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Advocacy

Report Shows Best Counseling Practices in
Challenging Environments





Recent research by the College Board highlights best practices by counselors in schools that face economic, linguistic and social challenges in preparing students for college.
The report on this study, “Inspiration & Innovation,” focuses on the counseling activities found in several schools recognized by
the College Board’s Inspiration Awards.
 
The College Board’s National Office for School Counselor Advocacy sponsored the study, which was conducted by the National Center for School Counseling Outcome Research, with an eye toward understanding the profile and positioning of innovative counselors.

The study examined schools that have increased academic rigor and equity in access and have shown achievement over several years: Santa Maria High School in Santa Maria, Calif.; Gadsden High School in Anthony, N.M.; University High School in Newark, N.J.; Miami Senior High School in Miami, Fla.; Edinburg North High School in Edinburg, Texas; and Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Washington, D.C.

“These are schools that many wouldn’t expect, because of
the challenges, to have a high rate of achievement and college-going students,” said Patricia Martin, the College Board’s
assistant vice president for counselor advocacy. “But these schools beat that expectation because of aggressive and culturally responsive programs.”

The study identified 10 effective counseling activities that played a part in these schools’ successes:

1. Practicing effective program management that utilizes teamwork and collaboration;
2. Establishing an achievement-oriented school climate by promoting and supporting high expectations;
3. Providing academic and financial outreach programs for parents (These may include programs in multiple languages after normal business hours and help for parents to complete college application and financial aid forms at school.);
4. Offering college-focused interventions for
   low-income students;
5. Partnering with colleges and communities;
6. Sharing school leadership;
7. Providing systemic, multilevel counseling interventions;
8. Using data to support student achievement;
9. Contributing to the development of school policies
   and practices; and
10. Helping counselors to counsel by increasing support staff.

Martin added, “These counselors go beyond what’s taught in the textbooks to speak to their populations. And it has resulted in success for kids that haven’t had success before. …That’s what we wanted to share and have other counselors and schools and students benefit from.”

To read or download the report or a report summary,
click here.

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AP® Professional Development Opportunities from the College Board Register Now for the Future of Diversity and Opportunity in Higher Education: A National Forum on Innovation and Collaboration. Toward Higher Ground: New Visions, New Voices for the 21st Century — Register by Dec. 1 Registration Is Open for the National Office of School Counselor Advocacy National Conference. CALL FOR PROPOSALS for Prepárate™: Educating Latinos for the Future of America CALL FOR PROPOSALS for the Native American Student Advocacy Institute: Building Nations Through Education CALL FOR PROPOSALS for A Dream Deferred™: The Future of African American Education SAVE THE DATE for AP Annual Conference 2009.

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