The Beliefs and Practices of School Counselors who Use Data to Implement Comprehensive School Counseling Programs

Abstract

School counselors are required to implement accountability strategies in order to increase student performance and contribute to closing the achievement gap. This study investigates the beliefs and practices of school counselors who have earned national recognition for implementing comprehensive school counseling programs based on identifying program goals and using data to close the achievement gap. The study asked Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) school counselors how they use data to inform program decisions and their beliefs about using data. The results suggest that school counselors who have earned RAMP understand the importance of using data to provide services to students and drive program evaluation and improvement. Participation in the RAMP process appears to have a positive impact on data practices and school counselors’ beliefs about the importance of using data.