The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

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Volume 3, Number 2	October, 2011
Editors: Edina Renfro-Michel, Larry D. Burlew

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Editorial, Edina Renfro-Michel and Larry D. Burlew

In our second edition as co-editors, we continued to support the mission of the journal. We did this by examining the types of articles that can be submitted for inclusion: research, techniques, counselor development, supervision issues, and clinical supervisor’s stories. We have included articles focusing on research and practice in counselor education.

The articles by O’Halloran et al. and Geltner et al. focus on research in areas related to counselor development, while Graham et al. studied perceptions of school counselors. O’Halloran et al. examine the use of learning contracts as an effective means to help students individualize their learning and create more investment in their work. Geltner et al. determine counselor education curriculum components for school counselors to increase effectiveness in group counseling and classroom guidance. Graham et al. surveyed principals’ perceptions of the roles of school counselors, comparing principals with and without training on the ASCA model with surprising results.

The articles by Kelly and McDonald focus on the practice of counselor education. Kelly discusses comprehensive assessment procedures developed from a gate-keeping perspective based on individual student learning as well as meeting the NCATE and CACREP assessment requirements. McDonald provides counselor educators with practical information to increase student knowledge and correct usage of APA, using a sample document to demonstrate specific examples. As a service to the profession, McDonald has provided the sample paper as a separate PDF for use with students.

We thank all of our dedicated reviewers who responded quickly to everything asked of them. We also thank our wonderful Editorial Assistants; Jennifer Midura, Ken Ryerson, and Jessica Spera, who spend endless hours organizing the process, working with reviewers and authors, editing articles, and putting everything together. We also thank the NARACES Board for giving us the opportunity to continue to share practical research and knowledge with our members by appointing us as co-editors of the Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision.

Edina Renfro-Michel, Co-editor
Larry D. Burlew, Co-editor

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Featured Articles

Research

Using Learning Contracts in the Counselor Education Classroom, Kim C. O’Halloran & Megan E. Delaney

Adult students in counselor education programs bring diverse experiences to the classroom. In order to attract and retain students, institutions are exploring multiple delivery systems of instruction. The following study provides an overview of learning styles and characteristics of adult graduate students and explores the degree to which learning contracts may be a beneficial tool to positively impact student learning in the counselor education classroom. Surveys were administered pre- and post-participation in a master’s level counselor education classroom regarding the use of a learning contract. Results indicated that participants found the learning contract to be useful and allowed the students to be more self-directed and connected with their work.

Keywords: Counselor preparation, graduate students, learning, assessment, adult students, learning contracts, learning styles

Full Text [PDF, 55kb]

Identifying Curriculum Components for Classroom Management Training for School Counselors: A Delphi Study, Jill A. Geltner, Teddi J. Cunningham, and Charmaine D. Caldwell

The Delphi Study was conducted to determine recommended curriculum components to be used in training school counselors to be effective classroom managers when conducting (large-group counseling) classroom guidance. Thirty-five participants, including nationally certified school counselor practitioners and prominent school counselor educators, were the two expert groups in the study. Eighty-nine initial curriculum items were identified, both knowledge and skill items included. After three rounds of the survey, the 40 items that remained were the final recommendations of the expert panel. In further analyses, no statistically significant differences were found when examining responses by expert group, gender, years of experience, or educational level. Specific recommendations are made to incorporate the findings into school counselor preparation programs.

Keywords: Delphi, school counselor, curriculum, classroom management, classroom guidance, schools, training

Full Text [PDF, 56kb]


State Mandated Principals’ Training - Does it make a Difference? An Examination of Principals’ Perceptions of the American School Counselors Association (ASCA) National Model, State-specific Models of School Counseling and the Roles of the School Counselor, Mary Amanda Graham, Kimberly J. Desmond, Erica Zinsser

This mixed method study examines the perceptions of both elementary and secondary principals in two northeastern states regarding the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model, state-specific models of School Counseling and the role of the school counselor. One state surveyed has mandatory administrative training of the ASCA National Model and a state-specific model of school counseling while the other does not have such state mandates or an implemented model of school counseling. A fifteen-question survey was sent to four hundred ninety-eight school administrators. Results indicate little difference in knowledge of the ASCA National Model between principals in both states. The results of the study and a plan to impact principal perceptions in support of the ASCA National Model are presented.

Keywords: School counseling roles, principal perceptions, training models

Full Text [PDF, 37kb]

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Assessing Individual Student Progress: Meeting Multiple Accreditation Standards and Professional Gatekeeping Responsibilities, Virginia A. Kelly

Counselor education departments are often required to meet multiple accreditation standards that include assessment of individual student learning. Additionally, faculty in counselor education departments are responsible for acting as professional gatekeepers. The authors propose a model for assessment of individual student potential at the time of program admission. In addition, a comprehensive assessment process applied as students make the transition into clinical fieldwork is described.

Keywords: Assessment, gatekeeping, CACREP standards, NCATE standards, student progress

Full Text [PDF, 37kb]


Teaching the 6th Edition of APA Style of Writing in Counselor Education, K. Elizabeth McDonald

The development of professional voice takes practice. At present, little literature exists to aid counselor educators helping students develop their writing style and adjust to APA style in academic writing. The author provides practical suggestions for teaching APA to counselors-in-training and offers a teaching resource for use in the classroom. Suggestions include: addressing why APA style is used in the profession, joining with colleagues to emphasize the importance of writing style, modeling strong style, requiring the use of APA, providing feedback specific to style, using style focused peer review, and providing examples of strong APA style.

Keywords: APA, Counselor Training, Written Communication, Scientific Communication, American Psychological Association Style, Professional Voice, Writing Style

Full Text [PDF, 1.9mb] | Sample APA Format Document [146kb]

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