resource Network. Available at ion.pdf; Hoag & Burlingame (1997). Evaluating the effectiveness of child and adolescent group treatment: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology, 26(3),

11 References Kaufman, Klein, & Frase (1999). Dropout Rates in the United States, Statistical Analysis Report. U.S. Department of Education. Lapan, Gysbers, Hughey, & Arni (1993). Evaluating a guidance and language arts unit for high school juniors. Journal of Counseling and Development, 71, Lapan, Gysbers, & Petroski (2001). Helping seventh graders be safe and successful: A statewide study of the impact of comprehensive guidance and counseling programs. Journal of Counseling and Development, 79, Peterson, Long, & Billups (1999). The effect of three career interventions on the educational choices of eighth grade students. Professional School Counseling, 3(1),

12 References Schlossberg, Morris, & Lieberman (2001). The effects of a counselor-led guidance intervention on students' behaviors and attitudes. Professional School Counseling, 4, Sink & Stroh (2003). Raising achievement test scores of early elementary school students through comprehensive school counseling programs. Professional School Counseling, 6(5), Webb, Brigman, & Campbell (2005). Linking school counselors and student success: A replication of the Student Success Skills approach targeting the academic and social competencies of students. Professional School Counseling, 8, Whiston, Brecheisen, & Stephens (2003). Does treatment modality affect career counseling effectiveness? Journal of Vocational Behavior, 62, Wilson (1986). Effects of a classroom guidance unit on sixth graders' examination performance. Journal of Humanistic Education and Development, 25(2),