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Running Head: FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE
Final Project – Comprehensive Developmental Guidance Plan
Donna Burns – CND
Lamar University
Department of Counseling and Special Populations
CNDV 5330 Developmental Guidance
Patricia Harris, EdD
August 17, 2013
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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Part I
Advisory Council
The importance of building a strong relationship between home and school is an integral
part of a quality education. The purpose of an advisory council is to bring key stakeholders into
the campus environment (figuratively and perhaps literally) to help build the connection between
home and school. Specifically, the advisory team serves to assess and review the goals and
results of the comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP), make recommendations, and
promote an understanding of the CSCP with the school and community. Members of the
advisory team could include students, parents/guardians, teachers, counselors, administrators and
community members.
School Mission Statement
A school’s mission statement should define its purpose and direction as well as outline its
core values. On the flip side, a school’s mission statement can help students and parents decide if
the school’s purpose and programs, and the way it provides these services, line up with personal
educational goals. The mission statement of Manvel High School (the school in which I hope to
secure employment as a professional school counselor) states that MHS will prepare students to
be successful in a dynamic global society through a rigorous curriculum. Using professional
resources and technology, staff will collaborate with parents, students, and the community to
develop life-long learners and innovative critical thinkers who will contribute to society at their
full potential.
Counseling Program Mission Statement
The purpose of the counseling program mission statement is to support the school’s
mission. It also allows for collaboration with other individuals and organizations to promote all
students’ academic, career and personal/social development. The mission of the counseling
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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program at Manvel High School is to provide all students with the academic, personal and social
skills necessary to become responsible, productive and respectful individuals who develop into
contributing members of society by means of comprehensive and developmental support.
Personal Counselor Mission Statement
A personal counselor mission statement is important because it gives others insight into
the valuable skills and attitudes available to students who may be struggling with personal/social,
academic and/or (future) career issues. A well-written statement will provide clarity about the
role of the professional school counselor by defining who we are, how work and collaborate with
campus staff, and what we do to help all children on campus to achieve academic success.
ASCA Standards
The American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) School Counselor Competencies
(2012) that align with the above information are as follows:
II. Foundations - School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes
necessary to establish the foundations of a school counseling program aligning with the ASCA
National Model.
II-B: Abilities & Skills - An effective school counselor is able to accomplish measurable
objectives demonstrating the following abilities and skills:
II-B-1. Develops the beliefs and vision of the school counseling program that align with
current school improvement and student success initiatives at the school, district
and state level
II-B-2. Develops a school counseling mission statement aligning with the school, district
and state mission
II-B-3. Uses student standards, such as ASCA Student Standards and other appropriate
student standards such as district or state standards, to drive the implementation of a
comprehensive school counseling program
III. Management - School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes
necessary to manage a school counseling program aligning with the ASCA National Model.
III-B: Abilities & Skills - An effective school counselor is able to accomplish measurable
objectives demonstrating the following abilities and skills:
III-B-2. Establishes and convenes an advisory council for the comprehensive school
counseling program
III-B-2a. Uses leadership skills to facilitate vision and positive change for the comprehensive
school counseling program
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III-B-2b. Determines appropriate education stakeholders who should be represented on the
advisory council
III-B-2c. Develops effective and efficient meeting agendas
III-B-2d. Reviews school data, school counseling program assessment and school counseling
program goals with the advisory council
III-B-2e. Records meeting notes and distributes as appropriate
III-B-2f. Analyzes and incorporates feedback from the advisory council related to school
counseling program goals as appropriate
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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Part II
Needs Assessment
According to Dollarhide & Saginak (2012), needs assessments are important because data
gleaned from such evaluations are integral in the early planning processes of a school counseling
program. School counselors use these data to determine their selection of interventions, such as
small groups, presentations/workshops, classroom guidance lessons, schoolwide initiatives and
programs, and professional development initiatives. This information will also allow professional
school counselors to speak the language of decision makers, thus allowing social and academic
advocacy for children with special needs or those encountering systemic barriers to academic,
career, or personal/social success (Erford, 2011). Additionally, “school counselors who closely
monitor, through evaluation, the effects that programs and interventions are having on factors
that directly associate with learning and attainment are providing invaluable information for
sustaining their role within schools” (Dollarhide & Saginak, 2012, p. 114).
