Program Audit
The program audit, whose components are: foundation, delivery system, management system, and accountability, is utilized to evaluate the school counseling program in comparison to the standards set forth by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. Analyzing the data from this audit helps counselors create goals to implement in the future (ASCA, 2012). Additionally, as part of the ASCA National Model accountability component, counselors must measure the efficacy of the school counseling program. Moreover, effective counseling programs are central to the school climate and a vital factor in improving student achievement.
Foundation
The professional school counselor plays an imperative role in the development …show more content…
She admitted that the boundaries between administration and the counseling department are not clear. She conducts lunch duty, like administrators, and due to not having an ISS teacher for the last two months of school, administration placed students in her office all day for in school suspension. The ASCA National Model (2012) suggests that 80 percent or more of their time is applied to direct and indirect services to students. Unfortunately, due to additional administrative duties, it’s nearly impossible to complete all her designated duties. She reiterates that advocating for the student success is her priority and that she wishes she could meet with the students more. Furthermore, she advices me that being organized in this profession is a requisite. The counseling team creates a calendar with the general overview of the year and each grade level counselor generates a monthly schedule with corresponding activities. Despite the lack of time, the calendar provides a general framework of active student participation in the program and allows them to manage time more …show more content…
Cepeda recognizes that ASCA National Model’s standards are high but the aim is to ensure the success of the counseling program. Through the yearly program audit, she is able to grow and strengthen her weaknesses for the future. Mrs. Cepeda states, “Counseling is a learning experience, not a single year is ever the same, but we grow from our mistakes. In the end, knowing that I can help students achieve a better life is what drives me to wake up every morning with a smile on my face (personal communication, June 29, 2015).”
Reflection
Though my interview with Mrs. Carol Cepeda, I realized that having compassion, being a good listener, and having superb organizational skills, are among several of the qualities needed to be an efficient counselor. Despite the “endless paperwork”, the impact that a counselor has on a student is life changing. Conducting this interview, opened my eyes to the reality and hard work this career requires, however, it ignited my passion to pursue this
The program audit, whose components are: foundation, delivery system, management system, and accountability, is utilized to evaluate the school counseling program in comparison to the standards set forth by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model. Analyzing the data from this audit helps counselors create goals to implement in the future (ASCA, 2012). Additionally, as part of the ASCA National Model accountability component, counselors must measure the efficacy of the school counseling program. Moreover, effective counseling programs are central to the school climate and a vital factor in improving student achievement.
Foundation
The professional school counselor plays an imperative role in the development …show more content…
She admitted that the boundaries between administration and the counseling department are not clear. She conducts lunch duty, like administrators, and due to not having an ISS teacher for the last two months of school, administration placed students in her office all day for in school suspension. The ASCA National Model (2012) suggests that 80 percent or more of their time is applied to direct and indirect services to students. Unfortunately, due to additional administrative duties, it’s nearly impossible to complete all her designated duties. She reiterates that advocating for the student success is her priority and that she wishes she could meet with the students more. Furthermore, she advices me that being organized in this profession is a requisite. The counseling team creates a calendar with the general overview of the year and each grade level counselor generates a monthly schedule with corresponding activities. Despite the lack of time, the calendar provides a general framework of active student participation in the program and allows them to manage time more …show more content…
Cepeda recognizes that ASCA National Model’s standards are high but the aim is to ensure the success of the counseling program. Through the yearly program audit, she is able to grow and strengthen her weaknesses for the future. Mrs. Cepeda states, “Counseling is a learning experience, not a single year is ever the same, but we grow from our mistakes. In the end, knowing that I can help students achieve a better life is what drives me to wake up every morning with a smile on my face (personal communication, June 29, 2015).”
Reflection
Though my interview with Mrs. Carol Cepeda, I realized that having compassion, being a good listener, and having superb organizational skills, are among several of the qualities needed to be an efficient counselor. Despite the “endless paperwork”, the impact that a counselor has on a student is life changing. Conducting this interview, opened my eyes to the reality and hard work this career requires, however, it ignited my passion to pursue this