Producing Evidence to Show Counseling Effectiveness in the Schools

A National Survey of Assessment Instruments Taught by Counselor Educators

“…Perhaps it is time to find additional delivery methods for the teaching of assessment so that this important core curriculum content area reflects more of the primary nature it holds in the CACREP guidelines. With counselors increasingly being asked to use assessment techniques with clients and as outcome measures (ASCA, 2012; Blacher et al, 2005; Ekstrom et al, 2004; Hood, 2001; Marotta & Watts, 2007; Neukrug & Fawcett, 2010; Rudy & Levinson, 2008; Studer et al, 2006), relegating assessment to one course and rarely using assessment instruments in other courses seem to be presenting students with a mixed message: “You have to learn about assessment but it's really not that important.” Introducing assessment early in a program and infusing the use of assessment instruments throughout other courses may be one method of ensuring that test administration and interpretation are more thoroughly covered in counseling programs. This would also help to clarify the counselor's identity relative to assessment in that it will finally be seen as a critical aspect of what the counselor does.…”

“…For instance, a large percentage of school counselors analyze standardized test scores to find gaps and respond with appropriate interventions (American School Counselor Association [ASCA], 2012), are involved in child study teams in which the need to understand and interpret educational and psychological tests is critical, and tend to use assessment instruments at least three times a week (Blacher, Murray‐Ward, & Uellendahl, 2005; Ekstrom et al, 2004). Meanwhile, 73% of clinical mental health counselors report use of assessment in their work (Peterson et al, in press), and mental health counselors are increasingly using sound psychometrically based instruments to demonstrate evidence of positive client outcomes for funding agencies, insurance companies, and others (Marotta & Watts, 2007; Studer, Oberman, & Womack, 2006). Of course, counselors in all specialty areas use assessment instruments to increase student and client self‐awareness and for case conceptualization (Neukrug & Fawcett, 2010; Rudy & Levinson, 2008).…”

The School Counselor's Role in School Dropout Prevention

“…The School Counselor's Role in School Dropout Prevention is often the case that these interventions are sporadic or short term, lack an evaluation component (Dahir & Stone, 2003), and are not tied systematically to either short-term objectives or longer term goals that are consistently tracked (Studer, 2006). Regarding outcome variables, longitudinal analyses are needed to assess the impact of intervention on eventual school dropout rate.…”

Assessment Use by Counselors in the United States: Implications for Policy and Practice

“…In addition, clinical mental health counselors are increasingly being asked to provide evidence of positive treatment outcomes (Marotta & Watts, 2007). Evidence provided by sound psychometrically based instruments can demonstrate to funding agencies, insurance companies, and others the effectiveness of client treatment (Studer, Oberman, & Womack, 2006).…”