Manvel High School is one of 22 campuses, and only two high schools, in Alvin ISD.
When it opened its doors in 2006, approximately 650 students (grades 9-10 only) attended MHS;
as of last year, that number rose to 1,953 students in grades 9 to 12—an increase of just over
200%. Since opening, MHS has integrated many research-based and school-wide programs,
such as AVID, PBIS, Thinking Maps, Building Academic Vocabulary, as well as a 4-tiered
credit recovery plan designed to increase the campus/district graduation rate. MHS was once a
title I school (2009-10), but no longer holds that status or receives federal funding as such.
Finally, a Phase II expansion plan was completed at MHS two years ago; according to current
enrollment numbers, the school will reach full capacity with the 2013-14 school year.
Manvel High School serves predominantly low-middle class families. The breakdown of
its student population is as follows: 27% African-American, 29% Anglo, 11% Asian, 33%
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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Hispanic, 53% male, 47% female and 39% low socioeconomic status. MHS serves 76 English
Language Learner students, 170 students in the Gifted and Talented program, 41 students qualify
for 504 services, and 171 students are served through special education services.
The overall mobility rate for the campus is approximately 12%, with a drop-out rate of
0.7%. The average daily attendance rate for students in 2012-13 was 95.3%. The average daily
attendance rate for staff was 95%. There were a total of 4562 discipline referrals for 2012-13,
which is significantly less than the previous year.
The staff population is 14% African-American, 76% Anglo, 1% Asian, 9% Hispanic, 1%
Native American, 37% male and 64% female with an average of 7 years of experience. The
instructional staff includes 100% Highly Qualified teachers and 100% Highly Qualified
paraprofessionals (Alexander, 2011).
Assessment Instruments
According to Erford (2011), accountability in the school counseling program must
address five primary questions using the five accountability measures noted in parentheses
following each question: (1) Is a comprehensive, standards-based program in place? (program
[process] evaluation or audit) (2) What are the needs of the school’s student population when
compared to these standards? (needs assessment) (3) What services were implemented to address
the identified needs and standards? (service assessment) (4) What was the result of the
implemented services? (results or outcomes studies) (5) How well is the professional school
counselor performing? (performance evaluation/appraisal).
For the purpose of this assignment, this focus of this section will be on needs assessment.
The most common way of initiating a needs assessment is through observations of students and
conversations with teachers, parents, administration, and students. More formal needs
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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assessments may be conducted through surveys, which can be administered in person, by mail, e-
mail, or through the Internet (e.g. Survey Monkey, Zoomerang, Survey Gizmo).
Online surveys are a cost effective method of data-driven evaluation that allow school
counselors to:
collect responses to a large number of questions;
easily summarize and report data;
evaluate results through statistical measures;
ensure anonymity of respondents, if necessary;
amass ample information because of high rates of return.
Interviews, a perception-driven method of evaluation, are the process of collecting data
by conversing with others. An interview can be face-to-face or through some means of
technology (phone, video conference or online), and will involve an interviewer and
interviewee(s). Some benefits to conducting needs assessments via interview are:
its cost efficiency;
open-ended questions give way to broad perspective;
depth of information greater because interviewer can probe for more details;
messages can be communicated more clearly due to the visual of body language.
Focus groups are group discussions conducted in person among a limited number of
stakeholders in order to gain information about their views and experiences. Some advantages of
using focus groups as a needs assessment include:
ease of set up and arrangement;
efficient and inexpensive means of data collection;
creates opportunity to bring personnel and stakeholders together with beneficiaries;
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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shared dialogue can stimulate discussion and generate new ideas.
Personal observation is among the least invasive and most easily implemented way to
evaluate students and their needs. Informal observations tend to yield anecdotal data through a
“look-and-see” approach. Formal or structured observations usually involve a protocol and
predetermined procedures for collecting specific types of data during a specified time period;
structured procedures tend to minimize bias (Erford, 2011). Some of the advantages to
observations are:
ease of implementation;
efficient with regard to time and cost;
encourage development of relationship with participating stakeholders.
