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Upon completion of a Master of Education degree in  school counseling, I plan to serve elementary and middle school students as a school counselor.

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Exploration Option 1-  Current Professional's Top 5

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Exploration Option 1-  Current Professional's Top 5

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I discussed legal and ethical issues impacting my school district with the Assistant Superintendent that oversees the Counseling and Curriculum programs for our district.

#1.  School districts in the state of Texas are following the TEA Corrective Action Plan this fall to  review all Dyslexia, Sec. 504, and RTI students in order to ensure they are progressing in their current programs and that parents of these students are given prior written notice that special education testing is not required.  It is in effort to ensure compliance with child find for potential special education students.
#2:  Providing a safe and secure learning environment is of utmost importance and the district is regularly monitoring  evolving policy and legislation to best serve students, faculty and staff of the district.
#3:  Updating our district bullying plan in accordance with Senate Bill 179, David's Law that was enacted to combat and prevent bullying in schools has been instrumental in providing a school environment where students feel safe and want to attend.
#4.  The Coop for the district  hosts a legal update every year that principals and counselors attend.  There is a legal team that is available as well to the district  anytime the district deems necessary.
#5.  Regular emails and newsletters from TEA and other professional organizations with legal update information are received through the assistant superintendent's office.

(A. Harvell, personal communication, Aug. 24th, 2018).

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Exploration Option 2-  American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Legislative Affairs

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Exploration Option 2-  American School Counseling Association (ASCA) Legislative Affairs

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My investigation of the website for the ASCA revealed the new legislation in regard to funding to strengthen career and technology education not only for postsecondary institutions and secondary schools, but middle schools grades 5-8 as well.  The Perkins V will require counselors, among other things, to ensure that activities and skills are being provided to students within the CTE classes that enable students to pursue careers in industry that are in high demand  (ASCA, 2018).

The ASCA also addressed the Every Student Succeeds Act and explained that the funding provided for the law will allow school districts to expand their school counseling programs (ASCA, 2018).

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Exploration Option 2-  National Education Association (NEA) Legislative Action Center

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Exploration Option 2-  National Education Association (NEA) Legislative Action Center

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My investigation on the NEA website led to the discovery of STOP School Violence Act which addresses the evolving issue of school violence.  The NEA was pleased with a piece of the language of the STOP School Violence Act that disallows funding for firearms and training in firearms for educators. (NEA, 2018)  The NEA discussion continues to say they are working towards encouraging legislation for common sense gun laws (NEA, 2018).

Another controversial topic of interest on the NEA website was the discussion of school vouchers and the impact it would have on public schools.
The passing of a school vouchers plan would divert already limited amount of funding that public schools receive to private schools. (NEA, 2018)  The NEA strongly encourages legislation that will invest in our Nation's public school system (NEA, 2018).

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After my exploration of legal and ethical issues in the field of school counseling, I am interested in how schools will address the growing mental health issues due to students in crisis under the Every Student Succeeds Act.
This topic is of importance to me due to the growing number of students in our schools who are experiencing mental health issues.

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Researching Every Student Succeeds Act and Students in Crisis

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Researching Every Student Succeeds Act and Students in Crisis

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In my research through Angelo State University Library, I found a book called "Handbook of Crisis Counseling, Intervention and Prevention in the Schools" by Jonathan Sandoval.  Sandoval's book addresses the principles of crisis counseling and interventions and prevention strategies to use with students that are useful for a school counseling program.

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Handbook of Crisis Counseling, intervention, and Prevention in the Schools / Edition 2

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Featuring new chapters on bullying, sexual assault, natural disasters, eating disorders, and cultural considerations, the second edition of this highly popular <i...

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The Knowledge I Gained Through My Investigation of the Every Child Succeeds Act and Students in Crisis

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The Knowledge I Gained Through My Investigation of the Every Child Succeeds Act and Students in Crisis

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The federal education law, Every Student Succeeds Act, replaced the No Child Left Behind Act.  It was fully implemented in the 2017 - 2018 school year.  ESSA shifted the power back into the hands of the state and school districts in regard to educating its students.
Schools have the opportunity through the ESSA Block Grant to implement programs that promote safe and healthy learning environments (ASCA, 2018).  According to Anderson and Cardoza, one in 5 kids show signs of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues (NPR Ed, 2018).  These students in crisis are in need of school support.
As a future school counselor I forsee the need for intervention and prevention programs growing.  The school has the responsibility to ensure the success of every student.  Funding for school counseling programs  to address student mental issues  will be key to student success.

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Researching Every Student Succeeds Act an Students in Crisis

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Researching Every Student Succeeds Act an Students in Crisis

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In my web search for students in crisis in schools, I found an article addressing the mental health crisis in schools.

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Part One in an NPR Ed series on mental health in schools.
You might call it a silent epidemic.

Up to one in five kids living in the U.S. shows signs or symptoms of a mental health disorder in a given year.

So in a school classroom of 25 students, five of them may be struggling with the same issues many adults deal with: depression, anxiety, substance abuse.

And yet most children - nearly 80 percent - who need mental health services won't get them.

Whether treated or not, the children do go to school. And the problems they face can tie into major problems found in schools: chronic absence, low achievement, disruptive behavior and dropping out.

Experts say schools could play a role in identifying students with problems and helping them succeed. Yet it's a role many schools are not prepared for.

Educators face the simple fact that, often because of a lack of resources, there just aren't enough people to tackle the job. And the ones who are working on it are often drowning in huge caseloads. Kids in need can fall through the cracks.
"No one ever asked me"
Katie is one of those kids.

