Education Commons^™

Moving Forward In The Wake Of The Pandemic: Shifting From Schools Acting Alone To Engaged Partnerships With Families And Communities, Sheri S. Williams

The William & Mary Educational Review

Workplace shortages are a top concern for schools in times of calm and even more troubling in times of stress. Burnout is especially widespread in stressful situations of disrupted learning, trauma, and discord (e.g., Diliberti & Schwartz, 2022; Thomas et al., 2019). In the wake of the pandemic, educators struggled to deal with the stressors on their own (IES, 2022). It became clear that schools could no longer work in isolation. Moving forward in the wake of the pandemic required an intentional shift in purpose from isolated classrooms to interconnected partnerships with families and communities. In the path to recovery, …

Teachers’ Referral Practices: Opportunities For School Counselor Advocacy, Maggie Parker, Alex Ostrander, Emily Decker, Sarah Ray

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Using Consensual Qualitative Research, researchers examined teachers’ experiences in the student referral process, specifically how they determined when and to whom a referral should be made. Results indicate that teachers actively work to engage students and families in strong relationships to avoid referrals and that certain behaviors are more likely to result in specific referrals (e.g., externalizing to discipline). Implications for school counselors and school counseling advocacy and limitations of this study are discussed.

Examining Indiana’S State-Recognized Comprehensive School Counseling Programs, Caseload, And Academic Outcomes Of Diverse Student Populations, Marsha L. Rutledge, Melanie Burgess, Kenya G. Bledsoe, Jaimie Stickl Haugen

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

In the age of accountability, school counselors are responsible for ensuring that their services are effective for all students by providing evidence of the impact of comprehensive school counseling programs (CSCPs) on student academic outcomes. Numerous studies provide empirical evidence of the impact of RAMP on student outcomes; however, none have disaggregated outcome data by race/ethnicity. Reviewing disaggregated scores will aid in how CSCPs and school counselor caseloads support specific student populations and assist in closing student opportunity gaps. Using an archival dataset from Indiana DOE (n=264), we sought to understand the impact of a state-recognized CSCP and …

Ecological Barriers To Comprehensive School Counseling Program Implementation, Kristi D. Kratsa, Derron Hilts, Jered B. Kolbert, Matthew Joseph, Matthew L. Nice, Laura M. Crothers

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), schools designated as Recognized American School Counselor Model Programs (RAMP) demonstrate, through evidence, an alignment with the ASCA National Model, widely recognized as the standard for comprehensive school counseling programs (CSCPs). Empirical investigations of the barriers to achieving the RAMP-designation have primarily focused on the intra- and interpersonal characteristics of the schools’ counselors, with little attention to macro-systemic factors. Grounded in McMahon et al.’s (2014) ecological school counseling framework, we investigated whether macro-systemic characteristics including region, institution type, community setting, and program funding significantly and uniquely predict RAMP-designation above and beyond school …

An Analysis Of The Reconceptualizing The Achieving Success Everyday Group Counseling Model, Norma L. Day-Vines

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

This article provides an evaluation of Steen et al.’s (2023) systematic review of group counseling interventions with Black male students. The article highlights strengths of the review including the effort to center the specific and unique needs of Black male students, the avoidance of comparative frameworks, and the use of critical race theory as an organizing principle so researchers do not problematize Black boys, the social and cultural heterogeneity of Black boys. Recommendations for future research include the consideration of students’ intersectional identities and studies that exhibit more methodological rigor.

A Commentary Response To The Article Reconceptualizing The Achieving Success Everyday Group Counseling Model To Focus On The Strengths Of Black Male Middle School Youth, Kristopher M. Goodrich

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

The purpose of this commentary is to review the article Reconceptualizing the Achieving Success Everyday Group Counseling Model to Focus on the Strengths of Black Male Middle School Youth. In the commentary, the author complements the article authors on their strong foundation of critical race theory, their attention to the current status of scholarship surrounding Black middle school students, as well as their notes about the need for more rigorous methodology in the future. The commentary author offers the article authors suggestions surrounding how they may better situate the Achieving Success Everyday group model for readers less familiar with it …

Disrupting White Hegemony: A Critical Shift Toward Empowering Black Male Youth Through Group Work, Caroline Lopez-Perry

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Despite the unique and pressing needs of Black male students in schools, there has been a significant gap in the availability of culturally responsive group counseling models to support and empower this population. In this commentary article, I discuss the theory and research underlying the ASE group model for Black male middle school youth. Drawing on Steen et al. (2023) use of Critical Race Theory for reconceptualizing the ASE group model, I expound on the concept of white hegemony in school counseling. School counselors may unconsciously impose white cultural norms and values on students, hindering the effectiveness of the ASE …

