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Participants will master the following mindsets upon completion of the group:
M 3. Positive attitude toward work and learning
M 4. Self-confidence in ability to succeed
M 5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes

Participants will also master the following behaviors upon completion of the group:
B-LS 3. Time-management, organizational and study skills
B-LS 7. Long- and short-term academic, career and social/emotional goals
B-SMS 5. Perseverance to achieve long- and short-term goals
B-SMS 6. Ability to identify and overcome barriers
B-SMS 7. Effective coping skills
B-SS 2. Positive, respectful and supportive relationships with students who are similar to and different from them
B-SS 3. Positive relationships with adults to support success
B-SS 8. Advocacy skills for self and others and ability to assert self, when necessary

(American School Counselor Association, 2021)

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According to the American School Counselor Association Code of Ethics Section A.9 Group Work, counselors screen group members to make sure that each members needs and goals align with the group (American School Counselor Association, 2016). By screening members, school counselors ensure that the group dynamic will be working cooperatively towards the same goal.

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The Texas Administration Code states that school counselors are to "counsel individuals and small groups using appropriate counseling theories and techniques in response to students' needs" (19 Tex. Admin. Code §239.15). This code supports the school counselors ability and need to conduct small group counseling that is based in targeted and specific student needs.

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Participants may experience universality as they realize they are not the only students that are affected by test anxiety. Participants may also experience an installation of hope that the group and lessons will be effective in combatting their test anxiety (Yalom, 1995).

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As a democratic leader, I will offer guidance to participants and also take part in the group. I will lead in this style because it is the most effect and feels the most natural to me. By being a democratic leader, participants will feel encouraged, motivated, and engaged (Cherry K., 2023).

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Stage 1: Group rules will be built and established together. Each session will begin with revising the group rules and talking about the importance of confidentiality. The objective of the current lesson, as well as the overall objectives will be reviewed. During the first session participants will take part in an introductory activity that allows other group members to get to know each other better. Each week, the students will be tasked with an action to perform.

Stage 2: During Stage 2, the group rules will continued to be reviewed. Just like in stage 1, lesson objectives will be reviewed and previous lesson connections will be made. Participants will share if they performed the action challenge from the previous week. Sharing these actions will create community among the members.

Stage 3: The final stage will consist of the same group rules and objectives being reviewed. Participants will share what they have learned and how they have grown during group. Next steps will be discussed and how to continue implementing what was learned beyond group.

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The Participant Guidelines/Ground Rules document will be used to guide discussion and create group rules. The following rules need to be incorporated in some way: confidentiality, listen to others, and respect each member with words and actions.

(Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program-Responsive Services, 2015, p. 26)

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19 Tex. Admin. Code §239.15 (2001)

American School Counselor Association. (2022). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

American School Counselor Association. (2021). ASCA student standards: Mindsets & behaviors for student success. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

Cherry, K. (2023). How to lead: 6 leadership styles and frameworks. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators. (2015). Professional school counselor small group counseling guide: A professional school counselor’s guide to planning, implementing, and evaluating school-based counseling groups. Retrieved from https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/guid-respon-serv-small-group-counseling-guide-2015.pdf

Yalom, I. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy. Basic Books.

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Once the pre-group protocol has taken place and students have been chosen to participate in the group, their parents will be emailed this consent form. Students will be notified that the group will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch time for three weeks.

(Missouri Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program-Responsive Services, 2015, p. 24)

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All students that were nominated by a parent or teacher will be notified of their nomination and asked to attend a group informational session. As a group, the students will be informed of the Group Action Plan. From there, students will be asked about their desire to participate. Once interest levels have been determined, a maximum of seven students will be chosen to participate in the group.

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The group is open to 5th grade students only. Fifth grade teachers and parents will receive and email briefly outlining the  purpose of the group. Teachers and parents can fill out an attached google form if they have a student they feel will benefit from participating in the group. Posters will also be placed in 5th grade classrooms and throughout the 5th grade hallway that advertise the group to students. The poster will have a QR code for students to scan, so they can fill out the google form for themselves.

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The Testing Transformers is a group that will transform students that have testing anxiety into confident test taking machines! The group will focus on teaching coping strategies to fifth grade students struggling with test anxiety.

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Copy of The Testing Transformers Group Action Plan