She's 18 now. Back when she was 8, she had to transfer to a different school in Prince George's County, Md., in the middle of the year.

"At recess, I didn't have friends to play with," she recalls. "I would make an excuse to stay inside with the teachers and finish extra work or do extra credit."

We're not using Katie's last name to protect her privacy. She's been diagnosed with bulimia and depression.

She says that in the span of a few months, she went from honor roll to failing. She put on weight; other kids called her "fat." She began cutting herself with a razor every day. And she missed a ton of school.

"I felt like every single day was a bad day," she says. "I felt like nobody wanted to help me."

Katie says teachers acted like she didn't care about her schoolwork. "I was so invisible to them."

Every year of high school, she says, was "horrible." She told her therapist she wanted to die and was admitted into the hospital.

During all this time, she says, not a single principal or teacher or counselor ever asked her one simple question: "What's wrong?"

If someone had asked, she says, she would have told them.
Who should have asked?
We talked to educators, advocates, teachers and parents across the country. Here's what they say a comprehensive approach to mental health and education would look like.
The family
The role: The first place to spot trouble is in the home, whether that trouble is substance abuse, slipping grades or a child who sleeps too much. Adults at home - parents, siblings, other relatives - are often the first to notice something going on.

The reality: Many families do not know what to look for. Sometimes a serious problem can be overlooked as "just a phase." But it's those sudden changes - angry outbursts, declining grades, changes in sleeping or eating - that can signal problems. When something unusual crops up, families can keep in close touch with the school.
The teacher
The role: During the week, many students see their teachers even more than their own families. Teachers are in a prime spot to notice changes in behavior. They read essays, see how students relate with other kids and notice when they aren't paying attention.

The reality: Teachers already have a ton on their plates. They're pressured to get test scores up, on top of preparing lessons and grading assignments. Plus, many teachers receive minimal training in mental health issues. But when they do see something concerning, they can raise a flag.
The social worker
The role: Social workers act like a bridge. If teachers come to them with a concern - maybe a child is acting withdrawn - one of the first things they'll do is call home. They see each child through the lens of their family, school and community. They might learn that a family is going through a divorce or homelessness.

The reality: There aren't enough of them. According to one model, every school should have one social worker for every 250 students. The reality is that in some schools, social workers are responsible for many more.
The counselor
The role: In some schools, counselors focus solely on academics: helping students pick classes and apply to college. But in others, they also act a lot like social workers, serving as a link to families and working with students who need support.

The reality: Like school social workers, there just aren't enough counselors. On average nationwide, each counselor is responsible for nearly 500 students. The American School Counselor Association recommends a caseload nearly half that size.
The special education teacher
The Role: Special education teachers may start working with students when a mental health problem affects the ability to do school work. They are primarily responsible for working on academic skills.

The reality: Again, there aren't enough of them. Nearly every state has reported a shortage of special education teachers. Half of all school districts say they have trouble recruiting highly qualified candidates.
The school psychologist
The Role: Here's one job that, on paper, is truly dedicated to student mental health. School psychologists are key players when it comes to crisis intervention and can refer students to outside help, such as a psychiatrist.

The reality: If you sense a pattern here, you're right. In the U.S., there is just one school psychologist for every 1,400 students, according to the most recent data available from the National Association of School Psychologists.
The school nurse
The role: Most any school nurse will tell you, physical and mental health are tough to separate. That puts nurses in a prime spot to catch problems early. For example: A kid who comes into the nurse's office a lot, complaining of headaches or stomach problems? That could be a sign of anxiety, a strategy to avoid a bully, or a sign of troubles at home.

The reality: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least one nurse for every 750 students, but the actual ratio across the country can be much higher.
The principal
The role: As the top dogs in schools, principals make the big decisions about priorities. They can bring in social-emotional, anti-bullying and suicide-prevention programs.

The reality: Principals also have a lot on their plates: the day-to-day management of student behavior, school culture and teacher support.
Getting help, and "excited for life"
Katie says things started to turn around for her when she met a nurse at the Children's National Health System in Washington, D.C., who finally showed interest in what was wrong.

Now, she's begun college and wants to be a pediatric nurse.

"I'm doing a lot better now" she says. " Obviously, I mean, I'm a lot happier. I'm excited for school. I'm excited to graduate. I'm excited for life."

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Mental Health In Schools: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Millions Of Students

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An estimated 20 percent of children show signs or symptoms of a mental health problem. It's a destructive force in schools, but most educators don't have the training or resources to help.

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American School Counselor Association (2018).  Legislative Affairs.  Every Student Succeeds Act.  Retrived from https://www.schoolcounselor.org/school-counselors-members/legislative-affairs

Anderson, M. & Cardoza, K. (2016, Aug. 16).  National Public Radio Ed. Mental Health In Schools: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Millions Of Students.  Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2016/08/31/464727159/mental-health-in-schools-a-hidden-crisis-affecting-millions-of-students

National Education Accociation (2018).  Legislative Action Center.  Gun Violence Prevention.  Retrieved from  http://edadvocacy.nea.org/gunviolence?5

Sandoval, J. (2002).  Handbook of Crisis Counseling, Intervention, and Prevention in the Schools.  Retrived from http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.easydb.angelo.edu/eds/results?vid=0&sid=2c093714-2359-4a5b-8185-d6263a83fef8%40sessionmgr4009&bquery=TI%2B%28handbook%2Bof%2Bcrisis%2Bcounseling%252c%2Bintervention%2Band%2Bprevention%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bschools%29&bdata=JnR5cGU9MSZzaXRlPWVkcy1saXZl