Often our student service programs
and Technology Center guidance self-study goals create a need for data
collection. Several counselors and career advisors have written goals this year
which mention the need for a survey or some type of data to be collected.
Surveys can assist us in collecting valuable perception data. Perception data is
a way for us to hear the voice and story of our students. It can provide us
with hard evidence about their attitude and beliefs, what they think they know
and what they attained from our services. When we ask students about their
experiences and attitude toward school we can begin to deliver an intentional
guidance program and address the needs of our students.
Making DATA Work an American School Counselor
Association Publication describes
four types of surveys for school counselors.
Pre and Post
|
These are surveys given before and after an intervention to measure
the change in a student’s perception or knowledge gained.
|
Needs Assessment
|
Are given to students or stakeholders (teachers/instructors/parents)
to gather their thoughts and opinions on student and program needs.
|
Evaluation
|
Given to the participants at the conclusion of a particular
intervention or activity. Evaluation surveys are used to gain their opinions
about the intervention or activity.
|
Opinion
|
Given to students or stakeholders to understand their perception of
the school counseling program or school counseling activities.
|
By using surveys for perception data
tools, we can show how student knowledge or behaviors were impacted or changed
through a school counselor’s interventions. It’s extremely important when we
implement interventions and conduct activities driven by smart goals, that we
track perception data like the surveys mentioned above.
In the book, Dr. Kaffenberger and
Young also share a few
tips to keep in
mind when creating surveys.
·
Survey at the beginning (lesson, activity
or school year) to assess knowledge and at the end to assess
learning. By doing this you will have
perception data on; what they already know and how the program/ lesson
benefited the students.
·
Have a clear purpose- What is it you want to
learn, need to know or understand?
·
Keep it simple- one page, fewest possible
questions.
·
Require an answer in parallel language. Do not
mix positive and negative language.
o I know
how to solve problems.
o
I am helpful.
o
I know what credits are required for HS
graduation.
o
I have a graduation plan.
·
Pre and post survey school counseling lessons,
programs, small groups and workshops, then compare the results.
·
Ask one open-ended question.
Data is technically a four letter word,
but it doesn’t have to be bad! It can help us address the needs of our students
and improve our programs.
GuidanceFest was established in 2008 as a
professional development opportunity for high school, middle school, and
technology center counselors. It is held annually at 5 different locations
across Oklahoma. This year we had 248 participants attend the workshops. Topics
included Counselor Leadership and Collaboration, Managing Your Counseling
Program, Developing a College and Career Readiness Culture Using
Micro-Messaging, Preparing Your Students for the Next Step, Counseling for
Careers and a legislative update from the State Dept. of Education. Here are a few
comments from the attendees:
