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Achieving Excellence in School Counseling through Motivation, Self-Direction, Self-Knowledge and Relationships
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Achieving Excellence in School Counseling through Motivation, Self-Direction, Self-Knowledge and Relationships

  • Karl L. Squier - Lady of the Lake Learning Systems
  • Patricia Nailor - Providence College, Providence, RI
  • John C. Carey - Ronald H. Fredrickson Center for School Counseling Outcome Research & Evaluation, UMASS Amherst

Foreword by Clarence and Sharon Johnson



July 2014 | 208 pages | Corwin

A new research-based approach to the design, delivery and evaluation of K–12 school counseling programs

Learn about a Construct-Based Approach (CBA) to school counseling that uses four research-based constructs to focus school counseling programs on areas that can significantly increase the impact on student achievement and school improvement. Discover essential school counseling processes in which all students participate: student planning, academic support, college and career readiness, and personal growth and social interaction.

 The authors, leading educational experts, use research to refocus attention on student results, a challenging results-based school counseling curriculum, and meaningful student assessments. See examples of how a CBA looks in practice with the following: 

  • In-depth analysis of student standards and competencies
  • Developmentally-appropriate scope and sequence
  • Documented curriculum activities
  • Sample student assessments  

An online toolkit consisting of electronic files with structured processes, clearly-defined protocols and easy-to-use tools to help implement a CBA is also available. 

This groundbreaking approach can help transform your counseling program. You will love it. Your students will love it. Get started today! Visit www.excellenceinschoolcounseling.com for more information, including online and onsite consulting services that are available. 

 

 
Dedication
 
Table of Contents
 
Foreword
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
1. Introduction
Purpose of Book

 
How Book Chapters are Organized

 
Book Chapter Descriptions

 
From Concept to Practice

 
CBA Toolkit Components

 
Construction Site Components

 
Chapter 1 Construction Zone

 
 
2. A Simple Language Set
Importance of the Language We Use

 
Construct

 
Context

 
Results

 
Curriculum

 
Student Assessment

 
Program Implementation and Evaluation

 
How the Terms in the Language Set Relate

 
Standards and Competencies are the Foundation of the Curriculum

 
Chapter 2 Construction Zone

 
 
3. Research-Based Constructs
Definition of Research-Based

 
New Focus on Personal, Social and Life Skills

 
Motivation

 
Self-Knowledge and Self-Direction

 
Relationships

 
Conclusions

 
Chapter 3 Construction Zone

 
 
4. Relevant Contexts for K-12 School Counseling Programs
From Constructs to Contexts

 
Competency Statements Emerge from Contexts

 
Contexts Consist of Essential Processes

 
Academic Support

 
Chapter 4 Construction Zone

 
 
5. Student Results (Standards and Competencies)
Achieving Excellence

 
Counseling-Learning Environment (CLE)

 
Two Types of Student Results

 
Construct-Based Student Standards

 
A Vision to Live By

 
Competencies as Proficiency Builders

 
Writing Meaningful Competency Statements

 
A Focus on Cognitive Skill Development

 
A Focus on Metacognitive Skill Development

 
Role of School Counselors

 
Chapter 5 Construction Zone

 
 
6. Role of Curriculum in a CBA
Where We Are in the CBA Building Process

 
Essential Characteristics of a CBA Curriculum

 
Principles for Learner Centered School Communities

 
Results-Based CBA Curriculum in a Nutshell

 
Chapter 6 Construction Zone

 
 
7. Assessing Student Progress toward CBA Counseling Standards
CBA Student Proficiency Assessments

 
Assessing Current Levels of Competency

 
Assessing Gains after Interventions

 
Assessing Progress towards Standards at Key Transition Points

 
Assessing Curriculum-Related Proficiencies

 
Importance of Linking CBA to Research-Based Constructs

 
Chapter 7 Construction Zone

 
8. CBA Program Implementation: Focus on Planning

 
Shift in Focus from Building to Implementing a CBA

 
How to Begin

 
Why All the Fuss About Planning?

