"Middle and high school counselors will find this book to be very helpful for its practical and hands-on approach." —Karen Thompson, Assistant Professor Psychology & Counseling Valdosta State University "This is a great collection of resources to aid secondary school counselors." —John Littrell, Professor of Counselor Education/Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Iowa State University "This is an outstanding addition to the field." —Greg Brigman, Professor of Counselor Education Florida Atlantic University "The material is especially helpful because of the separation in grade levels. I often find it difficult to find material specifically designed for transitions from ninth to tenth grade AND from sixth to seventh. This is one of the most valued sections of the book for me." —Judy Buchholz, Ninth-Grade School Counselor D. W. Holmes Junior High School, CA "This is a major contribution to best practices in school counseling." —Gerald Monk, Professor of Psychology & Counseling San Diego State University "...an invaluable resource for school counselors." —Barbara Blackburn, ASCA Secondary Vice President and President Elect Innovative and essential strategies for charting a course toward an effective secondary school counseling program! The recent wave of accountability reform movements has largely overlooked the needs of middle and high school counselors, yet has generated daunting pressure for guidance programs to be standards-based and data-driven. Written from the perspective of a practicing, certified counselor, this guide contains essential information needed to implement the American School Counselor Association′s National Model and smoothly transition from service-based to program-based counseling. The book affirms that the school′s guidance and counseling program play an integral role in the instructional program and overall school success. Best Practices for Effective Secondary School Counselors centers on six best practices and highlights specific action plans and examples for each one, allowing counseling staff to easily implement the comprehensive programs outlined. Key features include: Time-saving checklists, surveys, and forms Straightforward tactics for applying six best practices Strategies for stress management Tips for writing successful letters of recommendation An extensive resource and Web site list From evaluation, advisement and communication, to career education, transition, and professional development, this user-friendly text features relevant and proven solutions for counselors′ primary concerns.

Written from the perspective of a practicing, certified counselor, this guide contains essential information needed to smoothly transition from service-based to program-based counseling.

School counseling strategies that promote student success! So much is expected to prepare today’s students for success—academic achievement, career and college readiness, emotional and social competency, to name a few. School counselors can make an enormous positive difference in children’s lives. Yet, school counseling programs are in crisis because of undefined roles, skyrocketing student-counselor ratios, and decreasing budgets. Leaders and counselors must move away from outdated roles and embrace school counseling programs that ensure readiness for ALL students. In a succinct Q&A format, the authors provide school counselors and educational leaders with 101 solutions to common counseling issues across the K–12 spectrum on topics ranging from data-driven counseling to bullying, , collaboration, and equity Stories of school counselors and educational leaders who have successfully implemented these solutions Numerous print and digital resources for further exploration, including online supplements Discover a wealth of affordable counseling practices that make your job easier and more effective, demonstrate the power of a school counselor, and help all students succeed. "101 Solutions for School Counselors and Leaders in Challenging Times is an invaluable resource for all professional school counselors developing a comprehensive school counseling program to ensure college and career readiness for all K–12 students." —Diane Smith, School Counselor Smithport Area School District, PA "With a focus on core standards, social justice, and evidence-based programs and services, this book is a must-have for anyone interested in a comprehensive, practical approach to school counseling strategies that promote student success." — Tamara Davis, Professor Marymount University, Arlington, VA

“The College Solution helps readers look beyond over-hyped admission rankings to discover schools that offer a quality education at affordable prices. Taking the guesswork out of saving and finding money for college, this is a practical and insightful must-have guide for every parent!” —Jaye J. Fenderson, Seventeen’s College Columnist and Author, Seventeen’s Guide to Getting into College “This book is a must read in an era of rising tuition and falling admission rates. O’Shaughnessy offers good advice with blessed clarity and brevity.” —Jay Mathews, Washington Post Education Writer and Columnist “I would recommend any parent of a college-bound student read The College Solution.” —Kal Chany, Author, The Princeton Review’s Paying for College Without Going Broke “The College Solution goes beyond other guidebooks in providing an abundance of information about how to afford college, in addition to how to approach the selection process by putting the student first.” —Martha “Marty” O’Connell, Executive Director, Colleges That Change Lives “Lynn O’Shaughnessy always focuses on what’s in the consumer’s best interest, telling families how to save money and avoid making costly mistakes.” —Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher, FinAid.org and Author, FastWeb College Gold “An antidote to the hype and hysteria about getting in and paying for college! O’Shaughnessy has produced an excellent overview that demystifies the college planning process for students and families.” —Barmak Nassirian, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers For millions of families, the college planning experience has become extremely stressful. And, unless your child is an elite student in the academic top 1%, most books on the subject won’t help you. Now, however, there’s a college guide for everyone. In The College Solution, top personal finance journalist Lynn O’Shaughnessy presents an easy-to-use roadmap to finding the right college program (not just the most hyped) and dramatically reducing the cost of college, too. Forget the rankings! Discover what really matters: the quality and value of the programs your child wants and deserves. O’Shaughnessy uncovers “industry secrets” on how colleges actually parcel out financial aid—and how even “average” students can maximize their share. Learn how to send your kids to expensive private schools for virtually the cost of an in-state public college...and how promising students can pay significantly less than the “sticker price” even at the best state universities. No other book offers this much practical guidance on choosing a college...and no other book will save you as much money! • Secrets your school’s guidance counselor doesn’t know yet The surprising ways colleges have changed how they do business • Get every dime of financial aid that’s out there for you Be a “fly on the wall” inside the college financial aid office • U.S. News & World Report: clueless about your child Beyond one-size-fits-all rankings: finding the right program for your teenager • The best bargains in higher education Overlooked academic choices that just might be perfect for you

"The ASCA National Model reflects a comprehensive approach to the design, implementation and assessment of a school counseling program that improves student success. The publication defines the school counselor's role in implementation of a school counseling program and provides step-by-step tools to build each componenet of your school counseling program, including defining, managing, delivering and assessing. This fourth edition reflects current education practices, aligns with the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success: K-12 College- and Career-Readiness Standards for Every Student and the ASCA professional standards & competencies and assists school counselors in developing an examplary school counseling program"-[P. 4], Cover.

This authoritative guidebook gives school counselors the tools to identify evidence-based practices and to use data in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs and interventions.

School counseling that makes a difference - for all students! As a secondary school counselor, you’re charged with implementing a comprehensive program to promote the academic, college/career, and social/emotional development for all students. This means developing school counseling core curriculum classroom lessons, delivering engaging content to students and families, managing classroom behaviors, providing and analyzing assessments, and sharing the results with stakeholders. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone! In this guide, four experienced school counselors, national leaders, and expert trainers take you step-by-step through the creation, implementation, and evaluation of a high-quality Tier 1 school counseling system of supports. With a focus on proactive and prevention education through core curriculum classroom lessons, individual student planning, and schoolwide programs and activities, this practical text includes: The school counselor’s role in a Multi-Tiered System of Supports Examples to help with design, implementation, and evaluation of Tier 1 school counseling activities Instruction around selecting curriculum and developing lesson plans and action plans Strategies for managing student behaviors in the classroom, aligned to the school counselor’s appropriate role Alignment with the ASCA National Model Vignettes from practicing secondary school counselors Recommendations for including families in prevention activities Management tools, reproducible templates, and reflective activities and process questions You teach the academic, college/career, and social/emotional competencies students need to be successful learners. With this book’s expert assistance, you’ll be prepared to not only help them succeed, but also demonstrate to others the impact of the school counseling program on student achievement!