West Virginia School Counseling Protocol
Utilizing EXPLORE Results Protocol
Programmatic Level - 8th Grade
School Counselor Performance Standard 2: The professional school counselor facilitates delivery of the WV
Comprehensive Developmental School Counseling Program for all students.
Function 2D: Individual student planning: the professional school counselor coordinates an ongoing systemic
approach to assist individual students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.
Indicator 2D1: The professional school counselor facilitates a collaborative approach to student academic and career
planning.
GOAL: To assist students/parents/teachers in interpreting EXPLORE results for individual,
educational and career planning purposes.
Activity Description: The school counselor will assist students, parents, teachers in interpreting EXPLORE results
for individual, educational and career planning purposes.
Rationale: The vision of the West Virginia Board of Education is “all West Virginia students will exceed national
educational standards and prepare for higher learning and the world of work through the programs, services and
offerings of West Virginia’s thorough, efficient, safe and nurturing education system”. EXPLORE is the assessment
administered statewide that yields a national measurement of academic performance. It is vital for students, parents
and teachers to understand the relationship between EXPLORE results and academic and career planning.
Additionally WVBE 2340: West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress §126-14-4. states the following: All
public school students enrolled in the 8th grade, except those eligible to participate in APTA, shall participate
in the ACT EXPLORE with accommodations as determined by their respective IEP Teams, Section 504
Committees, or LEP Committees.
Materials: CR = Counselor Resource (These resources are posted in the resource section of the Protocols.)
CR1 Sample EXPLORE Score Report http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/Sample%20EXPLORE%20Student%20Report.pdf
CR2 ACT College Readiness Benchmarks http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/0607%20College%20Readiness%20Stds.pdf
CR3 Utilizing EXPLORE and PLAN Results to Improve Student Performance
http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/Using%20EXPLORE%20and%20PLAN%20Results.pdf See page 38 & 39 for letter
to parents: COMMUNICATING EXPLORE RESULTS TO PARENTS
CR4 http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/advisors/ms-lessons-plans.html
CR4a LINKS Lesson 8.7 “GETTING TO KNOW ME” ACT EXPLORE
CR4b LINKS Lesson 8.16 “SKILLED VERSUS PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS”
CR4c LINKS Lesson 8.17 “MY 8TH GRADE PLAN”
CR4e LINKS Lesson 8.20 “CAREER EXPLORATION”
CR5 Excerpt from West Virginia Code §18-1-4. Vision 2020: an Education Blueprint for Two Thousand Twenty
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/WVCODE/ChapterEntire.cfm?chap=18&art=1&section=4#01
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Lead Developers: Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assessment Assistant Director – WVDE; Mike Runner, Counselor – Taylor Middle School; Myla Kreinik, Counselor –
Hamilton Middle; David Gaudino, Marshall County Schools; Cathy Perry, Counselor- McKinley Middle; Finalized by Barbara Ashcraft, WVDE School Counseling
Coordinator – June 2011
West Virginia School Counseling Protocol
CR6 Excerpt from WVBE Policy 2510: Assuring the Quality of Education http://wvde.state.wv.us/policies/p2510.pdf
Procedures:
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1.
The counselor will read, become familiar with and follow guidelines from the WVDE booklet Utilizing
EXPLORE and PLAN Results to Improve Student Performance.
http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/Using%20EXPLORE%20and%20PLAN%20Results.pdf
2.
The counselor will read and become familiar with the following LINKS lessons to assist students (and
staff) in understanding the purpose of, preparing for, and understanding the EXPLORE.
http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/advisors/ms-lessons-plans.html
i. LINKS Lesson 8.7 “GETTING TO KNOW ME” ACT EXPLORE
ii. LINKS Lesson 8.16 “SKILLED VERSUS PROFESSIONAL PATHWAYS”
iii. LINKS Lesson 8.17 “MY 8TH GRADE PLAN”
iv. LINKS Lesson 8.20 “CAREER EXPLORATION”
3.