 
Three Perspectives on the Planning Process

 
Four Types of Plans

 
Chapter 8 Construction Zone

 
 
9. CBA Program Implementation: Focus on Program Delivery
Delivering a CBA Program with Fidelity

 
Data Management

 
School Counseling Data Management System

 
Chapter 9 Construction Zone

 
 
10. BA Program Implementation: Focus on Evaluation
Program Evaluation is an Improvement Process

 
What Needs to be Evaluated

 
Chapter 10 Construction Zone

 
 
11. CBA’s Contribution to School Improvement Initiatives
Contribution to Current Practice

 
Contribution to Knowledge and Skill Requirements Initiatives

 
ACT’s Five Principles

 
CBA Contribution to School-Based Intervention Initiatives

 
Toward a More Holistic View of Student Learning

 
Chapter 11 Construction Zone

 
 
12. Power and Potential
What is Power and Potential?

 
A Vision to Live By

 
Summary of Key Points

 
School Counselor Accountability

 
 
References

"This book takes a vital next step for the school counseling profession by defining what results we expect students to achieve based on research. Not only do the authors propose standards for student excellence, but also demonstrate the importance of delivering meaningful learning opportunities and assessing student proficiency and achievement." 

From the Foreword by Clarence Johnson and Sharon Johnson

"The authors present a systematic roadmap for implementing the innovative and promising Construct-Based Approach to school counseling.  This research-based approach will assist counselors and schools in targeting student skills and competencies that are vital for student achievement and success, specifically motivation, self-direction, self-knowledge, and relationships." 

Jon M. Shepard, School Psychologist
Denton Independent School District, Denton, Texas

"The authors provide a new model for school counseling interventions, ensuring that every K-12 student has specific competencies in four key school counseling standards from educational success research."

Stuart Chen-Hayes, Associate Professor & Program Coordinator, Counselor Education/School Counseling
Lehman College of the City University of New York

"This pioneering book takes the ASCA National Model to a new level. With over 50 years of research in how the brain functions and how students learn school counselors will find this book extremely helpful in their implementation of the ASCA National Model as it defines roles for administrators, parents, teachers, and the community."

Judy Bowers, School Counselor Consultant

“For the first time, we have a comprehensive school counseling curriculum built on more than fifty years of research designed around four main constructs supporting students’ success: (a) motivation, (b) self-direction, (c) self-knowledge, and (d) relationships.  Any person passionate about designing a proactive, research-based approach to school counseling will love this book.  The Construct-Based Approach (CBA) detailed by Squier, Nailor, and Carey is grounded in data-based decision making, strategic program implementation and ongoing evaluation. CBA is focused on enhancing students’ “self-direction or self-determination skills”.  These factors have been shown to be more closely associated with future success than academic skills or performance on achievement tests.  The constructs and strategies in this book are designed to ensure that all students are successful in school and, more importantly, throughout their life.  This book shows school counselors how to make a measurable difference in students’ lives.  School counselors will appreciate how the authors connect the strong research base to a curriculum laid out clearly in scope and sequence, with activities, interventions, and assessment strategies included.  In fact, as school counselors examine the curriculum, they will find many issues they encounter daily through responsive services.  Through this approach, however, school counselors have an intentional, planned sequence for equipping all students with the knowledge, behaviors, and skills they need to be successful, while targeting sub-populations that need additional support.  Crisis requiring responsive services will be reduced tremendously as a result. I highly recommend this book for any school counselor in-training, beginning school counselor, school counselor who wishes to evolve current practices, or any school looking to make a measurable impact in students’ lives!”

Brett Zyromski Associate Professor
Northern Kentucky University

Sample Materials & Chapters

Table of Contents

1. Introduction


For instructors

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ISBN: 9781483306728
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