Plan Outline
In preparation for entering the field as a professional school counselor, you will examine your new identity by exploring the role we play and how we develop a comprehensive program that aligns with the ASCA national model. Each section of the model will be considered as you develop and solidify your own ideas about how you will present yourself as a fully capable and skilled candidate.
For this assignment, imagine you are running your own school counseling program. You are fully versed in the ASCA national model and want to create a recognized program (RAMP). You will describe your ideal program, including the vision, mission, success competencies, and SMART goals.
For templates, you are welcome to search the Internet for actual RAMP application examples. You will find many different options for completing this assignment and the one in Unit 9, enabling you to create a submission that best reflects your training and identified school setting. For example, you can use the Google search engine and enter: RAMP application examples. ASCA provides several options for you to explore as idea generators.
Vision
“The school counseling vision statement communicates what school counselors want to see in the future for the school community related to student achievement and other outcomes. It aligns with the school and district vision statements and is informed by the school counseling program’s beliefs” (ASCA, n.d., p. 1). See pages 23–24 of The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs (third edition) for more information.
Mission
The school counseling mission statement provides the focus and direction to reach the vision, creating one focus in the implementation of the comprehensive school counseling program. See pages 24–25 of The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs (third edition) for more information.
Success Competencies
Use the student standards competencies and indicators (search results linked in the Resources) or the “ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success: K-12 College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Every Student.”
Both materials describe the knowledge, skills, and attitudes students need to achieve academic success, college and career readiness, and social and emotional development. Although you will read both documents for the discussion area, for the assignment, please select one.
If you are using the student standards competencies and indicators, create a narrative that addresses how the competencies and indicators were selected and how they serve as the foundation for classroom lessons, small groups, and other school counseling activities. In addition, address how the competencies and indicators are reviewed or revised each school year.
If you are using the “ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success,” create a narrative that addresses how the mindsets and behaviors were selected and how they serve as the foundation for classroom lessons, small groups, and other school counseling activities. In addition, address how the mindsets and behaviors are reviewed or revised each year.
Again, you may choose to use either the student standards competencies or the “ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success.” You do not need to use both. These materials will serve as a guideline for the assignment expectations, but remember to refer to the ASCA national model as your standard for excellence.
SMART Goals
The program goals give focus to the school counseling program. They define how the vision and mission are accomplished and guide the development of curriculum, small-group, and closing-the-gap action plans. See pages 25–28 of The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs (third edition) for more information.