Helpful Tips from a RAMP Reviewer

FSCA Conference

Friday, October 24, 2014

RAMP by the Numbers

• 2013-14 Process:• 113 applications

• 72 total RAMP schools from 18 states

• Total RAMP schools since 2003:• 545 schools from 36 states

RAMP Schools by Level

Alt Elem E/M High Middle M/H K-120

50

100

150

200

250

Where Do I Begin?

Helpful Tips

• Review the RAMP rubric carefully.

• Be very familiar with the RAMP application process.

• Remember, this is about the school counseling program, not about the school counselors.

• Ensure the application covers one full school year.

Helpful Tips

• Proofread!!

• Ensure the application is clear and understandable from someone unfamiliar with your program.

• Use the narratives effectively to tell the story of your school counseling program.

• The school counseling program goals are the threads that tie the application together!!

3. School Counseling Program GoalsThe school counseling program goals give focus to the school counseling program.They define how the vision and mission are accomplished and guide thedevelopment of curriculum, small-group and closing-the-gap action plans.The program goals:1. Promote achievement, attendance, behavior and/or school safety2. Are based on school data3. May address school-wide data, policies and practices or address closing-the-gap issues4. Address academic, career and/or personal/social development (theredoesn’t have to be a goal for each domain, but your goal must address atleast one of the domains)5. Are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented, time-boundSee pages 25-28 of “The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School CounselingPrograms (third edition)” for more information.Narrative: The narrative addresses how the goals were developed, how theyaddress student learning and/or student inequalities, and how they are founded indata.

SMART GOALS

• Specific – outcome is clear; intensity of focus is on students

• Measurable – you can count it or see it

• Attainable – reachable; you have the resources/tools to make it happen

• Results-oriented – student-centered; aligned with school and district goals

• Time Bound – a specific date has been set for it to be accomplished

Sample School Counseling Program SMART Goals Worksheet (from ASCA National Model, 3rd edition, pg. 28)

Specific IssueWhat is the specific issue based on our school’s data?

Where do you find school and student data? Do you have easy access?Have you looked at your school improvement plan? What specific sub-group of students needs your intervention to close a particular gap?

MeasurableHow will we measure the effectiveness of the interventions?

Refer to Making Data Work, 3rd Edition for excellent help on working with data and how to calculate percent change

AttainableWhat outcome would stretch us but is still attainable?

Be realistic!

Results-OrientedIs the goal reported in results-oriented data (process, perception, and outcome)?

Refer to ASCA National Model, 3rd Edition, pg. 102

Time BoundWhen will we accomplish our goal?

Consider when new data will be available.

DIRECTION GROUP DATE ELEMENT DESIRED OUTCOME

BY WHEN

Increase or decrease?

Who will be your target group?

What data element are you trying to impact?

What is your target goal? What are you trying to achieve?

Specify your

target date

Are you trying to increase or decrease a data element for a particular target group?

Data by student groups:• Race/ethnicity• Gender• Grade• SES Status• ESE/ELL/other

subgroups

Examples of data elements:• Attendance• Graduation rate• Promotion/retention• Tardies• Discipline referrals• GPA• SAT/ACT scores• Suspension rates• Over-age students

What is the realistic goal you are trying to achieve based on your knowledge of current numbers?

What is the percentage of change you are trying to achieve?

Example:

DECREASE 2nd GRADE BOYS DISCIPLINE REFERRALS

20% END OF 2014-15 SCHOOL

YEAR

Does it Meet SMART Criteria?

Decrease the number of 2nd grade boys who receive discipline referrals by 20% by the end of the 2014-15 school year.

• Specific?

• Measurable?

• Attainable?

• Results-oriented?

• Time Bound?

Does it Meet SMART Criteria?

Improve the self-concept of students through classroom visits and small group counseling.

• Specific?

• Measurable?

• Attainable?

• Results-oriented?

• Time Bound?

Does it Meet SMART Criteria?

Reduce the number of core subject failing grades by 50%.

• Specific?

• Measurable?

• Attainable?

• Results-oriented?

• Time Bound?

Does it Meet SMART Criteria?

Seventh-grade students identified with two or more D/F grades in the first marking period will increase their GPA by 35% by the end of the first semester.

• Specific?

• Measurable?

• Attainable?

• Results-oriented?

• Time Bound?

Another SMART Goal Format

By ______________________, _______________________________ will

(end date) (identified students)

increase/decrease ______________________________ by_____________.

(specific achievement, attendance, or behavior) (measure of change)

Examples

• By June, 2015, identified 9th grade students with a GPA of 2.0 or lower in October, 2014, will increase their GPA by 1 point.

• In May, 2015, 75% of 3rd grade students with 2014 failing state assessment scores in Reading will pass to the next grade.

• By June, 2015, students with 5 or more absences in the first marking period of the school year will reduce their number of absences in the last marking period by 50%.

• By June, 2015, the percent of 7th grade students in the red zone in November 2014 will decrease by 40%.

Joni ShookLead RAMP Reviewer

shookj@duvalschools.org