Solution Shop: a solution-focused counseling and study skills program for middle school

Professional School Counseling, Dec, 2003 by Jonathan B. Cook, Carol J. Kaffenberger

Findings. Thirty-five students participated in Solution Shop during the first year of the program (See Table 1). Of the 16 eighth grade students who participated in the program (6.25%). one student had a lower grade point average; (68.75%) 11 students had a higher grade point average; and (25%) 4 students maintained the same grade point average. Of the 19 seventh grade students who participated in the program, (5.26%) one student had a lower grade point average; (47.37%) 9 students had a higher grade point average; and (47.37%) 9 students maintained the same grade point average.

According to the staff and school personnel, 75% of the students who participated in the program made some or significant changes; 25% said that the students made little, or no changes. Teachers and administrators felt that the program was a big success in helping to reduce the number of students who would need to repeat a course or a grade.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS

Solutions Shop is an example of a program with the central goal of addressing the needs of underserved students in schools. It accomplishes this goal through solution-focused strategies, student advocacy, and the use of data to guide the development and evaluation of programs. The professional school counselor plays an important role, collaborating with school leadership and teachers, working directly with students and parents, and evaluating student progress continually. Several specific recommendations generating from Solution Shop are offered. These recommendations have implications for school counseling programs and school counseling practice:

* Use the data collected at school, such as GPA, report cards, attendance records, and referrals, to understand the academic issues that exist for students. Data can be disaggregated to show how students of color and economically disadvantaged students are fairing compared to their advantaged peers, and how school practices such as placement decisions for higher level courses are maintaining barriers to high achievement.

* Share the data and your analysis of the data with school leadership, administrators, directors of guidance and counseling, teachers and parents.

* Collaborate with leadership to develop programs that respond to the specific academic needs of students discovered in the analysis of the data. Partner with administration and teachers in the development of programs.

* Use counseling theory and skills such as solution-focused to guide development and delivery of new programs.

* Be the caring adult in student lives. Advocate for students with teachers and parents. Use encouragement-based strategies and celebrate improvement.

* Continue to use data to measure progress and evaluate program effectiveness. Share data with teachers, parents, and students so that they too can begin to monitor and measure their progress.

CONCLUSION

Solution Shop is an example of a counseling and study skills program that addresses the needs of underachieving students and places the professional school counselor in the role of developing and providing the appropriate interventions. Central to the school reform movement is how to improve the academic skills and provide an appropriate education to students of color and economically disadvantaged students. The professional school counselor can play an important role in addressing the achievement gap by advocating for all students in school, identifying students in need of intensive counseling and additional educational strategies, collaborating with administration and teachers, providing the interventions, and continually monitoring progress.