Full Schedule

With three general sessions, nearly 200 breakout sessions and networking opportunities galore, there's something for everyone at the ASCA Annual Conference. Listed below are the individual 2023 breakout sessions by day.

Schedule at a Glance

Download Full Agenda (PDF)

Download Virtual Agenda (PDF)

Day 1 Friday, July 14

Day 2 Saturday, July 15

Day 3 Sunday, July 16

Day 4 Monday, July 17

Day 5 Tuesday, July 18

Friday, 3:00-7:30 PM

Saturday, 8:00-5:00 PM
Saturday, 9:00-10:30 AM
Saturday, 9:30-10:30 AM
Saturday, 11:00-12:30 PM
Saturday, 12:30-2:30 PM
Saturday, 12:30-5:00 PM
Saturday, 12:45-1:15 PM
Saturday, 12:45-1:25 PM
Saturday, 1:20-1:50 PM
Saturday, 1:55-2:25 PM
Saturday, 2:30-2:50 PM
Saturday, 2:30-3:30 PM
Saturday, 3:15-3:35 PM
Saturday, 3:30-4:00 PM
Saturday, 4:00-5:00 PM
Saturday, 8:00-11:00 PM

Sunday, 7:30-8:30 AM
Sunday, 8:00-4:00 PM
Sunday, 8:00-5:00 PM
Sunday, 9:30-10:30 AM
Sunday, 10:30-11:00 AM
Sunday, 10:45-11:15 AM
Sunday, 11:00-11:20 AM
Sunday, 11:00-12:00 PM
Sunday, 11:30-12:30 PM
Sunday, 11:35-11:55 AM
Sunday, 12:00-1:30 PM
Sunday, 12:10-12:30 PM
Sunday, 12:15-12:45 AM
Sunday, 12:45-1:15 PM
Sunday, 12:50-1:20 PM
Sunday, 1:30-2:30 PM
Sunday, 2:30-3:30 PM
Sunday, 2:45-3:15 PM
Sunday, 3:30-4:30 PM
Sunday, 4:30-6:00 PM

Monday, 8:00-2:00 PM
Monday, 8:00-5:00 PM
Monday, 9:00-10:30 AM
Monday, 10:30-11:00 AM
Monday, 11:00-11:20 AM
Monday, 11:00-12:00 PM
Monday, 11:30-12:30 PM
Monday, 11:35-11:55 AM
Monday, 12:00-1:30 PM
Monday, 12:10-12:30 PM
Monday, 12:15-12:45 PM
Monday, 12:45-1:15 PM
Monday, 12:50-1:20 PM
Monday, 1:30-2:30 PM
Monday, 2:45-3:45 PM
Monday, 4:00-5:00 PM
Monday, 7:00-9:30 PM

Tuesday, 8:00-12:00 PM
Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 AM
Tuesday, 9:45-10:45 AM
Tuesday, 11:00-12:00 PM

Friday, July 14 Saturday, July 15 Sunday, July 16 Monday, July 17 Tuesday, July 18

3:00-7:30 PM ET

Registration Open

In-Person

3:00-7:30 PMET

8:00-5:00 PM ET

Registration Open

In-Person

8:00-5:00 PMET

9:00-10:30 AM ET

Level Meetup

Join other conference attendees at your level for a chance to kick off the conference with networking opportunities galore.

In-Person

9:00-10:30 AMET

9:30-10:30 AM ET

District Directors Meeting

Network with other school counseling district directors and get ASCA updates.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

11:00-12:30 PM ET

Opening General Session: Henry Winkler

A Morning with Henry Winkler
Audiences always leave Henry Winkler's presentations inspired and entertained. Through humorous anecdotes and inspirational life lessons about overcoming adversity to his storied career in television and entertainment, groups of all ages can learn from Winkler's speeches. His passion for supporting others is the result of a lifetime struggle with undiagnosed dyslexia. Winkler has worked tirelessly to bring awareness and support to children who learn differently by advocating for changes in the education system and informing parents and teachers about learning challenges.
Note: Session is live only and not available on demand afterward.

In-Person Virtual

11:00-12:30 PMET

12:30-2:30 PM ET

Lunch in the Exhibit Hall

In-Person

12:30-2:30 PMET

12:30-5:00 PM ET

Exhibit Hall Open

In-Person

12:30-5:00 PMET

12:45-1:15 PM ET

Build a Responsive Support System for Career Readiness

Supporting all students’ career readiness requires a personalized approach, but how do you meet all students’ needs when caseloads are always growing? Learn to build a web of career-readiness supports for students by tiering resources for different advising settings. Most importantly, get ideas for how to build a calendar that connects grade-appropriate career exploration, academic course registration and postsecondary planning into one student-led process.

In-Person

12:45-1:15 PMET

12:45-1:25 PM ET

Virtual Exclusive: A Conversation with Dr. Norm Gysbers

Norm Gysbers, Ph.D., one of the original developers of the ASCA National Model and a long-time school counseling professor, shares his joys, hopes and thoughts about the ASCA National Model’s past and future.

In-Person Virtual

12:45-1:25 PMET

1:20-1:50 PM ET

Be Ready for Better FAFSA®

The U.S. Department of Education has overhauled the FAFSA to an extent we haven't seen in a generation. Its impacts will be felt by the students completing it, the financial aid office processing it, as well as parents/guardians, college admissions offices and state agencies. Join Sallie Mae for an overview of the changes, how they may affect your students and ways to help filers make the process smoother.

In-Person

1:20-1:50 PMET

Winning Battles Together

The United States Marine Corps recognizes that school counselors are essential in identifying and addressing the unique needs of students, and we want to support you in this critical mission. Our alignment is in the shared interest of our nation’s future. By harnessing school counselors’ insights and sharing the best practices for working with the Corps, we believe that together, we can help young people achieve their full potential. Please join our panel for a lively discussion covering challenges and inspiring success stories of school counselors and Marines working together to help students win everyday battles.

In-Person

1:20-1:50 PMET

1:55-2:25 PM ET

Empower K-12 Students to Take Control of their Future

An engaged student is a successful student. We’ve all heard of the benefits of starting career exploration early, but there’s even greater power in delivering an engaging, seamless college- and career-readiness experience from kindergarten all the way to high school graduation. Build an experience that gives your students the freedom to develop skills and gain the knowledge they need to make meaningful decisions about their future. Empower your students to take ownership over their future by guiding them on a pathway to personalized long-term planning.

In-Person

1:55-2:25 PMET

Overview:

An engaged student is a successful student. We’ve all heard of the benefits of starting career exploration early, but there’s even greater power in delivering an engaging, seamless college- and career-readiness experience from kindergarten all the way to high school graduation. Build an experience that gives your students the freedom to develop skills and gain the knowledge they need to make meaningful decisions about their future. Empower your students to take ownership over their future by guiding them on a pathway to personalized long-term planning.

Learning Objectives:

After attending this session you will:

Have practical and actionable strategies to help your students create their own pathways
Empower your students to navigate critical life transitions (i.e. elementary to middle school, middle to high school, high school and beyond) with confidence
Provide K-12 students with a full program that will equip them with tools and techniques to plan for their future on their own terms.

Use BigFuture to Help Students Plan and Pay for College and Explore Careers

BigFuture®, College Board’s free, personalized online guide, helps students plan and pay for college and explore careers. Learn about its many features, tools and turnkey resources to supplement your college and career advising curriculum, including College Search, BigFuture Scholarships, the BigFuture Career Quiz and the BigFuture Toolkit for Counselors. Discover how you can incorporate BigFuture into your comprehensive school counseling curriculum and begin the school year ready to provide college and career information to all.

In-Person

1:55-2:25 PMET

2:30-2:50 PM ET

Address Substance Use

Picture this: Your student is caught with a substance at school. Maybe a nicotine vape fell out of their pocket, they came to school under the influence or perhaps they had a THC cartridge in their locker. The student is pulled into the office, asked to be searched and their family is promptly notified. Depending on your school policy, they spend time in suspension. Once the student has fulfilled their consequence, they return to their school routine as normal, having no contact with their school counselor as it's considered a discipline issue. Does this sound familiar? Discover how you can break this cycle and become a vital voice for substance use prevention and intervention.

In-Person

2:30-2:50 PMET

Blend ESL and SEL

Due to language and cultural barriers, ESL students can experience increased mental health issues. Additionally, these students may also face traumas dissimilar to their classmates, including immigration and deportation crises, lack of resources and low socioeconomic status. School counselors can bridge this divide between the school community by creating safe spaces for ESL students to engage in their home culture and language. Learn how to design and implement an ESL/SEL small group.

In-Person

2:30-2:50 PMET

Legal and Ethical Challenges

Explore the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors and applicable laws. Learn to apply the decision-making process to legal and ethical issues that most often occur in the school setting when working with minors. Walk away equipped with the research-based skills needed to minimize legal and ethical issues while also considering issues of diversity.

In-Person

2:30-2:50 PMET

Annual Administrative Conferences

Does your administrator know what you do? The annual administrative conference is a formal discussion between school counselors and the administrator in charge of the school counseling program. Learn how this discussion can increase an administrator’s understanding of your school counseling program and the impact it can have on students. Focus on using the use-of-time 5 day calculator to complete the template.

In-Person

2:30-2:50 PMET

2:30-3:30 PM ET

Schoolwide Targeted Attendance Program

Attendance is an area school counselors are tasked to support, but they have little training in this area or resources to affect change. Attendance programs can be challenging in elementary and middle school settings, as attendance is often predicated on parental support and decision making; however, this is when habits are built and critical early academics are learned. With the impact of COVID-19, attitudes, viewpoints and routines around attendance have changed, making increased attendance even more difficult. Learn to garner support from administration and implement a schoolwide, targeted attendance program.

In-Person Virtual

2:30-3:30 PMET

Overview:

Attendance is an area school counselors are tasked to support, but they have little training in this area or resources to affect change. Attendance programs can be challenging in elementary and middle school settings, as attendance is often predicated on parental support and decision making; however, this is when habits are built and critical early academics are learned. With the impact of COVID-19, attitudes, viewpoints and routines around attendance have changed, making increased attendance even more difficult. Learn to garner support from administration and implement a schoolwide, targeted attendance program.

Learning Objectives:

1) Garner support from administration and other stakeholders for attendance initiatives 2) Implement a schoolwide, targeted attendance program with supports at all three tiered intervention levels 3) Address multiple different factors affecting student attendance, such as peer interactions, academics, school connectedness, and familial and cultural differences

Elementary-Level College & Career Readiness

College and career readiness is more than just finding a future career. Learn how Des Moines Public Schools has increased college and career readiness at the elementary level.

In-Person

2:30-3:30 PMET

Black Girl Dialogue

School counselors have a duty and an obligation to ensure all students are provided with tools maximize their academic, social/emotional and career development resources. Focus on Black girls' experiences within school systems and their interactions with school counselors. Walk away equipped with strategies to better advocate for this subset of marginalized populations.

In-Person

2:30-3:30 PMET

Build a Program from the Ground Up

Whether you are an experienced school counselor or new to the field, you may find yourself at a building or grade level that has never had a school counselor before. Learn practical strategies to create a strong foundation, navigate new relationships and build cohesion through a sense of belonging for students, community and yourself. Focus on student-centered strategies and discover the impact a data-informed school counseling program will have on your school community.

In-Person Virtual

2:30-3:30 PMET

Mindfulness Bracket Activity

Dive into an interactive exploration of 16 sweet mindfulness, movement and making techniques using a March mindfulness bracket activity you can use to self-calm, as well as use with students at Tier 1, Tier 2 and Tier 3. Leave with a toolkit to add these effective activities to your life and school counseling work.

In-Person Virtual

2:30-3:30 PMET

The Impact of Implicit Bias on College Admissions

A key component of the college application process lies in students relaying who they are as a student and as a person. Implicit bias and stereotypes can infiltrate the process, whether it happens on a conscious or unconscious level. What role can you play in addressing personal bias and stereotypes as you guide students throughout their postsecondary planning process? Learn about tools and resources that can help you understand and address the ways implicit biases can creep into college advising.

In-Person

2:30-3:30 PMET

Overview:

A key component of the college application process lies in students relaying who they are as a student and as a person. Implicit bias and stereotypes can infiltrate the process, whether it happens on a conscious or unconscious level. What role can you play in addressing personal bias and stereotypes as you guide students throughout their postsecondary planning process? Learn about tools and resources that can help you understand and address the ways implicit biases can creep into college advising.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss how school counselor implicit bias and stereotypes can affect students’ postsecondary plans 2) Access tools and resources to address implicit bias and stereotypes in a school setting 3) Explain how bias is seen in letters of recommendation from the college admissions viewpoint and how it affects the admission review process for your students 4) Discuss how implicit bias and stereotypes affect students' postsecondary outcomes starting as early as elementary school in the form of course and program recommendations

Social Justice in Rural Schools

Some school counselors, especially in rural communities, have encountered resistance when implementing social justice and anti-racists practices. Without a framework for implementation, rural school counselors may struggle to support students of color within their unique setting. Build upon an anti-racism framework of school counseling with considerations for how to best achieve social justice within a rural area. Walk away with best practices for implementing social justice and anti-racist practices within your school counseling programs.

In-Person

2:30-3:30 PMET

Overview:

Some school counselors, especially in rural communities, have encountered resistance when implementing social justice and anti-racists practices. Without a framework for implementation, rural school counselors may struggle to support students of color within their unique setting. Build upon an anti-racism framework of school counseling with considerations for how to best achieve social justice within a rural area. Walk away with best practices for implementing social justice and anti-racist practices within your school counseling programs.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss anti-racist practices and how they correspond to achieving social justice 2) Explain how anti-racist practices correlate to your role within rural schools and the ASCA National Model 3) Identify best practices for integrating anti-racist practices within your rural school counseling programs 4) Identify and mitigate barriers specific to implementing anti-racist practices within rural communities

Build Freshman Success

Understanding the importance of freshmen success, Perrysburg Schools implemented a Freshmen Success Team, where students, teachers, school counselors, school psychologists and administrators collaborate to serve ninth-graders. Students were moved into freshmen study halls with a teacher from each core content area and an intervention specialist. Learn about the school-instituted wellness Wednesdays, where school counselors and other groups come to the study halls once a week to teach lessons based on the ASCA Student Standards.

In-Person

2:30-3:30 PMET

Bibliocounseling for Teen Girls of Color

Bibliocounseling uses narratives to consider personal dilemmas and teach cultural traditions. For teen girls of color, bibliocounseling can provide an opportunity to be exposed to literature that mirrors their lived experiences. School counselors can use bibliocounseling within small groups to process themes and foster sisterhood. Walk away ready to implement bibliocounseling in your school counseling program via small groups.

