Perfecting Practice: Training and Support for Novice School Counselors Bob Bardwell

1. Perfecting Practice: Training and Support for Novice School Counselors Bob Bardwell Monson Innovation High School (MA)

2. 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?

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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 selection • 33% on attendance, discipline and personal problems NCES “High School Guidance Counseling,” 2003

6. Why Is College Admission Counseling Coursework Needed? (continued) • Our graduates are no longer meeting the needs of the schools • Not getting interviews • Not getting jobs • New counselors are not assigned to juniors & seniors needing college admission counseling services • College counseling services have been outsourced • Times have changed; very complex process

7. 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

8. 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 goals • The process leads to counseling of other often embedded issues/concerns

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. College Admission Counseling Courses • Format • Online • Semester • Summer • Week long

16. Sample College Admission Counseling Course Content 1. College Choice and Developmental Theory 2. The School Counselor’s Role in the College Admission Process 3. Early Awareness and Academic Planning––the Middle School Years 4. Understanding Options in Higher Education 5. Using data 6. Classroom guidance lesson delivery 7. Admission Requirements for Colleges and Universities 8. College Admission Testing 9. The Student Essay 10. Writing Effective Letters of Recommendation 11. Using Technology in Counseling for College 12. Need-Based Financial Aid and Merit-based Scholarships 13. Working with Diverse Populations 14. Counseling Students With Learning Differences 15. The Student Athlete and the NCAA 16. Legal and Ethical Issues in College Admission 17. Helping Students (and Parents) Through the Transition 18. Resources and Professional Organizations

17. 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

18. For More Information Bob Bardwell School Counselor & Director of School Counseling & Student Support Services Monson High School 55 Margaret Street Monson, MA 01057 413.267.4589x1109 413.267.4157 (fax) bardwellr@monsonschools.com www.bobbardwell.com