The focus of this study was perceptions of professional school counselors' (PSC) graduate preparation in their roles as school counselors. The relationships examined were PSCs' roles and the number of hours completed in the school counselors' graduate programs, PSCs' roles and the level of their professional identity, and PSCs' roles and the number of school counseling specialty courses completed in their school counseling graduate programs. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA, 2005) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP, 2001) have established standards for school counselors to master in their programs. These standards were used to develop the 30 roles identified in this study. Graduate programs referred to the number of hours PSCs completed in their graduate school counseling programs. Professional identity was defined as the certifications and licensures, the memberships in professional organizations, and the number of professional conferences and workshops PSCs attend. Specialty courses included school counseling courses taken by PSCs in their school counseling graduate programs. PSCs perceived themselves to be somewhat prepared in their overall preparation in their roles as school counselors. Results of the correlations between PSCs' perceptions of their preparation in their roles and the number of hours completed in the school counseling graduate programs, the professional identity of PSCs, and the number of specialty coursed completed were statistically significant but not practically significant. PSCs perceived themselves to need additional preparation in serving students with learning differences, seeking funding sources, and using technology. The factor analysis supported the construct validity of the survey instrument. It validated the roles of PSCs as outlined by ASCA standards (2005) and CACREP standards (2001). The factors included (a) Factor 1, Tasks/Advocacy/Professional Identity, (b) Factor II, Personal/Social/Career, (c) Factor III, Academics, and (d) Factor IV, Cultural/Legal/Ethical Issues. In conclusion, PSCs need additional training in student learning differences, seeking funding sources for school counseling programs, and on-going training in technology. PSCs want the term "educator" to be included in their description of their professional identity. PSCs also want additional specialty courses added to their curricula. They believe that the focus should be on the specialty of school counseling rather than a mental health focus.

Relational aggression (RA) is a type of bullying in which the relationship is used as the agent of harm (Crick & Grotpeter, 1995). RA behaviors are intended to impair or ruin reputations, friendships, and feelings of inclusion in a peer group (Putallaz et al., 2007). Professional School Counselors (PSCs) are charged to be social justice advocates for students; RA is a social justice issue because the effects of RA bullying, victimization, and bullying/victimization lead to poor academic achievement. Recent literature suggests that PSCs do not perceive the effects of RA to be as serious as the effects of physical and verbal bullying; however, training can increase RA sensitivity and willingness to intervene (Jacobsen & Bauman, 2007). No studies have explored PSC training, PSC perceptions regarding RA, PSC perceived barriers to RA intervention, and PSC intervention strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine PSC training for RA, PSC perceptions of RA as an issue with serious consequences for students, PSC perceived barriers to RA care, and the interventions PSCs currently use for RA. This study also examined if sex differences, grade level with which PSC worked, and school type in which PSC worked existed in PSC perceptions of RA as an issue with serious consequences for students. A substantial amount of PSCs surveyed strongly agreed (24.5%), agreed (39.8%) and somewhat agreed (26.8%; a cumulative of 91.2% of participants) that RA was an issue with serious consequences for students with whom they work. RA was recognized by PSCs as an issue with serious consequences for students with no significant differences by training, gender, and school type at which the PSC worked. Significant differences were found by school level with which the PSC worked. Several barriers to RA care were identified including lack of time, parents, issues with students reporting RA, and the confusion surrounding instances of RA. Several important RA interventions were identified including individual counseling with the victim and/or bully, using outside resources, group counseling, and focusing on school wide bullying interventions. Implications for PSC practice and training were given in addition to implications for future research.