In-Person

2:30-3:30 PMET

Create Annual Student Outcome Goal Statements

Learn to create goal statements based on student outcome data. Goal statements clarify the group of students to be included, the outcomes targeted for change and the process for final analysis. Following the ASCA-provided annual student outcome goal template ensures the process is completed with fidelity.

In-Person Virtual

2:30-3:30 PMET

Emerging School Counselor Leaders

All school counselors have leadership qualities and the potential to lead, no matter what official position we may hold, and the need for effective leaders in school counseling has never been greater. The school counseling profession needs leaders who can drive systemic change in their school, district, state and the nation. ASCA and state school counselor associations need leaders who can guide the school counseling profession into the future. Learn more about leadership opportunities in the school counseling profession, such as your state school counselor association or the ASCA Board of Directors.

In-Person Virtual

2:30-3:30 PMET

Effective Supervision for School-Counselors-in-Training

Have you ever thought about hosting a practicum or internship? It’s an honor and privilege to be able to support the next generation of school counselors, but there are many considerations. It’s imperative to have adequate knowledge of supervision frameworks and interventions to support trainee’s skill and professional identity development. Learn to successfully host fieldwork students by offering them effective administrative, programmatic and clinical supervision. Walk away with strategies you can implement with your supervisee immediately.

In-Person

2:30-3:30 PMET

3:15-3:35 PM ET

Positive Behavior Supports and Strategies

School counselors help promote positive student behaviors to create a safe and effective learning environment, but undesirable behaviors are still possible. Students sometimes exhibit behaviors that can lead to problems with teachers and fellow classmates, in both social and academic settings. Learn proactive approaches and strategies to address challenging behaviors in the classroom and how to further collaborate with teachers when these behaviors occur.

In-Person

3:15-3:35 PMET

Support Asian Students and Families

As hate crimes increase against the Asian population and geopolitical tensions escalate, it is vitally important to cultivate multicultural competencies to understand and support Asian students and families. Learn about culturally responsive practices. Discover ways to build a more inclusive school climate and provide concrete, individualized services for Asian students and families to help them address stressors such as anti-Asian racism, the perpetual foreigner stereotype and the model minority myth. Discuss practices that promote the healthy development of ethnic and national identity among K-12 Asian students.

In-Person

3:15-3:35 PMET

ASCA Student Standards Fast Facts

The ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success are the knowledge, attitudes and skills students need to achieve academic success, college/career readiness and social/emotional development. Learn to select developmentally appropriate, effective ASCA Student Standards to achieve annual student outcome goals goals.

In-Person

3:15-3:35 PMET

AI in Education

What is the K–12 risk and opportunity in Generative AI? Educators need to understand and respond to the rise of this technology that’s changing assumptions on everything from assignment completion to the future of work. Explore how to harness the opportunities while mitigating the risk of Generative AI.

In-Person

3:15-3:35 PMET

3:30-4:00 PM ET

Coffee Break/Exhibit Hall Time

In-Person

3:30-4:00 PMET

Fire Up Dreams with a Career in the Fire Sprinkler Industry

Discover all the fire sprinkler industry has to offer: profession with a purpose, pathway to multiple professional careers, tremendous growth potential, competitive salary and wages and on-the-job training. The fire sprinkler industry is made of stories of self-made business owners and industry professionals. Fire sprinklers provide an avenue to serving on national code committees, influencing building codes and standards and making a difference in life safety. Most fire sprinkler companies look to promote within, allowing growth potential even in different aspects of the industry.

In-Person

3:30-4:00 PMET

Overview:

Discover all the fire sprinkler industry has to offer: profession with a purpose, pathway to multiple professional careers, tremendous growth potential, competitive salary and wages and on-the-job training. The fire sprinkler industry is made of stories of self-made business owners and industry professionals. Fire sprinklers provide an avenue to serving on national code committees, influencing building codes and standards and making a difference in life safety. Most fire sprinkler companies look to promote within, allowing growth potential even in different aspects of the industry.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss career opportunities in the fire sprinkler industry
Share positions that require no college and offer on-the-job training as well as educational opportunities while making a paycheck
Demonstrate ways students can learn about fire sprinkler careers, such as camps, scholarships, internships and more
Share life safety lessons, the importance of fire safety and how fire sprinklers can save lives
Understand what fire sprinklers do, how they work and the value they are to communities

Behavioral Intervention: Turn Discipline into Learning Opportunities

Disruptions in the classroom caused by student behavior are continuing to rise. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, many student behavior issues have increased since the pandemic, including a 56% increase in classroom disruption, a 48% increase in acts of disrespect and a 49% increase in rowdiness outside the classroom. The need for a comprehensive approach to social/emotional learning, mental health awareness and behavior intervention is more critical than ever before. Discover how your schools can create a more positive and safer climate by turning discipline into learning opportunities for your students.

In-Person

3:30-4:00 PMET

4:00-5:00 PM ET

Group Counseling Techniques

Elementary students thrive with consistency and repetition. Help elementary students thrive by breaking down every 30-minute group session into sequential components: respect, relationship building, choice and empowerment. These elements reflect both restorative practices and a trauma-centered environment, all the while focusing on the acquisition of problem-solving skills, making for a successful small group.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Admission Trends You Need to Know

The last few years have resulted in sweeping changes to the college admissions counseling landscape. Hear from the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) about the latest admissions trends to empower your work as a school counselor.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Culturally Affirming Shared Leadership

ASCA promotes the use of leadership, advocacy and collaboration in school counselor practice. School administrators are key partners in this work. It is important for training programs to proactively prepare school counselors to engage in these partnerships with a culturally affirming focus. Hear about a culturally affirming shared leadership framework, which centers leadership as a collaborative practice. Discuss strategies to integrate shared leadership considerations with an equity lens into school counselor training.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Educational Equity

Through a data-informed school counseling program, school counselors demonstrate their leadership and advocacy roles as they analyze data to reveal and address educational inequities. They disaggregate data to uncover disparities and implement evidence-based interventions to address those disparities. Finally, they examine data to assess the effectiveness of their interventions. Learn the importance of using evidence-based interventions within a data-informed school counseling program and how to use ASCA's closing-the-gap action plan to document identified inequities in student performance. Walk away knowing how to use the closing-the-gap results report data to communicate the intervention's impact and describe implications for future practice.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Overview:

Through a data-informed school counseling program, school counselors demonstrate their leadership and advocacy roles as they analyze data to reveal and address educational inequities. They disaggregate data to uncover disparities and implement evidence-based interventions to address those disparities. Finally, they examine data to assess the effectiveness of their interventions. Learn the importance of using evidence-based interventions within a data-informed school counseling program and how to use ASCA's closing-the-gap action plan to document identified inequities in student performance. Walk away knowing how to use the closing-the-gap results report data to communicate the intervention's impact and describe implications for future practice.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss the importance of using evidence-based interventions within a data-informed school counseling program 2) Use ASCA's closing-the-gap action plan to collect three types of student data 3) Analyze the closing-the-gap results report data to describe implications for future practice

Lessons Learned in Leading

Leading school counselors to fully implement a comprehensive school counseling program while balancing other needs and initiatives can be a harrowing task, especially when it is your first year as a district coordinator. Learn to create a strategic plan focused on collaborating with others to address systemic change to meet all students' needs.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Evidence-Based Program Practices

With too many tasks and not enough time, it’s crucial that our services are impactful and effective. One way we can ensure this is by looking at what relevant research says works and doesn’t work. There’s a huge “research to practice” gap affecting school counselors; let’s close it together. Learn to translate research around emotional regulation, social/emotional learning, group counseling, bullying and more into the work of the school counselor. Hear what the research says and how to turn that knowledge into more effective school counseling practices.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

A School Counseling/Hip Hop Ed Exemplar

Music is a universal language. Discover ways to integrate music into your comprehensive school school counseling program at Tier 1 and 2 levels. By implementing relatable music in your sessions with students, you can open students' eyes and hearts while affirming the importance of self-love and healing in community with their peers.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Creative Collaborations: School Counselors & Principals

Full implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program is any school counselor's ultimate goal. This goal requires a strong school counselor/administrator relationship. See how a small, rural school creates the time and space for collaboration between principals and school counselors with the common goal of student success. Focus on how a school counselor/administrator team uses creative solutions and outside-the-box thinking to ensure students' needs are met, goals are achieved and all students feel welcome in the school.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Essential Tech Resources

Learn about multiple free or inexpensive technology resources to aid in communication, documentation, promotion, recording-keeping and all other aspects of school counseling. The majority of these resources will focus on Google Chrome extensions, Android and iOS apps and fun lifehacks for Google Docs.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Address Vaping

Over the past several years, youth vaping of nicotine and cannabis has exploded in our schools, with increasingly destructive consequences. Shifting this trend will take comprehensive efforts in elementary through high school. Review current data and the facts versus myths about nicotine, cannabis and vaping risks, and explore promising practices for one-on-one, classroom and schoolwide prevention and intervention efforts.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Trauma-Informed Practices in Unconventional Settings

We know the impact of trauma on the developing human brain and can probably recite ways to incorporate these strategies into school counseling classroom lessons. But, are we truly trauma-informed if these practices are only used in classrooms? Hear about the efforts of an elementary school counselor to bring trauma-informed practices to the most unconventional places in her school. Learn to use your knowledge of trauma-informed practices to change interactions between bus drivers, cafeteria workers, custodians and the students they serve.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

When Laws and Ethics Collide

Many school counselors across the country have face challenges in openly supporting LGBTQ+ students due to recent legislation. Take a deeper dive into these issues. Focus on ways to problem solve, and develop tools to best support all students in an equitable environment.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

High-Impact Family Engagement

School counselors have an essential and unique role in promoting, facilitating and advocating for collaboration with parents/guardians and community stakeholders. Learn about high-impact, practical family engagement strategies you can add to your professional toolbox and use right away in your work.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Scholarship Applications & College Knowledge

Students from first-generation, low-income and marginalized groups may lack specific college knowledge such as how to find and complete scholarship applications and how to stand out when writing a scholarship essay. Many students need support to understand who to ask for letters of recommendation is; how to interpret scholarship programs and eligibility; and how to describe their strengths, skills, experiences and interests related to future work, academics and scholarships. Discover ways to improve students’ overall college knowledge.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Create Data Stories in a Snap

A critical component of school counseling is sharing data with stakeholders. For many, the hindrance to sharing their data is the time it takes to organize the data, build graphs and create a presentation that compels stakeholders toward action. Walk away with toolkits to help you create data stories in a snap, and learn ways to share these stories in a student-centered way, making it easier to ask for what is needed to meet students' needs.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Agents of Change in School Counseling

Through leadership, advocacy, innovative practices and a direct focus on equitable outcomes, school counselors possess the power to act as agents of change within their buildings. Engage in an interactive presentation with the 2023 ASCA School Counselor of the Year finalists to learn more about their school counseling programs, their journeys to develop student-focused programs and best practices that served as the catalyst in allowing them to offer data-informed services to students. Through this audience-driven presentation, school counselors will learn how to identify and implement effective strategies to use as they become agents of change for all students.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Overview:

Through leadership, advocacy, innovative practices and a direct focus on equitable outcomes, school counselors possess the power to act as agents of change within their buildings. Engage in an interactive presentation with the 2023 ASCA School Counselor of the Year finalists to learn more about their school counseling programs, their journeys to develop student-focused programs and best practices that served as the catalyst in allowing them to offer data-informed services to students. Through this audience-driven presentation, school counselors will learn how to identify and implement effective strategies to use as they become agents of change for all students.

Learning Objectives:

1) List the core components of developing a school counseling program
2) Provide examples of how to use data to assess and address student needs and to advocate for the school counselor’s role
3) Locate ready-to-use tools and techniques you can use to implement a student-focused program

8:00-11:00 PM ET

Night at the Aquarium

Porpoises, penguins, piranhas and more. Join other conference attendees for a private event at the Georgia Aquarium. Transportation from conference hotels provided. Additional fee applies ($20). This event is for registered attendees only; no guests. Sponsored by Delta. To add a Night at the Aquarium ticket to your registration, contact registration services at (888) 505-1292. Please note, you will need to bring your ticket and your name badge to access the event.

In-Person

8:00-11:00 PMET

7:30-8:30 AM ET

Morning Yoga

Start your day off with a light yoga session

In-Person

7:30-8:30 AMET

8:00-4:00 PM ET

Exhibit Hall Open

In-Person

8:00-4:00 PMET

8:00-5:00 PM ET

Registration Open

In-Person

8:00-5:00 PMET

9:30-10:30 AM ET

Address Race-Based Traumatic Stress

Race-based traumatic stress deals with the ongoing and collective injuries from exposure to racial stress and can affect students academically, physically, socially and emotionally. The need for school counselors to reexamine trauma-informed practices through a racially equitable lens is growing. Learn to identify signs and symptoms of race-based traumatic stress and best practices for creating a trauma-sensitive school climate by developing a race-based traumatic stress framework that creates safe spaces for students and advocates to change the school's culture.

In-Person Virtual

9:30-10:30 AMET

Create a Therapy Dog Program

Hear how one district created and implemented a therapy dog program for a district of 985 students, without any cost to the district. Learn to obtain veterinary care sponsorships and community buy-in, as well as ways to make your therapy dogs accessible for your students and families. Focus on a day in the life of two therapy dogs, Kalani and Shadow, and discover how the dogs collaborate in a variety of classrooms, activities and events.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

Grief Work in Today's World

One in 13 children will experience the death of a parent or caregiver by the age of 18. Such loss can destroy children's sense of safety, upend any sense of normalcy and completely reconfigure their understanding of the world. As school counselors, how are we serving our grieving students? Dive deeper into understanding grief and all of its complications in today's world. Discuss appropriate grief terminology, secondary losses, suicide loss, Prolonged Grief Disorder and the complications of death due to COVID-19.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

Increase Impact with Engaging Lessons

Building student knowledge, skills and awareness through classroom instruction and small groups requires intentional planning, a variety of approaches and methods and engaging activities. Gain valuable strategies, approaches, activities and tips to meet the needs of diverse learners in your school, build and strengthen student success skills and have a positive impact on student outcomes.

