Download - The Role of School Counselors
Kevin Formolo, NBCTSchool CounselorSouth High School
Sheboygan, WI
The Role of School Counselors
Presentation to the Wisconsin Joint Legislature Council Special Committee: Review of higher Education Financial Aid Programs. 10/8/2010Role of the high school counselor in assisting students with financial aid and postsecondary enrollment decisions.
About Me…Sheboygan South High School: 7 yrsWisconsin School Counseling
Association: 2 yrsNationally Board Certified Teacher
(school counselor)In debt (still) from undergrad and
graduate studies at the UW Whitewater (Gauntlet of financial aid offerings)
College Access Champion 2008-2009Advocate for students, families & the
profession of school counseling
Presentation ObjectivesBrief overview of the Wisconsin
Comprehensive School Counseling Model & the American School Counseling Association’s National Model: A Framework for School Counseling
Description of the Career Development Curriculum at Sheboygan South High School
Role of the school counselor in implementing the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program, Great Lakes Higher Education College Access Program Resources & Know How To Go Wisconsin
Recommendations for reform & awareness
Student Needs & Trends Observations from the FieldHS Aspiration-Overcoming Barriers
First GenerationMinority GapSocioeconomic Issues
HS Preparation-Career TrainingCareer First - Training SecondRigorous classes in HSLimited exposure to IHE’sProject Based Learning/Work Based Learning2-Year VS 4-Year Negative Perception of CTE ProgramsDisconnect between HS and IHE
PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Student Needs & Trends Observations from the FieldFinancial Aid-Issues with Financial Literacy
Actual cost of DegreeScholarships, Grants, LoansReality is late Spring of Senior YearEFC MisconceptionGiving up before application process is
complete
School Counselor Defined…
DELIVERY SYSTEMDelivery System Components ES MS HSSchool Guidance Curriculum 35-45% 20-30%
14-25%
Individual Student Planning5-10% 30-40% 35-50%
Responsive Services 30-40% 25-35% 25-35%
System Support 10-15% 10-15% 10-15%
RECOMMENDED RATIO OF 250:1
Barriers to implementing an effective Delivery System High Student to Counselor ratio
Nationally 460:1 Wisconsin 454:1Counselors performing non-counselor related
dutiesSubbing for teachersDealing with discipline issues in the buildingSupervising Standardized Testing Programs
Gaining access to students can be difficult
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Common Core of Data, National Institute for Educational Statistics-Public Elementary and Secondary School Student Enrollment and Staff From the Common Core of Data: School Year 2007-2008
SOURCE: “With Their Whole Livers Ahead of Them”, Public Agenda, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by Jean Johnson & Jon Rochkind with Amber N. Ott & Samantha DuPont
The Year of Transitioning & Establishment
The Year of Exploration & Discovery
The Year of The Plan
The Year of Transition
Graduation
4-Year University2-Year Technical College
MilitaryTrade School
Work Force
Career Development Program at South High SchoolClassroom Curriculum with Career Cruising
Eighth Grade field trips to all three IHE’s in CountyEighth Grade Presentations on HS and Wisconsin
CovenantFreshmen, Sophomore & Junior Career/Post-
Secondary Lessons and Individual Learning Plan DevelopmentWho Am I? (CareerAssessments)Where Am I going? (Career Clusters, Career Pathways,
Programs of Study)How Do I get there? (Post Secondary Planning, Financial Aid)
Career Connections Workshop for Sophomores Senior Post-Secondary Planning Groups
How Do I get there? (Post Secondary Planning, Financial Aid)
Career Development Program at South High SchoolIndividual Student Planning
Freshmen Entrance Interviews (getting to know you)Study skills, goal setting,
Sophomore Parent/Student ConferencesReview achievement data, discuss career interests plans,
establish potential post-secondary plans, review and modify Individual Learning Plan.
Junior Planning ConferencesEstablish a Timeline to the future with specific objectives
Senior Exit InterviewVerification process that the plan has been implemented
Career Development Program at South High SchoolAssessment through out high school
EXPLORE (Freshmen)PLAN (Sophomore)PSAT (Sophomore, Junior)ACT, ACCUPLACER, ASVAB (Junior, Senior)AP (Junior, Senior)PLACEMENT TESTS (Sophomore, Junior, Senior)
Helpful Resources in working with students The Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program
Check points implemented in Individual Counseling MeetingsProvides a framework, connects directly to SC StandardsProvides Incentive in partnership with the Wisconsin
Covenant Foundation.
Know How to Go WisconsinCollege Prep and Website Resource
Great Lakes Higher Education Guarantee CorporationCollege Access Advising
FAFSA Completion Day & Individual Consultation with student & families
Financial Aid PresentationsWealth of Print MaterialsProviding incentive awards through Wisconsin Covenant
Foundation
The Year of Transitioning & Establishment
Good study habits
Develop relationships with peers and teachers
Become a positive part of the South High culture
Involvement in extra-curricular activities
Begin thinking about the future
Self-discovery
I will maintain a B average while in high school.
I will demonstrate good citizenship and engage in activities
that support my community.
The Year of Exploration and Discovery
I will demonstrate good citizenship and engage in activities that support my community.
I will maintain a B average while in high school.
Carry on the good practices you established in 9th grade
Continue fulfilling core requirements
Select electives to fulfill prerequisites for advanced courses
Begin to think beyond yourself
Continue to challenge yourself
The Year of The Plan
Begin thinking about post-secondary options
Take necessary steps to prepare yourself to pursue your goals
By the end of the year, have a completed plan for post-secondary endeavors
I will take classes in high school that will
prepare me for entrance into higher
education and will meet or exceed college
entrance requirements.
GRADUATION
I will apply and do all that is necessary to gain admission to a University of Wisconsin system institution, Wisconsin Technical College, and/or Wisconsin private college or university.
Military 4-Year University
Work Force
2-Year Technical College
Trade School
GRADUATION
The Year of Action
I will apply for state and federal financial aid in a timely manner.
Apply to post-secondary schools
Begin communicating with military or future employers
Continue with Rigorous and Career related course work
Create network beyond South High School
Preparing Students for the 21st Century: Reform ConsiderationsProject Based LearningWork Based LearningDUAL ENROLLMENT opportunities
Incentives for studentsIncentives for teachers/districts/universities
Career Cluster Model, Career Pathways, Programs of Study
21st Century SkillsPre-College Programs
Current Reform to be supportedSupport the Put School Counselors Where
They’re Needed Bill at the National level.Support the Elementary and Secondary
School Counseling Program (ESSCP) FundingDream ActConsider the recommendations provided by
the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Reports by Public Agenda: “Can I Get a Little Advise Here?” & “Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them”http://www.publicagenda.org/
TheirWholeLivesAheadofThem