West Virginia School Counseling Protocol
Utilizing PLAN Results Protocol
Programmatic Level
10th 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 ACT PLAN results for individual,
educational and career planning purposes.
Activity Description: The school counselor will assist students/parents/teachers in interpreting ACT PLAN 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”. PLAN is the assessment
administered statewide in the 10th grade that yields a national measurement of academic performance. It is vital for
students, parents and teachers to understand the relationship between PLAN results and academic and career
planning.
Additionally WVBE 2340: West Virginia Measures of Academic Progress §126-14-4.5 states the following: All public
school students enrolled in the 10th grade, except who meet the criteria to participate in APTA, shall participate in the
ACT PLAN 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 PLAN student score report http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/Sample%20PLAN%20Student%20Report.pdf
CR2 ACT College Readiness Benchmarks http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/06-07%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 LINKS Lessons http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/advisors/lesson-plans.html
CR4a Lesson 10.9 Introducing the 3-Year Plan (ISTP)
CR4b Lesson 10.19 Using PLAN Results
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
1
Lead Developers: Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assessment Assistant Director – WVDE; Dr. John Tomaszewski, Counselor – Valley High School; Lori Helmick, Counselor –
St. Mary’s High School – Approved April 2011 at the State Protocol Task Force Meeting – 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
CR7 West Virginia State-Level Financial Aid Programs
http://www.cfwv.com/Financial_Aid_Planning/Scholarships/Scholarships.aspx
CR8 Sample PLAN Predictions of AP Success School Roster
http://wvde.state.wv.us/oaa/pdf/Sample%20PLAN%20%20Predictions%20of%20AP%20Success%20Schoo
l%20Roster.pdf
CR9 Using PLAN to Determine Academic Readiness for Advanced Placement (AP) Courses
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=sites&srcid=d3ZkZS5rMTIud3YudXN8b2Fhci1maWxlLWNhYmlu
ZXR8Z3g6Mzg2YjJlZTg5ZmI4M2IwMg
CR10 College Foundation of WV-- Cash for College, Financial Aid, PROMISE, etc. http://www.cfwv.com
Procedures:
1.
2
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, become familiar with the following LINKS lessons to assist students (and
staff) in understanding the purpose of, preparing for, and understanding the PLAN.
http://wvde.state.wv.us/counselors/links/advisors/lesson-plans.html
a. CR4a Lesson 10.9 Introducing the 3-Year Plan (ISTP)
b. CR4b Lesson 10.19 Using PLAN Results
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 using CR1 Sample PLAN Results
b.
explain how PLAN scores predict ACT Scores
c.
explain what scores mean in relationship to course selections, college admissions, and future
success
i. give example of cutoff ACT scores for various types of colleges
ii. provide resources for students to look up admissions information and recommend
students research at least two schools in which they are interested
d.
discuss the student’s educational goals and career plans
e.
explain the relevance of the World of Work map, compare with EXPLORE results and discuss
implications for student’s career plan, including how selected concentration matches career
interests
f.
review/make available graduation requirements and programs of study information
g.
explain the relevance of PLAN scores and any implications for AP, Honors, IB or other course
selections in the 11th and 12th grades
h.
discuss ways to prepare to take the ACT
Lead Developers: Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assessment Assistant Director – WVDE; Dr. John Tomaszewski, Counselor – Valley High School; Lori Helmick, Counselor –
St. Mary’s High School – Approved April 2011 at the State Protocol Task Force Meeting – Finalized by Barbara Ashcraft, WVDE School Counseling Coordinator
– June 2011
West Virginia School Counseling Protocol
i.
discuss how test scores help identify academic strengths and weaknesses and show the
student how to use the PLAN results and the PLAN test booklet to address academic
weakness in preparation for taking the ACT College Entrance Exam.
j.
identify resources that address academic deficiencies aimed at helping each student achieve
optimal potential
4.
The school counselor will meet with students and use the student’s PLAN results when reviewing the
ISTP pathways, concentrations, and future courses (i.e. conceptual or applied for skilled pathway).
See CR4a Lesson 10.9 Introducing the 3-Year Plan (ISTP).
5.
