Kevin Formolo, NBCTSchool CounselorSouth High School

Sheboygan, WI

The Role of School Counselors

Presentation to the Wisconsin Joint Legislature Council Special Committee: Review of higher Education Financial Aid Programs. 10/8/2010Role of the high school counselor in assisting students with financial aid and postsecondary enrollment decisions.

About Me…Sheboygan South High School: 7 yrsWisconsin School Counseling

Association: 2 yrsNationally Board Certified Teacher

(school counselor)In debt (still) from undergrad and

graduate studies at the UW Whitewater (Gauntlet of financial aid offerings)

College Access Champion 2008-2009Advocate for students, families & the

profession of school counseling

Presentation ObjectivesBrief overview of the Wisconsin

Comprehensive School Counseling Model & the American School Counseling Association’s National Model: A Framework for School Counseling

Description of the Career Development Curriculum at Sheboygan South High School

Role of the school counselor in implementing the Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program, Great Lakes Higher Education College Access Program Resources & Know How To Go Wisconsin

Recommendations for reform & awareness

Student Needs & Trends Observations from the FieldHS Aspiration-Overcoming Barriers

First GenerationMinority GapSocioeconomic Issues

HS Preparation-Career TrainingCareer First - Training SecondRigorous classes in HSLimited exposure to IHE’sProject Based Learning/Work Based Learning2-Year VS 4-Year Negative Perception of CTE ProgramsDisconnect between HS and IHE

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Student Needs & Trends Observations from the FieldFinancial Aid-Issues with Financial Literacy

Actual cost of DegreeScholarships, Grants, LoansReality is late Spring of Senior YearEFC MisconceptionGiving up before application process is

complete

School Counselor Defined…

DELIVERY SYSTEMDelivery System Components ES MS HSSchool Guidance Curriculum 35-45% 20-30%

14-25%

Individual Student Planning5-10% 30-40% 35-50%

Responsive Services 30-40% 25-35% 25-35%

System Support 10-15% 10-15% 10-15%

RECOMMENDED RATIO OF 250:1

Barriers to implementing an effective Delivery System High Student to Counselor ratio

Nationally 460:1 Wisconsin 454:1Counselors performing non-counselor related

dutiesSubbing for teachersDealing with discipline issues in the buildingSupervising Standardized Testing Programs

Gaining access to students can be difficult

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Education, Common Core of Data, National Institute for Educational Statistics-Public Elementary and Secondary School Student Enrollment and Staff From the Common Core of Data: School Year 2007-2008

SOURCE: “With Their Whole Livers Ahead of Them”, Public Agenda, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by Jean Johnson & Jon Rochkind with Amber N. Ott & Samantha DuPont

The Year of Transitioning & Establishment

The Year of Exploration & Discovery

The Year of The Plan

The Year of Transition

Graduation

4-Year University2-Year Technical College

MilitaryTrade School

Work Force

Career Development Program at South High SchoolClassroom Curriculum with Career Cruising

Eighth Grade field trips to all three IHE’s in CountyEighth Grade Presentations on HS and Wisconsin

CovenantFreshmen, Sophomore & Junior Career/Post-

Secondary Lessons and Individual Learning Plan DevelopmentWho Am I? (CareerAssessments)Where Am I going? (Career Clusters, Career Pathways,

Programs of Study)How Do I get there? (Post Secondary Planning, Financial Aid)

Career Connections Workshop for Sophomores Senior Post-Secondary Planning Groups

How Do I get there? (Post Secondary Planning, Financial Aid)

Career Development Program at South High SchoolIndividual Student Planning

Freshmen Entrance Interviews (getting to know you)Study skills, goal setting,

Sophomore Parent/Student ConferencesReview achievement data, discuss career interests plans,

establish potential post-secondary plans, review and modify Individual Learning Plan.

Junior Planning ConferencesEstablish a Timeline to the future with specific objectives

Senior Exit InterviewVerification process that the plan has been implemented

Career Development Program at South High SchoolAssessment through out high school

EXPLORE (Freshmen)PLAN (Sophomore)PSAT (Sophomore, Junior)ACT, ACCUPLACER, ASVAB (Junior, Senior)AP (Junior, Senior)PLACEMENT TESTS (Sophomore, Junior, Senior)

Helpful Resources in working with students The Wisconsin Covenant Scholars Program

Check points implemented in Individual Counseling MeetingsProvides a framework, connects directly to SC StandardsProvides Incentive in partnership with the Wisconsin

Covenant Foundation.

Know How to Go WisconsinCollege Prep and Website Resource

Great Lakes Higher Education Guarantee CorporationCollege Access Advising

FAFSA Completion Day & Individual Consultation with student & families

Financial Aid PresentationsWealth of Print MaterialsProviding incentive awards through Wisconsin Covenant

Foundation

The Year of Transitioning & Establishment

Good study habits

Develop relationships with peers and teachers

Become a positive part of the South High culture

Involvement in extra-curricular activities

Begin thinking about the future

Self-discovery

I will maintain a B average while in high school.

I will demonstrate good citizenship and engage in activities

that support my community.

The Year of Exploration and Discovery

I will demonstrate good citizenship and engage in activities that support my community.

I will maintain a B average while in high school.

Carry on the good practices you established in 9th grade

Continue fulfilling core requirements

Select electives to fulfill prerequisites for advanced courses

Begin to think beyond yourself

Continue to challenge yourself

The Year of The Plan

Begin thinking about post-secondary options

Take necessary steps to prepare yourself to pursue your goals

By the end of the year, have a completed plan for post-secondary endeavors

I will take classes in high school that will

prepare me for entrance into higher

education and will meet or exceed college

entrance requirements.

GRADUATION

I will apply and do all that is necessary to gain admission to a University of Wisconsin system institution, Wisconsin Technical College, and/or Wisconsin private college or university.

Military 4-Year University

Work Force

2-Year Technical College

Trade School

GRADUATION

The Year of Action

I will apply for state and federal financial aid in a timely manner.

Apply to post-secondary schools

Begin communicating with military or future employers

Continue with Rigorous and Career related course work

Create network beyond South High School

Preparing Students for the 21st Century: Reform ConsiderationsProject Based LearningWork Based LearningDUAL ENROLLMENT opportunities

Incentives for studentsIncentives for teachers/districts/universities

Career Cluster Model, Career Pathways, Programs of Study

21st Century SkillsPre-College Programs

Current Reform to be supportedSupport the Put School Counselors Where

They’re Needed Bill at the National level.Support the Elementary and Secondary

School Counseling Program (ESSCP) FundingDream ActConsider the recommendations provided by

the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Reports by Public Agenda: “Can I Get a Little Advise Here?” & “Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them”http://www.publicagenda.org/

TheirWholeLivesAheadofThem