Regardless of which format works best for evaluation, professional school counselors
should be mindful to follow these steps when formulating a needs assessment:
1. Decide what you need to know.
2. Decide on the best approach to derive what you need to know.
3. Develop the needs assessment instrument or method.
4. Enlist the support of colleagues and a few individuals from the target groups to review
and try out items for understanding.
5. Implement the final version with the target groups.
6. Tabulate, analyze, and interpret the results.
7. Translate the results into programmatic goals and objectives (Erford, 2011).
Guidance Curriculum
The school counseling curriculum provides a vehicle for delivering information and
connecting with every student in a systematic way. It assists students in achieving desired
competencies. A well-suited curriculum will also provide all students with the knowledge and
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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skills appropriate for their developmental level. Finally, a successful school counseling guidance
curriculum will tie into the school’s overall curriculum and remain effective in all classrooms
and group activities, ranging from Kindergarten to 12th
grade.
Responsive Services
The responsive services component of a comprehensive developmental guidance plan
(CDGP) will provide additional support to those students with problems that interfere with their
personal/social, academic, or career development.
Responsive services may range from early intervention to crisis response to meet the
individual student’s needs and address students’ direct, immediate concerns: preventive
interventions help students who are considering unhealthy solutions to their problems; remedial
interventions are for those students who have already made unwise choices.
Responsive services are planned and goal-focused, and may include the following
interventions: individual and small-group counseling, consulting with staff and parents, and
referring students and families to outside programs.
Individual Planning
Individual student planning involves working with students and their families to develop
and implement the student’s individual learning plan, which is directed toward identifying and
achieving future academic and career goals.
Individual or small-group appraisal. School counselors work with students, analyzing
and evaluating students’ abilities, interests, skills and achievement. Test information and other
data are often used as the basis for helping students develop immediate and long-range plans.
Consistent with district policy, counselors should meet with students yearly to develop and revise
students’ academic plans.
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Individual or small-group advisement. School counselors advise students using
personal/social, academic, career and labor market information in planning personal, educational
and occupational goals. The involvement of students, parents or guardians and the school in
planning students’ programs that meet their needs is critical.
Parent/student meetings. Counselors should meet with students and their parents annually
(or consistent with local district policy) in individual and/or small-group planning conference to
review goals resulting from individual appraisal and advisement. Goals should be revised as
necessary to be consistent with current data and student and parent goals.
Next step planning and follow-up. Transitions from one educational program to another,
from one school to another, or from school to work will be successful as professional school
counselors support students in gathering information, overcoming barriers, and establishing
necessary conditions to maximize student achievement (Harrington & Peterson, 2010).
Program Support
Support of a comprehensive school guidance and counseling program consists of
management activities that establish, maintain, and enhance the CDGP. The program support
component is basically concerned with activities that enrich the total educational program –
consulting with teachers, encouraging parental involvement in school, providing input to
curriculum development, community relations and professional development. This component
also enables the school counseling program to be effective through a variety of activities
including professional development, consultation, collaboration, teaming, program management
and operations. Finally, program support emerges through partnering in a number of public
relations activities in order to help make various constituent groups aware of programs and
services and to build support for and involvement in those programs.
ASCA Standards
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The American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) School Counselor Competencies
(2012) that align with the above information are as follows:
III. Management - School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and
attitudes necessary to manage a school counseling program aligning with the ASCA National
Model.
III-B: Abilities & Skills - An effective school counselor is able to accomplish measurable
objectives demonstrating the following abilities and skills:
Assessment
III-B-3. Accesses or collects relevant data, including process, perception and outcome data,
to monitor and improve student behavior and achievement
IV. Delivery - School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes
necessary to deliver a school counseling program aligning with the ASCA National Model.
