# data[].attributes.body
19 Tex. Admin. Code §239.15

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

Cherry, K. (2021). Leadership styles and frameworks you should know. DotDash Meredith. 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. http://www.missouricareereducation.org/doc/smallgroup/SmallGroupCounseling.pdf

Yalom, I.D. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). Basic Books.

# data[].attributes.body
ACA Code of Ethics
F.9.a. Evaluation of Students

This ethics requirement provides an overview of how the school counselor will provide evaluation for students throughout a period of time. During the Shining Stars group, I will work with students and provide them with consistent feedback to support their growth in understanding test-taking techniques.

# data[].attributes.body
Texas Administrative Code
Standard II. Learner-Centered Skills: The certified school counselor applies the knowledge base to promote the educational, personal, social, and career development of the learner as outlined in The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs.

This legal requirement will support the students in this group through the application of supporting students in all aspects of child development. This group is established to support education through understanding test-taking techniques and strategies. It will help students with building personal and social connections with their peers who are dealing with similar issues. This will support career development as they move into managing time, staying positive, and establishing strategies for coping.

# data[].attributes.body
1. Installation of Hope - Students will be going through this counseling group in order to gain faith in their ability to apply knowledge of test-taking techniques.
2. Direct Advice - As the counselor, I will be giving students advice, strategies, and techniques on ways they can support themselves during assessments.

# data[].attributes.body
I will be using a participative leadership style for the Shining Stars group. This will allow for the cohesive and positive group dynamic. This type of leadership provides students with choices, and the ability to work together to come up with outcomes that everyone agrees on.

# data[].attributes.body
Stage 1: I plan to establish trust and relationships with these students through open communication. We will have consistent norms for each meeting, and always encourage students to follow confidentiality rules. This will ensure that students are willing to speak about experiences without feeling like their information will be released.
Stage 2: I plan to keep students working together to gain a cohesive environment through positivity and set expectations. By having set expectations for students to follow, it allows for participation and working together to complete tasks. I have set up checks for understanding on learning content in most lessons, but establishing an emotional check in could give each student support.
Stage 3: My plan for group closure will be to provide a post-assessment with a reflection on their learning. I think after the group meetings are over, pulling each student to see how the lessons are supporting them. A good idea could be to pull the group once a month for a get together lunch bunch to see how everyone is doing at that current time.

# data[].attributes.body
I will create an anchor chart with the ground rules that are voted upon by the entire group. I think it is important for each member of the group to have a say in the rules. They are building a safe space for them to talk and build each other up. I think the only rules that I will make sure are on the anchor chart are to be respectful of others and opinions should be listened to without criticism.

# data[].attributes.body
In order to work with a student through counseling, there needs to be consent given by the parent or guardian of a student. Counselors provide a permission slip to work with students with information on why they will be working with them. Most of the time parents reach out to the counselor, but for the Shining Stars both parents and teachers can recommend. Student assent would be given as well to ensure students want to participate in the small group.

# data[].attributes.body
At the beginning of the year, I will meet with each 5th grade class to discuss the opportunity to be a part of the Shining Stars. I will have a flyer that will be passed out and sent home. This will gather input from either parents or teachers on who may need to be in this group. I will take in current and past teacher observations from testing. I can also gather parent observations and information from a survey that will be sent out. During initial beginning of the year meetings with each student, that can be something to ask about.

# data[].attributes.body
Any information about this group will be publicized through the counselor website, weekly parent newsletter, and on the school website. To the parents of students in the group, emails will be sent reflecting the weekly meetings to establish communication on what they are learning each session.

# data[].attributes.body
Learning Outcomes for Shining Stars:
B-LS 1 Critical thinking skills to make informed decisions
B-LS 3 Time-management, organizational and study skills
B-LS 4 Self-motivation and self-direction for learning
B-SMS 6 Ability to identify and overcome barriers

# data[].attributes.body
The name of this group is the Shining Stars. This group is going to be established to support students who did not meet on the STAAR assessments from the previous school year. They will be working on understanding techniques and strategies to help them as they are taking the larger assessments.