This study examines the alignment between Arizona public high school Administrators' expectations of professional school counselors, the ASCA National Model (2005), and the instruments used in Arizona to evaluate professional school counselors. Participants included ten principals and assistant principals, and 103 of the 111 public school districts with at least one high school in Arizona. Data was obtained through semistructured interviews, document, and content analysis. Organizational Role Theory and Leader-Member Exchange Theory guided the qualitative and quantitative analysis. Findings indicate that administrators' expectations of professional school counselors align 62% with the ASCA National Model, while the instruments used in Arizona to evaluate professional school counselors align 13% with administrators' expectations of professional school counselors and 21% with the ASCA National Model. The best predictor of alignment was school district use of a school counselor-specific evaluation instrument. Recommendations focused on the need for clearer communication of role expectations between administrators and counselors, and for more meaningful evaluation practices that align with counseling standards.

nÃo hà / Hà uma estimativa de 25% de pessoas talentosas distribuÃdas na populaÃÃo mundial, o que indica a participaÃÃo de fatores hereditÃrios. Contudo, sem a estimulaÃÃo do ambiente, nenhum talento se desenvolve. A educaÃÃo de alunos talentosos se justifica tanto do ponto de vista pessoal, pois cada indivÃduo tem direito ao pleno desenvolvimento de suas potencialidades, como do social, com o emprego socialmente produtivo dessas capacidades. No que diz respeito ao talento de lideranÃa, à de fundamental importÃncia que seja incentivado, desde a escola, para o exercÃcio da cidadania. Neste trabalho, foram utilizados os aportes teÃricos de Moscovici (2015); Renzulli (1984, 1986), Luckesi (2005), Viana (2005), Gardner (1995), dentre outros, que assinalam a importÃncia da participaÃÃo dos educadores e dos alunos no processo de identificaÃÃo e desenvolvimento dos talentos. O objetivo geral desta pesquisa consistiu em investigar a prÃtica de identificaÃÃo do talento de lideranÃa realizada junto aos alunos que ocupam a posiÃÃo oficial de lÃderes de sala de aula, nas turmas de 1 ao 3 ano do Ensino MÃdio de uma escola profissionalizante do CearÃ. Especificamente, visou: i) verificar qual o tipo de avaliaÃÃo educacional diagnÃstica usado para identificar alunos indicados como lÃderes de sala de aula; ii) identificar as caracterÃsticas do talento de lideranÃa apresentadas por esses alunos; iii) reunir sugestÃes, junto a professores e alunos, para a melhoria das estratÃgias de identificaÃÃo e ensino desses alunos. Assim, foi realizada uma investigaÃÃo de natureza qualitativa, na forma de um estudo de caso. A amostra foi intencional e composta por: i) 8 estudantes, ii) 10 professores e iii) 8 gestores, num total de 26 sujeitos. Foram utilizados, como instrumentos de pesquisa, o questionÃrio misto e o grupo focal. Os dados foram analisados por meio de anÃlise de conteÃdo. Os dados revelaram que o tipo de avaliaÃÃo educacional diagnÃstica do talento de lideranÃa utilizado pelos educadores à classificatÃrio, sem o uso de instrumentos ou tÃcnicas que possam avaliar melhor as caracterÃsticas, posturas e habilidades necessÃrias para ser lÃder de turma. Os atuais lÃderes de sala apresentam um estilo democrÃtico, proativo e servidor. As principais caracterÃsticas identificadas foram a responsabilidade, o compromisso e a postura exemplar. Os sujeitos consultados sugeriram formaÃÃo sobre lideranÃa e parcerias para aprimorar o processo de seleÃÃo e de prÃticas de ensino para essa populaÃÃo. / There is 25% of talented people distributed in the whole world population, which indicates the participation of hereditary factors. However, without environment stimulation, no talent develops. The education of talented students is justified based on a personal point of view, since each individual has the right to the full development of his/her potential, as well as based on a social point of view, towards a socially productive use of those capacities. Regarding leadership talent, schools must encourage it to the exercise of citizenship. Moscovici (2015); Renzulli (1984, 1986), Luckesi (2005), Viana (2005), Gardner (1995), proposed a theoretical framework to this study. They point out the importance of the participation of educators and students in the process of identification and development of talents. The main purpose of the current research was to accomplish an investigation about the practice of identification of the leadership talent carried out with the students who occupy the official position of classroom leaders, from the 1st to 3rd year of High School at a technical-professional school in CearÃ-Brazil. Specifically, this study aimed: i) verifying what type of diagnostic educational evaluation is used to identify students indicated as classroom leaders; ii) identifying the characteristics of the leadership talent presented by these students; iii) gathering suggestions, with both teachers and students, for improvement of the identification and teaching strategies of these students. Thus, a qualitative research was accomplished, as a case study. The mixed questionnaire and the focus group were used as instruments for data collection. A content analysis of the collected data was accomplished. The samples were composed by: i) 8 students, ii) 10 teachers and iii) 8 managers; 26 subjects altogether. The results revealed that the type of diagnostic educational evaluation of leadership talent used by educators is classificatory, without the use of better techniques to identify characteristics, postures and skills needed to be a classroom leader. The current leaders present a democratic, proactive and server style. The main characteristics identified were responsibility, commitment and exemplary posture. The subjects consulted suggested training on leadership and partnerships to improve the selection process and the teaching practices for this population.