Reconceptualizing The Achieving Success Everyday Group Counseling Model To Focus On The Strengths Of Black Male Middle School Youth, Sam Steen, Julius Davis, Canaan Bethea

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Scholarship focused on Black male students in school counseling has been intermittent despite being well documented in the larger field of education and other disciplines. In this article, we conducted a systematic review of the school counseling literature that focused on Black male students. We used critical race theory (CRT) to examine the programs and interventions that have been published with Black male participants in school settings within the school counseling literature and examined the role that school counselors took when supporting Black male students’ academic, social emotional, college and career identity development. We reconceptualize the Achieving Success Everyday (ASE) …

Introduction To The Special Issue On Advancing School Counseling Groups With Black Male Youth, Christopher A. Sink

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

This article serves as a prologue to a special issue of JSCPE featuring Steen et al.’s (2023) lead paper and three invited commentaries. The topic under consideration is improving academic and social-emotional outcomes of Black male youth using the Achieving Success Everyday Group Counseling Model. After introducing the issue’s focus, the primary overlapping themes posited in the commentaries are summarized. My reflections concerning the focus article’s theoretical underpinnings, research review, and small group counseling model are briefly included. In conclusion, I provide tentative suggestions to enhance small group work using Achieving Success Everyday model.

Measuring The Impact Of A School-Based Contemplative Practice For Adolescents, Jennifer K. Niles

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

Throughout growing literature, contemplative practices have been identified as effective approaches to promote wellness in adolescence and young adulthood, with calls to incorporate contemplative approaches in the school setting. One type of contemplative practice called loving-kindness meditation (LKM) offers practitioners with a method for extending compassion toward self and others, and shows promise for strengthening individuals’ wellbeing. Yet, despite its indicated benefits, studies of LKM with youth are minimal, and studies of LKM interventions in the school setting are scarce. The goal of this study was to examine students’ inner resources and protective factors prior to and following a school-based …

Practice Into Policy And Policy Into Practice: An Interview With Dr. Carol Dahir, Jennifer K. Niles

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

A leader in the field of school counseling and school counselor education, Dr. Carol Dahir has engaged in policy development at state, national, and international levels. Through her work, she has served as an advocate for the profession and its advancement. Dr. Dahir co-developed the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Standards for School Counseling Programs (1997) alongside Dr. Chari Campbell, which became guiding principles for the profession. Through her work, Dr. Dahir believes strongly in the implementation of moving policy into practice, highlighting this as a major theme of her reflection on our interview. The author offers implications for …

A Review Of The Ultimate School Counselor’S Guide To Assessment & Data Collection, Rawn Boulden, Brett Zyromski

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Abstract

This review critiques Sandra (Sandi) Logan-McKibben and Jenna Marie Alvarez’s book: The Ultimate School Counselor’s Guide to Assessment & Data Collection, New York, NY: Springer, 168 pages, $45 (Softcover), ISBN: 9780826185532. We highlight the book’s potential for graduate student, counselor educator, and school counselor utility, and discuss potential limitations. Overall, this book helps fill a longstanding gap in the school counseling literature, providing readers clear and tangible tools and resources to augment one’s assessment and data collection efforts.

Impact Of Extended Recess: A Grounded Theory Study, Kristi Perryman, Timothy Schoonover, Julia Conroy, Joseph Moretta, Meredith W. Moore, Erin Howie

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Existing literature has established the benefits of recess and physical activity for children. In response, more schools in the United States (U.S.) are implementing, or even requiring, extended recess time for students. With these policy changes, it is important to understand the impact upon students, faculty, and staff. The following study used the shared experience of three elementary schools in the southern U.S. who recently implemented extended recess. Semi-structured focus groups with administrators, teachers, paraprofessionals, and students from three elementary schools were included in this pilot study. A Grounded theory approach was utilized, and findings confirmed the known benefits of …

Adolescents’ Perceptions Of School Counselling In Ibadan, Nigeria, Tolulope Bella - Awusah, Glory Oyewole, Ajibola Falaye, Olayinka Omigbodun

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

This study explored adolescents’ perceptions and experiences with school counselling in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. A total of 48 students between the ages of 14 and 19 years from public and private secondary schools participated in eight focus groups. Using a phenomenological approach, data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants described the role of a school counsellor as an adult support system and accessed counselling services mostly for academic purposes. Negative beliefs and experiences with the counselling process and preference for significant others were some barriers to seeking school counselling services. Personal counsellor attributes which facilitate supportive interpersonal relationships were desired. …

Culturally Responsive Postsecondary Readiness Practices For Black Males: Practice And Policy Recommendations For School Counselors, Erik M. Hines, Edward C. Fletcher Jr., James L. Moore Iii, Donna Y. Ford