In-Person Virtual

9:30-10:30 AMET

Determine Student Needs

We hear a lot about how to use data to determine the effectiveness of our school counseling program; however, how do we first determine who needs specific school counseling services? Learn about tools to gather data to determine student needs, and hear how we can use tools such as the Big 5, disaggregated data, root cause analysis and equity risk ratios to dig deeper with data and drive decision-making.

In-Person Virtual

9:30-10:30 AMET

Support Latinx Students

Over the past several decades, the high school dropout rate for Latinx students has steadily decreased, while college enrollment rates have been on the rise. Despite these gains, Latinx students continue to underperform in comparison with the national average. Systemic racism, historical trauma, distrust of authority, low expectations, lack of access, gatekeeping, cultural differences and pandemic-related challenges, which have disproportionately affected the Latinx community, are important factors for consideration. Learn about the current state of Latinx student populations and barriers to access and inclusion for Latinx students. Explore tools for school counselor advocacy and strategies for effectively working with Latinx students to flip the deficit narrative.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

Overview:

Over the past several decades, the high school dropout rate for Latinx students has steadily decreased, while college enrollment rates have been on the rise. Despite these gains, Latinx students continue to underperform in comparison with the national average. Systemic racism, historical trauma, distrust of authority, low expectations, lack of access, gatekeeping, cultural differences and pandemic-related challenges, which have disproportionately affected the Latinx community, are important factors for consideration. Learn about the current state of Latinx student populations and barriers to access and inclusion for Latinx students. Explore tools for school counselor advocacy and strategies for effectively working with Latinx students to flip the deficit narrative.

Learning Objectives:

1) Describe the current state of the Latinx student population in the United States 2) Discuss barriers to access and inclusion affecting Latinx students' academic, college and career, and social/emotional development 3) Access tools for school counselor advocacy and strategies for effectively working with Latinx students

Support Adoptive & Foster Families

Adoption is a topic that can bring up myriad emotions for school counselors and families. Unless school counselors have specific experience with adoption and foster care, they may feel unsure about advocating effectively for adoptive children so they can thrive in school. Learn about basic adoption processes and language so you can understand some of the unique advocacy opportunities for students with adoptive or foster families.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

Lead School Counseling Departments

School counseling directors/department chairs are some of the most visible school counselor leaders in secondary schools. Leading a department extends beyond supervising staff and managing programs; it also encompasses enacting a vision and motivating others. Learn about common challenges and effective actions to lead school counseling departments through staff empowerment, collaboration and advocacy.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

Classroom Management

Many school counselors are at a loss when it comes to classroom management, yet principals and teachers come to us when there are behavioral issues. A great lesson with all the bells, whistles and mindsets may not be received well by students due to behaviors that arise during the lesson. Let’s face it, if you weren't a teacher, you probably weren't taught about classroom management, and even some teachers were never taught this skill. Learn to help manage student behaviors and make classroom lessons more enjoyable for you and your students.

In-Person Virtual

9:30-10:30 AMET

Teach Kids to Be Their Own Hero

In a world that at times seems filled with adversity, school counselors can take an active role in helping students find their voice to advocate for themselves. Learn easy-to implement ideas for classroom lessons and small groups using the three components of self-advocacy. Access resources such as children's books, video clips and craft activities to use as supplemental teaching tools in your program. Leave with structured ways to create a school community that encourages everyone to embrace their inner hero.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

Legal Literacy and Ethical Practice

School counselors must negotiate the competing interests of the overregulated school environment, students’ need for confidentiality and parents' legal rights to be the guiding voice in their children's lives. Focus on these competing interests, court rulings and the 2022 ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Address legal rulings and ethical practice in areas such as suicide, sexually active students, academic advising, child abuse, educational records, sexual harassment, First Amendment rights and transgender youth. Discover recent changes in federal, case and state laws. Improve your legal literacy, and walk away with guiding principles to support best ethical practice.

In-Person Virtual

9:30-10:30 AMET

Overview:

School counselors must negotiate the competing interests of the overregulated school environment, students’ need for confidentiality and parents' legal rights to be the guiding voice in their children's lives. Focus on these competing interests, court rulings and the 2022 ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. Address legal rulings and ethical practice in areas such as suicide, sexually active students, academic advising, child abuse, educational records, sexual harassment, First Amendment rights and transgender youth. Discover recent changes in federal, case and state laws. Improve your legal literacy, and walk away with guiding principles to support best ethical practice.

Learning Objectives:

1) Summarize federal, state and case laws that are pivotal in supporting your work 2) Discuss hypothetical cases, and apply these cases to your own practice 3) Explain the standard of care in light of recent court rulings 4) Identify best practices in areas of particular concern such as suicide

Build Supportive Relationships with Black Girls

Black girls easily get lost in today’s educational arena. Although Black and brown students get disproportionately disciplined for the same things their white counterparts do, the programmatic emphasis is usually on boys. Learn ways to positively target our Black and brown girls to lift them up and challenge the status quo they have battled for centuries. Focus on examining and positively affecting outcome data.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

Ensure Virtual Students' Safety

Since the post-pandemic rise in virtual school enrollment across the nation, thousands of students are choosing to complete their education online. For many students, the traditional education setting has provided the only consistently safe space in their everyday lives, and the virtual setting can present some challenges for them and the school counselors who serve them. Learn ways to provide a safe space virtually for your students and to offer quality school counseling services that comply with your state and local guidelines.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

Postsecondary Readiness from the Student Perspective

Each year, more than one million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, apply to college through the Common App. In January 2019, the Common App united with Reach Higher, the college access and success campaign started by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her time at the White House. Engaging with students outside of the classroom and on digital platforms they use every day requires savvy and strategy, along with a healthy dose of authenticity and fun. Hear how Reach Higher is helping increase student engagement in the college-readiness process, their efforts to remove barriers in the application process and how you can help as well.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

Overview:

Each year, more than one million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, apply to college through the Common App. In January 2019, the Common App united with Reach Higher, the college access and success campaign started by former First Lady Michelle Obama during her time at the White House. Engaging with students outside of the classroom and on digital platforms they use every day requires savvy and strategy, along with a healthy dose of authenticity and fun. Hear how Reach Higher is helping increase student engagement in the college-readiness process, their efforts to remove barriers in the application process and how you can help as well.

Learning Objectives:

1) Evaluate current practices around engaging student voices into your work to ensure you're meeting student needs based on the current societal climate 2) Access social media platforms to better interact with your students in an effort to build an inclusive college-going culture 3) Discuss best practices for starting a Reach Higher student club at your school to empower students to help support and develop near-peer mentoring techniques in the college application process

Effective Lesson Planning

Using specific ASCA Student Standards to drive classroom lesson focus, substance and assessment ensures your lessons offer evidence-based content, grounded in research and focused on skills and knowledge necessary to being an effective learner. Following the required components of the ASCA lesson plan template ensures you're delivering instruction effectively and giving students the best opportunity to acquire the standards. Learn about instructional strategies, and leave with a few lessons ready to be delivered.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

RAMP Begins with the ASCA National Model

Before submitting the RAMP application, it’s critical to learn about, apply and understand the ASCA National Model and its impact. Hear from four 2023 RAMP Schools about their journey from implementing the ASCA National Model all the way to applying for RAMP and what they learned along the way.

In-Person

9:30-10:30 AMET

10:30-11:00 AM ET

Coffee Break/Exhibit Hall Time

In-Person

10:30-11:00 AMET

10:45-11:15 AM ET

Connecting the Dots in College & Career Planning

Planning for a career means planning for the training and education necessary for access and success in that career. With multiple pathways – non-degree credentials, two-year degrees, four-year degrees, and beyond – there are many choices for students to consider as they plan for life after high school. Come hear how a school counselor is supporting students in the exploration process early and how Encourage can support your efforts in ensuring your students are ready for success in college AND career.

In-Person

10:45-11:15 AMET

Non-Baccalaureate STEM Career Pathways

Almost 50% of high school students are no longer considering bachelor’s degrees, and more than 50% are open to other career pathways. Yet 85% of students feel pressure to pursue a college degree. Discuss the information students need to make important career decisions. Learn how to get more of your female students involved in STEM careers. Discover ways to get industry involved in your school and how to get parents/guardians more engaged in your programs. Find out about new scholarship opportunities that will benefit your students. Also, two signed copies of Mike Rowe’s book “Profoundly Disconnected” will be given away plus 10 Starbucks gift cards.

In-Person

10:45-11:15 AMET

11:00-11:20 AM ET

Sensory Paths for Beginners

Do you have students in your school who are overloaded but need a technology-free brain break? Learn to create a sensory path in any hallway for under $10.

In-Person

11:00-11:20 AMET

Tech Tools for School Counselors

The COVID-19 pandemic forces school counselors to deliver their school counseling program virtually. Now that schools are back in person, you can still take advantage of some of those tech tools you used remotely. Discuss your favorite remote school counseling resources, and hear about other participants’ resources. Focus on some commonly used tools you can still implement, such as Pear Deck, Google Jamboard, GoNoodle, We Do Listen lessons, ClassDojo, Nearpod, Newsela, BrainPOP and others.

In-Person

11:00-11:20 AMET

School Counseling Calendars

School counselors develop, publish and share calendars of school counseling program activities. Calendars inform parents, teachers, administrators and students about these activities so they can join when appropriate. Learn best practices for creating your calendars.

In-Person

11:00-11:20 AMET

Resolve Ethical Dilemmas with a Decision-Making Model

Explore the ethical decision-making steps included in the 2022 ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. An ethical decision-making model can serve as your guide to an effective decision and bring consistency to the process. When confronted with an ethical dilemma, using an ethical decision-making model not only guides you in a carefully considered process but can also provide some liability protection. Recently, school counselors have found they are encountering more ethical dilemmas related to cultural and worldview factors, and they need strategies to ethically and effectively navigate these situations. The updated decision-making model addresses these factors and provides guidance for school counselors as they work through these scenarios.

In-Person

11:00-11:20 AMET

Overview:

Explore the ethical decision-making steps included in the 2022 ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors. An ethical decision-making model can serve as your guide to an effective decision and bring consistency to the process. When confronted with an ethical dilemma, using an ethical decision-making model not only guides you in a carefully considered process but can also provide some liability protection. Recently, school counselors have found they are encountering more ethical dilemmas related to cultural and worldview factors, and they need strategies to ethically and effectively navigate these situations. The updated decision-making model addresses these factors and provides guidance for school counselors as they work through these scenarios.

Learning Objectives:

Review the ethical decision-making steps that are part of the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors
Apply the steps to a case study of a school counseling ethical dilemma
Discuss the outcome and application for school counselors

11:00-12:00 PM ET

Challenge Assumptions with Professional Advocacy

When principals assign school counselors with non-school-counseling-related duties, it prevents school counselors from delivering direct and indirect student services. What if there were a way to limit the number of administrative tasks school counselors perform? Explore how institutionally held assumptions about the school counselor’s role can keep them stuck performing inappropriate duties that go beyond fair-share responsibilities. Leave with a professional advocacy strategy, based in your own practice and research, that highlights how school counselors can identify and dispute systemically ingrained assumptions to enhance your professional advocacy efforts.

In-Person Virtual

11:00-12:00 PMET

Overview:

When principals assign school counselors with non-school-counseling-related duties, it prevents school counselors from delivering direct and indirect student services. What if there were a way to limit the number of administrative tasks school counselors perform? Explore how institutionally held assumptions about the school counselor’s role can keep them stuck performing inappropriate duties that go beyond fair-share responsibilities. Leave with a professional advocacy strategy, based in your own practice and research, that highlights how school counselors can identify and dispute systemically ingrained assumptions to enhance your professional advocacy efforts.

Learning Objectives:

1) Define professional advocacy, and describe what advocacy looks like in action 2) Explain the role institutionally held assumptions have on maintaining the status quo 3) Identify and dispute hidden assumptions that prevent school counselors from delivering direct and indirect student services 4) Identify new actions to advocate for your position

Small Groups 101

Small groups don't happen unless you make them happen. To run a comprehensive school counseling program rooted in the ASCA National Model, small groups must be a part of your program. Focus on overcoming barriers to small-group counseling, including from feelings of self-doubt and scheduling logistics. Learn ways to improve your small-group delivery.

In-Person

11:00-12:00 PMET

Build an Action-Oriented Equity Practice

As a leadership team member, school counselors create a school culture of success for all through advocacy and implementing culturally responsive school counseling, which affects student academic achievement. Engage in action-oriented equity practice by examining your own biases and learning to identify, recognize and use Black students' academic strengths to increase positive educational outcomes.

In-Person Virtual

11:00-12:00 PMET

Next-Level Advisory Programs

Having a trusted adult in school is one of the biggest predictors of success. Advisory programs help foster those relationships while also meeting the school's various needs. Hear about the struggles and successes one high school experienced over the last eight years of developing a schoolwide advisory program. Walk away with strategies to develop, structure and implement a schoolwide advisory program aligned with ASCA standards.

In-Person Virtual

11:00-12:00 PMET

Beyond Kindness

School counselors often lead kindness lessons and schoolwide kindness campaigns; however, to address inequities, bias, discrimination and more in our school communities, school counselors must move beyond kindness. Explore existing kindness lessons and programs and where they lack in anti-bias, anti-racist equity perspectives. Discuss using Learning for Justice's social justice standards and culturally sustaining pedagogy in your school counseling lessons and programs. Explore the CASEL SEL framework, and discuss social/emotional learning from an anti-racism/anti-bias equity mindset. Analyze a variety of texts and materials from a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice lens.

In-Person

11:00-12:00 PMET

Overview:

School counselors often lead kindness lessons and schoolwide kindness campaigns; however, to address inequities, bias, discrimination and more in our school communities, school counselors must move beyond kindness. Explore existing kindness lessons and programs and where they lack in anti-bias, anti-racist equity perspectives. Discuss using Learning for Justice's social justice standards and culturally sustaining pedagogy in your school counseling lessons and programs. Explore the CASEL SEL framework, and discuss social/emotional learning from an anti-racism/anti-bias equity mindset. Analyze a variety of texts and materials from a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice lens.

Learning Objectives:

1) Recognize comprehensive school counseling programs that move beyond kindness using CASEL’s framework, the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, the ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success, and Learning for Justice’s social justice standards 2) Articulate the need to include a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice lens, as well as anti-bias, anti-racist equity perspectives in social/emotional learning 3) Analyze texts and materials from a diversity, equity, inclusion and justice lens in order to move your own lessons and initiatives beyond kindness

School Counselors of Color Affinity Group

Join the School Counselors of Color Affinity Group for an in-person meeting. Network with like-minded peers, connect with colleagues with shared challenges and discuss solutions and resources. The School Counselors of Color Affinity Group is dedicated to providing a safe space for school counselors of color to be authentic and genuine and to create opportunities to connect and network, share ideas and experiences, and discuss relevant issues.

