Senior Success by Ashlen Gonzalez

Senior Success Small Group

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 02:52:23 UTC

The group name will be Senior Success. This group will support senior students ages 17-19 who are graduating within the 2024-2025 school year. The program I am developing aims to provide comprehensive support to senior students classified under special education and at-risk groups. With the assistance of the school counselor, participants will

receive guidance through the FAFSA application process, college navigation, acquisition of IEP accommodations, learning self-advocacy at the post-secondary level, and identifying majors that align with their interests.

ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 02:57:19 UTC

The following ASCA midset standards will be mastered by students who participate in this group:

M 2. Sense of acceptance, respect, support, and inclusion for self and others in the school environment

M 3. Positive attitude toward work and learning

M 4. Self-confidence in the ability to succeed

M 5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes

M 6. Understanding that postsecondary education and lifelong learning are necessary for long-term success

Publicity Plans

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 03:02:18 UTC

To advertise for this group, the plan is to focus on students who fall in the at-risk special education population and are in 12th grade and planning on graduating. During every graduation ARD meeting, the parents and adult students will be provided a copy of the flyer and an explanation of the small group plan to help their children reach their post-secondary goals. Additional emails will be sent to parents and adult students, and the flyers and information on the group will be attached.

Pre-group Interview/Screening

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 03:11:15 UTC

The selection of members will be done using the Tap-in Method.

I will tell the students about the group and ask them about their level of interest in and commitment to the group's expectations. Based on student feedback, I will pick participants. All students involved in this group must be ready to work towards their post-secondary education/career goals.

Informed Consent

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 03:16:20 UTC

Once group members have been selected, a consent form will be sent to parents of students under 18. The parents will also be given an informational flyer and a letter from the counselor detailing the purpose and expectations of the group. Some students may be 18 or older, and in this case, they will still be given a consent form.

Group Rules

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 03:25:48 UTC

The following group rules will be established before the start of the group:

All group members will respect one another
All group members understand and use confidentiality
Make every effort to be on time
Participants will actively participate

Additional rules will be established and agreed upon by the group members. A copy of these rules will be given to each member and will require them to sign, acknowledging that they understand and will follow them.

Group Dynamics

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 03:43:56 UTC

This group will be Homogeneous, with participants having the same or similar needs/problems or characteristics. In this case, all the students need assistance in navigating the college, trade school, or military application process.

Stage 1: The focus during this stage will be ensuring all students are following the group rules. Since this group is dedicated to helping students reach their post-secondary career and educational goals, all students will discuss and assess their interests and be given a buddy with a similar interest in their post-secondary goals.

Stage 2: The first session will include an interest/post-secondary education and career assessment. The school counselor will create and provide all students with a checklist. The checklists will include students wanting to enter college, trade school, or the workforce. Every group session will require the work and completion of an item on the students' checklist. The school counselor will monitor each student's progress by signing off and receiving the item from the checklist via Google Drive.

Stage 3: The group's conclusion will include the completion of all student checklists and the acceptance of students to college, trade school ,and the military. A ceremony will be done with parents in attendance to announce the accomplishments and acceptance of their students to college, trade school, and the military.

Leadership Style

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 03:52:54 UTC

The leadership style within the group will be authoritarian. The authoritarian leadership style is necessary to "provide clear expectations for what needs to be done, when it should be done, and how it should be done" (Cherry, 2023). Since this is a task-oriented group, it is necessary to establish clear expectations of tasks and deadlines to ensure that students reach their post-secondary goals.

References

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

Therapeutic Factors

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 03:58:33 UTC

This group will utilize Yalom's curative factor to develop socializing techniques, such as social learning or interpersonal skills. This factor will be present when we show students how to advocate for themselves and for their appropriate accommodations on their college campus.

Legal Requirements

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 04:05:57 UTC

Title 2 Chapter 33 of the Texas Education Code 33.007 outlines counseling on post-secondary education. This section outlines the importance, eligibility, instructions, and availability each student should have to reach their post-secondary goals.

References

2 Texas Education Code § 33

Ethical Requirements

agonzalez208_1 — 2024-09-16 04:10:21 UTC

As school counselors, we have an ethical responsibility to ensure that "every student should graduate from high school prepared for postsecondary opportunities" (ASCA, 2019). The primary focus of this group is to ensure exactly that. Upon completing this group, all students will be prepared for post-secondary opportunities.

References

American School Counselor Association (2019). ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/a8d59c2c-51de-4ec3-a565-a3235f3b93c3/SC-Competencies.pdf