Educators striving to improve their programs often seek information on exemplary programs and best practices. In an effort to assist them in their quest, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Research in Vocational Education's (NCRVE) Office of Student Services (OSS) have recognized six programs during this year's nationwide search for exemplary career guidance and counseling programs. Two additional programs were given honorable mention. These model programs assist all students in making the transition from school to work and further education. They should serve as models for others in implementing well-integrated, comprehensive career guidance programs.
During the spring, a panel of recognized leaders in the field evaluated applications submitted for review using rigorous research-based criteria that focused on three clusters of elements:
| A. | Career Guidance and Counseling Program Plan | |||
| 1. | Assist students/clients to achieve career development competencies | |||
| 1.1 | Assist students/clients to increase self knowledge and self-advocacy | 11 points | ||
| 1.2 | Assist students/clients in educational and occupational exploration | 11 points | ||
| 1.3 | Assist students/clients in career planning, preparation, and transition | 11 points | ||
| 2. | Address the needs of diverse student populations | 6 points | ||
| 3. | Program support services | 6 points | ||
| B. | Collaboration, Articulation, and Communication | |||
| 1. | Family/parental involvement and support | 5 points | ||
| 2. | Faculty/staff involvement in career guidance and counseling | 5 points | ||
| 3. | Intra- and interagency collaboration | 5 points | ||
| 4. | Collaboration with business | 5 points | ||
| C. | Institutional Support, Leadership, and Program Evaluation | |||
| 1. | Institutional support | 3 points | ||
| 2. | Facilities | 3 points | ||
| 3. | Financial support | 3 points | ||
| 4. | Guidance personnel qualifications | 3 points | ||
| 5. | Professional development | 3 points | ||
| 6. | Program evaluation | 3 points | ||
| 7. | Follow-up of program completors and noncompletors | 3 points | ||
| TOTAL | 100 points possible | |||
These exemplary programs will be highlighted in future NCRVE publications and in major state and national educational conferences. The first of these conferences will be a one-day Professional Development Institute on January 8, 1997, prior to the National Career Development Association's Sixth Annual Conference.
Serving four small rural communities in southwest North Dakota, this comprehensive program fosters career development at all instructional levels, but emphasises the needs of students in grades 7-12. The program is based on the National Career Development Guidelines and operates on a management by objectives plan that includes a needs matrix of student activities for the entire school year. The matrix lists career information activities and the dates they are conducted. It also includes information on student interests and values, aptitude and achievement, orientation, peer tutor needs or opportunities and other special needs, and meetings with counselors or other school personnel. Ninth through twelfth grade students take the CHOICES program, a required career class taught by academic and vocational teachers, administrators and staff, parents, and advisory committee members.
Every student in the district's four schools has a career portfolio that is updated yearly and given to students upon graduation. An advisory committee comprised of a student, a community member, and a guidance counselor determines resources for the guidance program. The guidance counselor provides inservice so that teachers can incorporate relevant career-related activities into their courses. Students participate in job shadowing activities. In conjunction with a school-to-work grant, the program conducts an annual follow-up of all graduates. Completion rates for all vocational programs are very high, and most years there have been no dropouts.
The goal of the Birdville Independent School District's (BISD) career guidance and counseling program is to assist students in making effective plans to achieve their educational and career goals. A variety of career awareness activities are available to elementary students as a regular feature in their curriculum. During middle school, students focus on careers through classes and career days. In high school, students continue learning about themselves in relation to the world of work and must choose a career pathway. This K-12 program, administered through the district office and implemented in all schools, is a team effort of counselors, teachers, administrators, librarians, parents, businesses, and community organizations. Student services counselors, campus counselors, and crisis counselors are available to assist every BISD student. Three certified career counselors work closely with all district counselors, teachers, and the entire team to identify resources, assess student interests and aptitudes, initiate programs, and incorporate career development activities.
High-quality materials designed for BISD students are available to help them develop career and education plans and select career pathways. Teachers at all levels incorporate career information into their classes to support students in making good career-related decisions. A commercial career information system is available at each middle and high school campus. All schools work closely with parents and use site-based management. A handbook is available to assist elementary and middle school counselors and teachers in guiding students in their career development. In addition, guest speakers--often parents--visit classes to talk about their careers, and local business representatives frequently visit all BISD schools. Career information is disseminated through parent meetings, student handbooks, group and individual counseling, assemblies, news media, cable television, videotapes, handouts, and word-of mouth. An internship program is available, and students have many opportunities to discover their interests and aptitudes.
Located in a rural and economically disadvantaged part of northwestern Wisconsin, the School District of Flambeau serves only 700 students in grades 7-12. Nonetheless, it is a very significant part of the Flambeau community. The Flambeau Career Guidance and Counseling Program (FCGC) is integrated into all aspects of the K-12 curriculum, and student progress is documented through portfolios. Students access information through the Wisconsin Career Information System and a wide variety of other state and national resources.