In-Person

11:00-12:00 PMET

11:30-12:30 PM ET

Empower Kids to Care

Learn how school counseling professionals activate students' compassion to change school climate and show peers they are seen, they matter and people care. The BIONIC (Believe It Or Not I Care) team, an award-winning program started after four suicides at a school, has empowered K-16 students around the world for 18 years. BIONIC teaches students how to reach out to peers who are new, sick, bullied or lose a loved one to help prevent them from falling through the cracks or spiraling into more serious issues like suicide. Learn how schools at all levels have implemented the program as a natural extension of the school counseling department.

In-Person

11:30-12:30 PMET

Overview:

Learn how school counseling professionals activate students' compassion to change school climate and show peers they are seen, they matter and people care. The BIONIC (Believe It Or Not I Care) team, an award-winning program started after four suicides at a school, has empowered K-16 students around the world for 18 years. BIONIC teaches students how to reach out to peers who are new, sick, bullied or lose a loved one to help prevent them from falling through the cracks or spiraling into more serious issues like suicide. Learn how schools at all levels have implemented the program as a natural extension of the school counseling department.

Learning Objectives:

1) Assess if your school’s culture needs improvement 2) List the benefits of implementing a BIONIC team on your school campus 3) Strategize how to empower students to conduct simple, powerful and effective targeted and individual outreaches through a BIONIC team to create a more caring climate in their school and community

Understand LGBTQ+ Students' Rights

Administrators and educators want schools to provide safe environments for students to explore new ideas and develop the social skills they will need in life. For gender nonconforming and transgender students however, school can be a place they associate with frustration, torment and disrespect. Often, they experience these things as a result of action or inaction from school administration, staff and faculty. Discuss students' federal, state and local rights; educators' responsibilities; and regulations districts can implement by districts to protect gender-nonconforming and transgender youth from intentional and unintentional discrimination.

In-Person

11:30-12:30 PMET

College Success Programs

Closing achievement and opportunity gaps are at the top of everyone’s priority list. College success programs (CSP) use a systemic approach to mitigate the impact of barriers to access, opportunity and attainment and support students who are from populations historically underrepresented on college campuses due to adverse barriers. Many, but not all, CSP students are the first in their family to attend college. Some students face challenges caused by poverty, racism and lack of access to resources. Hear how CSP has closed gaps for traditionally marginalized students through the use of an equity audit, data dialogues, improvement science, program transformation and the use of innovative partnerships and collaboration to bring about systemic change.

In-Person Virtual

11:30-12:30 PMET

Overview:

Closing achievement and opportunity gaps are at the top of everyone’s priority list. College success programs (CSP) use a systemic approach to mitigate the impact of barriers to access, opportunity and attainment and support students who are from populations historically underrepresented on college campuses due to adverse barriers. Many, but not all, CSP students are the first in their family to attend college. Some students face challenges caused by poverty, racism and lack of access to resources. Hear how CSP has closed gaps for traditionally marginalized students through the use of an equity audit, data dialogues, improvement science, program transformation and the use of innovative partnerships and collaboration to bring about systemic change.

Learning Objectives:

1) Explain how to translate equity into practice using an equity audit to bring about actionable change 2) Describe how to examine data to evaluate your programs to close achievement and opportunity gaps 3) Implement evidence-based programs that prepare students for postsecondary and career preparation and ensure more equitable postsecondary access

CANCELLED: Everyday Positive Mental Health Supports for Youth

Team: Changing Minds is a national mental health response network specializing in reaching young people – particularly boys and young men of color. As a partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Futures Without Violence, Team: Changing Minds boosts awareness of positive mental health knowledge with trusted adults in the lives of youth by providing the know-how to identify the basics of mental health challenges, understand some of the complexity surrounding such adversity and powerfully activate consistent adults to serve as caring responders.

In-Person

11:30-12:30 PMET

Overview:

Team: Changing Minds is a national mental health response network specializing in reaching young people – particularly boys and young men of color. As a partnership between Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing and Futures Without Violence, Team: Changing Minds boosts awareness of positive mental health knowledge with trusted adults in the lives of youth by providing the know-how to identify the basics of mental health challenges, understand some of the complexity surrounding such adversity and powerfully activate consistent adults to serve as caring responders.

Learning Objectives:

Explain key barriers to accessing mental health support – particularly for boys and young men of color – and the power of early intervention
Strategize ways to respond to mental health challenges experienced by young people
Identify two-three everyday gestures that helps buffer youth mental health challenges

ASCA National Model Implementation Plan

ASCA National Model implementation doesn't have to be intimidating if you tackle it in phases. Learn about the new phased implementation plan, designed by ASCA. The plan provides a timeline for school counselors to implement an ASCA National Model program. If you struggle with how to start, when to start and where to start, this is the session for you.

In-Person Virtual

11:30-12:30 PMET

ASCA-Aligned Curriculum for School Counselor Preparation

Learn about an approach to school counselor preparation using the ASCA-aligned curriculum. Focus on suggested courses, descriptions, standards and lessons learned in the implementation of a program that is fully aligned with the ASCA Standards for School Counselor Preparation Programs.

In-Person

11:30-12:30 PMET

11:35-11:55 AM ET

Schoolwide Read-Alouds to Build SEL Skills

School counselors play a vital role in creating meaningful bridges between students' academic skills and social/emotional development. Learn to use schoolwide novel read-alouds to develop SEL skills, build stronger relationships, encourage social justice and have a positive impact on school climate. Students receive their own book, hear a meaningful story read to them by teachers and participate in growth-minded SEL lessons and activities, leading to an amazing opportunity for ownership in the educational process and engagement through empathetic learning. Focus on practical concerns, potential read aloud books and SEL lesson ideas.

In-Person

11:35-11:55 AMET

Increase Family Engagement

Collaborating with stakeholders is an important part of the school counseling program and helps build a positive school climate and support student achievement. Increasing family engagement is one way to provide opportunities for families to partner with the school in supporting their children's education. Understand why family engagement is important, and learn best practices and strategies to use in your school counseling program.

In-Person

11:35-11:55 AMET

Classroom and Small-Group Mindsets & Behaviors Action Plan

Delivering school counseling activities and services to students improves student achievement, behaviors and attitudes. The classroom and small-group Mindsets & Behaviors action plan template helps you create an effective plan to teach students the knowledge, attitudes and skills appropriate for their developmental level, informed by specific ASCA Student Standards. Learn best practices for completing the classroom and small-group Mindsets & Behaviors action plan.

In-Person

11:35-11:55 AMET

MApp

You're busy. We get it. You need to access your school counseling program details wherever you are during the school day – at your desk, in the hallway or during a faculty meeting. Learn how to organize your program on your phone, tablet or desktop computer using the ASCA National Model app (MApp).

In-Person

11:35-11:55 AMET

12:00-1:30 PM ET

Lunch in the Exhibit Hall

In-Person

12:00-1:30 PMET

12:10-12:30 PM ET

Support Muslim Students

According to the Pew Research Center, approximately 3.3 million Muslims of all ages are currently living in the United States; this number is projected to double by 2050. In recent times, general perceptions about Muslims and Islam have shifted and caused a rise in Islamophobia, hate crimes and discrimination. Learn about the U.S. Muslim population, including demographics, group diversity, forms of oppression and discrimination, as well as and how to support your Muslim students.

In-Person

12:10-12:30 PMET

Amplify Your Advocacy with Twitter

It can be frustrating when people don't understand the role of school counselors and what school counselors can offer students. By engaging in professional advocacy and promoting your school counseling program, you can control the conversation and share how school counselors do to support student success. Learn ways to use Twitter to enhance your advocacy efforts and promote your program to students, parents, your local school community and beyond.

In-Person

12:10-12:30 PMET

Mission Statements

A school counseling mission statement creates one focus or purpose in your school counseling program development and implementation and ensures all students benefit from a school counseling program emphasizing equity, access, success and long-range results. Focus on what makes an effective mission statement, and address implementation steps using the RAMP rubric as your guide.

In-Person

12:10-12:30 PMET

Legal & Ethical Considerations: Self-harm

When you learn about a student who poses a serious and foreseeable risk of harm to self, it’s important to address the issue immediately. Hear an eight-step breakdown of an ethical response to self-harm, and walk away with access to a tool to help navigate nonsuicidal self-injury response efforts.

In-Person

12:10-12:30 PMET

12:15-12:45 AM ET

Careers in Gems and Jewelry

Learn about the role of the Gemological Institute of America® (GIA) as the gem and jewelry industry’s leader in professional education and the many careers available to students interested in design, manufacturing, and the beauty and science of precious gems. From developing a custom line of jewelry to identifying a flawless diamond or helping a client select the perfect piece of jewelry to mark a special occasion, GIA provides the skills, knowledge and resources to help students start a rewarding career.

In-Person

12:15-12:45 AMET

Develop Data-Driven Programs

Discover how SCUTA helps school counseling programs be more data-driven by providing a framework that follows the ASCA and/or state standards. Focus on using school district and school data to create SMART goals, identifying standards that assist in achieving the goals, selecting lesson plans that include the desired standards, creating/using surveys to evaluate school counseling results, analyzing school counseling programs using MTSS and MTMDSS. Learn how SCUTA views and illustrates school district and state data.

In-Person

12:15-12:45 AMET

12:45-1:15 PM ET

Virtual Exclusive: Ethics FAQs

From student safety and confidentiality to interactions with parents/guardians and administrators, school counselors encounter a range of legal and ethical issues every day. Hear current ASCA Ethics Committee members discuss your frequently asked legal and ethical questions, and learn where you can find information to help guide you in your daily work.

In-Person Virtual

12:45-1:15 PMET

12:50-1:20 PM ET

Unlock Construction Programs & Careers

Explore the importance of building partnerships within a construction CTE program of study. The National Center for Construction Education and Research’s High School Builder Program and CareerStarter platform provide a framework for developing, implementing and strengthening partnerships to provide pathways through meaningful connections, opportunities for articulation and industry-recognized credentials. Join us to discuss the critical role industry partnerships play in developing construction career pathways.

In-Person

12:50-1:20 PMET

Transitions and Decision Making with Ask, Listen, Learn

Focus no ways school staff can aid in decision making and goal setting during transitional times such as from elementary to middle school or middle to high school. Discover how these decision-making components are critical for teaching your students to make healthy choices and what resources are available to you.

In-Person

12:50-1:20 PMET

1:30-2:30 PM ET

Tier 1 Self-Regulation Interventions

Learn about creative, hands-on Tier 1 strategies to help students understand what happens in their brain during stress. Explore ways for students to develop self-awareness of their own emotional states using strategies based on Leah Kuypers Zones of Regulation curriculum, and practice how to self-soothe and cope with strong emotions. Try out some fun and interactive mindfulness techniques students love that are simple for teachers to incorporate into the classroom.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Work with Staff to Interrupt Racism

Are you working to fight systemic injustice at your school but find that staff knowledge, understanding or willingness is a barrier to change? Hear practical tips for hosting professional learning, spending your influence wisely and understanding your stakeholders. Explore and discuss the impact of staff and faculty-level changes as well as the potential outcomes for students and families within your school community. Be ready to go into the next school year with an intentional approach to working with staff to ignite systemic change.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

Are you working to fight systemic injustice at your school but find that staff knowledge, understanding or willingness is a barrier to change? Hear practical tips for hosting professional learning, spending your influence wisely and understanding your stakeholders. Explore and discuss the impact of staff and faculty-level changes as well as the potential outcomes for students and families within your school community. Be ready to go into the next school year with an intentional approach to working with staff to ignite systemic change.

Learning Objectives:

1) Identify policies and practices that are barriers to student success and consider how stakeholders have an impact on student outcomes 2) Identify staff's professional learning needs and resources to meet them 3) Reflect on your own influence capital and prioritize where to spend it 4) Assess stakeholder buy-in and influence to intentionally approach working with staff

School Counselor/School Social Worker Collaboration

As students are facing more need for mental health support in school, it is important to develop a strong, collaborative mental health team. This mental health team will require the partnership of many disciplines, with school counselors and school social workers leading the charge. Understand the roles and responsibilities of school counselors and school social workers as they collaboratively work to address social/emotional barriers and other risk factors impeding a student’s ability to achieve academic success.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Affirmative Action Decision Implications

Understand the implications of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina for the field of school counseling and higher education. Learn how the decisions affect students’ application processes and college preparation programs moving forward.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Evaluate School Counselors

Are you a school counselor still being formally evaluated on a teacher rating scale? Or are you a district leaders looking for an evaluation platform based on the ASCA National Model? Learn how one district created an evaluation platform based its state standards for excellence framework. Hear how the 16 indicators specifically evaluate school counselors. Get examples of impactful activities school counselors can use to create a knock-your-socks-off evaluation.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Trauma-Informed Practices

According to SAMHSA, two-thirds of children will experience a traumatic event by age 16, with some children being at increased risk depending on their cultural identity. Due to the prevalence of trauma, it is imperative for school counselors, educators and other school personnel to be trauma-informed, with an understanding of the ways trauma can affect students' lives. When we are trauma-informed, we design systems and educational practices that promote healing and prevent further traumatization. Evaluate how to implement these practices throughout the school environment. Leave prepared to engage in advocacy efforts and provide in-service training for school faculty and staff.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

According to SAMHSA, two-thirds of children will experience a traumatic event by age 16, with some children being at increased risk depending on their cultural identity. Due to the prevalence of trauma, it is imperative for school counselors, educators and other school personnel to be trauma-informed, with an understanding of the ways trauma can affect students' lives. When we are trauma-informed, we design systems and educational practices that promote healing and prevent further traumatization. Evaluate how to implement these practices throughout the school environment. Leave prepared to engage in advocacy efforts and provide in-service training for school faculty and staff.

