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This group will consist of at-risk students who are juniors and seniors in high school who have expressed an interest in going to college whether it be a 2- or 4-year college. The groups will meet to discuss and plan college options, how to apply for school, how to fill out the FAFSA, how to apply for scholarships and go over what is next once accepted.

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The college group counseling will focus primarily on the following ASCA Standards and Behaviors. The hope is that targeting these standards will help at-risk students feel more prepared and ready to tackle the college admissions process.

Category 1: Mindset Standards

M4: Self-Confidence in the ability to succeed.

M6: Understanding that post-secondary education and lifelong learning are necessary for long-term success.

Category 2: Behavior Standards

B-LS 4. Self-motivation and self-direction for learning.

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-SS 8. Advocacy skills for self and others and ability to assert self, when necessary. (ASCA, 2021).

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The group will be targeted from a needs assessment that is sent out to junior students that identifies who is interested in postsecondary education. The needs assessment will be sent to all students in the junior class. Reminders to complete the survey will be announced during announcements as well. Parents will be sent an announcement letting them know their student is participating in a post-secondary education survey and asking them to encourage their student to complete the survey.

Photo credit: https://www.goodfreephotos.com

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The needs assessment will then be cross-referenced with a report of at-risk students. The groups will be formed based on cross-referencing to identify at-risk juniors who are interested in the college process.

This group will aim to help students who are at risk of dropping out of school but have also expressed an interest in post-secondary education.

Once students have been targeted, students will be sent invitations to invite them to the group explaining more details and allowing them to stop by the counselor's office to ask any questions they may have.

Photo credit: lucidchart.com

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Consent Form: Parents and/or guardians will be emailed consent forms home to approve of their student participating in the college workshop. Paper copies can also be sent home with students if email is not the preferred method of communication.

Assent: Once students are identified they will be informed of being chosen for the group. The students will then be given the option to participate or not. The goal is to have students who are willing to participate so that the group functions to its full potential. Students may always choose to opt out of the group. (Missouri Comprehensive Guidance, 2015).

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This group will consist of at-risk students who are juniors and seniors in high school who have expressed an interest in going to college whether it be a 2- or 4-year college. The groups will meet to discuss and plan college options, how to apply for school, how to fill out the FAFSA, how to apply for scholarships and go over what is next once accepted.

Stage 1: In this stage, the students will get an overview of the college application. Students will come together and hopefully be glad to see that others are nervous and unsure of the process just as they are. During this stage, the students are learning to trust the counselor to guide them as well.

Stage 2: This stage will focus on the group uniting and helping each other to come to the common goal of filling out college applications. The students will complete the Common App, be introduced to the FAFSA, and learn where to access scholarships. A common bond of working towards a common goal will be formed.

Stage 3: This stage will highlight how far the participants have come in the college application process. Also, this will be a time to slow down and allow students to ask questions as well as give their input on the process and discuss what is next in the postsecondary process. (Missouri Professional School Counselors, 2015).

Photo credit: https://stock.adobe.com/search?k=teamwork

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The leadership style in the group will be Participative (Democratic). The counselor will lead the group but always seek input from the members of the group (Cherry, 2023). During the application process, students are encouraged to ask questions as well as seek guidance. After all, this is their dream, and process to go through the counselor is just their for guidance.

Photo Credit: https://depositphotos.com/photos/leadership.html

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This group will focus on the following ideas as seen in Yalom's Leadership Styles:

-Universality: The goal will be to ensure the participants that they are not alone in their apprehension about the college process.

-Imparting of Information: As a group that is helping walk students through the college admissions process, providing information will be key.

-Direct Advice: Students will hopefully seek and learn from advice imparted to them about the college admissions process. They will be given time to ask questions about scholarships, FAFSA, applications, etc. (Yalom, 1995).

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The Texas Education Code Section 33.007 states that "each school counselor ... shall advise students and their parents or guardians regarding the importance of postsecondary education..."

The counselor conducting this group session will be fulfilling the legal requirements that counselors are required to address such as post-secondary education options as well as financial options available to students. Also, the counselor will be helping and servicing students who are at-risk of dropping out of school which is an area that is addressed in TEC Sec. 33.151.

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The guidelines for the group as very straightforward. Respect of each other and each other opinions is a must. Participation is encouraged. There are no dumb questions. The student sitting next to you may have been wanting to know the answer to your exact question. It is imperative that students are on time and ready to learn about the college admissions process. The process is vast and will take all the time allotted to cover the material. Last but certainly not least - have a positive attitude! (Missouri Comprehensive Guidance, 2015).

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ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards and Competencies outlines guidelines for school counselors to follow regarding ethics. Helping students grow in their postsecondary plans is the responsibility of the counselors as outlined in the code. The counselor will help students with future planning which will in turn encourage self-growth in students. Especially with at-risk students, they may not get the guidance at home so we as counselors must help to guide these students. Two areas the counselor is helping to address in this group are below:

F.8.b. "Student Career Advising: Counselor educators provide career advisement for their students and make them aware of opportunities in the field."

F.8.c. "Self-Growth Experiences: Self-growth is an expected component of counselor education. Counselor educators are mindful of ethical principles when they require students to engage in self-growth experiences. Counselor educators and supervisors inform students that they have a right to decide what information will be shared or withheld in class." (ASCA, 2014).

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ASCA Professional Standards & Competencies

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American School Counselor Association. (2021). ASCA Student Standards; Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success. Alexandria, VA: Author.

American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-of-ethics.pdf

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

Missouri Comprehensive Guidance & Counseling Programs.

(2015). Linking School Success to Life Success.

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.

2 Texas Education Code § 33

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic Books.