Week 8 Blog Chp. 9,10 & Giordano article

Week 8 Blog  Chapter 9, 10, and Giordano et. al article

I found this week’s reading very informative and practical. I can see myself going back to these chapters and the article for future reference. Once again the readings reiterated the importance of the role of the school counselor. I see them as a “middle man/woman” between the school psychologist and the parents and student. “The special challenge to school counselors is to gather the assessment information from all sources and to develop a treatment plan that is understandable and relevant to all members of the team, including parents and children.” (Giordano & Schwiebert, 1997). I think this may sound easier than it actually is in practice.

The description of achievement tests vs. assessment tests was very helpful to me. I really liked the description of all the major testing instruments. Most of them I had never heard of, but now can understand how helpful they may be in working with students, families and helping professionals. Giordano states that counselors “rated the WISC-R as the most useful in counseling” (1997). After Ami’s most informative presentation, I know have a better grasp on that particular instrument. It makes me excited to see all of the other presentations of testing instruments that my classmates will be showing to us in the upcoming weeks.

When I was reading about the Aptitude Tests in the Drummond textbook, I had a flashback to the summer before I entered 6^th grade. We were living in Cincinnati, Ohio and there was a school called SCPA (School for the Creative and Performing Arts). It was similar to the TV show FAME and many well- known actors (Sarah Jessica Parker to name one) went there. I auditioned and was accepted into their creative writing and art program. The audition took a half day or so and I remember going from room to room auditioning for all the program areas. For dance, I had to do some flexibility and dance routines (did not do well!), for music I listened to different notes and had to describe them (Drummond talks about Musical Ability tests), and I had to do some test that reminded me of the Bennett Hand-Tool Dexterity Test that Drummond describes on page 210. I haven’t thought about that day for many years but now I am curious about the battery of tests I went through that afternoon. I am looking forward to learning about more testing instruments and how they can help provide another piece of the puzzle!

Drummond, R. J. & Jones, K. (2010). Assessment procedures for counselors and

            helping professionals. (7^th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Giordano, F.G. & Schwiebert, V. L. (1997). School counselors’ perceptions of the   

            usefulness of standardized tests, frequency of their use, and assessment

            training needs. School Counselor (44)3.