Learning Objectives:

1) Recognize the impact of trauma and the role of cultural factors in traumatic experiences 2) Discuss the ways unprocessed trauma can present in the school counseling office, classroom and other school-related contexts 3) Examine the core values of trauma-informed practices and their application in counseling and educational settings 4) Identify trauma-informed strategies and resources you can use to implement trauma-informed practices, opportunities for advocacy and in-service training for various stakeholders, including faculty and staff, administrators and others

Play-Based Interventions

Learn about schoolwide play-based interventions and the impact these interventions can have on child development and the educational environment. Walk away with strategies for integrating play-based interventions in a multitiered system of supports (MTSS). Explore potential applications of schoolwide play-based interventions to address students' academic, career and social/emotional needs.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Life After High School

Don't we all wish our students could have a dose of reality sometimes? Access resources to host various events to aid students in building social/emotional skills, understanding their options after high school, personal finances and life as an adult. Learn to establish your own version of each event to help boost career and academic development in your school in a virtual and/or in-person setting.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Onboard Your New Principal

The school counselor/principal relationship is one of the most important relationships in the school building. Hear how one school worked to create a positive school counselor/principal relationship with a new administrative team and maintained a comprehensive school counseling program aligned with the ASCA National Model.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Tried & True Counseling Lessons

Are you looking for new and exciting ways to engage your students? Join two experienced school counselors with years of elementary and middle school counseling experience to learn captivating, technology-rich instruction from strong data-informed school counseling programs. Walk away with new tools to use in academic, career and social/emotional lessons.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Advocate Using ASCA Position Statements

Get an overview of recently revised or developed position statements addressing the school counselor and security resource officers, military-connected youth, universal screening and more. Walk away with recommendations for using ASCA position statements to advocate for appropriate school counseling roles and to inform your school counseling practice.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

School Counseling Interventions

After identifying student needs and targeting an ASCA Student Standard, school counselors are faced with the task of deciding how to best intervene. Explore strategies to ascertain the skills and knowledge students might need based on the student outcome deficit identified. Focus on a variety of activities that foster learning and available resources.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Tell Your Story

Every school counselor who collects data to determine the effectiveness of school counseling interventions has a story to tell. Learn how to track the impact of your work with students, and discover how to tell your story to others. Hear how you can implement a four-step strategy to identify the right goal and interventions, collect and analyze data, and share your results with others. Consider how you can use your story as an advocacy tool or even to publish in a school counselor publication.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Discover the Digital SAT Suite of Assessments

The SAT Suite of Assessments began the first phase of its transition to digital this past spring. The digital SAT Suite will continue to measure the knowledge and skills students are learning in high school that matter most for college and career readiness. Explore key changes to test content, administration and educator support, and walk away with insights about what to expect from the digital transition.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Bring Suicide Prevention to Your School

Are you interested in learning about how you can implement a suicide prevention program at your school? Hear about how we rolled out an evidence-based, universal suicide prevention program for middle and high school students, program results and lessons learned. Access templates for a parent letter, student letter, opt-out survey, pre-/post-tests, crisis protocol and more.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

The ASCA Suicide Information-Gathering Tool

School counselors have long been put to the impossible task of assessing students for risk of suicide and deciding how likely a future suicide is with labels of low, medium and high risk. When becoming aware of a student considering suicide, school counselors assert their ethical and legal responsibility to report suspected suicide concerns to parents/guardians and the appropriate authorities. Based on multiple research studies, practitioner experience and court cases that have informed the process, ASCA has created a suicide information-gathering tool for use by school counselors to replace traditional suicide screeners and assessments that require the user to quantify risk. Learn about the tool, and explore its use in K–12 settings.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

School counselors have long been put to the impossible task of assessing students for risk of suicide and deciding how likely a future suicide is with labels of low, medium and high risk. When becoming aware of a student considering suicide, school counselors assert their ethical and legal responsibility to report suspected suicide concerns to parents/guardians and the appropriate authorities. Based on multiple research studies, practitioner experience and court cases that have informed the process, ASCA has created a suicide information-gathering tool for use by school counselors to replace traditional suicide screeners and assessments that require the user to quantify risk. Learn about the tool, and explore its use in K–12 settings.

Learning Objectives:

Access the suicide information-gathering tool, and discuss why this tool was developed and needed for school counselors
Highlight the nonnegotiable items related to addressing suicide concerns
Describe best practices in using the suicide information-gathering tool as part of a collaborative process to respond when students are identified as at-risk for suicide

Postsecondary Affinity Group

Join the Postsecondary Affinity Group for an in-person meeting. You will have the opportunity to network with like-minded peers, connect with colleagues with shared challenges and discuss solutions and resources. The Postsecondary Affinity Group is dedicated to facilitating connections among school counselors committed to equitable access by preparing students for all facets and pathways of life after high school.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

2:30-3:30 PM ET

Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall

In-Person

2:30-3:30 PMET

2:45-3:15 PM ET

Career Opportunities in Construction Registered Apprenticeship

Chris Gardner’s story, as told in the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” starring Will Smith exemplifies the American Dream from rags to riches. It addresses issues such as domestic violence, homelessness, poverty and more, which resonates strongly with today’s youth. Gardner shares how the decisions he made as a youth were the foundation for his success and provides realistic ways for students to supercharge their pursuit with a clear plan. We call this effort Permission to Dream, and to date we’ve had an impact on more than 100,000 middle and high school students across the U.S. Permission to Dream is based on the premise that the American Dream is alive and well and now a global opportunity. Hear directly from Gardner about his work providing students the inspiration to set career goals, including the exciting career opportunities today in the Building Trades Registered Apprenticeship programs. These “earn while you learn programs” provide young people with opportunities for middle class careers as they rebuild the nation’s vital infrastructure, with no student debt, full-time work and great wages and benefits. Learn about Gardner’s recent partnership with the AFL-CIO and North America’s Building Trades Unions and their collective efforts to inform students about the middle class opportunities today in the construction trades.

In-Person

2:45-3:15 PMET

Overview:

Chris Gardner’s story, as told in the movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” starring Will Smith exemplifies the American Dream from rags to riches. It addresses issues such as domestic violence, homelessness, poverty and more, which resonates strongly with today’s youth. Gardner shares how the decisions he made as a youth were the foundation for his success and provides realistic ways for students to supercharge their pursuit with a clear plan. We call this effort Permission to Dream, and to date we’ve had an impact on more than 100,000 middle and high school students across the U.S. Permission to Dream is based on the premise that the American Dream is alive and well and now a global opportunity. Hear directly from Gardner about his work providing students the inspiration to set career goals, including the exciting career opportunities today in the Building Trades Registered Apprenticeship programs. These “earn while you learn programs” provide young people with opportunities for middle class careers as they rebuild the nation’s vital infrastructure, with no student debt, full-time work and great wages and benefits. Learn about Gardner’s recent partnership with the AFL-CIO and North America’s Building Trades Unions and their collective efforts to inform students about the middle class opportunities today in the construction trades.

College Covered® Overview

Get an overview of CollegeCovered.com, a website designed to guide students, parents/guardians and high school counselors through all stages of the college process. This site was created by Discover® Student Loans with free tools and online resources to help plan and pay for college. Learn more about the For Counselors and Quick Guides sections, which include one-pagers that are easy to download and share with your college-bound students and families.

In-Person

2:45-3:15 PMET

3:30-4:30 PM ET

From Evidence-Based to Positive Student Outcomes

Choosing what interventions to use is an important step in supporting successful student outcomes; however, there can be challenges and confusion about which approaches are appropriate, evidence-based and culturally responsive. Learn how interdisciplinary approaches can provide effective and positive student outcomes. Discover ways to maximize your consultation and collaboration skills to support students with intensive needs.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Transition Planning

Student transitions to high school can be a challenge not only students but also for school counselors, teachers and administrators. Effective communication between middle school and high school counselors can enhance students’ academic, career and social/emotional development when they transition into high school, preparing them for postsecondary opportunities. Learn how having a collaborative, connected relationship between middle and high school counselors is integral for an effective school counseling program.

In-Person Virtual

3:30-4:30 PMET

RAMP: Step One

Thinking about meeting RAMP requirements? How do you even start? Take a look at step one and learn how one school started to meet RAMP requirements and eventually become a RAMP school. Walk away with steps you can use to implement the first pieces of meeting RAMP requirements.

In-Person Virtual

3:30-4:30 PMET

Creative, Engaging Classroom Lessons

Do your classroom lessons sometimes fall flat or seem not as impactful as planned? Take your lessons to a deeper level with activities and creative techniques and theories that keep students engaged and teach essential ASCA Student Standards. Creative techniques can have a positive impact on your program by increasing effectiveness; decreasing time spent on responsive services; creating a common language schoolwide; improving communication among students, parents and staff; and adding energy to your program. Focus on using props, chairs, movement, writing/drawings and analogies in classroom lessons.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Overview:

Do your classroom lessons sometimes fall flat or seem not as impactful as planned? Take your lessons to a deeper level with activities and creative techniques and theories that keep students engaged and teach essential ASCA Student Standards. Creative techniques can have a positive impact on your program by increasing effectiveness; decreasing time spent on responsive services; creating a common language schoolwide; improving communication among students, parents and staff; and adding energy to your program. Focus on using props, chairs, movement, writing/drawings and analogies in classroom lessons.

Learning Objectives:

1) Identify how creative techniques can reinforce targeted ASCA Student Standards in your school counseling program 2) Describe how counseling theory must drive sessions when using creative techniques 3) Identify at least one creative technique from each category (prop, chair, movement, writing/drawing, analogies/metaphors) to immediately put into practice

Implement Effective Coping Skills

Students are struggling now more than ever to cope with different types of problems and situations that arise. Effective coping skills are vital to ensure students can thrive. Examine ways to help students become aware of their own emotions. Learn about research-based and student-driven strategies for emotional regulation for Tiers 1 and 2, including data-informed practices to identify and track progress of student success.

In-Person Virtual

3:30-4:30 PMET

Improve Attendance with Family Engagement

Although student absenteeism isn't a new challenge for educators, COVID-19 exacerbated the problem and highlighted the need for evidenced-based interventions to respond to chronic student absenteeism. Chronic absenteeism requires collaboration with students and families to effectively tailor interventions aimed at increasing attendance. School counselors in elementary schools are poised to close gaps due to chronic absenteeism by intervening in students’ home-to-school system, creating family partnerships and implementing home visits.

In-Person Virtual

3:30-4:30 PMET

The Anti-Racist School Counseling Framework

School counselors work toward cultural competence and engage in anti-racist actions by advocating to change racist policies, procedures, practices, guidelines and laws. Learn about an individual and systemic anti-racist school counseling framework to use when engaging in anti-racist/anti-oppressive work. The framework suggests school counselors should consider both self and the system when considering their level of influence on change. Apply the individual and systemic anti-racist school counseling framework when working as change agents to dismantle oppressive practices, procedures and systems that create barriers for minoritized students.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Program PR & Promotion

Do you feel like no one knows exactly what your school counseling program entails? Focus on creative ideas, fun activities and step-by-step methods you can use to promote, enhance and increase the visibility of both yourself as a school counselor and your school counseling program to all stakeholders. Hear about social media tricks, tips to boost your school counseling website, ways to create catchy announcements and easy PR videos, and much more.

In-Person Virtual

3:30-4:30 PMET

Support Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Learn about best practices to feel knowledgeable and confident in supporting students and families of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Focus on ASD terms, strategies for implementing sensory-friendly school counseling interventions, how to find ASD outside resources, the importance of social stories for ASD students and transition planning for individuals with ASD.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Build a Leadership Cohort

The last several years have shown the importance of leadership development and a high need for school counselor advocacy and collaboration. Learn how one district formed a cohort for school counselors wishing to pursue leadership opportunities and support student and departmental needs as a director of school counseling. Understand how this cohort helped school counselors build skills to initiate school and districtwide systemic strategies, and gain tools to lead effectively as a director of school counseling and beyond.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Ethical Dilemmas of a Middle School Counselor

The middle school setting poses its own unique challenges as students develop rapidly across all domains of self. On a daily basis, school counselors navigate issues such as suicide, child abuse and neglect, gender issues and confidentiality, just to name a few. Increase your understanding of ethical issues to consider when working in a middle school, and discuss case studies through the lens of the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Solution-Focused Support Groups for School Counselors

Foucs on solution-focused support groups for school counselors. Solution-focused support groups can help school counselors support each other, inventory strength and more efficiently overcome daily challenges. These support groups can be done in-person or virtually given the low-risk nature of the solution-focused approach. Understand how the solution-focused approach and group process combine for a powerful, positive experience.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Start the Year Strong

When plowing a field, the first row plowed is the most important. If you get the first row straight, the whole field will be straight. You can apply this simple idea to having an effective school counseling program. Each year is a new opportunity to plow the first row straight by putting systems in place to effectively use your time, prioritize what students need most from you and measure the effectiveness of your school counseling program. Access checklists, hear stories from the field and learn practical tips to make you invaluable to your administration and position you as a leader within your school and community.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Overview:

When plowing a field, the first row plowed is the most important. If you get the first row straight, the whole field will be straight. You can apply this simple idea to having an effective school counseling program. Each year is a new opportunity to plow the first row straight by putting systems in place to effectively use your time, prioritize what students need most from you and measure the effectiveness of your school counseling program. Access checklists, hear stories from the field and learn practical tips to make you invaluable to your administration and position you as a leader within your school and community.

Learning Objectives:

1) Explain the importance of your annual administrator conference and how to create talking points to guide the conversation 2) Use your advisory council meetings to propel your year and contribute to your program's success 3) Describe how to create a yearly and weekly plan incorporating whole group lessons and small groups 4) Interpret data to help drive your program to meet the needs of your stakeholders

Legal & Ethical Muscle for Marginalized Youth

School counselors can be powerful strategists when applying legal muscle to problems affecting their students. Federal, state and case law can protect marginalized youth; however, there are laws that can hinder school counselors’ advocacy efforts. Intervening on behalf of students is infinitely easier if there is a law that provides leverage. Focus on the rights of students who are in foster care, gender expansive, LGBTQ+, victims of dating violence, undocumented, sexually harassed, abused, witnesses to domestic violence or bullied. Legal understanding coupled with our ethical imperative to advocate is a formidable combination and increases the odds that school counselors will have sway in systemic change and individual support.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Overview:

School counselors can be powerful strategists when applying legal muscle to problems affecting their students. Federal, state and case law can protect marginalized youth; however, there are laws that can hinder school counselors’ advocacy efforts. Intervening on behalf of students is infinitely easier if there is a law that provides leverage. Focus on the rights of students who are in foster care, gender expansive, LGBTQ+, victims of dating violence, undocumented, sexually harassed, abused, witnesses to domestic violence or bullied. Legal understanding coupled with our ethical imperative to advocate is a formidable combination and increases the odds that school counselors will have sway in systemic change and individual support.

