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The Rising Rangers is a diverse group of students in high school, ranging from 9th grade to 12th grade, that struggle academically specifically in the subjects of reading and math. The meaning behind the name comes from our school mascot, a Ranger, and the focus is improving their overall self, both academically and mentally, and Rise above the challenges and barriers that may get in the way and prevent them from being their best self.

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Upon completion of their time with the group, the students will master the following:
Mindset Standards
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

Behavior Standards
B-LS 3. Time-management, organizational and study skills
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 3. Independent work
B-SMS 5. Perseverance to achieve long and short-term goals
B-SMS 6. Ability to identify and overcome barriers

B-SS 7. Leadership and teamwork skills to work effectively in diverse groups
B-SS 8. Advocacy skills for self and others and ability to assert self, when necessary

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- If possible, give a brief presentation about the group at a faculty meeting so all faculty and staff members are being reached at once. Send a follow-up email afterwards and include the presentation slides for anyone that wanted more information or was not able to attend.
- Create a flyer to put in everybody's mailbox that gives a brief explanation of what the group is about and ask them to refer any students they feel would benefit and/or be interested in participating.
- In order to try and get the information out to the parents, utilize all of the school's social media outlets to post the information to with a link for further information
- Specifically reach out to English and Math teachers and ask for each to refer at least 2 or 3 kids from each class period they have. This can help provide a greater opportunity to catch those students that can get overlooked at times.
- Almost every kid has to be taking an English and Math, or at least one of the two, so that is also a great opportunity to ask those teachers to pass out a flyer with all of the information to the students that has a QR Code for them to scan if they would like to sign up.

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Using the flyers created for publicity, these could be hung throughout the hallways for kids to see. The PSC could also ask the Math and English teachers to hand them out to their students.
For students that are interested, there will be a QR code on the handout and flyer that they can scan to get more information or sign up to be considered for a spot in the group.
The PSC would gather all submissions from students and referrals from teachers, other counselors, and administration.
Depending on the number of students on the list, they could use a pre-screen process to narrow down by looking at the student's testing scores and what kind of grades they make.
Once the PSC is ready, they can beginning screening the students individually.

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The Non-Negotiables
Expectations for all members of the group:
1. Uphold confidentiality at all times
2. Be an active listener
3. Participate in every session
4. Use positive language towards them self and others
5. Treat the other members as you wish to be treated

These are the rules for the group and the PSC will go over in the first session. The group will discuss each one and explain what that would "look like" to them in their own words on the handout provided. This allows the group to ask any questions they may have, or if they need further explanation of what something means. It will ensure there is a clear understanding of what is expected from each participant and everyone is on the same page.
Each member will be provided with a binder to keep all materials in from each meeting that stays with the PSC. They  will each sign their ground rules and use that as the cover for the binder.

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This form will be given to the student in order to obtain parent permission for their child to participate in the group prior to the first meeting.

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Stage 1- This is the most important stage and will make or break the success of the group. This is when the group members get a feel for each other and for the PSC. The smaller the group, the more likely the members are to feel more at ease and trusting. The body language of the PSC and how they make each member feel upon arrival sets the tone of the room. Once everyone has been seated the PSC will begin by welcoming the group and express their excitement that each one of them chose to participate and wanted to be there. This is when the Non Negotiables are explained and discussed. PSC makes sure that each member has a chance to express their thoughts and/or concerns. The group will come up with their own preferred wording of the rules and expectations. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance and the PSC must stress this to the group. Make sure they understand what confidentiality looks like, and reassure them that this applies to them as well (the PSC).

Stage 2- At this stage the group should pretty much be established and the PSC has an idea of each members strengths and weakness. The PSC can use this to pair up two that are opposite of each other's strength and weakness, not only does that allow them to teach each other but it can also boost their self esteem knowing they are able to help a group member with something they had a better understanding of. The PSC can have the group take a 5 question survey or something similar after every other session to gauge where each member was at, and who might need an extra one-on-one before the next meeting to reteach or review prior material.

Stage 3- The group can plan a small party for the last session and celebrate the successes of each other individually and as a whole group. PSC can hand out "awards" for various achievements amongst the members. They can share with the group their favorite thing about the group and what they felt was their biggest accomplishment they achieved throughout the sessions. The PSC can have each member set 2 goals for their self to keep working at and when the group gets back together 4-6 weeks later they can follow up and share whether or not they have reached their goals.

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Legal & Ethical Requirements for Group Counseling 

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Legal & Ethical Requirements for Group Counseling 

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American Counseling Association's (2014) Code of Ethic's
A.9.b. Protecting Clients
In a group setting, counselors take reasonable precautions to protect clients from physical, emotional, or psychological trauma.

It is the PSC's responsibility to ensure that all members of the group are not in any kind of danger physically, and to prevent any possibility of emotional or psychological trauma. The group is supposed to be a positive experience for the members and provide an environment that allows all participants to thrive, not regress or create problems that weren't originally there.

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Legal & Ethical Requirements for Group Counseling 

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Legal & Ethical Requirements for Group Counseling 

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According to the American School Counselor Association (2022) ASCA ethical standards for school counselors -
h. Communicate the aspiration of confidentiality as a group
norm, while recognizing and working from the protective
posture that confidentiality for students in small groups
cannot be guaranteed.

The PSC is responsible for addressing confidentiality from the very first time they are screening possible members, the first group session, and throughout the remaining session times. They must thoroughly explain what confidentiality means in terms that the members understand, and model what it looks like. The members need to realize that they are trusting the other members of the group with any information that they share, and there is no absolute guarantee that everything will remain that way unfortunately. They should be cautious as to what they are comfortable with sharing and remember to respect the other member's privacy just like they are trusting the others will do as well.

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Altruism- opportunity to rise out of oneself and help somebody else, feeling useful
- when they are able to help another group member that wasn't expecting the help at all, pretty cool feeling and moment to experience
Development of socializing techniques- development of interpersonal skills
- learning how to work with others academically and socially
Direct Advice- receiving and giving suggestions for strategies for handling problems

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Participative Leadership, or Democratic Leadership style would be the best fit for this group and this type of environment. This leadership style is encouraging to its members, offers guidance, allows everyone to be heard and values their input, and the PSC participates in the group as well. This style can also make members feel valued and appreciated and in return makes them want to work that much harder for the group.

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American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center

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

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. http://www.missouricareereducation.org/doc/smallgroup/SmallGroupCounseling.pdf