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American School Counselor Association. (2021). ASCA mindsets and behaviors for student success: K-12 College-, career-, and life-readiness standards for every student. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/7428a787-a452-4abb-afec-d78ec77870cd/Mindsets-Behaviors.pdf

American School Counselor Association. (2016). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/Ethical-Standards.pdf

Cherry, K. (2021, August 11). Leadership styles and frameworks you should know. Very Well Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-styles-2795312

Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators. (2015, May). Professional school counselor small group counseling guide. Missouri Comprehensive Guidance And Counseling Program: Responsive Services. Missouri Center for Career Education.

Texas Education Agency. (2018). The Texas model for comprehensive school counseling programs (5th ed.). Austin, TX. Texas Counseling Association. https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/Pub_2018_Texas-Model_5th-Edition.pdf

Texas Education Code, §33.005. (1995/2019). https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.33.htm

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Counselors have an ethical requirement to "facilitate short-term groups to address students' academic, career and/or social/emotional issues" (American School Counselor Association, 2016, p. 4). When a counselor sees a need, such as a group of students who may struggle with test anxiety, that counselor has the ethical responsibility to act on that need. By offering a group counseling session, counselors also have the ethical responsibility to "measure the outcomes of group participation" (American School Counselor Association, 2016, p. 4) once the group has ended.

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The Texas Education Code (§33.005) requires that school counselors work with students, administration, parents, and the community to create a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP). A strong CSCP will "use accepted and effective techniques to provide group developmental, preventive, remedial, and/or crisis group counseling" (Texas Education Agency, 2018, p. 24).

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Throughout the group process, I hope to instill a few of Yalom's Curative Factors such as universality. Too often, students who struggle with text anxiety may feel as though they are the only ones who have that struggle. Throughout this group session, students will gain the knowledge and comfort that others have the same experiences. Also, I hope that students will receive interpersonal learning by listening to each others' experiences and strategies for coping.

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Throughout this group, I would hope to use a participative leadership style. According to Cherry (2021), this style of leader, also known as a democratic leader, usually has the "most effective leadership style" (para. 9). Through the leader's participation, members may be more comfortable in sharing in their own thoughts. This style of leadership also encourages group participation towards on another instead of just hearing from the session leader (Cherry, 2021).

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Stage 1 - During the first two sessions, ice-breaker activities will allow group members to get to know one another. This will allow students to begin to trust each other and the session leader. While it is common to have conflict before trust (Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators, 2015), working through the conflict will help participants learn to overcome the conflict. Group norms will be created by a discussion led by the session leader so students have a say in the norms. This discussion will also provide context and clarification for confidentiality as it pertains to the group setting.

Stage 2 - Members will do a mental check in at the beginning of each group session. This will allow students to take all of their other responsibilities and put them to the side for our counseling session each week. Group norms and confidentiality will be discussed each week to ensure participants understand the importance of confidentiality. The session leader will ask students to keep track of emotions when testing throughout the entire group process.

Stage 3 - When the group comes to an end, I will still try to have a follow up session before school lets out. I will also let students know that I am available by appointment to speak with privately if needed.

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Students who wish to participate must have an informed consent document signed by a parent prior to the start of the group. Informed consent will be discussed during the screening process with each group, and it will be discussed again during the first session.

I have uploaded an example of informed consent that my district currently uses.

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Informing: Students will receive a weekly email for 6 weeks prior to the group start date. Flyers will also be posted in every hallway and bathroom, and announcements will be posted onto their graduating class's Google Classroom and on "This Week at the Grove."

Assessing Student Readiness: I will ask for teacher input to determine if a student has any behavioral issues that may prove he/she is not ready to adhere to the group norms. Afterwards, I will meet individual students who are interested in participating in the group to discuss what privacy means to them and what to discuss from the group process.

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The session leader of the small group will post flyers in the hallways of Pleasant Grove High School to advertise this group. In addition, information regarding this small group will be added to This Week at the Grove weekly announcements and monthly newsletters to parents and staff. Students will also receive email announcements on a weekly basis regarding various group offerings at Pleasant Grove High School, including Tackling Test Taking.

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Students in this group will master the following ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors:

*B-LS 2. Creative approach to learning, tasks and problem solving.

*B-LS 3. Time-management, organizational and study skills.

*B-SMS 6. Ability to identify and overcome barriers.

*B-SMS 7. Effective coping skills.

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Description: Small group of high school students taking the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) End of Course (EOC) exams (grades 9-11). This group will address test taking strategies as well as mental health check-ins o reduce anxiety as it pertains to classwork, homework, and specifically, tests.