Week 11

            This week’s article makes a very important point about the need for counselor’s to show not only what they do, but what difference it makes that they do it.  This is completely in step with the trends in education and other fields where programs, employees, and professionals are expected to be accountable for the effectiveness of their work.  Although this accountability can be seen as onerous and an unnecessary demand, it can also be of great value.  I think it does help administrators, parents, and teachers come to value the work of counselors when counselors can illustrate the effectiveness of what they do.  Additionally, effective assessments prompt counselors to be very clear as to what they hope to accomplish through the counseling program or programs.  This therefore gives focus and intentionality to any undertaking.  If a counselor can’t articulate what he/she hopes to accomplish, he/she cannot effectively measure it.  I also believe that formative and summative assessment tools are essential for improving and tweaking any endeavor.  Assessment enables school counselors to stop flying blind and chose wisely when it comes to where and how to spend their limited time and resources. 

            Because funding is often very limited, counselors may want to apply for grants, which typically require proof of effectiveness. In addition when asking parents or students to participate in any programs, charts and illustrations demonstrating past effectiveness are likely to garner greater interest in the program.  In today’s society, many people don’t participate in something simply because someone says it is a good idea.  People often want to know what the track record has been and what the specific intended result will likely be.  

            Counselors can use paper/pencil assessments, or they may want to utilize some of the current technology such as Survey Monkey, which makes assessing, fun, easy, and quick.  Survey Monkey has a quick step-by-step process to design assessments and tabulates results.  It is a free on-line service and a link to a particular survey can be emailed to people very easily.  

Additionally, the effectiveness of assessments can be greatly enhanced by charts and illustrations.  People generally don’t have the time to read all the words in a report, but they will remember charts and graphs. Many students and parents are unsure of what counselors do.  Assessment results can be a wonderful way to educate others about the possibilities and the good work that counselors do in the schools.  Rather than see assessment as a burden, counselors could view assessment as a wonderful tool and opportunity. 

Studer, J.R., Oberman, A.H., and Womack, R.H. (2006). Producing evidence to show counseling effectiveness in the schools. Professional School Counseling, 9(6).