https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8 Small group counseling for test anxiety en-us 2020-10-29 00:07:00 UTC 2025-02-23 22:35:37 UTC hello@padlet.com allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/871733278 The counseling small group will be called: “Keep Calm and Test On.” This counseling small group will focus on text-taking strategies (mindfulness and calming strategies) to reduce testing anxiety. The strategies students learn in the small group will increase student achievement on the annual STAAR test. This group will be geared towards 3-5 graders. The group will teach students coping strategies to use before, during, and after the test to reduce anxiety and increase students' STAAR scores.]]> 2020-10-29 00:18:45 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/871733278 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/871742065 The following Mindset standards will be met when participating in this group: 
M2. Self-confidence in ability to succeed 

M5. Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and outcomes

M6. Positive attitude toward work and learning

The following Behavior standards will be met when participating in this group:
B-SMS 6. Demonstrate ability to overcome barriers to learning

B-SMS 7. Demonstrate effective coping skills when faced with a problem

(American School Counselor Association, 2019)]]> 2020-10-29 00:23:47 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/871742065 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/871756179 Students will be invited to participate in the group on an as-needed basis. The school counselor will collaborate with teachers in order to identify students who exhibit testing anxiety behaviors. Teachers will be sent a google form where they can nominate students who they feel would benefit from the group.  Students who are identified will be personally invited to join the group. The group will not be advertised publicly, because not all students will be permitted into the group. The small group is specifically targeted to students who exhibit signs of test anxiety. 

Parents of students in the group will be sent a letter detailing the specifics of the group. Parents will be alerted of the purpose of the group, the time and meeting place, activities that their child will participate in, and the benefits of the group.

School administration will also be given a letter of information regarding group specifics. I will also meet with the school administration to talk with them about the small group, and make them aware of my plan for the counseling group.]]> 2020-10-29 00:31:38 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/871756179 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/871769085 After collaborating with teachers and analyzing STAAR test data, I will personally meet with each student who was nominated. I will explain to students what the purpose of the group is, and how it will help them be successful at school.

"Rosemarie Smead, a leader in school-based group work, has developed the “TAP-In” process for pre-group screening interviews
Tell student about the group.
Ask student about his or her level of interest/commitment to expectations of group,
Pick participants" (Morganett, 1990).

I will follow these recommendations in order to screen students for the group. Once students are identified who will benefit from the group, and who will help others succeed as well, I will alert the students that they have been chosen to participate. ]]> 2020-10-29 00:38:51 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/871769085 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878053066 American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of
ethics. https://www.counseling.org/resources/aca-code-ofethics.pdf

American School Counselor Association (2019). ASCA School
Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies. Alexandria,
VA: Author.

Cherry, K. (2019). The major leadership theories. https://www.verywellmind.com/leadership-theories-2795323

Missouri Comprehensive Guidance & 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. Retrieved from https://dese.mo.gov/sites/default/files/guid-respon-serv-small-group-counseling-guide-2015.pdf

Morganett, R. S. (1990). Skills for living: Group counseling activities for young adolescents. Chicago: Research Press.

Tex. Admin. Code §239.15.

Tex. Educ. Code § 33.003.

Yalom ID. (1995). The theory and practice of group psychotherapy (4th ed.). New York: Basic Books. ]]> 2020-10-30 22:56:49 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878053066 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878055792 In order to gain informed consent of group members' parents and guardians, an informed consent form will be sent home to be signed. Students will not be permitted to join the group until I have received a signed consent form. Since this group is on-going, informed consent is required by the school district and campus administration. To gain informed assent, I will have students sign a form stating that they would like to participate in the small group. If students do not sign the form, they will not be permitted to attend group meetings. Confidentiality will also be discussed with the students. ]]> 2020-10-30 22:58:53 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878055792 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878088000 At the beginning of our first small group meeting, the attached document will be completed together. This resource will be used as our group contract, and the students will discuss what should go in the "looks like/sounds like" columns. Students will be encouraged to help fill in the blank rows with other ground rules they want to follow during our time together. After our discussion, the group "norms" will be written on an anchor chart and each student will sign their name. The anchor chart will be posted visibly in the room and referred to at the beginning of each session.