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 another setting; or 3) The counselor trains and coordinates with teacher/advisors to
ensure each student has an individual EXPLORE consultation within the school advisory program. The
school counselor will develop a process to document the following has occurred during the
consultation:
a.
student will explain what his/her scores mean in relation to his or 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 student.)
b.
discuss graduation requirements, course selections, and Program of Studies relating the
relevance of the World-of-Work Map and PLAN/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.
d.
discuss the educational goals and career plans and resources to assist with career planning
and exploration
e.
identify resources that address the reported needs for assistance.
f.
explain, if appropriate, how the student’s PLAN scores compare to the ACT PLAN College
Readiness Benchmarks.
g.
discuss the student’s academic preparedness to pursue the student’s educational goals and
career plans.
6. The school counselor will create a process to communicate with ALL parents to interpret the PLAN
results (Parent Nights, appointments, ISTP meetings, etc.). The school counselor will discuss the
following:
a. explain the relationship between the student’s estimated ACT scores based on
his/her PLAN results and the PROMISE Scholarship requirements.
3
Lead Developers: Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assessment Assistant Director – WVDE; Dr. John Tomaszewski, Counselor – Valley High School; Lori Helmick, Counselor –
St. Mary’s High School – Approved April 2011 at the State Protocol Task Force Meeting – Finalized by Barbara Ashcraft, WVDE School Counseling Coordinator
– June 2011
West Virginia School Counseling Protocol
b. explain the Using PLAN to Determine Academic Readiness for Advanced Placement
(AP) Courses brochure to assist the student/parent identify AP courses for which the
student has the potential for success.
c. describe available sources of financial aid in West Virginia and standardized test
considerations.
d. explain the relationship between the student’s estimated ACT scores based on his/her PLAN
results and college entrance requirements.
7.
The school counselor will use the student’s PLAN results and other available information (i.e.,
Programs of Study, personal interests, course prerequisites, college course catalogs, etc.) when
revising the Individualized Student Transition Plan (ISTP – 3 Year Plan)) with the student/parent in
order that the student will be fully prepared for post-secondary education or gainful employment
upon graduation.
a.
discuss with the student/parent the academic strengths and weaknesses as indicated by the
PLAN scores.
b. Discuss educational requirements related to the student’s postsecondary education
and career goals.
8.
The counselor will provide staff/advisor training to ensure staff understand the significance of the
PLAN to best advise students regarding course selection, seeking academic supports, and career
planning.
9.
The counselor will explain to staff how to use PLAN results to identify areas of weakness in specific
content areas, describe how to assist students in setting academic improvement goals for the 10th
grade PLAN, and to drive course selection when updating the ISTP.
10. If possible, the school will make a third copy of the PLAN results along with copies of the students’
improvement objectives and share with advisors/homeroom teachers for placement in student
portfolio for ongoing student planning. Student improvement objectives will also be shared with core
teachers.
11. Counselors will retain a copy of results in student ISTP folders for use during scheduling and annual
revisions to the ISTP (3 Year Plan) in the 11th and 12th grade.
Limitations:
Space, technology, teacher cooperation, administrative support, parent participation, counselor motivation and time
management
Additional Resources:
http://actstudent.org/explore/index.html
www.CFWV.com
www.CareerCruising.com
State Board Strategic Plan http://wvde.state.wv.us/strategic-plan/
Evaluation:
Counselor monthly calendars
Daily classroom visitation schedule
4
Lead Developers: Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assessment Assistant Director – WVDE; Dr. John Tomaszewski, Counselor – Valley High School; Lori Helmick, Counselor –
St. Mary’s High School – Approved April 2011 at the State Protocol Task Force Meeting – Finalized by Barbara Ashcraft, WVDE School Counseling Coordinator
– June 2011
West Virginia School Counseling Protocol
Evaluation (continued):
PLAN/EXPLORE correlations/comparisons
Student/parent forums
Student sign-in sheets
Parent meeting/conference lists
Student individual meeting lists
Documentation on ISTP Plan – student/parent signatures
5
Lead Developers: Dr. Beth Cipoletti, Assessment Assistant Director – WVDE; Dr. John Tomaszewski, Counselor – Valley High School; Lori Helmick, Counselor –
St. Mary’s High School – Approved April 2011 at the State Protocol Task Force Meeting – Finalized by Barbara Ashcraft, WVDE School Counseling Coordinator
– June 2011