School counselors are under enormous pressure to document their effectiveness by engaging in data-based decision-making and producing quantitative accountability reports. Advocating for a shift from the historical best practice orientation to an evidence-based one, this guide aims to help school counselors acquire the skills to make that shift.

Today's school counselors are under enormous pressure to document their effectiveness by engaging in data-based decision-making and producing quantitative accountability reports. However, the majority of counselors do not have training in these areas. Advocating for a shift from the historical best practice orientation to an evidence-based one, this authoritative guide from influential counselor educators John C. Carey, Trish Hatch, and Carey Dimmitt aims to help school counselors both preservice and inservice, acquire the knowledge and skills to make that shift. Detailed chapters and illustrative vignettes make practical the process of using evidence to accomplish three critical functions: determining what needs to be done, determining which interventions should be implemented, and determining whether the implemented interventions were effective. Additional topics covered include measuring student learning and behavior change, and communicating results to stakeholders.Counselors who successfully incorporate data-based decision-making and program planning will not only be able to document their work they'll be able to see the positive academic and personal changes in the lives of their students.

Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors 1. Moving to Evidence-Based School Counseling Practice

Integrating Evidence and Practice

A Model for Evidence-Based School Counseling Practice

Evidence-Based School Counseling in the Context of the Reform Movement

School Counseling and Standards

School Counseling Reform

Summary 2. Data-Based Decision Making: Knowing What Needs to Be Addressed

Data-Based Decision Making and School Improvement

Data-Based Decision-Making Models

A General Model for Data-Based Decision Making

Enabling Conditions for Data-Based Decision Making

Summary 3. Practical Considerations in Using Data

Types of Data

Collecting, Analyzing, and Disaggregating Data

Developing Data-Based Action Plans

Creating an Action Plan With Evaluation in Mind: Using Process, Perception, and Results Data

Data Over Time

Summary 4. Choosing Interventions: Reading and Weighing Outcome Research

Why Are Research-Based School Counseling Interventions Important?

Becoming an Informed Consumer of Research

The Research Context

How Can School Counselors Find Interventions That Will Work?

Summary 5. Evaluating School Counseling Interventions and Programs

What Is Evaluation?

Programs and Interventions

Evaluating Interventions

Evaluating Programs

"Customer" Satisfaction

Using External Experts in School Counseling Reviews

Summary

Sample Intervention Evaluation Action Plan: Evaluation of Second Step Violence Prevention Curriculum (Fifth Grade) 6. Action Research and Collaborative Partnerships

What Is Action Research?

Action Research Partnerships

Why Conduct Action Research?

How to Conduct Action Research

Summary 7. Measuring Student Learning and Behavior Change

Types of Assessment

Measuring Student Learning Effectively

Using Existing Assessment Tools

Measuring Changes in Attitudes, Skills, and Knowledge

Developing Pre- and Posttests

Summary

Sample Learning Goals and Related Pre- and Posttest Questions

Sample Standards-Aligned Curriculum and Pre- and Posttests

Fifth Grade-Middle School Transition Lesson 8. Using Surveys to Gather Information

Using Existing Surveys

Survey Development

Summary 9. Moving to Evidence-Based School Counseling Practice

An Integrated Evidence-Based Proactive Approach

The Journey: Getting From Here to There

A Five-Year Plan

Reporting About Results to Enhance Legitimacy

Disseminating Results Effectively

The ASCA National Model and Results Reporting

Planning Your Ongoing Professional Skill Development

Reconstructing Professional Identity Appendix A: Guidance Curriculum Action Plans, Intentional Guidance Action Plans, and a Needs Assessment Survey Appendix B: Summary of School Counseling Outcome Research Articles and Findings References Index