https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld en-us 2018-10-28 16:01:03 UTC 2018-10-29 03:38:14 UTC hello@padlet.com katherine_smith012 https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297766660 After obtaining my Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling, I intend to seek a position as a guidance counselor at the secondary level. ]]> 2018-10-28 16:04:51 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297766660 katherine_smith012 https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297770377        High-stakes testing remains a contentious topic of debate within the field of education. The National Education Association (NEA) advocates for less federally-mandated testing. Opponents of high-stakes testing argue that this testing takes away from authentic learning and fails to foster of love of learning in students. The NEA supports the Student Testing Improvement and Accountability Act which would give school districts the authority to create their own assessments, thereby enhancing the data individual schools receive regarding their students and teachers, allowing for more targeted instruction (National Education Agency, 2017). 
       The introduction of school vouchers is another current topic of debate within education. The House and Senate have introduced a bill that would reduce the amount of public education funding. Private school vouchers made available through the Scholarships for Kids Act would allow a limited number students to use federal money to offset the cost of private school tuition in order to expand school choice. The NEA argues that already limited public school funding would be further reduced, while still not expanding school choice for the majority of students (NEA, 2017). ]]> 2018-10-28 16:34:10 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297770377 katherine_smith012 https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297783330       The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act was introduced in September of 2018. This act would allocate funding in order to reduce the student to counselor/school psychologist/social worker ratio. Through the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act, two five-year renewable grants would be established. With the base allotment grants, the state educational agencies would receive a grant based on the number of students in the particular state. With need-based grants, educational agencies have to apply for the funding. These grants are awarded to help schools achieve the recommended student-to-staff ratios (American School Counselor Association, 2018). 
In July of 2018, the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act was established and will begin to take effect in July 2019. This act was created in order to improve the quality of CTE courses to better prepare students for the related market. The role of the school counselor may include developing curriculum framework, providing professional development, support the integration of academic skills into CTE programs, and analyze data to evaluate effectiveness of programs (American School Counselor Association, 2018).

]]> 2018-10-28 18:12:40 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297783330 katherine_smith012 https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297794009 Many of the topics trending are related to larger ongoing social issues. There are a number of articles related to transgender students, students and social media, and gun violence. Below is an article detailing a federal judge's ruling regarding school choice--another trending topic in education (Education Week, 2018).]]> 2018-10-28 19:28:14 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297794009 katherine_smith012 https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297798412 Similar to other articles that mirror current larger issues, the article below outlines the results of a survey give to high school DACA recipients of a particular college access program. The results indicate that students rank education as a top priority, but have become increasingly anxious about their futures (Education Dive, 2018). ]]> 2018-10-28 20:01:42 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297798412 katherine_smith012 https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297800731 Federally mandated high-stakes testing is an issue that has been contested for years. Data suggests that this standardized testing does more harm than good, however proponents argue that it provides necessary accountability. I selected this topic because I am interested in delving deeper into both arguments, and considering possible solutions. ]]> 2018-10-28 20:19:21 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297800731 katherine_smith012 https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297803549 2018-10-28 20:40:20 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297803549 katherine_smith012 https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297804220 2018-10-28 20:46:37 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297804220 katherine_smith012 https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297857078       High-stakes testing remains an important topic to educators because of its widespread impact on education as a whole, from teachers, to students, to administration. When teachers are evaluated solely based on student achievement on standardized tests, they begin to lose a sense of their own professional value. Principals, too, feel this in their own way, as a lack of autonomy in making decisions regarding their staff. This has a negative effect on faculty and staff morale, which invariably will affect students in the classroom as well (Paufler, 2018). 
     Furthermore, high-stakes testing disproportionately affects low income and minority students in a negative way. These students are more likely to be held back for having lower scores. Schools with a high percentage of students of color are more likely to narrow the curriculum to emphasize rote skills rather than critical thinking in an effort to "teach the test." This is a disservice to students, as their education is failing to help them develop crucial skills needed for postsecondary success. Rather than motivate, engage, and challenge students, high-stakes testing causes many students to shut down in the classroom, particularly those who are most vulnerable (IDEA, 2018). 
Counselors may be tasked with evaluating data and offering insight when decisions regarding student advancement is made. It is critical for counselors to advocate for students beyond merely their test scores in order for the best interest of the student to remain at the forefront of the decision. ]]> 2018-10-29 02:52:53 UTC https://padlet.com/katherine_smith012/qi7ux6grk3ld/wish/297857078