Thursday,

May 31, 2007

4:00 PM – 5:15 PM

School Counselors in the New Millennium: The Heart of School Reform

In an era of high stakes school reform, school counselors not only play a significant role in school improvement efforts; they also hold the heart of the school in their daily work with students, teachers and parents. Through effective data analysis and facilitative work with staff, counselors are able to identify key improvement projects that eliminate barriers and build bridges to learning for students, thus providing a necessary complement to high-leverage classroom practices. By facilitating building-based student assistance teams, school counselors can coordinate delivery of key services and interventions for students. This presentation focuses on these practices and possibilities.

Speaker:

Vicki Phillips, Superintendent, Portland Public Schools, Portland, OR

Friday,

June 1, 2007

9 AM – 10 AM

Transforming School Counseling in Rhode Island: Telling Our Stories

The Education Trust’s National Transforming School Counseling Initiative first came to Rhode Island in 2002. Since then, professional school counselors in Rhode Island have applied the tenets of TSC on a daily basis. Leadership, advocacy, teaming and collaboration, the use of data, and systemic change are visible in many school counseling programs throughout the state. Listen to some of the stories of professional school counselors from the smallest state in the Union as they work to make a difference for their students.

Speaker:

Belinda J. Wilkerson, Counselor-in-Residence, Rhode Island School Counseling Project, Providence College,

Providence, RI

Friday,

June 1, 2007

11:45 AM – 1:15 PM

About that Level Playing Field: Closing the Opportunity, Information, and Achievement Gaps

School counselors are powerful allies in delivering strategies that impact the achievement gap. As school counselors, we have the ability to open doors so that every student has equitable access to a level playing field. This presentation focuses on school counselors doing practical work to impact the opportunity and information gaps, which have resulted in moving the achievement gap in a positive direction. Professional School Counselors all over America are reporting hard data showing how counselors impact students and help close gaps. Data will be presented from school counseling programs that have used an accountability system to impact course enrollment patterns and other measurable indicators of reducing the achievement gap.

Speaker:

Carolyn Stone, President of the American School Counselor Association and Director and Professor, University of

North Florida, Jacksonville, FL

Saturday,

June 2, 2007

9 AM – 10 AM

Download PowerPoint Presentation

The Passion of the School Counselor: Walking the Gauntlet for All Students

Dr. Lee will challenge his audience to think about the existential meaning in what they do as school counselors. He also will share ideas on the nature of empowerment and how school counselors can be the positive force in ensuring that all students achieve to high standards.

Speaker:

Courtland C. Lee, Professor and Director, School Counseling Program, University of Maryland, College Park

Saturday,

June 2, 2007

12 PM – 1 PM

What are the Challenges Facing Transforming School Counseling After 12 Years?

For twelve years private foundations and organizations, professional counseling organizations, school districts, universities, states and school counselors have collaborated with the common goal of transforming school counseling. Much has been accomplished at all levels. At this juncture in our progress it is important to stop and take a look at the next challenges. Where do we go from here? How do we keep the change process alive and thriving? How do we continue to exercise our advocacy and leadership skills?