The nationally recognized Flambeau Community Education Program and the FCGC participate in a cooperative arrangement based on partnerships established over time. Teachers, students, and staff interact with members of the community who mentor, teach classes, and provide job shadowing and community-based learning experiences. In addition, some individuals serve on advisory councils, school improvement teams, and ad hoc action committees. Through the community education program, students, parents, and community members of all ages participate in workshops, classes, forums, focus groups, and special presentations. These activities focus on job skills development, personal development, career counseling, community leadership training, professional development, and parenting skills.
At all levels, the curriculum emphasizes experiential learning and helps students develop an "inside view" of various professions through entrepreneurship, artist-in-residencies, and youth service learning programs. In addition, project-based learning engages students in real life problem-solving and allows them to demonstrate their academic and vocational skills. Students are involved in the FCGC program through peer mentoring and peer instructional services in the areas of economics, entrepreneurship, leadership, peer pressure, anger management, drug and alcohol refusal skills, traffic safety, self esteem, and health.
The School-Wide Counseling Program to Support Tech Prep at Elk Grove High School serves approximately 1,700 students every year. Its purpose is to organize and update a well-defined system of guidance activities to promote the career development of students representing many cultures and having diverse academic abilities. Led by a team of nine counselors and involving all school personnel, the counseling program addresses student needs through various services, including English as a Second Language, the Talent Development Program, counseling, special education services, and advisory groups. Other school personnel share guidance and counseling activities. These include the social worker, school psychologist, school nurse, and services learning director, staff of the special education department, assessment director, and all student services personnel.
The counseling program is an integrated part of the total educational process at Elk Grove High School. This outcome-based program is organized into a planned curriculum empowering students to learn more effectively and efficiently. The program provides specialized counseling and intervention services and offers maximum student growth and development in three domains: (a) educational/academic--learning to learn; (b) personal, social, physical--learning to live; and (c) career--learning to work. A key feature of each student's career development is the development of a portfolio, which includes all test results, the student's best work, a resume, and a cover letter. Junior and senior students can gain experience in the workplace by participating in the Public Service and Community Resource course, volunteer work, and internships. The strong school and business partnership in Elk Grove provides students with the opportunity to work at places that match their work style or preference.
North Harris College (NHC), in collaboration with its two service area school districts, Aldine Independent School District and Spring Independent School District, developed the Shared Counselor Partnership Program to facilitate the successful transition of secondary students into postsecondary education programs. The Shared Counselor Partnership Program maximizes student services in order to address the needs of all students, including: members of special populations; students from different racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds; and students at risk of failing or dropping out of school.
This comprehensive student services system stresses the importance of early guidance in selecting education and career pathways through coordinated assessment, counseling, advisement, financial aid, and placement services. The program has forged strong ties with businesses, public schools, universities, and other community entities to provide organized and connected learning opportunities for its diverse student population.
The Shared Counselor Partnership Program meets students' career development needs and concerns through group and individual counseling; group workshops on various topics, including stress management, family issues, resume writing, and career planning; a peer/mentor system; vocational leadership conferences; and motivational speakers. The shared counselors, who function both as members of the high school's guidance program and as college advisors, assist students in career planning, preparation, and transition.
Beginning in the eighth grade, students can take a career investigation class, are introduced to the Get A Life Career Portfolio, and develop their individual career plans. Senior-to-Senior Conferences provide an opportunity for graduates from the previous year to tell current seniors about college and/or career life after high school. Parents and students attend the Improved Career Decision-Making Workshop to learn about the latest career trends identified by the Texas State Occupational Information Coordinating Committee. Career fairs and college night programs provide students with relevant information to help them make appropriate career choices.
The Van Buren Intermediate School District's Comprehensive Career Guidance Program helps youth and adults in Lawrence, Michigan, the state's second poorest county (a) make informed career and educational decisions; (b) develop and implement individual career plans; and (c) prepare portfolios to document their progress toward educational and career goals. The program is founded on Donald Super's idea that an effective career guidance and development program enhances students' ability to make sound career decisions and plans. Additionally, the program uses technology to better meet the needs of students in the 15 local school districts, as well as educators, employers, and the community at large.
Counselors at the Van Buren Technical Center collaborate with counselors and teachers in the local districts to help all students in their career and educational planning. Teachers use career workbooks to help eighth and ninth graders identify their top career interests and abilities. Students participate in various structured career awareness and exploration activities, including reading, computer searches, job simulations, career internships, job shadowing, and work-based learning. With the counselors' guidance, students translate their decisions into career plans known as Employability Development Plans (EDPs). In addition to the EDP, students also develop a four-year program of studies based on their career and postsecondary decisions. The EDP is the starting point for student-managed portfolios that document students' progress toward the goals outlined in their career plans. While the EDP is the index for the portfolio, a resume based on student portfolio information serves as its summary.
The Van Buren Vocational-Technical Center's Guidance Program was recognized as an exemplary program by the U.S. Office of Education in 1986 and by the United States Army in 1994 under its Planning for Life Awards.
This article was written by the NCRVE Office of Student Services staff. It's mission is to work nationally to promote quality programs and services that assist secondary and postsecondary students in making a successful transition from school to work. OSS is housed at the Center's University of Illinois site.