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Perfecting Practice:Training and Support for Novice School Counselors
Bob BardwellMonson Innovation High School (MA)
Who is Here & Why?Who is here?
School Counselors District level administrators Counselors from Community Based Organizations Independent counselors Other
Why are you here? Professional Development To impact change Nothing else to do?
Goals of this session Look at current counselor pre-service programs and
training requirements Discuss need for better counselor training Create change in policies regarding counselor
preparation in your school/district/region/state Create an action plan Participate in conversation and discussion
Why College Admission training is necessary for School Counselors?
Designating postsecondary education planning as the counseling department’s top priority
Spending 10 percent more time on postsecondary planning
Each additional 10% of counselor time spent scheduling courses
Each additional 10 percent of counselor time spent proctoring tests
= an increase of between 4 and 11% more students moving on to four-year colleges and universities after high school
= a 4 % increase of students moving on to four-year college education after high school
=a 4% decrease of students moving on to four-year college education
=a 6 % decrease of students moving on to four-year college education
Why Is College Admission Counseling Coursework Needed?
43% of school counselors spend more than 20% of their time on post secondary education admissions & selections
49% on course selection33% on attendance, discipline and personal
problemsNCES “High School Guidance Counseling,” 2003
Why Is College Admission Counseling Coursework Needed? (continued)
Our graduates are no longer meeting the needs of the schools
Not getting interviewsNot getting jobsNew counselors are not assigned to juniors & seniors
needing college admission counseling servicesCollege counseling services have been outsourced
Times have changed; very complex process
Why Is College Admission Counseling Coursework Needed? (continued)
Students from low socioeconomic status relied on high school counselors as the single most consulted source of information about college
Cabrera & LaNasa, 2000
Why Is College Admission Counseling Coursework Needed? (continued)
IT is COUNSELING!!!!It is related to ASCA Standards – counselors help students in development of personal/ social/career planning goalsThe process leads to counseling of other often embedded issues/concerns
Seven Tips For The Successful Counselor In College Admission Counseling
1. Get connected Join NACAC or one of its 23 state and regional affiliates Join the NACAC Exchange (www.nacacnet.org >>>
Collaboration & Networking) High School Counselor Weekly (www.hscounselorweek.com
)2. Attend conferences or workshops
NACAC/ SACAC State School Counselor Associations (i.e. NCSCA) College tours College overnight programs – i.e.: Fly-ins College Board/ACT Financial Aid organizations/agencies
Eight Tips For The Successful Counselor In College Admission Counseling (continued)
3. Take a class or attend a summer institute Over 25 colleges offer credit bearing courses in college
admission counseling. UCLA extension offers a 6 course certificate program online.
4. Talk with college representatives When the college representatives come to visit, make sure
to take time to introduce yourself and gather information. Host a college fair Attend a college fair
Eight Tips For The Successful Counselor In College Admission Counseling (continued)
5. Network Gather with other school counselors in your area to discuss
programs, ideas and ways to improve your college admission counseling program
6. Read Books Articles Daily news feeds
Chronicle of Higher Education Inside Higher Education Education Weekly – www.edweek.org
Eight Tips For The Successful Counselor In College Admission Counseling (continued)
7. Use Data Provide needs assessments for students and families Document impact of school counselor interventions Gather data about student college going rates and successes
8. Advocate for your program Share data & results with stakeholders Publicize events and results in the local media market Apply pressure to policy makers (local/state/national) to
support students in the college going process
NACAC Resources to help new counselors Professional Development
School Counselor Summer Academy National Conference – Indianapolis, Sept 18-20,
2014 Webinars – free to members
Knowledge Center – archive of resources and documents housed on the NACAC website – members only
NACAC Resources to help new counselors (continued)
Print Resources Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling
– 3rd Edition (2012) with 4th edition due in 2015 Step by Step – college search and application
curriculum for students and parent; downloadable and free to members
Journal of College Admission Counseling – quarterly publication
NACAC Exchange – listserv to post questions or seek resources
College Fairs
College Admission Counseling CoursesFormat
OnlineSemesterSummerWeek long
Sample College Admission Counseling Course Content
1. College Choice and Developmental Theory2. The School Counselor’s Role in the College Admission Process3. Early Awareness and Academic Planning––the Middle School Years4. Understanding Options in Higher Education5. Using data6. Classroom guidance lesson delivery7. Admission Requirements for Colleges and Universities 8. College Admission Testing9. The Student Essay10. Writing Effective Letters of Recommendation11. Using Technology in Counseling for College12. Need-Based Financial Aid and Merit-based Scholarships13. Working with Diverse Populations14. Counseling Students With Learning Differences15. The Student Athlete and the NCAA16. Legal and Ethical Issues in College Admission17. Helping Students (and Parents) Through the Transition18. Resources and Professional Organizations
Action Planning
Gather in small groups by state or region Activity
Identify strengths and current activities regarding college counseling training in your state or region
What are next BIG steps to make a difference for students and school counselors
What will you commit to do TODAY (or tomorrow) to move your state/region forward
For More InformationBob BardwellSchool Counselor & Director of School Counseling & Student Support ServicesMonson High School55 Margaret StreetMonson, MA 01057413.267.4589x1109413.267.4157 (fax)[email protected]