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Postsecondary readiness is critical to broadening opportunities for educational and career options beyond high school. However, Black males are often at a disadvantage to gaining access to postsecondary preparation and school counselors who can respond to their academic needs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences and culturally responsive practices of school stakeholders (who are predominantly Black) from an academy of engineering (career academy). The authors used a case study approach to examine culturally responsive practices school personnel utilize to enhance the college and career readiness of Black males. Findings emphasize the role of culturally responsive …

Trends And Changes In School Counselor Cacrep Standards In The United States, Patrick Akos, Kevin Duquette

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Counseling and educational reform have been responsive to major societal change. This evolution is also reflected in counselor preparation. We examined changes in the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) school counselor preparation standards over four decades in the United States. Constant comparative analysis revealed substantial increases in school counselor preparation demands from 1982 to 2016. Data suggest persistent increases in the array and breadth of competency-based standards, including emergent foci (e.g., crisis response, addiction). Future considerations around school counselor identity, expectations and professional collaboration in school counselor preparation are considered.

An Analysis Of Most Important Values Among Low-Income, High-Ability Middle School Students, Jennifer Riedl Cross

SENG Journal: Exploring the Psychology of Giftedness

Value orientations, based on Schwartz’s theory of human values, were collected from low-income, high-ability middle school students (N = 215; 87.4% Black, Hispanic, or Mixed) through a values affirmation activity in the 7^th and again in the 8^th grade. Students ranked “Being successful” highest in 7^th grade, “Being safe and secure” highest in 8^thgrade. Most important values in the Conservation and Self-Transcendent quadrants predominated and were most stable from 7^th to 8^th grade. Analysis of essays on their most important values identified the significance of Others in their lives, including the desire …

"I'M Thankful Every Day I Did It": An Exploration Of Belonging For Commuter Students In Historically White Sororities And Fraternities At Primarily Commuter Public Institutions, Michael D. Giacalone

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Membership in historically White sororities and fraternities (HWSF) has been connected with sense of belonging (Cohen et al., 2017; McCreary & Schutts, 2015). The experience of commuter students in sororities and fraternities, however, has been largely overlooked, including an understanding of what belonging consists of as members. This phenomenological study sought to close that gap by exploring how commuter students in HWSF experienced belonging at primarily commuter public institutions through interviews with alumni who lived that experience. Three themes emerged from the data: personal connections, feeling welcomed and accepted, and transformation of the college experience.

Nphc And Mgc Sororities And Fraternities As Spaces Of Activism Within Predominantly White Institutions, Crystal E. Garcia, William R. Walker, Ciera A. Dorsey, Zachary W. Werninck, Jessie H. Johns

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

This study explored how Students of Color within National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council sororities and fraternities engaged in activism and in what ways this involvement connected to their membership. Using a qualitative critical narrative approach, we examined the journeys of ten participants. Findings unpack ways participants engaged in activism and resistance aimed at educating individuals and increasing awareness of societal injustices, addressing inequities through service, and inciting disruption and cultivating institutional and societal level change.

Sense Of Belonging Of New Members Who Are First-Generation College Students: A Single-Institution Qualitative Case Study, Levi J. Harrel-Hallmark, Jason Castles, Pietro A. Sasso

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

While there is research to suggest that first-generation college students benefit from and have a greater sense of belonging as a result of involvement in student organizations, there is limited research on how first-generation college students develop a sense of belonging specifically through their involvement as new members of a fraternity or sorority. This study, constructed within a single-institution qualitative case study framework, highlighted the unique role that organizational involvement, mentorship, emotional support, and first-generation status and identity can play in the development of sense of belonging for fraternity and sorority new members that are first-generation college students.

Book Review: Pietro A. Sasso, J. Patrick Biddix, & Mónica Lee Miranda. (2020). Supporting Fraternities And Sororities In The Contemporary Era: Advancements In Practice. Myers Education Press., Shanté C. Hearst, Kevin J. Bazner Jr.

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Anyone serving as a campus-based fraternity/sorority advisor can attest to the complexity of navigating roles as advocate, advisor, change agent, and more. Further, the storied histories and contemporary challenges facing fraternity/ sorority life (FSL) and higher education professionals is increasingly demanding. The authors of Supporting Fraternities and Sororities in the Contemporary Era: Advancements in Practice present a much needed updated reference text examining the multiple facets FSL and other higher education professionals must be attuned to in supporting students involved in FSL organizations. Appropriately, the editors acknowledge FSL is filled with contradictions fostering positive and negative opportunities for student development …

Letter From The Editor: Development As A Pillar Of Oracle, James P. Barber

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Development as a Pillar of Oracle

James P. Barber, Ph.D.

