Blog 7

For this blog I am going to work off some of the reflection moments in our textbook as I thought they were helpful in getting me thinking about this topic of Accountability. The first one came after reading the case study on "Mt. Data's Dilemma!". I can really picture this scenario taking place. Many counselors have been doing there job for years and things seem to be going well when this accountability/data collection issue raises its ugly head. I must say this is when I am grateful to be going through graduate school at this time as we are learning about the ASCA National Model 3rd edition where accountability is a crucial piece of the puzzle. While I do still feel a bit anxious about the accountability piece (because it is something I have little experience with) I do see it's importance and know why it is so crucial on many fronts. In order for me to feel competent and confident about integrating accountability into my school counseling program, I would need to have a plan. This is where the ASCA model comes in handy. They have charts, reports and questions all laid out. They do a great job explaining what accountability is and how to go about gathering it. A helpful piece to me was the breakdown of Process, Perception, and Outcome data.  The ASCA framework would be the first place I would go as well as referring to our textbook.

The second reflection moment deals with ways to use disaggregated data. It mentions thinking back to our high school experiences. My graduating class had about 80 students so I did know most everyone. When I think of the top 10 students (grade wise) they all had college educated parents and were professionals in our community. They included an eye doctor, pastor, banker, university professor etc. Curious now almost 30 years later if those top 10 are still successful and what they chose as careers. I also am curious about say the bottom 10 students in our class and what their career paths and life journeys have looked like after 30 years.  I went to a high school in Ohio so I don't really know much about my classmates anymore. I have kept up with two friends who were both in the Top 10 and one worked at the local college printing shop and the other was a secretary to a dean at the local college. Not very prestigious careers but respectable ones. I personally think these two women could have accomplished more in their lives but I think that has to due to lack of motivation more than anything but that's a whole other topic!

The last reflection point I want to comment on is on pg. 113 of our textbook. It talks about your fears of using data/what additional skills etc. do you need. I think that once I dive into the accountability pool when I am at a school I will do just fine. It is another set of skills that I need to learn and apply to situations. I am confident I will do fine just as I have before with learning new skills. Seeing the need and reasons for using data in my accountability practices comes first as I believe one doesn't have a lot of motivation for doing something if they don't understand WHY they are doing it or why it is necessary. It is time for me just to dive in that pool!




Dollarhide, C.T. & Saginak, K.A. (2012) Comprehensive school counseling programs. (2nd ed.) New York: Pearson, Inc.