No description available.

This thesis deals with organizational forms of teaching at higher professional schools. One of the aims of this work is to define these schools within the Czech educational system. The study of problems of organizational forms of teaching proceeds through categorisation of schools and subjects of study to education objectives. An important part of the study preceding the research itself are general theories of forms of teaching. These theories are supplemented with information on the forms of teaching at higher education institutions. The aim of the research is to find out which organizational forms of teaching are really used at higher professional schools from the point of time and a way of interaction of students in a classroom. The research also deals with out-of-school education. I used a form of qualitative research which was done at two Prague schools providing higher professional education. The design of qualitative research is a case study. Key words tertiary education, higher professional school, higher professional school legislature, forms of teaching, educational aims, professional experience, modular teaching

Youth living in the United States are experiencing increasing rates of mental health issues (New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003; U.S. Department of Education, 2006) and are less likely to receive mental health services (U.S.DHHS, 2009). Children and adolescent mental health services are fragmented, often times ineffective, and difficult to obtain (Brown, 2006; Center for Mental Health in Schools, 2008; Jacob, 2008). Children of color and children living in poverty (ASCA, 2009; Panigua, 2005; Shavers, 2013; and Vera, Buhin, & Shin, 2006), are more likely than their peers to experience mental health disorders and less likely to receive outside mental health services (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,1999; U.S. National Institute of Mental Health, 2001). Professional school counselors, play a significant role in identifying, meeting and connecting students in need of additional mental health services (ASCA, 2012; Jacob, 2008) and are advised to collaborate with community agencies to better meet the mental health needs of all their students (ASCA, 2009; ASCA, 2012). If left untreated, mental health issues can have a direct impact on students’ learning and academic performance (Adelman & Taylor, 2006). In response, there have been many recent initiatives to promote mental health in schools, including H.R. 628: Mental Health in Schools Act currently being considered by a United States congressional committee. School-based mental health counseling programs (SBMHCPs) have been implemented to address the fragmented mental health delivery system for children and adolescents needing mental health services (Center for Mental Health in Schools, 2003; New Freedom Commission on Mental Health, 2003; & Surgeon General Report on Mental Health, 1999). There is limited research about SBMHCPs from the perspective of those who have been addressing the mental health needs of students for decades—professional school counselors and professional school counselor educators. This qualitative study examined professional school counselors’ and counselor educators’ experiences working collaboratively with school-based mental health counselors. Seventeen school counselors (n=17) and five (n=5) counselor educators participated in a structured online questionnaire. Phenomenological data analysis methods were used to analyze the results (Hays & Woods, 2011; Moustakas, 1994). Results describe professional school counselor and counselor educator’s perceptions about school-based mental health programs, the roles of professional school counselors and school-based mental health counselors, training recommendations, and funding issues related to school-based mental health programs.

