A continuous improvement document for school counseling outcomes
M.A.R.C. Jr.
2012-2013 School Year
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Groton-Dunstable Regional High School
703 Chicopee Row Groton, MA 01450phone: 978-448-6362 fax:978-448-0390
DISTRICT: Groton-Dunstable Regional Schools
GRADE LEVELS: 9-12 ENROLLMENT: 886
SCHOOL YEAR: traditional, full year
Principal’s Comments
The importance of an efficient, organized, and competent Guidance Department cannot be understated particularly at a high school. Their job is multi-faceted, complex, and requires talented individuals with a unique skill set to perform the job effectively. Assisting students with college and career planning is a tremendous responsibility as it has the potential to impact the course of a young adolescent’s life. Ideally, the guidance counselor is a hard-working, well-informed individual who has gained the trust of a student looking for guidance with a college or career choice. Considering the college chosen, or vocation pursued, can alter the course of an individual’s life it is easy to see why a competent Guidance Department is crucial to the success of a high school and ultimately a young man or women.
The Guidance Department and administrative team must work in concert to ensure the needs of all students are being met. Perhaps no other relationship within the confines of a high school is more important to a successful high school program.
Michael Mastrullo- Principal GDRHS
Student Results
The principal at GDRHS wanted to increase the preparation of students for life after high school. With 94% of the seniors attending a 2-4 year college upon graduation, it is a necessity. A grant from the Groton-Dunstuble Education Association supplied the school with the NAVIANCE program. After training the counseling staff, it has been introduced to the students. This year the school wanted to introduce the program to the 2014 class by June of 2013. Below is chart of the last three graduating classes and the percentages that attended a 4 year school, 2 year school, or other.
Post-test showed 99% of the juniors knew what the NAVIANCE program was. 98% knew their log in information and how to get the information if it was forgotten. 87% could identify at least two important tasks on their to do list. 83% could identify a college they are interested in, its location, and its tuition.
There was a large increase in the important tasks question on the post test. We feel this is vital to increase student awareness on what needs to be done and also to minimize anxiety with student feeling more prepared. This will also help staff by decreasing the amount of late requests for letters of recommendation. The key tasks students learned were to contact teachers about letters of recommendation, signing up for ACT/SAT, and to get started on activities resume and college essay.
PRE AND POST TEST DATA
Focus for improvement
This year the Naviance program was introduced to 58 of the 73 juniors on Mark Hennelly's case load for a total of 79%. We would like to see that number at least 90% next year. Students were not introduced to Naviance for various reasons including time, lack of desire to attend college, special needs, or outplacement.
For next year:
✔increase information on 2-year schools.
✔increase the number of trade schools that visit the school
✔Have all information up to date with student interests
✔Expand the program to introduce all juniors to college or career readiness programs by June of their junior year.
✔Increase the options for our PAVE program students
✔Train students doing a senior internship with the guidance department to education peers in the use of NAVIANCE
Student Support Personnel Team
GDRHS Mission Statement
Groton-Dunstable Regional High School fosters academic and personal excellence in copperation with the community. Through our evolving curriculum, we cultivate skills and attidtudes that encourage students to develop a spirit of inquiry, the disposition to adapt to changing environments, and the intrinsic motivation to become responsible contributing citizens.
GDRHS Guidance Department includes:
Rick ArenaDean of Students
Marissa BrissonVice Principal
Mary Cainadministrative assistiant
Nancy Charbonneau guidance counselor
Roberto Giordanodistrict psychologist
Sean Hayestheraputic learning center
Mark Hennellyguidance counselor
Todd Lynchguidance intern
Michael MastrulloPrincipal
Jim O'Loughlinguidance counselor
Jon Palumboadjusment counselor
The staff is diverse in their talents and work well to compliment each other. The staff is in constant contact with the principal, vice principal, and dean of students.
The students are divided numerically and alphabetically in each grade level so the counselors have as equal number of case loads as possible.
Staff members design, coordinate, implement, and evaluate the school guidance program that services the school population.
The school works in conjunction with Project Interface to offer mental health services