The following ground rules will be "non-negotiable" and students who consistently break the "non-negotiable" rules will be asked to exit the group.

Non-negotiable Ground Rules:
1. All group members understand and respect confidentiality.
2. Use only respectful words and responses.
3. All group members will treat each other with respect.
4. All group members are encouraged to actively participate.

]]> 2020-10-30 23:29:48 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878088000 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878104221 The most effective and beneficial leadership style for this group would be transformational leadership. In transformational leadership, the leader is motivating and inspires group members to make positive changes. This type of leadership style is committed to helping group members fulfill their potential. Since this small group is focused around decreasing test anxiety in order to increase STAAR results, a leadership style that allows students to reach their full potential would be the most beneficial. Students will need a leader who is energetic and motivating, and inspires students to make a change.   

(Cherry, 2019). ]]> 2020-10-30 23:47:10 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878104221 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878109342 Instillation of Hope- group members will realize that there are strategies and mindfulness skills that they can learn in order to lessen their anxiety. The belief that they don't always have to feel anxious and nervous about tests will help them implement strategies learned throughout the sessions.
Universality- group members will be able to relate to other students who also get anxious and nervous before and during tests. They will realize they are not alone, which will create a sense of unity among group members.
Direct Advice- group members will receive strategies directly from the school counselor on how to ease testing anxiety. 

(Yalom, 1995).]]> 2020-10-30 23:52:39 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878109342 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878127933 Stage 1- In stage 1 relationships are established and trust is built. I plan to build relationships with the students in my group by being a trustworthy adult in their life. I plan to be a safe place for them, they will know they can talk to me freely and I will respect their privacy. I will explain to them that what we talk about in our group sessions is confidential and is not to be shared with students outside of our group. I will explain to them that I will not share information with other adults or parents, unless there is a threat of harm. I will expect students to hold each other accountable, and alert me if a breach of confidentiality happens.

Stage 2- In stage 2, trust and safety must be maintained. Group members must work together throughout the group sessions. I will ensure group members work cohesively and progress throughout the sessions by:
• Reviewing confidentiality and ground rules
• Checking-in with each group member
• Introducing each session’s purpose
• Relating new content to past content and improvements group members are experiencing
• Processing session and work for next session
• Preparing for end-of-group issues

Stage 3- In the last session, we will wrap up what we learned and practice implementation of the mindfulness strategies. In order to close our sessions together, I will:
• Review confidentiality: Reinforce that it must continue after the group ends
• Plan time to process: Make a plan for continuation of newly learned skills
I will set a post-group follow-up session with the students one month after the last session, and before the STAAR test. We will review mindfulness strategies and other ways to decrease anxiety before and during a test.

(Missouri Comprehensive Guidance & Missouri Professional School Counselors and Counselor Educators, 2015).

]]> 2020-10-31 00:12:09 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878127933 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878136289 According to Tex. Educ. Code § 33.003, "The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt guidelines to ensure that written consent is obtained from the parent, legal guardian, or person entitled to enroll the student under Section 25.001(j) for the student to participate in those activities for which the district requires parental consent." This is important for school counselors to follow. School counselors have a legal obligation to obtain consent before starting small groups with students. 


According to the Tex. Admin. Code §239.15, "Counselors will counsel individuals and small groups using appropriate counseling theories and techniques in response to students' needs." This outlines for school counselors the legal duty of providing small group counseling services to students based on needs. ]]> 2020-10-31 00:22:18 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878136289 allison_bost https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878146198 B.5.a. Responsibility to Clients
When counseling minor clients or adult clients who lack the capacity to give voluntary, informed consent, counselors protect the confidentiality of information received—in any medium—in the
counseling relationship as specified by federal and state laws, written policies, and applicable ethical standards.
(ACA, 2014).
School counselors have the ethical responsibility to receive consent/assent before conducting on-going small group sessions. Confidentiality will be kept throughout this counseling small group.]]> 2020-10-31 00:34:22 UTC https://padlet.com/allison_bost/j46jwmialxtaiyq8/wish/878146198