IV-B: Abilities & Skills - An effective school counselor is able to accomplish measurable
objectives demonstrating the following abilities and skills:
School Counseling Core Curriculum
IV-B-1. Implements the school counseling core curriculum
IV-B-1a. Identifies appropriate curriculum aligned to ASCA Student Standards
IV-B-1b. Develops and presents a developmental school counseling core curriculum
addressing all students’ needs based on student data
IV-B-1c. Demonstrates classroom management and instructional skills
IV-B-1d. Develops materials and instructional strategies to meet student needs and school
goals
IV-B-1e. Encourages staff involvement to ensure the effective implementation of the school
counseling core curriculum
IV-B-1f. Knows, understands and uses a variety of technology in the delivery of school
counseling core curriculum activities
IV-B-1g. Understands multicultural and pluralistic trends when developing and choosing
school counseling core curriculum
IV-B-1h. Understands and is able to build effective, high-quality peer helper programs
Individual Student Planning
IV-B-2. Facilitates individual student planning
IV-B-2a. Understands individual student planning as a component of a comprehensive
program
IV-B-2b. Develops strategies to implement individual student planning, such as strategies for
appraisal, advisement, goal-setting, decision-making, social skills, transition or
post-secondary planning
IV-B-2c. Helps students establish goals and develops and uses planning skills in
collaboration with parents or guardians and school personnel
IV-B-2d. Understands career opportunities, labor market trends and global economics and
uses various career assessment techniques to help students understand their abilities
and career interests
IV-B-2e. Helps students learn the importance of college and other post-secondary education
and helps students navigate the college admissions process
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IV-B-2f. Understands the relationship of academic performance to the world of work, family
life and community service
IV-B-2g. Understands methods for helping students monitor and direct their own learning
and personal/social and career development
Responsive Services
IV-B-3. Provides responsive services
IV-B-3a. Lists and describes interventions used in responsive services, such as
individual/small-group counseling and crisis response
IV-B-3b. Understands appropriate individual and small-group counseling theories and
techniques such as rational emotive behavior therapy, reality therapy, cognitive-
behavioral therapy, Adlerian, solution-focused brief counseling, person-centered
counseling and family systems
IV-B-3c. Demonstrates an ability to provide counseling for students during times of
transition, separation, heightened stress and critical change
IV-B-3d. Understands what defines a crisis, the appropriate response and a variety of
intervention strategies to meet the needs of the individual, group or school
community before, during and after crisis response
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Part III
Goal 1: To create and maintain a learning environment that recognizes and supports a diverse
population
a) Action Plan
1. Students with course failures will have a decrease in truancy by 5% each year.
2. Students with course failures will decrease by 5% each year.
3. Student’s receiving certifications will increase 5% each year.
4. Student performance on state and national exams will reflect improvement.
5. Student’s enrollment in post-secondary education will increase 5% each year.
b) Program Indicators
Low income and minority students will be encouraged to participate in Gifted &
Talented or advanced placement courses/programs.
There will be an increase in student achievement and test scores for subpopulations.
Student suspensions and expulsions will decrease significantly each year.
Students will engage in appropriate behavior and social skills resulting in decreased
discipline referrals.
Multiple coordinated support systems will exist to ensure students’ academic, social,
emotional, and physical well-being.
c) Student Competencies
1. Students will be able to identify attitudes and behaviors that lead to successful learning
(Standard A: A1.5).
2. Students will be able to demonstrate how effort and persistence positively affect learning
(Standard A: A2.2).
d) Program Evaluation
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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1. Measurement instrument(s) for assessment
a. Career and Technology student enrollment numbers
b. Dual Credit, AP, Pre-AP enrollment numbers
c. Transcripts
d. SAT , ACT and PSAT scores
e. College board resources
f. Student/parent surveys and involvement
2. Baseline, follow-up information and evaluation plan
a. Student post-secondary enrollment rates are down 4% in the last 2 years.
b. Annual assessment will continue even after goals are met.
c. Our evaluation plan will be discussed with stakeholders annually.
ASCA Standards
The American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) School Counselor Competencies
(2012) that align with the above information are as follows:
V. Accountability - School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and
attitudes necessary to monitor and evaluate the processes and results of a school counseling
program aligning with the ASCA National Model.
