The 2012-2013 school year represents a pivotal juncture for DC Public Schools. Last spring, Mayor Gray and Chancellor Kaya Henderson introduced "A Capital Commitment," their ambitious plan to dramatically accelerate student achievement in the district over the next five years by providing all of their students with a safe, academically…

Presently, many state departments of education and school counselor associations have published second-generation documents aligned with the ASCA National Model[R] (American School Counselor Association, 2005). This research study analyzed some school counselors' readiness to deliver comprehensive programs by assessing their attitudes, beliefs,…

School counselors acknowledge the need for supervision but rarely receive it. This article describes the counselor performance improvement system in one school district. Supervision is embedded in a process that assesses counselors' levels of professionalism on a matrix of competence and commitment. Administrative and clinical supervisors…

Practicing counselors are often working in settings that do not include regularly-assigned supervisors. In the absence of regular supervision, today's counselors must meet mounting demands for accountability by demonstrating competence and expressing professional autonomy. When a difficult situation arises with a given client, what can and should…

This digest identifies the issues which must be addressed to make instruments and procedures for assessing school counselor performance efficient, fair, valid, and useful. (BH)

Used a standardized simulation to identify problem-solving styles in mental health treatment planning tasks. Experienced counselors (N=34) and trainees (N=34) examined case files and wrote summaries and treatment plans for each case. Results showed problem-solving similarities for the outpatient case but differences for the inpatient case. (BH)

The stated purpose of this text is to assist supervisors and practicum students and interns in their practicum/internship training. This book contains theoretical components which are valuable and essential to the training of student counselors and psychotherapists. In addition to the theoretical aspects presented, training activities germane and…

This counselor assessment instrument begins by listing 11 competencies for Mississippi school counselors. They should be able to: (1) organize and administer the guidance program; (2) provide counseling interviews for students during the school year; (3) provide group guidance and counseling with students during the school year; (4) coordinate…

Interpersonal behaviors and factors may facilitate or hinder the ability of one person to exert influence over another. To investigate the impact of counselor smoking behavior and status on potential clients' perceptions of counselor attributes, credibility, and expected helpfulness, 134 female college students viewed one of three vignettes…

The Counselor Quality Assurance Program, part of the Houston, Texas, Plan for Excellence, addresses the renewal and professional growth opportunities for school counselors. The program is administered by a bi- or tri-dimensional assessment team that may consist of the principal, a supervisor or appropriate central office administrator, and the…

This paper presents a discussion on counseling and excellence between Garry R. Walz (director of the ERIC Clearinghouse on Counseling and Personnel Services and former president of the American Association for Counseling and Development--AACD), Edwin L. Herr (former president of AACD), and Jean A. Thompson (president of AACD). Topics covered in…

All community and junior colleges in Michigan were invited to participate in a survey whose primary function was to assess current perceptions of counseling functions at Michigan community and junior colleges. Full-time counselors, faculty, and administrators were requested to express their opinions on the importance and quality of 10 counseling…

The seven studies reported in this paper represent successive attempts to explain the inability of observers to differentiate "good" counseling from "bad" counseling. Essentially, the researchers found that subjects, both undergraduate education majors and graduate counseling students, did not rate a videotaped counselor's performance as more…

This paper describes the development and use of a guidance counselor evaluation form created by guidance counselors working in French language secondary schools in Ottawa, Canada. The need for such a form, which requires joint evaluation by the counselor and his department head or principal, is examined, and the historical background leading to…

Highlights four competency areas that are needed by school counselors to be effective in the role of consultant to parents, teachers, and administrators. Presents an inventory that will allow counselors to assess their awareness of some of the issues and competencies required for successful school consultation. Explores implications for in-service…