The following case studies from Group A and Group B illustrate an issue or problem related to student achievement and school success. How would you approach each of these student scenarios?
Instructions:
Select Two (2) Case Studies to respond to, One (1) from Group A and One (1) from Group B. Write an analysis for two of the cases demonstrating your ability to apply theory into practice and what you have learned about school counseling this semester. Make sure your paper clearly indicates which case studies you are responding to.
Your response must demonstrate your ability to think critically and analyze. Take a position on the case selected and the student issue. Use at least four (4) citations and four (4) references for each case study to support your method and process for working with the situation presented in each case study. Respond to the questions following each case study from a practicing school counselor’s perspective. Do not retype the questions. Use what you have learned this semester to identify the issue, and use data and resources to support your intervention.
Citations should reflect a variety of sources (textbook chapters, journal articles, websites, etc.). You must use sources in addition to your textbook.
Each case study should be answered in 3-5 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font, 1-inch margins (APA Format), and YOUR CITATIONS AND REFERENCES MUST USE APA style. References must follow each case. Therefore, your paper will consist of 6–10 pages (not including the title page, abstract, and references). Please carefully proofread grammatical construction and spelling. Your citations and references must provide evidence of considerable personal thought and outside reading.
CASE STUDIES A
After each case study, there are prompts to guide your response. Use the knowledge you gained this semester to examine the situation and address the issues raised.
A-1. Your school has been mandated to improve the daily attendance rate. It has not increased in several years. Attendance is a key component of the school report card and one of the elements by which your principal will be evaluated at the end of the year. He/she is putting pressure on the whole staff to make it happen.
Describe how taking a leadership position on this issue fits into the role of a transformed school counselor.
What stakeholders would you collaborate with to address this issue?
What data would you collect, and how would you use the data to show accountability?
How can you use your counseling skills with students to contribute to this important initiative?
A-2. Ms. Bishop has her hands full with 25 high-energy second graders. Although she feels she has created a stimulating and challenging learning environment, at least four students have significant difficulty completing their assignments on time. Ms. Bishop thinks the difficulty is more with getting organized and staying focused rather than a possible learning disability. You offer to help her set up a positive reinforcement system, one that the whole class can benefit from.
Describe your approach and how it aligns with the role of a transformed school counselor.
What data could you collect to show that your services positively impact Ms. Bishop’s students?
Explain how you would collaborate or consult with Ms. Bishop and the other important stakeholders.
CASE STUDIES B
B-1. Maggie (Margarita) recently immigrated from another country. During the parent-student conference, you notice this seventh-grade student sending mixed messages. Maggie’s English language skills are excellent, as her dad was from the U.S. Maggie verbally states her desire to succeed but is not doing anything concrete to get assignments in on time, either during class or homework assignments. Her mom talks about her procrastination, laziness, and even indifference to her schoolwork. Before Maggie moved to the U.S., she was a solid student but has had difficulty since starting at your school.
Select one counseling theory you would utilize to work with Maggie and describe how it would guide you. What counseling techniques would you use?
How could you assist Maggie in identifying strengths and developing strategies to succeed in school?
In what ways might Maggie’s developmental level influence your work with her?
What biases or discriminations might this student face that you should take into consideration?
B-2. Each morning, your “breakfast club” members stop by your office to touch base with you and get focused for the day. This ten-minute daily check-in seems to work well for you and these 12 academically underperforming students. You remembered this morning that Raymond has not shown up three days in a row. You know he has attended school because you have checked the daily attendance list. When you ask the group if they have seen Raymond, one of the boys responds that he won’t come to the counseling office anymore because his friends are teasing him and giving him a hard time. You wish the group a good day and decide to track down Raymond. You see him hanging outside the front door with a small group of boys frequently seen in the in-school suspension room for cutting and fighting.
Select one counseling theory you would use to work with Raymond and describe how it would guide you. What counseling techniques would you use?
How could you assist Raymond in identifying strengths and developing strategies to succeed in school?
In what ways might Raymond’s developmental level influence your work with him?
What biases or discrimination might this student face that you might need to consider?
