School Counseling in Today’s WorldIs implementing the ASCA

model even possible?

Dr. Carolyn Berger, Nova Southeastern University

S is for School Counselor?

I think some people think we wear one of these under our

work shirts!

Overview

• Brief review of ASCA model• Making the model work for

you:– Tips for using the model– Implementation steps

The ASCA Model

Foundation• Philosophy & Mission Statement• Crosswalk what your school is

doing to the ASCA competencies

Sample Middle School Crosswalk:* This is available on the ASCA workbook companion CD!*

Standard A: Students will aquire the attitudes, knowledge, and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the lifespan

6 7 8

A:A2.1 Apply time-management and task management skills

X

A: A2.2 Demonstrate how effort and persistence positively affect learning

X

A: A2.3 Use communications skills to know when and how to ask for help when needed

X X

Delivery System• School guidance curriculum

– Classroom instruction– Parent workshops

• Individual student planning– Advising

• Responsive services– Individual counseling– Peer facilitation

• System support– Meetings: professional development, parent/teacher, IEP, etc.– Fair share duties– Testing

Management System

• Management Agreements• Advisory Council • Use of Data • Action Plans• Evaluate use of Time • Calendars

Accountability System• Results Reports

– Impact Over Time

• School Counselor Performance Evaluation

• The Program Audit

So you’re probably thinking…SO WHAT?

Great model, but there’s no way I can use it when I have

so many job demands.

Remember…

• ASCA recommends a 1:250 counselor: student ratio

• We are not superhuman!!!• But that doesn’t mean we

should give up trying…

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for

You…1) Develop partnerships with

other people Other school counselors Teachers University members Parents (volunteers) Community agencies Students!

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for

You…2) Involve your administrator

This is a KEY ingredient! You may have to “sell” the model You know him/her better than I

do, so how you do that is up to you

Show your principal how your counseling interventions are helping increase student achievement (use data!)

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for

You…3) Start somewhere

Conduct an audit (see ASCA book) Start to fill in the gaps on the

audit Sample starting places:

Do a needs assessment Write a mission statement Lay out your goals Set up a master calendar Create a better website for the

counseling department

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for

You…4) Write out your vision

Set some long term and short term goals

Where would you like to see your school counseling program in 1, 3, 5 years?

How can you start to meet that vision in the next 1, 3, 5 months? BABY STEPS!

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for

You…5) Don’t reinvent the wheel

You are probably already doing many things that the ASCA model requires

Keep the good and (slowly) get rid of the bad

Continue to use data! Ask colleagues about what they’re

doing that works- share counseling ideas and materials

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for

You…6) Remember the law of parsimony

If we work with Per day, we reach

Individuals 1-10

Small groups 30-50

Classrooms 150-200

School Climate 1000+

Tips for Making the ASCA Model Work for

You…7) Recharge yourself!

Stay linked to both ASCA and FSCA

Attend your Broward County Counselor Association meetings

Go to the conferences as often as you can afford to!

FSCA is this weekend (Nov 4-6) at the Hyatt in Ft. Lauderdale

Try your best to ignore those who will discourage you!

Implementation Steps1) Educate yourself on the model2) Get support!3) Assess what’s working and what’s

not4) Make a commitment to begin by

writing out a vision and goals5) Use data to measure whether you

are meeting the goals6) Share results with stakeholders- get

the word out!

All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

– John F. Kennedy

ResourcesAmerican School Counselor Association (2005). The ASCA National Model:

A framework for school counseling programs, Second Edition. Alexandria, VA: Author.

American School Counselor Association (2004). The ASCA National Model workbook. Alexandria, VA: Author.

Dimmitt, C., & Carey, J. (2007). Using the ASCA National Model to facilitate school transitions. Professional School Counseling, 10(3), 227-232.

Lapan, R.T. (2001). Results-based comprehensive guidance and counseling programs: A framework for planning and evaluation. Professional School Counseling, 4, 289-299.

Myrick, R. D. (1997). Developmental guidance and counselor: A practical approach. Minneapolis, MN: Educational Media Corporation.

Riddle, M. & Flanary, R.A. (August/September, 2008). Principal and counselor collaboration. Retrieved from http://www.connection-collegeboard.com/08sep/commentary.html

Scàwallie-Giddis, P, ter Maat, M., & Pak, M. (2003). Initiating leadership by introducing and implementing the ASCA national model. Professional School Counseling, 6(3), 170-173.

ResourcesSink, C.A., Akos, P., Turnbull, R.J., & Mvududu, N. (2008). An investigation of

comprehensive school counseling programs and academic achievement in Washington state middle schools. Professional School Counseling, 12, 43-53. 

Sink, C.A. & Stroh, H.R. (2003). Raising achievement test scores of early elementary school students through comprehensive school counseling programs. Professional School Counseling, 6, 352-364.

Stone, C. & Dahir, C. (2006). School counselor accountability: A measure of student success. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Wittmer, J. & Clark, M.A. (2007). Managing your school counseling program: K-12 developmental strategies, Third Edition. Minneapolis, MN: Educational Media Corporation.

Guidance Curriculum Helpful Links

• ASCA: www.schoolcounselor.org• FSCA: www.fla-schoolcounselor.org • Center for Excellence in School

Counseling & Leadership: www.cescal.org

• SchoolCounselor.com: www.schoolcounselor.com

• Counselor’s Room: www.counselorsroom.com

Feel free to contact me:

Carolyn BergerNova Southeastern

Universitycarolyn.berger@nova.edu

(954)262-5689