5.+Accountability

Schools today are challenged more than ever to demonstrate improved student achievement. The counselors at Baker Elementary are central to this process. The School Counseling Department evaluates all programs and lessons for effectiveness and adapts the guidance curriculum as needed as a result of this information.
 * Accountability**

The school counseling program seeks to identify barriers to student learning at the beginning of the school year to formulate goals and objectives to meet student needs in accordance with goals outlined for the overall district. Data collected through pre/post test assessments and other measures is analyzed by EZ-Analyze, a Microsoft Excel program. The school counselors meet regularly to review this data and evaluate program effectiveness.

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 * Results Reports**



The counselors at Baker Elementary will follow the attached performance standards to guide their work within the school. This assessment is a tool for the counselors to evaluate their delivery of a comprehensive counseling program along the standards outlined by the ASCA National Model (2005). This evaluation may be used by the school principal to assess the performance of the school counselors and to guide program direction.
 * School Counselor Performance Standards**

American School Counselor Association. (2005). The ASCA National Model: A framework for school counseling programs. (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author.



For the purposes of this project, we provided only an informal example of a Program Audit. However, we did it in order to highlight any potential or existing gaps in the program. A Program Audit also helps counselors visually surmise what parts of their curriculum they were able to implement and what parts they might need to modify for more successful implementation in the future. The Program Audit also serves as a visual tool for accountability to administration.
 * Program Audit**