It has been the primary objective of this doctoral thesis to determine the level of the quality of teaching at a particular tertiary professional school and suggest avenues leading to potential further improvement of the quality of the teaching. Quality of teaching is a relatively broad term; therefore, the thesis places emphasis primarily on the level of the students' key competences, primarily the competence for employment and entrepreneurial activities. In order to fulfil this objective we need to define the quality standards of the teaching at tertiary professional schools, obtain relevant information about contents and structure of curricula, teaching methods and forms deployed at the school and also information about the students' level of knowledge and skills. Last but not least, students and their future employers should express their opinion of the quality of teaching. Scientific benefit of this thesis is the creation of my own model of quality evaluation of the teaching at tertiary technical schools, which in the future, after further verification in practice, could become a basis for elaboration of a uniform methodology for quality evaluation of the teaching at tertiary professional schools, particularly those with economic specialisation. The secondary scientific benefit of the thesis can be found in obtaining the information about contents and methods of education used at a particular economic tertiary professional school and utilisation of such information for development of key competences, with emphasis on the competence for employment and entrepreneurial activities. Results of the research may also serve as a basis for creation of the teaching and learning document for similar branches and also as a basis for decision-making as to whether and in which form should the integrating subject be included into the teaching. The objective of the thesis has been achieved by means of the research made at the Tertiary Business Entrepreneurial School (Vyšší obchodní podnikatelská škola), Masná 13, Prague 1. The research consists in analysis of the contents, method and forms of education at this school, and also in the experiment when an integrating subject is included into the teaching in the third grade. The final output is the recommendations and generalisations applying to tertiary professional schools in general, particularly to tertiary professional schools with economic specialisation. The thesis deals with the issue from two points of view, advancing from the general to the specific so that generally valid recommendations can be pronounced in the conclusion again. The first part of the thesis introduces general startpoints for the ensuing research task. It is subdivided into five chapters. The first chapter describes the subject and methodology of the research. The second chapter defines the significance of human capital for competitiveness of the Czech Republic. The third chapter summarizes the startpoints and tools of the school reform with emphasis on educational objectives in the area of students' key competences. The fourth chapter deals with the substance and tools of entrepreneurial education and thinking. The fifth chapter describes the history and the present of tertiary professional school education, suggesting its potential development in the future. The subsequent part containing the research itself is subdivided into three chapters. The sixth chapter characterises the Tertiary Business Entrepreneurial School, analysing its conditions for educating students, monitoring its competitors and defining its strong and weak points, its opportunities and threats. The seventh chapter contains the substance of the research task itself. The eighth chapter subsequently evaluates the results of the research, verifies the hypotheses and formulates recommendations applicable to tertiary professional schools in general.

No description available.

This study elaborated on the development of school counselor's feelings of self-efficacy in working with students with special needs and how self-efficacy affects school counselor's roles with students with special needs. More specifically, this study addressed a number of topics in researching the impact of pre-service training, experience and in-service training for Professional School Counselors (PSCs) on their feelings of self-efficacy in working with students with special needs. This study will present a historical review of the development of Professional School Counselor roles. In addition, an analysis of the development of comprehensive developmental guidance programs in schools and suggested frameworks was conducted including students with special needs. Also, conducted were reviews of studies conducted with Professional School Counselors (PSCs) regarding their roles with students with special needs, their feelings of preparedness, and their training; and reviews of several studies of counselor education programs in the area of special needs training and experiential opportunities offered. Lastly, the pragmatic and theory base for self-efficacy found in the literature was explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between experience with special needs, pre-service education and in-service training regarding students with special needs and counselor's self-efficacy and roles they perform with students with special needs. The research for this study was conducted by survey at the Georgia School Counselor Association's fall conference in Atlanta, Georgia; the South Carolina School Counselor Association's fall conference in Columbia, South Carolina; the North Carolina School Counselor Association's fall conference in Greensboro, North Carolina; and Florida School Counselors on Survey Monkey. The participating states counselors also had access to the survey via the internet based survey service Survey Monkey. 410 PSCs from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida completed the survey. 372 of the surveys met completion criteria and were included in the survey results (N = 372). Results of a factor analysis, a descriptive statistical analysis and a multi-step regression indicated the relationship between the five of the ratings and their combinations of self-efficacy and time spent in performing roles with students with special needs had a statistically significant relationship as measured on the survey. The two types of experience and in-service quality had a statistically significant relationship with the combination rating of self-efficacy as measured on the survey. The research question is: Does pre-service training, in-service training and experience have an impact on professional school counselor's self-efficacy and whether or not they perform a role with children and adolescents with special needs. The following statements are the hypotheses for this research: There is a relationship between the two types of experience as measured by rating on the survey, pre-service training and in-service training as measured by quality and quantity on the survey, their self-efficacy in working with students with special needs as measured on the survey, and the roles that PSCs perform as measured by the frequency that they perform roles on the survey.