Learning Objectives:

1) Explain how to support marginalized youth using legal muscle 2) Discuss hypothetical cases, and apply these cases to your own practice 3) Discuss principles of practice as guided by the courts

Use-of-Time 5-Day Calculator

If you're not tracking, where's your backing? Learn about the power of documenting, analyzing and communicating your time. Hear the steps to complete the ASCA use-of-time 5-day calculator, and become more empowered to advocate for professional role and time usage. The use-of-time calculator is a critical tool in your advocacy toolbox when completed accurately and communicated effectively. Add this process to your professional advocacy efforts.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

SEL Affinity Group

Join the Social/Emotional Learning (SEL) Affinity Group for an in-person meeting. Network with like-minded peers, connect with colleagues with shared challenges and discuss solutions and resources. The SEL Affinity Group is dedicated to helping school counselors best support their school communities by creating a space to collaborate, network and share resources and best practices.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

Build Your Program Website for Advocacy

Technology can play a critical role in providing information and services to students. Learn to create and use web pages for advocacy, and provide current information to stakeholders on a regular basis. Walk away with examples of specific content to include, such as school master calendars, testing information and supportive links. Discover how to track daily website usage data.

In-Person

3:30-4:30 PMET

4:30-6:00 PM ET

NABTU Building Trades Reception

Join representatives from North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) for an evening reception. Mix, mingle and chat with representatives from various building trades.

In-Person

4:30-6:00 PMET

8:00-2:00 PM ET

Exhibit Hall Open

In-Person

8:00-2:00 PMET

8:00-5:00 PM ET

Registration Open

In-Person

8:00-5:00 PMET

9:00-10:30 AM ET

General Session: eXperiencED

In-Person Virtual

9:00-10:30 AMET

10:30-11:00 AM ET

Coffee Break/Exhibit Hall Time

In-Person

10:30-11:00 AMET

The Second Step® Family of Programs

By combining classroom SEL with new offerings for out-of-school time and SEL for adults, the Second Step family of programs helps you and your communities create brighter futures for kids everywhere. Get an overview of Second Step programs and how they work together to help educators take a more holistic approach to SEL, from helping our littlest learners harness their potential to empowering adults to strengthen their own social/emotional skills.

In-Person

10:30-11:00 AMET

Opportunity in Your Community

Learn more about opportunities in your community for students to obtain credentials at no cost to them while earning a paycheck. Walmart’s Live Better U program pays 100% of college tuition, books and fees for associates from day one of their employment. Gain valuable information and practical guidance to help your students who may wish to pursue higher education post-graduation but for whom cost is a significant barrier. By understanding these programs and how to access them, school counselors at all levels can play a critical role in helping students achieve their educational and career goals. Hear from current students and graduates of the program.

In-Person

10:30-11:00 AMET

Overview:

Learn more about opportunities in your community for students to obtain credentials at no cost to them while earning a paycheck. Walmart’s Live Better U program pays 100% of college tuition, books and fees for associates from day one of their employment. Gain valuable information and practical guidance to help your students who may wish to pursue higher education post-graduation but for whom cost is a significant barrier. By understanding these programs and how to access them, school counselors at all levels can play a critical role in helping students achieve their educational and career goals. Hear from current students and graduates of the program.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the value proposition of employer-sponsored tuition benefit programs
2. Develop strategies for helping students make the most of employer-sponsored education-programs
3. Explore the potential financial, career and personal benefits of using employer-sponsored tuition benefits to pursue a degree and advance in one's career
4. Identify resources and support systems for students using employer-sponsored tuition benefits, including academic advising, career counseling and mentorship programs.

11:00-11:20 AM ET

Tips & Tricks for New School Counselors

Your first year as a school counselor likely won't be anything close to what you anticipate. Hear tips and tricks for your first first few years as a school counselor.

In-Person

11:00-11:20 AMET

Leverage Administrative Support

Administrative support is essential as we advocate for our students. Learn how a school counseling team leveraged administrative support to build a comprehensive school counseling program.

In-Person

11:00-11:20 AMET

Write Pre-/Post-Assessments

We all know it’s ideal to give pre-/post-tests to determine what students have gained from our lessons and programs. However, writing pre-/post-assessment questions can be challenging. Learn to use the ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success to develop your questions and identify best practices when creating your pre-/post-tests.

In-Person

11:00-11:20 AMET

Legal/Ethical Considerations: School Counselor Notes, Student Privacy and FERPA

It’s important to consider parent rights and FERPA as you navigate documentation, school counselor notes, exceptions to confidentiality and necessary disclosure. Examine these topics and explore ways to protect student privacy while collaborating with parents/guardians, maintaining your legal and ethical responsibilities and reducing professional liability. Address legal and ethical considerations of school counselor notes and when they are considered education vs. sole-possession records.

In-Person

11:00-11:20 AMET

11:00-12:00 PM ET

Engaging Lessons for Career Awareness

Are you looking for an exciting way to help your students learn about careers? Access ideas and resources for a variety of lessons and activities to increase career awareness, including tips for how to implement your own career cafe program. Career cafes allow students to hear from speakers working in a variety of career fields, while having the opportunity to ask questions and dig deeper. Learn to implement all parts of a career cafe program, adaptable to any level, and walk away with ideas and resources for career-focused lessons and activities.

In-Person Virtual

11:00-12:00 PMET

Motivational Interviewing with Students

Motivational interviewing is gaining in popularity within the school counseling community, but it can sometimes feel like a daunting task to incorporate into your program. Gain a better understanding of what motivational interviewing is, including how to incorporate it, how it fits with other counseling styles and theories, and how to introduce it to colleagues.

In-Person Virtual

11:00-12:00 PMET

Support First-Generation College-Bound Students

First-generation college-bound students are a growing demographic across the country. Despite tremendous potential, first-generation college students are more likely to leave college without a degree. Learn strategies to identify, support and celebrate first-generation college-bound trailblazers in your school community and become an even better advocate for your first-generation college-bound students.

In-Person

11:00-12:00 PMET

Rejuvenate & Restore Yourself

The past few years have been challenging in schools. School counselors are on the frontlines supporting students, staff, parents and the community during change and upheaval. Often, our dedication to others comes at a cost to our own well-being. Learn strategies and ideas to rejuvenate and restore yourself to be at your best for the students you serve.

In-Person

11:00-12:00 PMET

Power in Three School Teams

A positive school culture is everything when it comes to a high-performing school, and everyone in the school is responsible for it. This message exemplifies the work being done at Skyview High School, a public high school in Billings, Mont. Learn Skyview's systems approach to accessing untapped leadership in your school and to keeping your school’s core focus razor sharp. Skyview's school counselors, administration and teaching staff partner to improve academics, mental health and school culture. Leave with a model of applying evidence-based school counseling as a decision-making process toimprove student outcomes.

In-Person

11:00-12:00 PMET

Overview:

A positive school culture is everything when it comes to a high-performing school, and everyone in the school is responsible for it. This message exemplifies the work being done at Skyview High School, a public high school in Billings, Mont. Learn Skyview's systems approach to accessing untapped leadership in your school and to keeping your school’s core focus razor sharp. Skyview's school counselors, administration and teaching staff partner to improve academics, mental health and school culture. Leave with a model of applying evidence-based school counseling as a decision-making process toimprove student outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1) Explain how to use evidence-based school counseling to create a strong school counselor/administrator partnership 2) Discuss protocols for creating three school teams that evolve school systems: The Guiding Coalition, The School and Community Culture Team and The Impact Team 3) Describe how the teams work individually and collaboratively to use data to identify concerns and develop action plans to address the root causes of the issues

Leverage Funds for School Counseling Programs

Is a lack of funding preventing you from building your dream school counseling program? Whether you are a school counselor in need of resources for your school counseling program or a district director seeking to add additional school counseling supports, learn how to use advocacy and leadership skills to help you fund your dream school counseling program. Hear about funding streams aligned with school counseling, creative ways to receive funding, what to buy to build your program and ways to advocate for your school counseling program needs.

In-Person

11:00-12:00 PMET

Rural School Counselors Affinity Group

Join the Rural School Counselor Affinity Group for an in-person meeting. Network with like-minded peers, connect with colleagues with shared challenges and discuss solutions and resources. The Rural School Counselors Affinity Group empowers members by providing a sense of belonging and professional development through creation of authentic connections and sharing insights to inspire us when facing the unique challenges of our role.

In-Person

11:00-12:00 PMET

11:30-12:30 PM ET

Tech Tools to Enhance Your Program

Many school counselors are unable to serve students effectively due to job responsibilities hindering direct and indirect student services. Learn ways to improve student service delivery with technological tools to help you work smarter instead of harder. Learn hands-on ways to create and use technology to collect and analyze data, advocate fo school counseling programming, enhance student relationships and deliver classroom and group content with ease.

In-Person Virtual

11:30-12:30 PMET

Close the School Counseling Knowledge Gap Among Principals

Learn about the principal awareness of school counseling (PASC) quiz, which can help increase awareness of and advocate for your comprehensive school counseling programs among principals and other stakeholders.

In-Person

11:30-12:30 PMET

Grow Healthy Black Men

Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Many of our Black boys and young men are roses tasked with emerging from concrete. They must endure challenges and stressors that are universal for all plants. They must also work through unique harm that comes with navigating social environments often designed in opposition to their well-being. To increase hope and help more dreams become reality, we must empower our roses and transform concrete into fertile soil. Explore strategies to enhance agency and combat adversity by inspiring, relating and leveraging the power of school counseling practice and programming.

In-Person

11:30-12:30 PMET

Overview:

Did you hear about the rose that grew from a crack in the concrete? Many of our Black boys and young men are roses tasked with emerging from concrete. They must endure challenges and stressors that are universal for all plants. They must also work through unique harm that comes with navigating social environments often designed in opposition to their well-being. To increase hope and help more dreams become reality, we must empower our roses and transform concrete into fertile soil. Explore strategies to enhance agency and combat adversity by inspiring, relating and leveraging the power of school counseling practice and programming.

Learning Objectives:

1) Identify challenges experienced by Black boys and young men 2) Use an ecological lens to identify problems and propose preventive school counseling interventions 3) Access tools and strategies to give all students access to a data-informed school counseling programming

Proactive Racial Equity Strategies

A recent ASCA study showed only 50% of school counselors are addressing racial equity within their schools. Hear about proactive racial equity strategies you can use as a part of your school counseling program. Learn approaches to address racial equity, and identify ways to dismantle systemic racism while supporting students' and staff's social/emotional needs. Identify direct and indirect student services you can implement immediately to promote equity and access for all students.

In-Person Virtual

11:30-12:30 PMET

Overview:

A recent ASCA study showed only 50% of school counselors are addressing racial equity within their schools. Hear about proactive racial equity strategies you can use as a part of your school counseling program. Learn approaches to address racial equity, and identify ways to dismantle systemic racism while supporting students' and staff's social/emotional needs. Identify direct and indirect student services you can implement immediately to promote equity and access for all students.

Learning Objectives:

1) Identify ways school counselors can be active allies in the fight against systemic racism 2) Discuss proactive strategies to support students and staff during major race, hate and bias incidents in your school and community 3) Strategize ways to lead classroom lessons, small groups and individual sessions to increase students' understanding of their identity and those different from them 4) Identify the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors and the ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success related to the school counselor's role in racial equity and fighting systemic racism

Elementary School Suicide Prevention

Few are comfortable discussing suicide, especially at the elementary level, but with suicide rates on the rise it is a reality we must embrace. Learn how a team of school counselors got comfortable with the uncomfortable and created powerful suicide prevention classroom lessons for K-5 students. Leave with new engaging lessons and resources to discuss "the S word" with even your youngest students.

In-Person

11:30-12:30 PMET

Select ASCA Student Standards

Learn about annual student outcome goals, supplemental data and the ASCA Student Standards. Walk away with an easy-to-follow process for producing intentional work that creates measurable differences for students.

In-Person Virtual

11:30-12:30 PMET

11:35-11:55 AM ET

Change the Anxiety Conversation

Hear strategies for working with anxious students in small groups using the book, "Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents" by Reid Wilson and Lynn Lyons. Put together the puzzle pieces laid out in the book to help students of all ages learn to manage their worry. This is part of the comprehensive approach to changing the anxiety conversation, which primarily focuses on the adult responses to child anxiety. Learn to adapt this approach directly to the students in your building.

In-Person

11:35-11:55 AMET

CANCELLED: Promote Black Girls' Academic Resilience

In public schools, Black adolescent girls experience racial and gender discrimination through school policies and informal encounters with faculty and peers. Despite the potential negative impacts of these experiences, many Black girls prove to be academically resilient. There are several protective factors that may mediate the effects of racism and discrimination for Black adolescent girls. School counselors should understand these protective factors and create opportunities for Black adolescent girls to access such relationships and experiences. Using a womanism framework, explore various protective factors related to Black girls' academic success. Walk away with recommendations to facilitate these experiences in your school.

In-Person

11:35-11:55 AMET

School Counselor Advocacy 101

Advocating for yourself as a first-year school counselor is no easy task, especially when asking to take non-school-counseling duties off your plate. Discover best practices to advocate for your role as a school counselor, and walk away with tools to use when meeting with your administration.

In-Person

11:35-11:55 AMET

RAMP-Ready Graphs

School counselors share results reports data to show how students benefit from a school counseling program. Charts and graphs summarize this data, illustrating what students learned through participation in the school counseling program and the impact learning had on achievement, attendance and discipline. Learn to create RAMP-ready graphs and charts to showcase the amazing work you're doing.

In-Person

11:35-11:55 AMET

12:00-1:30 PM ET

Lunch in the Exhibit Hall

In-Person

12:00-1:30 PMET

12:10-12:30 PM ET

Suicide Information-gathering Tool

Based on multiple research studies, practitioner experience and court cases that have informed the process, ASCA has created a suicide information-gathering tool for use by school counselors to replace traditional suicide screeners and assessments that require the user to quantify risk. Learn about the tool, and explore its use in K–12 settings.

In-Person

12:10-12:30 PMET

Build & Improve Your Advisory Council

Developing and maintaining a school counseling advisory council is a pivotal step toward comprehensive school counseling program implementation; however, many school counselors struggle with the advisory council start-up process and ongoing maintenance. Hear tips for how to establish and move your advisory council in the direction that best serves your students.

In-Person

12:10-12:30 PMET

Student Engagement Magic

Do you want to find new ways to keep students engaged in classroom lessons and groups? Walk away with quick, easy-to-implement tips to make your lessons more fun for your students and you.

In-Person

12:10-12:30 PMET

Create Vision Statements

The school counseling vision statement communicates what school counselors hope to see for students five to 15 years in the future. It aligns with the school and district vision statements and is informed by the school counseling program's beliefs. Learn what makes an effective vision statement and implementation steps using the RAMP rubric as your guide.