March 2022

Front Matter & Table Of Contents

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Front Matter & Table of Contents

Differences In Informal Alcohol Protective Behavior Strategies Between Fraternity & Sorority Members, Jaime L. Myers, Pietro A. Sasso

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Institutional interventions and formal policies designed to reduce alcohol misuse among fraternity and sorority members have been largely unsuccessful. However, informal policies to address alcohol use concerns can also develop within this subculture. This qualitative multi-case phenomenological study examined the informal policies chapters adopt to reduce risks associated with drinking. Findings suggested considerable informal policy development, which varies between fraternities and sororities. Sorority groups implemented more protective behavior strategies for members’ safety, whereas fraternities often focus on monitoring outside groups. Implications for practice suggest a combination of risk and harm-reduction approaches that facilitate peer-led protective behavioral strategies.

School Counselor Multicultural Counseling Competence Assessed By State School Counselor Licensure Examinations, Qi Shi, John Carey

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

This study is the first systematic examination of how school counselor multicultural counseling competence (MCC) is addressed in state licensure examinations of school counselors. Results offer preliminary support to the notion that state licensure examinations indeed address some important aspects of MCC as identified by Holcomb-McCoy (2004). Yet considerable variability exists across examinations in the percentage of content devoted to these commonly addressed areas. Quantitative content analysis shows there are several important aspects of school counselor MCC are not being tested in state examinations. Discussions and implications are provided.

The Critical Need For Peer Clinical Supervision Among School Counselors, Pamelia E. Brott, Lorraine Dekruyf, Jung H. Hyun, Christopher R. Lafever, Sarah Patterson-Mills, Mariama I. Cook Sandifer, Victoria Stone

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

The ongoing need for clinical supervision of practicing school counselors in the United States has reached a critical point. Given the acute mental health needs of children and adolescents, staggering caseloads, and pandemic repercussions, school counselors often receive insufficient clinical support. Clinical supervision is necessary to safeguard against burnout, promote ethical practice, and encourage continual skill development for school counselors worldwide. Unfortunately, there remains a lack of available clinical supervision, trained supervisors, and practice-based strategies for providing consistent quality supervision for post-master’s school counselors. The authors present a rationale for peer clinical supervision of practicing school counselors in the US …

School Counselor Educators’ Reactions To Changes In The Profession: Implications For Policy, Evaluation, And Preparation, Jennifer Betters-Bubon, Emily Goodman-Scott, Olamojiba Bamgbose

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

In this transcendental phenomenological study and related data analysis (Creswell & Poth, 2018; Moustakas), authors explored school counselor educators’ perceptions regarding recent changes in the profession. Through six focus groups, participants (N = 29) shared their experience, resulting in four themes: (a) range of reactions to changes in the field, (b) school counseling is less valued in the counseling profession, (c) inconsistent school counselor educator identity, and (d) ardent advocacy. Authors discuss implications for school counselor preparation, identity, policy, and advocacy within an ecological framework and the need for additional national and international research.

Key words: counselor education, …

Activities And Role Of School Counselors In West Virginia: A Comparison To A National Sample, Lijuan He, Barb Brady, John C. Carey

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

A national study of school counselor role and professional activities (Fan et al., 2019) was replicated using a West Virginia (WV) school counselor sample to determine if WV’s unique context and state policies would reflect a difference in how counselors perceive their roles and conduct professional practices. The comparison between WV sample and its national counterparts showed that school counselors grade level is robustly related to professional practice, with high school counselors demonstrating different levels of work focus than middle and elementary counselors. The WV sample did not demonstrate any practically significant differences from the previously collected national U.S. sample …

An Interview With Dr. Trish Hatch: An Advocate For School Counseling Policy, Jan L. Gay

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Dr. Trish Hatch has served as a leader in school counselor policy and advocacy for over 30 years. As a co-author of the ASCA National Model, Dr. Hatch has worked tirelessly to establish school-based policies to promote the profession of school counseling at the district, state, and federal levels. This interview serves to provide readers with insight on the importance of advocacy and understanding how to navigate political systems to affect policies that influence the profession of school counseling.

A Systematic Literature Review Of School-Counsellor-Led Group Counselling Interventions Targeting Academic Achievement: Implications For Research And Practice, Sam Steen, Qi Shi, Jennifer Melfie

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

This article reviews group counselling interventions conducted by school counsellors that aimed to improve academic achievement. A total of 12 studies met these criteria. The studies that used comprehensive/comparative tests and GPA as academic achievement outcome measures had moderate to large effect sizes. Secondly, this review broadly examined whether a protocol or group manual was used, the number of group sessions, and demographic information of the group leaders and students. Implications and recommendations for future research are provided including exploring more international articles.