In a classroom guidance lesson, the school counselor will explain the components of the student
score report.
a. Explain what the numerical scores mean
b. Explain how EXPLORE scores predict PLAN and ACT scores
c. Describe what scores mean in relationship to college admissions, course selection, and
career planning.
i. Give example of cutoff ACT scores for various types of colleges.
ii. Provide resources for students to look up admissions information for at least two
schools in which they are interested.
d. Explain the relevance of the World of Work Map and EXPLORE/ACT scores.
e. Explain the relevance of EXPLORE scores and any implications for course selections when
entering high school.
f. Explain how the EXPLORE scores compare to the ACT EXPLORE College Readiness
Benchmarks.
g. Explain how students may utilize scores in career exploration and planning.
4.
After explaining the components of the score reports and describing what the test results mean, the
counselor will ensure that each student has an individual meeting to review his/her results. This
process will vary depending on the school. Some examples are: 1) The counselor meets with students
in the classroom after the score report presentation; 2) The counselor holds individual meetings with
students in an alternate setting; or 3) The counselor trains and coordinates with teacher/advisors to
ensure each student has an individual EXPLORE consultation in advisory. The school counselor will
develop a process to document the following has occurred during the consultation:
a.
Student explains what his/her scores mean in relation to his/her academic goals (If it is
evident that the student is unable to do so, the counselor or advisor will explain significance
and relevance to each student
b.
Communicate the graduation requirements, course selections, and Program of Studies
relating the relevance of the World-of-Work Map and EXPLORE/ACT scores
c.
Assist each student in understanding the relationship of his/her career interests to the
World-of-Work Map and the relationship with future career plans and selection of Career
Cluster and concentration.
Lead Developers: Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assessment Assistant Director – WVDE; Mike Runner, Counselor – Taylor Middle School; Myla Kreinik, Counselor –
Hamilton Middle; David Gaudino, Marshall County Schools; Cathy Perry, Counselor- McKinley Middle; Finalized by Barbara Ashcraft, WVDE School Counseling
Coordinator – June 2011
West Virginia School Counseling Protocol
d.
Identify the resources to assist student with career exploration and planning to further
explore career related to World-of-Work Map
e.
Discuss the student’s future academic goals, career plans, postsecondary options, and
potential implications of EXPLORE scores and the World-of-Work Map.
f.
Discuss the academic preparedness to pursue individual educational goals and career plans.
5.
The school counselor will create a process to communicate with ALL parents about their student’s
EXPLORE results (Parent Nights, appointments, ISTP meetings, advisor/parent meetings, etc.).
6.
The school counselor will discuss with the student/parent the academic strengths and weaknesses as
indicated by the EXPLORE scores.
7.
The school counselor will again utilize the EXPLORE results when designating an educational pathway,
career cluster, and developing the Individualized Student Transition Plan (ISTP – 2 Year Plan) in order
that the student will be fully prepared for post-secondary education or gainful employment upon
graduation.
8.
If possible, the school will make a third copy of the results or copies of the students’ improvement
objectives will be given to core/advisor teachers for placement in student portfolio for ongoing
student planning.
9.
a.
The counselor will provide staff/advisor training to ensure staff understand the significance
of the EXPLORE to best advise students regarding course selection, seeking academic
supports, and career planning.
b.
The counselor will support staff with understanding how to use EXPLORE results to identify
areas of weakness in specific content areas to assist students in setting improvement goals
for the 10th grade PLAN and progress toward meeting ACT’s College Readiness Benchmarks.
Counselors will retain a copy of EXPLORE results in student ISTP folders for use during 9th grade
scheduling and development of the 10th grade ISTP (3 Year Plan).
Limitations:
Space, technology, teacher cooperation, parent participation, counselor motivation and time management
Additional Resources:
http://actstudent.org/explore/index.html
www.CFWV.com
www.CareerCruising.com
Evaluation:
Documentation:
Counselor monthly calendars
Daily classroom visitation schedule
Student/parent forums
Student sign-in sheets
Parent meeting/conference lists
Student individual meeting lists
Documentation on ISTP Plan – student/parent signatures
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Lead Developers: Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assessment Assistant Director – WVDE; Mike Runner, Counselor – Taylor Middle School; Myla Kreinik, Counselor –
Hamilton Middle; David Gaudino, Marshall County Schools; Cathy Perry, Counselor- McKinley Middle; Finalized by Barbara Ashcraft, WVDE School Counseling
Coordinator – June 2011