Recap of the Evidence Based School Counseling Conference

I can't even begin to express my excitement about this conference! It's one of a kind. It's a must for all school Counselors and all school counselor educators. 

This year was my second year at #EBSC and I picked up some great ideas to bring back to my school.

Trish Hatch was our Day 1 keynote and she was super, my favorite part was her blazing through 95 slides as we learn all about "Speed data-ing" lol!

Our Day 2 Keynote was Alka Howard, Director of Student Services and School Counselors: Jacquie Naughton, Dylan Hackbarth and Debra Brown A Team Approach to Living a Data-driven School  Counseling Program. This is a team to follow for sure. These folks got a perfect score on their RAMP application--that in itself is simply amazing! I tried to get them to adopt me onto their team, but I was not successful. :)

Here is a quick overview of the sessions I attended over the 2 day conference...

Third Annual National Evidence Based School Counseling Conference

March 26-27, 2015

NKU Mets Center

Day 1

1. Increasing Research Quality in School Counseling: An Imperative Discussion
2. District Level System of Supports for School Counseling Program Evidence Based Implementation Plans
3. More than a Performance Evaluation Checklist: Chicago Public School’s Framework for School Counselors and Companion Guide
4. 
   

   

   Critical Resources to Support School & Community Partnerships: The School Counselor’s Role
5. Engaging Parents in the College Planning Process

Day 2

1. College Signing Day: A Strategy of Success for First Generation College Students
1. Handout
2. Effective Uses for Qualitative Data in School Counseling Program Assessments
3. Comprehensive Program Evaluation: Examining the Efficacy of School Counseling Advisory Boards
1. Handout

Day 1 Favorite

My favorite Day 1 session was Engaging Parents in the College Planning Process. The presenters were really geniuses with their idea to have a parent group that runs about 8 weeks to teach them all about the process. Check out their PPT for all of the details. One thing we discuss during the session was how changing the number of sessions, possibly adjusting to less than 8. I am hoping to implement something like this next year to improve my program.

Day 2 Favorite

My favorite session on day 2 was definitely the College Signing Day session. This is just an awesome idea! In short, the school hosts an assembly to highlight all of the students that are going to college. The gym is set up like it is on graduation day. Teachers sponsor students to get them college t-shirts for the school they will attend in the fall. The main event lasts about 30 minutes, with a powerpoint to share info about each student as they sign their document at the signing table. 

The seniors also get to have a special breakfast with their families the morning of the event.

There is so much to this event you have to check out the powerpoint and handout.

The White House is also promoting this type of event, check out their toolkit here.

Of course I learned more than I can begin to write about, so here is my quick checklist on what I plan to do with all of the tips, tricks and knowledge I picked as a result of attending #EBSC. Learn more about things I picked up along the way by checking out my Tweets from March 26-27.

I also got 2 book recommendations while I was at the conference: 

Evaluation: Methods for Studying Programs and Policies, 2nd EditionBy Carol H. Weiss and Learning by Doing: A Handbook for Professional Communities at Work By Richard Dufour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, Thomas Many; there is also a workbook for the Dufour book.

I hope to see you all in Georgia next year! Tell them Franciene sent you! :)