In-Person

12:10-12:30 PMET

12:15-12:45 PM ET

The Future of Online Design

In the pre-pandemic world, online learning was progressively growing in acceptance and effectiveness. But when the pandemic arrived, it accelerated online learning and forced everyone, regardless of capability or preparedness, to provide learning in an online format. Now, it’s clear that online learning is here to stay. But what have we learned from the last three years? It’s safe to say it wasn’t all great. In many cases, in-person lectures were simply dropped into an online format without a full understanding of virtual learning best practices. Many institutions didn’t have time to upskill and approach online learning with pedagogical expertise. The pandemic also taught us that students are absolutely capable of learning online, and they want the online option now more than ever. As we approach the next phase of online learning, the booming rise in AI presents further opportunities to transform and reimagine how students learn. New developments, data, and insights can help us leverage what we learned during the pandemic-era shift to online learning that will shape our future strategy and focus on evolving education options.

In-Person

12:15-12:45 PMET

The US Army: Investing in Education, Supporting People, Strengthening the Nation

Discover high school resources, educational opportunities, scholarships and how the Army reaches into every corner of America.

In-Person

12:15-12:45 PMET

12:45-1:15 PM ET

Virtual Exclusive: Improving Equity with RAMP Data and the ASCA National Model

School counselors at 2023 RAMP schools identified inequities and were innovative in their approaches to help students succeed while also working to influence significant systemic changes in their schools. Learn more about what school counselors and one RAMP team captain say about the importance of equity work through the ASCA National Model.

In-Person Virtual

12:45-1:15 PMET

12:50-1:20 PM ET

Teaching the Skills to Transition from Elementary to Middle School

Two of the most significant and difficult transitions for students are from elementary to middle school and from middle school to high school. These are both exciting but stressful times in the life of each student. The unintended, adverse academic and social impact of these transitions is well-documented by research, and the most successful transitions happen when school leaders treat them as a process rather than an event. Schools that treat these transitions as a process have a roadmap and tools to engage school counselors, teachers, students and families in planning continuous support during the transition and throughout the year. Focus on why a transition plan that successfully bridges the transition from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school is crucial for students’ long-term academic and social/emotional success. Walk away with tools and strategies to plan for creating a successful transition for students, school counselors, teachers and parents/guardians.

In-Person

12:50-1:20 PMET

Overview:

Two of the most significant and difficult transitions for students are from elementary to middle school and from middle school to high school. These are both exciting but stressful times in the life of each student. The unintended, adverse academic and social impact of these transitions is well-documented by research, and the most successful transitions happen when school leaders treat them as a process rather than an event. Schools that treat these transitions as a process have a roadmap and tools to engage school counselors, teachers, students and families in planning continuous support during the transition and throughout the year. Focus on why a transition plan that successfully bridges the transition from elementary to middle school and middle school to high school is crucial for students’ long-term academic and social/emotional success. Walk away with tools and strategies to plan for creating a successful transition for students, school counselors, teachers and parents/guardians.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss and examine the joys and stressors of elementary and middle school transition, focusing on child and adolescent development, as well as academic and social/emotional learning
Understand research-based, practical strategies for communicating with families to support their students in the transition
Examine your current practice for transition and make connections to the benefits to student learning and positive parent relationships of shifting the transition in their schools from an event to a process

The Start of a Lifetime

Get insights on the career alternatives an apprenticeship in the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) offers young men and women. In addition to the opportunity to be expertly trained in a number of professional crafts in construction, IUPAT apprentices earn a paycheck from the very start of their time in the IUPAT – with benefits. IUPAT apprentices earn while they learn and gain skills that will last them a lifetime.

In-Person

12:50-1:20 PMET

1:30-2:30 PM ET

Advocate for Appropriate Roles

Want to move away from non-school-counseling roles and duties? It can be hard to have these tough conversations. Explore advocacy options to focus on appropriate roles and how to reframe the dialogue using data and ethics. Develop processes to support your advocacy. Explore inappropriate roles in 504 case management, being used as a special, test coordination and more.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Cultivate a Successful Internship Experience

Guiding, teaching and mentoring interns is an essential task for both personal and professional growth as a school counselor and for the school counseling profession. The ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors and the ASCA Professional Standards & Competencies both outline that structured supervision is required for school counseling interns. Refresh your understanding of counseling supervision models, and learn how to integrate these models with the ASCA National Model. Learn about the considerations and responsibilities that fall to both the supervising school counselor and the intern. Hear innovative techniques for meaningful learning experiences, self-awareness and growth for both the school counselors and school-counselors-in-training.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

Guiding, teaching and mentoring interns is an essential task for both personal and professional growth as a school counselor and for the school counseling profession. The ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors and the ASCA Professional Standards & Competencies both outline that structured supervision is required for school counseling interns. Refresh your understanding of counseling supervision models, and learn how to integrate these models with the ASCA National Model. Learn about the considerations and responsibilities that fall to both the supervising school counselor and the intern. Hear innovative techniques for meaningful learning experiences, self-awareness and growth for both the school counselors and school-counselors-in-training.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss the roles of the school counselor and school-counselor-in-training regarding supervision 2) Integrate school counselor supervision skills and techniques into your current program 3) Develop meaningful and impactful experiences for school-counselors-in training

DEI & Difficult Conversations

We are living in a society where terms such as “diversity, equity and inclusion” can have various meanings. To create an atmosphere where we value and respect all students and families with unconditional positive regard, all educators within the school system must use consistent, intentional and inclusive strategies and techniques. We thrive more as an educational community when we are able to look through the lens of the individuals we serve and empathize with their current beliefs, customs and values. Learn the difference between counseling and counseling skills, understand and define conversational competence, and develop a thorough understanding about how effective communication can build lasting relationships with students, staff and parents.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

We are living in a society where terms such as “diversity, equity and inclusion” can have various meanings. To create an atmosphere where we value and respect all students and families with unconditional positive regard, all educators within the school system must use consistent, intentional and inclusive strategies and techniques. We thrive more as an educational community when we are able to look through the lens of the individuals we serve and empathize with their current beliefs, customs and values. Learn the difference between counseling and counseling skills, understand and define conversational competence, and develop a thorough understanding about how effective communication can build lasting relationships with students, staff and parents.

Learning Objectives:

1) Define diversity, equity and inclusion 2) Brainstorm ways to advocate and support the difference between counseling and counseling skills 3) Define and discuss conversational competence 4) Describe how effective communication can build lasting relationships with students, staff and parents

Staff- & Student-Led Restorative Practices

Research shows that traditional disciplinary practices don't change students' behavior or negative habits. Learn to efficiently implement restorative practices schoolwide to create systemic change for all students and promote student success through positive adult relationships. Through research analysis learn about others' perspectives, recognize personal bias and understand why restorative practices are effective for long-term change. Learn about inclusive student-driven options promoting supportive peer relationships.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Meaningful Partnerships for Student Success

The partnership between administrators and school counselors is an integral piece of a school counseling program. Hear from two RAMP schools as they describe how administrators and school counselors worked together to close achievement gaps and provide data-informed school counseling programs to all students.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

School Shootings & Catastrophic Events

Recovery from mass casualty events requires a major set of actions reaching far beyond usual crisis response efforts. Learn trauma-informed strategies for the complex dynamics of short- and long-term recovery from catastrophic events. Focus on the similarities and differences in response efforts needed depending on the type of disaster, whether human-caused or acts of nature. Some strategies are essential for recovery in all kinds of events, but unique challenges in each must also be identified and addressed. Understand the five essential caveats for responding to overwhelming crises and methods for implementing a systems approach. Leave with your own action plan, specific to the needs you identify in your own building and district.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

Recovery from mass casualty events requires a major set of actions reaching far beyond usual crisis response efforts. Learn trauma-informed strategies for the complex dynamics of short- and long-term recovery from catastrophic events. Focus on the similarities and differences in response efforts needed depending on the type of disaster, whether human-caused or acts of nature. Some strategies are essential for recovery in all kinds of events, but unique challenges in each must also be identified and addressed. Understand the five essential caveats for responding to overwhelming crises and methods for implementing a systems approach. Leave with your own action plan, specific to the needs you identify in your own building and district.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss the dynamics and complexities of responding to catastrophic school events, and design the foundation for a high-level response 2) Discuss strategies that work for all major events and methods for identifying unusual characteristics of the event 3) Explain the big picture of a systems approach to crisis response, and plan an implementation for a systems approach for the response 3) Identify crucial steps to add to one’s current district plan

Build a Suicide-Safer School & Community

Prior to the pandemic, research showed an increase in suicidal ideation/behaviors. It has likely increased as a result of the social isolation of the pandemic, as well as social/political unrest. Learn how to imbed the world’s leading suicide prevention model into your district’s policies and school counseling practices. Explore how to reach outside the school walls to build a wide network for a suicide-safer community.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Workforce Connections

School culture is primarily “go to college,” but data shows less than half of students enroll. All students would benefit from learning how to find rewarding careers in tandem with the college-going culture. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) uses federal dollars to support local workforce development networks, and schools have an opportunity to teach students how to access and navigate these networks. Integrating school cultures and WIOA service partners will result in better outcomes for students and families.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Student Self-Leadership

Self-leadership has been defined as “serving as a chief, captain or CEO of one’s own life” and is a key component of personal and professional success in adults. Strong self-leaders understand who they are, take responsibility for what they do and are intentional about where they are going. They see challenges as opportunities instead of impossibilities and are more resilient overall. Learn how you can empower all students to develop as self-leaders now, so they can be champions of their own success for the rest of their lives.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

Self-leadership has been defined as “serving as a chief, captain or CEO of one’s own life” and is a key component of personal and professional success in adults. Strong self-leaders understand who they are, take responsibility for what they do and are intentional about where they are going. They see challenges as opportunities instead of impossibilities and are more resilient overall. Learn how you can empower all students to develop as self-leaders now, so they can be champions of their own success for the rest of their lives.

Learning Objectives:

1) Explain the power of self-leadership skills when it comes to our ability to manage and recover from difficult situations, set and reach goals, increase confidence and achieve 2) Identify students who have deficits in self-leadership 3) Review and implement lessons, activities and resources that cultivate student self-efficacy, self-awareness, autonomy and other self-leadership traits

Trauma-Informed School Counseling in an Urban Setting

Trauma can be defined as the inability to cope or function as a response to a distressing, stressful or frightening event. Many students exposed to trauma experience devastating effects that have an impact on their overall well-being and academic success. School counselors play a key role in building relationships with students to feel safe and connected to their school and community by advocating for students and facilitating an overall mindset shift to trauma-informed practices in schools. Learn about the three E’s of trauma and its impact on students, the role of the school counselor in addressing this trauma and how to implement multitiered system of supports to promote student wellness.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

Trauma can be defined as the inability to cope or function as a response to a distressing, stressful or frightening event. Many students exposed to trauma experience devastating effects that have an impact on their overall well-being and academic success. School counselors play a key role in building relationships with students to feel safe and connected to their school and community by advocating for students and facilitating an overall mindset shift to trauma-informed practices in schools. Learn about the three E’s of trauma and its impact on students, the role of the school counselor in addressing this trauma and how to implement multitiered system of supports to promote student wellness.

Learning Objectives:

1) Strengthen your trauma-informed practice by implementing MTSS response to promote student wellness 2) Describe how to be a change agent to facilitate a mindset in implementing trauma-informed practices 3) Discuss the school counselor's role as an integral part of addressing student trauma

Free or Low-Cost School Counseling Tools

Students often feel less threatened and more at ease in a game-playing or fun environment. Learn to use games, activities and tools to teach youth communication skills, anger management, social skills, self esteem and more. Access a list of proven resources, including ideas for games and tools you can make with little to no coast.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Support Immigrant Muslim Students

Muslim students in the U.S. often feel alienated due to stereotypes of Muslims after 9/11, misunderstandings about religious practices and the lack of spaces for prayer rooms in schools. Focus on increasing your knowledge about racially and ethically diverse Muslim Americans and their unique challenges.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Solution-Focused Practices

Research has shown that solution-focused models are effective in the school counseling setting, so why do we often forget to use it? Reengage with the solution-focused model by reviewing the tenets of the technique and delving into specific examples of how to use it in daily interactions with students in all three tiers.

In-Person Virtual

1:30-2:30 PMET

Culturally Competent SEL

What are the residual effects of 400 years of slavery on a group of people? What are the emotional, psychological and educational implications of many civil rights being exercised for the first time in just the last 75 years? How might we leverage the resilience of Black people across generations while simultaneously recognizing the impact of history on the present? When social/emotional learning is embedded into the culture of schools, it can be a critical part of disrupting and dismantling policies and practices that perpetuate inequities in student outcomes that disproportionately harm Black students. Review strengths-based steps to empower all stakeholders to embrace and promote social/emotional learning as a means to disrupting harmful practices.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

What are the residual effects of 400 years of slavery on a group of people? What are the emotional, psychological and educational implications of many civil rights being exercised for the first time in just the last 75 years? How might we leverage the resilience of Black people across generations while simultaneously recognizing the impact of history on the present? When social/emotional learning is embedded into the culture of schools, it can be a critical part of disrupting and dismantling policies and practices that perpetuate inequities in student outcomes that disproportionately harm Black students. Review strengths-based steps to empower all stakeholders to embrace and promote social/emotional learning as a means to disrupting harmful practices.

Learning Objectives:

1) Articulate the current social/emotional implications of Black students' historic oppression 2) Explain the relevance of social/emotional learning for disrupting and dismantling harmful practices and policies perpetuating inequitable student outcomes 3) Describe strengths-based approaches to empowering all education stakeholders to promote culturally competent social/emotional learning

Use the ASCA Student Standards

The ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success specify the attitudes, knowledge and skills students need to be effective learners. Focus on the best way to use the 36 ASCA Student Standards to drive content and assessment of what you deliver to students. Fine-tune your ability to align the standards, learning objectives and pre-/post-assessment items as defined by the ASCA National Model.