V-A: Knowledge - School counselors should articulate and demonstrate an understanding of:
V-A-1. Basic concepts of results-based school counseling and accountability issues
V-A-2. Basic research sampling, methodology and analysis concepts to understand research
outcomes and conduct action research
V-A-3. Use of data to evaluate program effectiveness and to determine program needs
V-A-4. School counseling program assessments and results reports
V-B: Abilities & Skills - An effective school counselor is able to accomplish measurable
objectives demonstrating the following abilities and skills:
V-B-1. Analyzes data from school data profile and results reports to evaluate student
outcomes and program effectiveness and to determine program needs
V-B-2. Understands and advocates for appropriate school counselor performance appraisal
process based on school counselor competencies and implementation of the
comprehensive school counseling program
V-B-3c. Identifies areas for improvement for the school counseling program
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V-C: Attitudes - School counselors believe:
V-C-1. School counseling programs should achieve demonstrable results
V-C-2. School counselors should be accountable for the results of the school counseling
program
V-C-3. School counselors should use quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate their
school counseling program and to demonstrate program results
V-C-4. The outcomes of the school counseling program should be analyzed and presented
in the context of the overall school and district performance
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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Part IV
Goal 2: Students will complete school with academic preparation essentials in order to choose
from wide range of substantial postsecondary options, including college.
a) Action Plan
1. Students with course failures will have a decrease in truancy by 5% each year.
2. Students with course failures will decrease by 5% each year.
3. Student’s receiving certifications will increase 5% each year.
4. Student performance on state and national exams will reflect improvement.
5. Student’s enrollment in post-secondary education will increase 5% each year.
b) Program Indicators
More career and technology programs will be made available to students, as will student
awareness of career pathways, dual-degree programs and other college credit options.
Students will receive assistance researching post-secondary options.
Students will receive additional study courses for ACT, SAT and PSAT tests.
Increased, direct communication with students/parents will occur more frequently in
order to expand involvement in post-secondary opportunities.
c) Student Competencies
1. Students will be able to use assessment results in educational planning (Standard A: B1.1).
2. Students will be able to identify post-secondary options consistent with interests,
achievement, aptitude and abilities (Standard A: B1.2).
d) Program Evaluation
1. Measurement instrument(s) for assessment
a. Career and Technology student enrollment numbers
b. Dual Credit, AP, Pre-AP enrollment numbers
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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c. Transcripts
d. SAT , ACT and PSAT scores
e. College board resources
f. Student/parent surveys and involvement
2. Baseline, follow-up information and evaluation plan
a. Student post-secondary enrollment rates are down 4% in the last 2 years.
b. Annual assessment will continue even after goals are met.
c. Our evaluation plan will be discussed with stakeholders annually.
ASCA Standards
The American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) School Counselor Competencies
(2012) that align with the above information are as follows:
I. School Counseling Programs - School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities,
skills and attitudes necessary to plan, organize, implement and evaluate a comprehensive,
developmental, results-based school counseling program that aligns with the ASCA National
Model.
I-A: Knowledge - ASCA’s position statement, The Professional School Counselor and School
Counseling Preparation Programs, states that school counselors should articulate and
demonstrate an understanding of:
I-A-5. Individual counseling, group counseling and classroom instruction ensuring
equitable access to resources promoting academic achievement, career development
and personal/social development
I-A-8. Developmental theory, learning theories, social justice theory, multiculturalism,
counseling theories and career counseling theories
II. Foundations - School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes
necessary to establish the foundations of a school counseling program aligning with the ASCA
National Model.
II-A: Knowledge - School counselors should articulate and demonstrate an understanding of:
II-A-8. The three domains of academic achievement, career planning and personal/social
development
II-C: Attitudes - School counselors demonstrate their attitudes and beliefs that all students
deserve access to a comprehensive program that:
II-C-3. Promotes and supports academic achievement, career planning and personal/social
development for every student
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IV. Delivery - School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes
necessary to deliver a school counseling program aligning with the ASCA National Model.
IV-A: Knowledge - School counselors should articulate and demonstrate an understanding of:
IV-A-6. Principles of career planning and college admissions, including financial aid and
athletic eligibility
IV-B: Abilities & Skills - An effective school counselor is able to accomplish measurable
objectives demonstrating the following abilities and skills.
IV-B-2d. Understands career opportunities, labor market trends and global economics and
uses various career assessment techniques to help students understand their abilities
and career interests
IV-B-2g. Understands methods for helping students monitor and direct their own learning and
personal/social and career development
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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Part V
Sharing Results
Inviting stakeholders, especially parents and administrators, to hear and understand the
benefits of a comprehensive developmental guidance plan is extremely important. Of primary
concern is how the data is organized and presented; it should be arranged in a way that is easily
shared. Graphs and charts explain data in a user-friendly manner.
