What is it about?
In our groundbreaking study, we delve into the crucial realm of crisis management within educational settings with depth and nuance. As incidents of school violence continue to capture headlines and spark nationwide concern, the role of school counselors in fostering safety and resilience has never been more pivotal. With a specific focus on the harrowing specter of school shootings, we embark on a journey to uncover the multifaceted dynamics of crisis response. Armed with a meticulously designed 4-hour training program, we aim to empower school counselors with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate these high-stakes scenarios gracefully and effectively. We examine the impact of our intervention on school counselors' self-efficacy across a spectrum of crisis-handling domains. From honing pre-crisis preparation strategies to refining in-crisis protocols and facilitating post-crisis recovery efforts, our findings illuminate the ripple effects of targeted professional development initiatives in fortifying the frontlines of school safety. Moreover, our study calls for systemic changes in educational policy and practice, advocating for integrating crisis-handling training into school counselor preparation programs nationwide. By equipping counselors with the tools and resources needed to navigate these tumultuous waters, we can foster safer, more resilient school communities that prioritize the well-being and security of every student. Join us as we unveil the potential of professional development initiatives in empowering school counselors to serve as beacons of hope and safety guardians in the face of adversity. Let's pave the way for a future where every school is a sanctuary of learning, growth, and unwavering support.
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Why is it important?
This study is crucial because it shows that providing specific training for school counselors can make a real difference in how they handle crises. By improving counselors' confidence and competence, we can better support students and school communities during difficult times.
Perspectives
I'm excited about the potential impact of this work. It's incredibly rewarding to see evidence that targeted training programs can make school counselors feel more prepared for crisis situations. This not only benefits the counselors themselves but also the students and schools they serve. It underscores the importance of investing in professional development opportunities tailored to the unique challenges counselors face.
Dr. Carleton Brown
University of Texas at El Paso
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Effect of a School Counselor Training on Self-Efficacy in Crisis Handling, Journal of Educational Research and Practice, November 2023, Walden University,
DOI: 10.5590/jerap.2023.13.1.29.
You can read the full text:
Resources
There’s a Shooting at the Middle School
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has indicated that schools are vulnerable to school shootings. Understanding the experience of school members who have experienced such tragedies provides important context for further developing much-needed preventive and responsive measures. Using narrative inquiry, we explored the experience of a teacher who provided critical assistance in helping her school district survive a school shooting. Practical recommendations and insights for school members, communities, and policymakers are provided.
School Counselors’ Response to School Shootings: Framework of Recommendations
Despite the many expectations of school counselors in responding effectively to crisis situations, there is a lack of research and comprehensive standards that address best practices for school counselors in terms of preparing for and responding to a school shooting. Using federal guidelines and crisis literature, including studies focused on school counselors’ lived experiences of a school shooting, the author offers a research-informed theoretical framework of recommendations at different phases of a school shooting. The framework of recommendations points out probable hindrances to school counselors’ decision making. School counselors’ awareness of these impediments before experiencing each phase of such a crisis would be of benefit to them. School counselors may also use the framework of recommendations to help them assess their developmental needs in relation to preparing for and responding to a school shooting crisis.
Perceptions of School Counselors Surviving a School Shooting
School counselors have an ethical and professional responsibility to offer counseling services during crises such as a school shooting. Limited research has explored the lived experiences and practices of school counselors who have experienced a school shooting. This article discusses a qualitative case study investigating school counselors’ experiences related to school shootings and presents implications for school counselors.
The Role of Leadership in Surviving a School Shooting
At a small rural middle school in the southern United States, two students murdered a teacher, four students, and injured 10 during a shooting spree. This case represents the lived experiences of a school principal, counselor, and community that survived the deadly rampage. The case highlights the challenges that school leaders may face such as making quick decisions, managing volunteers, and assisting faculty, staff, students, and parents in returning to a level of normalcy. Although the experience is based on a real event, all identifying information (i.e., location, names) has been masked with pseudonyms. The case encourages discussion and reflection among school leaders in responding to youth violence on school campuses.
School-Shooting Drills: Yes, No?
It is difficult to argue against this point as plenty of statistics provide clear evidence. For instance, in the last five years, there has been a steady increase in the firearm death rate, with well over 35,000 firearm deaths documented in 2020 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022) and over 40,000 total incidents reported in 2021 as well as 2022 (Gun Violence Archive, 2022). Of these numbers, there have been more than 40 school shootings since 2021 (Gun Violence Archive, 2022). These tragedies are particularly alarming because the target is our society’s most innocent and vulnerable. Although community members may disagree on many things, it’s safe to say that we all agree that these events happening where we expect safety and security to reign supreme is profoundly troubling.
After Uvalde, Texas must support mental health in schools and common-sense gun reforms
Another mass shooting. This time at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. It was predictable and perhaps even preventable. Texans want safe schools and reasonable improvements to gun control and mental health policies, but state policymakers have failed to enact common-sense policies that would save lives...
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