About the Book

Measure the difference you make in students' academic, career, and personal/social development!

Today's school counselors are under enormous pressure to document their effectiveness by using data and producing quantitative accountability reports-whether or not they've had the appropriate training. This authoritative guide from highly respected counselor educators and trainers gives preservice and inservice school counselors the tools to knowledgeably identify evidence-based practices in their field and to use data in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs and interventions.

Evidence-Based School Counseling provides a practical process for using evidence to determine three critical issues: what needs to be done, which interventions should be implemented, and whether or not the interventions are effective. Aligned with the American School Counselor Association's National Model, this resource offers counselors skill-building guidelines for:

• Selecting, collecting, and analyzing data for informed planning
• Carrying out action research and building collaborative partnerships
• Measuring student learning and behavior change
• Communicating results to stakeholders, and more

As counselors successfully incorporate data-based decision making and program planning into their work, they will witness positive academic and personal changes in the lives of their students.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Moving to Evidence-Based School Counseling Practice Integrating Evidence and Practice A Model for Evidence-Based School Counseling Practice Evidence-Based School Counseling in the Context of the Reform Movement School Counseling and Standards School Counseling Reform Summary 2. Data-Based Decision Making: Knowing What Needs to Be Addressed Data-Based Decision Making and School Improvement Data-Based Decision-Making Models A General Model for Data-Based Decision Making Enabling Conditions for Data-Based Decision Making Summary 3. Practical Considerations in Using Data Types of Data Collecting, Analyzing, and Disaggregating Data Developing Data-Based Action Plans Creating an Action Plan With Evaluation in Mind: Using Process, Perception, and Results Data Data Over Time Summary 4. Choosing Interventions: Reading and Weighing Outcome Research Why Are Research-Based School Counseling Interventions Important? Becoming an Informed Consumer of Research The Research Context How Can School Counselors Find Interventions That Will Work? Summary 5. Evaluating School Counseling Interventions and Programs What Is Evaluation? Programs and Interventions Evaluating Interventions Evaluating Programs "Customer" Satisfaction Using External Experts in School Counseling Reviews Summary Sample Intervention Evaluation Action Plan: Evaluation of Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum (Fifth Grade) 6. Action Research and Collaborative Partnerships What Is Action Research? Action Research Partnerships Why Conduct Action Research? How to Conduct Action Research Summary 7. Measuring Student Learning and Behavior Change Types of Assessment Measuring Student Learning Effectively Using Existing Assessment Tools Measuring Changes in Attitudes, Skills, and Knowledge Developing Pre- and Posttests Summary Sample Learning Goals and Related Pre- and Posttest Questions Sample Standards-Aligned Curriculum and Pre- and Posttests Fifth Grade-Middle School Transition Lesson 8. Using Surveys to Gather Information Using Existing Surveys Survey Development Summary 9. Moving to Evidence-Based School Counseling Practice An Integrated Evidence-Based Proactive Approach The Journey: Getting From Here to There A Five-Year Plan Reporting About Results to Enhance Legitimacy Disseminating Results Effectively The ASCA National Model and Results Reporting Planning Your Ongoing Professional Skill Development Reconstructing Professional Identity Appendix A: Guidance Curriculum Action Plans, Intentional Guidance Action Plans, and a Needs Assessment Survey Appendix B: Summary of School Counseling Outcome Research Articles and Findings References Index