Key information to share with the building administrator includes findings of the results
reports, program audit, and other assessment and evaluation processes. (The assessment process
serves as a report card of the program and the counselor; the evaluation process outlines plans for
professional development and program improvement determined on the basis of the assessment
results that will feed back into the planning process.) Additional information shared with partners
and stakeholders usually consists of how well the program is functioning and plans for
improvement. However, it is advisable to consult with the advisory committee, administrator and
other counselors in the district to determine how much information to disseminate. “Too much
‘negative press,’ or public discussion of your struggles to launch your program, might damage
your attempts to establish your credibility with your partners” (Dollarhide & Saginak, 2012, p.
113).
There are many ways for data and results reports to be shared with stakeholders. For
example, information could be presented in a newsletter, as a column in the school and
community newspaper, a web page, and through presentations at local school board meetings,
PTO/PTA meetings, and staff and faculty meetings. “The point is to inform stakeholders and
partners as to ways in which the school counseling program is supporting student achievement
and success in school. Having your program visible and recognized across groups and disciplines
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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informs, promotes, and substantiates you as an accountable school counselor and a professional
leader in the field” (Dollarhide & Saginak, 2012, p. 113).
ASCA Standards
The American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) School Counselor Competencies
(2012) that align with the above information are as follows:
V. Accountability - School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and
attitudes necessary to monitor and evaluate the processes and results of a school counseling
program aligning with the ASCA National Model.
V-B: Abilities & Skills - An effective school counselor is able to accomplish measurable
objectives demonstrating the following abilities and skills:
V-B-1j. Reports program results to the school counseling community
V-B-1k. Uses data to demonstrate the value the school counseling program adds to student
achievement
V-B-3b. Shares the results of the program assessment with administrators, the advisory
council and other appropriate stakeholders
V-C: Attitudes - School counselors believe:
V-C-3. School counselors should use quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate their
school counseling program and to demonstrate program results
V-C-4. The outcomes of the school counseling program should be analyzed and presented
in the context of the overall school and district performance
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Conclusion
Increased Knowledge
My personal values and convictions are strong: I believe every human life is valuable,
and everyone was made for a purpose. However, I also believe we are the products of our
choices. While I agree we are all shaped by our families and the environment in which we live,
there comes a point in a person’s life when he must realize he is accountable for and in charge of
his own values, beliefs, choices and resulting consequences. It’s important that people grow into
that understanding: if we are unhappy with what is occurring in our life, it is up to us - and no
one else - to consciously make choices that will directly change the direction of our course in
life. This is the critical point where the school counselor is valuable.
This course’s emphasis on the CDGP has helped me to understand the true
responsibilities of the school counselor. Breaking down the different components of the ASCA
National Model and creating a CDGP, starting with the foundation and moving all the way to
accountability, has truly broadened my knowledge as an effective school counselor.
Overcoming Challenges
As we learned in this course, keeping a close eye on emerging trends is the key to staying
relevant and effective as a professional school counselor. We must be aware of what is
happening in our communities and our schools to foresee answers to future needs. Challenges we
may face, as identified by Dollarhide & Saginak (2012), include mental health needs of students,
crisis management, multiculturalism and diversity, spirituality, educational reform, gender and
schools, technology, and alternative sources of funding. Tests and trials are a part of the growth
process: without them, progress cannot be made. By staying informed and through continuous
assessment, counselors can arm themselves with the tools needed to tackle these challenges head
on so our counseling programs can continue to support the students we serve.
FINAL PROJECT – COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE PLAN
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References
Alexander, D. (2011). Manvel High School Campus Improvement Plan.
American School Counselor Association. (2012). ASCA School Counselor Competencies.
Alexandria, VA: Author.
Dollarhide, C. T. & Saginak, K. A. (2012). Comprehensive school counseling programs: K-12
delivery systems in action. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ISBN-
13: 9780137051991
Erford, B. T. (2011). Accountability: Evaluating programs, assessing needs, and determining
0utcomes. In B. T. Erford, Transforming the school counseling profession (3rd ed.).
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.