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MICHAEL J. LEFORTPROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR COORDINATOR
BLAINE J. DEGRUISESECONDARY EDUCATION/SCHOOL COUNSELOR
SUPERVISOR
LAFOURCHE PARISH SCHOOLS
You “Gotta” Learn to Walk Before You Run!
Imagine…
comprehensive professional school counseling
Questions to be answered…
The Who? The What? The When?The Where? The How?
“Who” are school counselors?
A little winding up and down counselor history here…
…hold on!
1907 …J. Davis, Principal/and English teacher
1908…Frank Parsons assisted youth transitioning from school to work.
1920’s/30’s…growth due to progressive education; declined due to The Depression
1940’s…psychologists recruited military personnel to test students; Carl Rogers influence
grip harder…
1950’s…government influence with NDEA due to Soviet launch of Sputnik
1960’s…federal funding establishes counselor education programs in universities; major shift
1970’s…view of “solitary professional” in schools lost due to comprehensive K-12 programs
1980’s/90’s…standards-based educational reform; counseling not considered a part
more twists ahead…
In 1997… National Standards for School Counseling created by ASCA. Focus: closing the achievement gaps hindering
life successes of school children Standards define roles/responsibilities of
counseling programs; illustrate necessity for overall educational development of every child
Title of “School counselors” evolved from guidance counselors
final turn to ride’s end…
In 2002…ASCA releases the National Model Framework
In 2004…Code of Ethics revisedIn 2008…ASCA releases School Counseling Competencies to implement “Comprehensive Professional School Counseling Programs.” Evolution of “Professional School Counselors!”
“We need to be the change we want to see happen; we are the leaders we have been waiting for.”
The “What?”
American School Counselor Association and the Louisiana Comprehensive Professional School Counseling Models
These are guides used to implement the comprehensive program…
Now, a mini-review of the models…
What are the models?
Collaborative efforts benefitting students, parents, teachers, administrators and the community
Comprehensive, data-driven frameworks proactively addressing academic, career and personal/social skills
Integral parts of students’ daily educational environments
they also…
Provide avenues for students to acquire attitudes, knowledge and skills
Represent school counselor skills and attitudes of leadership, advocacy and collaboration, which lead to systemic change
Answer: “How are students different as a result of what professional school counselors do?”
What are the parts?
FOUNDATION: based on school’s goals for student achievement (how students will benefit)
DELIVERY SYSTEM: activities, interactions and methods to deliver the program
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: organizational processes/tools ensuring program is concrete, delineated and reflective of school’s needs
ACCOUNTABILITY: evaluation, data collection and use linking it to student achievement
What’s in the foundation?
BELIEFS and PHILOSOPHY…set principles guiding the program
MISSION…program’s purpose and goals; aligns with missions of the school and district
What’s the delivery system?
GUIDANCE CURRICULUM…structured lessons for student achievement of desired competencies; knowledge and skills appropriate to developmental level; infused in school’s overall curriculum systematically presented
INDIVIDUAL STUDENT PLANNING…ongoing systematic activities assisting individuals in establishing personal goals/developing future plans
RESPONSIVE SERVICES…activities meeting the immediate needs of students due to life events; require counseling, consultation, referral, mediation or information
SYSTEMS SUPPORT…requires administration and management to establish, maintain, and enhance the total program
What’s the management system?
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT…ensures effective implementation of the delivery system; addresses school counseling program organization and what will be accomplished; negotiated with/approved by administrator at beginning of school year
ADVISORY COUNCIL…committee (counselor, student, teacher, administrator, community member) appointed to review counseling program and make recommendations
USE OF DATA…used to affect change; counselors must show activities implemented were developed from analysis of students’ needs and/or achievement
ACTION PLANS…plan outlining the process and desired result to be achieved
USE OF TIME…80% in direct service to students (f2f) is the goal; adherence to recommended time guideline to four delivery services components is encouraged
USE OF CALENDARS…weekly/monthly information sources for students, parents, teachers and administrators
What’s accountability?
RESULTS REPORTS…ensure programs are carried out, analyzed for effectiveness, modified as needed
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS…counselor standards of practice; basis for evaluation
PROGRAM AUDIT…collection of information to guide future action of program
“Change is the law of life…and those who look only to the past or the present, are certain to miss the future.”
The “When”…
NOW!
or never!
The “Where”…
A comprehensive professional school counseling program is being implemented in all Lafourche Parish Schools including pre-K to high school and two alternative sites.
Location of Lafourche Parish: We’re over here…
The “How”…
Refer to: “Implementation of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program…The Process; The Phases” brochure.
Refer to: “Principal/Counselor Questionnaire” handout.
A “baby step” change in each quadrant was planned and is currently being implemented…here’s what Lafourche is doing:
In the foundation component…
Collaborated efforts between the school counselor and the principal to develop mission and belief/philosophy statements for the counseling services at their school
Deadlines established, copies on file in central office
In the delivery services component…
Delivery of two mandatory classroom guidance lessons required by all counselors
Support groups required Minimum of one parenting session In system support, counselor not testing coordinator nor chairs of PBS, RTI, SBLC committees…however, expected to do fair share in each
In the management component…
Written management agreement between principal and counselor required
Written action plans (modified) for classroom guidance lessons, support groups and parent sessions required
Counselor calendar required (monthly)
and in the accountability component…
District needs assessment to be conducted in spring
Introduction of “Professional School Counselor Performance Standards” and “Student Competencies”
End of year program auditing
a few other changes…
Position titleClearer delineation of administrative tasks and clerical duties
Provision of more networking and professional development opportunities
Where we’re going next…
Review mission, belief/philosophy statements
Require additional lesson in another domain
Require more support groupsReview “management agreement”Establish advisory council at each schoolCreate data reportsWeekly calendarsContinue towards “f2f/80%” goal
What to expect…
RESISTANCE!
If you keep doing what you’re doing,
you’ll keep getting what you’re getting!
Join Lafourche in working with students to get…
higher academic achievementimproved personal/social skillsrealistic career decisions
Implement the Comprehensive Professional School Counseling
Model!
Sources…
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
www.schoolcounselor.org/files/findway.pdf
www.schoolcounselor.org/files/closerlook.pdf
a final quote…
“It takes a lot of courage to release the familiar and seemingly secure, to embrace the new. But there is no real security in what is no longer meaningful. There is more security in the adventurous and exciting, for in movement there is life, and in change there is power!”
~Alan Cohen
Q & A…
CONTACT INFORMATION… Michael J. Lefort
Professional School Counselor Coordinator Lafourche Parish Schools
P.O. Box 879 805 East 7th Street
Thibodaux, LA 70301 985.435.4634