In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Next Steps in DEI Work: Widening the Lens
Even with ASCA’s existing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) resources, the need for DEI work remains as school counselors still uncover racist practices in schools, see an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation throughout states and districts and are working tirelessly to support students with disabilities. School counselors continue to face pushback for DEI work. Where do we go from here? Join the ASCA DEI townhall to engage with and hear from others based on the following questions:
1. What is your current experience in doing DEI work, whether anti-racist, LGBTQ+ or students with disabilities support?
2. How do you balance ethical standards with employee responsibilities that create challenges?
3. How have you been able to find successes and overcome some of the challenges you face while doing the work?
4. What do you still need help with to do the work?
In-Person

1:30-2:30 PMET

Overview:

Even with ASCA’s existing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) resources, the need for DEI work remains as school counselors still uncover racist practices in schools, see an increase in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation throughout states and districts and are working tirelessly to support students with disabilities. School counselors continue to face pushback for DEI work. Where do we go from here? Join the ASCA DEI townhall to engage with and hear from others based on the following questions:

What is your current experience in doing DEI work, whether anti-racist, LGBTQ+ or students with disabilities support?
How do you balance ethical standards with employee responsibilities that create challenges?
How have you been able to find successes and overcome some of the challenges you face while doing the work?
What do you still need help with to do the work?

Learning Objectives:

Discuss best practices in advocacy from school counselors, school counselor educators and directors who have had success in DEI work
Share specifics for current and future needs in this work

2:45-3:45 PM ET

Repair the School Counselor/Principal Relationship

The school counselor/principal relationship has a lasting impact on the efficacy of delivering a comprehensive school counseling program. Learn where one school counselor/principal team started and how they collaborated, problem-solved and shifted from a highly dysfunctional relationship to develop a common vision for the school counseling program.

In-Person Virtual

2:45-3:45 PMET

Student-Led Career Fairs

Are you looking to strengthen career awareness in your elementary school counseling program? Take your career lessons from drab to fab with student-led career fairs. Learn more about the process of project-based learning, identify community and school partners and get the tools you need to start planning.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Student Voices of Suicide Prevention

Now more than ever, students need to feel accepted, acknowledged, cared for and appreciated at school. Aevidum is a student-centered, student-driven club that supports students' overall mental health in a school. Learn how the first Aevidum club was established, how a club can help improve your school climate and how to recruit student leaders to start an Aevidum club. Hear from student leaders about how Aevidum amplifies student voices and the positive, profound impact peer-led initiatives can have in schools.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Overview:

Now more than ever, students need to feel accepted, acknowledged, cared for and appreciated at school. Aevidum is a student-centered, student-driven club that supports students' overall mental health in a school. Learn how the first Aevidum club was established, how a club can help improve your school climate and how to recruit student leaders to start an Aevidum club. Hear from student leaders about how Aevidum amplifies student voices and the positive, profound impact peer-led initiatives can have in schools.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss the background and history of Aevidum and what makes it a different type of student club 2) Recruit student leaders in your school to implement an Aevidum Club 3) List the protective factors that contribute to wellness and suicide prevention, and develop campaigns and ideas to integrate Aevidum's signature four characteristics of a healthy community 4) Identify ways to empower and engage students to authentically incorporate student voice into mental health and suicide prevention initiatives

Equity in K-12 Postsecondary Advising

School counselors are in a unique position to promote access to quality postsecondary advising through an equity lens to all students. Learn how Chicago Public Schools counselors received certification to become postsecondary champions for K-12 students. Discuss liberatory thinking, targeted universalism and historically racist systems affecting student postsecondary planning. Walk away with tools that will support your postsecondary practices through an equity lens.

In-Person Virtual

2:45-3:45 PMET

Assess Your Program Practices

What do you need to know about your own school counseling practices that will allow you to take your program to the next level? Learn about the five levels of school counseling program practice, then take a self-assessment survey, based on the ASCA National Model, to analyze the results in order to reflect on your own strengths and areas for growth. Walk away with resources and strategies for increasing program practices that will take your program to the next level.

In-Person Virtual

2:45-3:45 PMET

Sustain a RAMP Culture

Want to create a positive culture shift in your school and district? Looking for a way to increase the appropriate use of your school counselors? Need to reduce caseloads and increase comprehensive programming? Want to cultivate a sense of pride and excellence in your work with students? Looking to align with the ASCA Model and ultimately increase RAMP applications? Learn about how St. Paul Public School counselors are prioritizing the right work so that every student has equitable access to comprehensive school counseling programs.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Overview:

Want to create a positive culture shift in your school and district? Looking for a way to increase the appropriate use of your school counselors? Need to reduce caseloads and increase comprehensive programming? Want to cultivate a sense of pride and excellence in your work with students? Looking to align with the ASCA Model and ultimately increase RAMP applications? Learn about how St. Paul Public School counselors are prioritizing the right work so that every student has equitable access to comprehensive school counseling programs.

Learning Objectives:

1) Create a plan for increasing buy-in to alignment with the ASCA National Model 2) Discuss common barriers and strategies to overcome challenges to implementation 3) Support and encourage school counselors to apply for the RAMP designation 4) Leverage best-practice school counseling to advocate for appropriate caseloads and to gain support for school counseling in your school/district

Strengthen Partnerships with Latinx Families

As indicated by research, family engagement in their child’s education can lead to positive student outcomes such as improved academic achievement, decreased disciplinary issues, affirmative sense of well-being, and improved school environment. Yet, Latinx families often face barriers to school involvement. As bridge builders within our schools, school counselors are in a position to help families and schools strengthen the collaboration to improve student success. Learn strategies and share best practices for engaging Latinx families within your school community.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Advocacy for Black Students with Disabilities

Black students with disabilities have long experienced oppressive, inequitable educational conditions in areas of disproportional referral and placement in special education, distance from general education curriculum and rigorous courses, inclusion in the preschool-to-prison pipeline, and inadequate and inequitable postsecondary planning. Building on recommendations in the ASCA position statement on the school counselor and students with disabilities, explore ways to interrupt racism and ableism, listen to the lived experiences of Black parents of young adults with high incidence disabilities, acknowledge the invaluable resource of parents and families, and learn strategies to promote more equity for Black students with disabilities and their families.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Overview:

Black students with disabilities have long experienced oppressive, inequitable educational conditions in areas of disproportional referral and placement in special education, distance from general education curriculum and rigorous courses, inclusion in the preschool-to-prison pipeline, and inadequate and inequitable postsecondary planning. Building on recommendations in the ASCA position statement on the school counselor and students with disabilities, explore ways to interrupt racism and ableism, listen to the lived experiences of Black parents of young adults with high incidence disabilities, acknowledge the invaluable resource of parents and families, and learn strategies to promote more equity for Black students with disabilities and their families.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss the multiple oppressions producing inequitable educational and postsecondary outcomes for Black students with disabilities 2) Use qualitative research to highlight inequities in educational systems as reported by parents/guardians of Black students with disabilities 3) Explain how to modify one’s own current practices to increase equity in academic and postsecondary planning for Black students with disabilities 4) Identify an action to take to improve advocacy and collaboration with parents/guardians of Black students with disabilities to reduce gaps in postsecondary planning

Making MTSS Work 101

More and more schools around the country are implementing MTSS. What does this mean for school counselors? Learn the basics of how MTSS aligns with your comprehensive school counseling program. Get ready to talk about tiers; data; and culturally sustaining, anti-racist practices to strengthen your school counseling program and be a leader and systems change agent in your school.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

School Counseling Advocacy

Are you having challenges providing a comprehensive school counseling program due to your supervisor's or state’s expectations of you as a school counselor? Do you feel you could do so much more as a school counselor to build and implement your program if only you had the time? Get tools to advocate for your role within your school, district and larger community.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Small Groups Galore

Small groups are a critical component of a school counseling program. Focus on purposefully selecting students for small groups and tips for planning and facilitating effective sessions. Walk away with ready-to-go activities and organizational tools you can use with any small group.

In-Person Virtual

2:45-3:45 PMET

Branding & Media Magic

School counseling leadership and advocacy often require communicating with a variety of external stakeholders. Learn to harness your unique perspective, cultivate a professional brand and communicate authentically and creatively about the important work of school counselors.

In-Person Virtual

2:45-3:45 PMET

Use Tech to Connect

As school counselors we are constantly dreaming up ways to make connections with educational partners. Learn about technology tools that can help you connect with educational partners and market your school counseling program. Walk away with examples and ideas to start making technology work for you today.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Tips from RAMP Reviewers

When applying for RAMP, ASCA’s national recognition program, it's important to maximize your efforts. Get lessons learned from those involved in that scoring process, highlighting tips and pitfalls. Hear from these experts before tackling the RAMP application.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Tools to Build on the ASCA National Model

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in North Carolina is one of the 20 largest U.S. school districts, with approximately 500 school counselors serving more than 140,000 students of diverse racial, socioeconomic status and family education backgrounds. In 2019, CMS embarked on a two-year partnership with ASCA-certified trainers and committed to implementing the ASCA National Model districtwide. Upon completion of this initiative, school counseling leaders and building-level school counselors alike have continued the momentum of ASCA National Model implementation through the use of districtwide tools, structured expectations and increased accountability measures. Learn more about how CMS school counselors have embraced the opportunity to make a significant impact on student learning and change the landscape of student achievement via training and district leadership initiatives.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Overview:

The Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) in North Carolina is one of the 20 largest U.S. school districts, with approximately 500 school counselors serving more than 140,000 students of diverse racial, socioeconomic status and family education backgrounds. In 2019, CMS embarked on a two-year partnership with ASCA-certified trainers and committed to implementing the ASCA National Model districtwide. Upon completion of this initiative, school counseling leaders and building-level school counselors alike have continued the momentum of ASCA National Model implementation through the use of districtwide tools, structured expectations and increased accountability measures. Learn more about how CMS school counselors have embraced the opportunity to make a significant impact on student learning and change the landscape of student achievement via training and district leadership initiatives.

Learning Objectives:

1) Identify district structures to support and strengthen school counseling 2) Explain how to create effective SMART goals aligned with district-level goals 3) Brainstorm how to scale ASCA National Model implementation across schools in your district 4) Describe how to incorporate data-based tools to strengthen district support and school-level counseling programs

Legal/Ethical Considerations: Partnering with Parents/Guardians

School counselors have a unique and important role in facilitating collaborative relationships with parents/guardians. Focus on the school counselor’s ethical responsibility, as outlined by the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, to partner and collaborate with parents/guardians for student success. Focus on balancing a parent’s right to know with the school counselor’s ethical obligation of confidentiality. Understand the connection between the ASCA position statement The School Counselor and School-Family-Community Partnerships and the ethical standards, and hear best practices in fostering collaborative relationships with parents/guardians.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

Overview:

School counselors have a unique and important role in facilitating collaborative relationships with parents/guardians. Focus on the school counselor’s ethical responsibility, as outlined by the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, to partner and collaborate with parents/guardians for student success. Focus on balancing a parent’s right to know with the school counselor’s ethical obligation of confidentiality. Understand the connection between the ASCA position statement The School Counselor and School-Family-Community Partnerships and the ethical standards, and hear best practices in fostering collaborative relationships with parents/guardians.

Learning Objectives:

Examine the school counselor's primary ethical obligation of confidentiality to students
Discuss the legal and inherent rights of parents/guardians to be the guiding voice in their children’s lives
Identify ways school counselors can build collaborative relationships with parents/guardians for student success

LGBTQ+ School Counselors Affinity Group

Join the LGBTQ+ School Counselor Affinity Group for an in-person meeting. Network with like-minded peers, connect with colleagues with shared challenges and discuss solutions and resources. The LGBTQ+ School Counselors Affinity Group aims to empower and advocate for LGBTQ+ school counselors through collaboration and creating a safe space for giving voice as they navigate their intersecting roles and identities.

In-Person

2:45-3:45 PMET

4:00-5:00 PM ET

New Approaches to Adolescent Drug Prevention

The landscape related to adolescent substance use has changed significantly in the 21st century. The drugs used by teens today are very different than the drugs used in the last century. The age of first-time use is becoming younger and younger. As the landscape changes, so must our approaches to prevention and intervention. Learn how harm reduction and anti-stigma strategies can empower adolescents and adults to work together to change attitudes and behaviors related to adolescent drug use.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Threat Assessment Teams

Learn about a framework for implementing a threat assessment team. Hear how to craft meaningful, nondisciplinary, SEL-focused interventions, and focus on developing wraparound services with community agencies. Walk away with threat assessment team resources to bring back to your district.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Successful Grief Groups

Grief is a natural part of being human. For children, the processing and perceptions around grief can be vastly different from an adult’s and from other children’s. When working with children experiencing grief, it is crucial to consider, and plan around, a wide variety of factors to meet their needs via activities and strategic, solution-focused conversations. Learn to design, plan and implement effective grief groups or individual counseling for students.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Be a Classroom Management Rock Star

One of the best ways to reach large groups of students is through classroom lessons. However, many school counselors are uncomfortable presenting classroom lessons and are unfamiliar with classroom management techniques. Delve into effective classroom management, and walk away with a plan you can immediately implement in your classrooms.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Address Students' Explicit Images Online

Technology has radically changed many aspects of our students' lives. One of the most complex problems is the repercussions of students sharing explicit images of themselves with others online. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline receives reports that include this type of content depicting children of all ages. Explore recent CyberTipline data and research about this issue and discuss how to apply a trauma-informed approach to helping students whose self-generated images are circulating online potentially leading to blackmail, threats, or other kinds of harassment. Learn about prevention messages and resources related to sexting and other types of self-generated images for all age groups.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Overview:

Technology has radically changed many aspects of our students' lives. One of the most complex problems is the repercussions of students sharing explicit images of themselves with others online. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline receives reports that include this type of content depicting children of all ages. Explore recent CyberTipline data and research about this issue and discuss how to apply a trauma-informed approach to helping students whose self-generated images are circulating online potentially leading to blackmail, threats, or other kinds of harassment. Learn about prevention messages and resources related to sexting and other types of self-generated images for all age groups.

Learning Objectives:

1) Identify and access at least three resources available online to address self-generated content with elementary, middle or high school audiences 2) Explain best practices in supporting students whose self-generated content is circulating online 3) Articulate why it's important to address self-generated content in prevention programs and messaging with young children, not just pre-teens and teens

Foster K–8 Students' Self-Reliance

Much has been written about the helicopter- and snowplow-parenting that has come to characterize the social development of a generation of students. Learn about school projects and programs addressing ways to foster independence and self-reliance in students while giving parents permission to take a step back and make room for growth. Through a partnership with LetGrow.Org, school counselors, teachers and administrators across the country have found success in changing the attitudes surrounding this important topic by encouraging students to take on tasks independently and gain valuable experience that builds self-confidence and self-reliance.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Overview:

Much has been written about the helicopter- and snowplow-parenting that has come to characterize the social development of a generation of students. Learn about school projects and programs addressing ways to foster independence and self-reliance in students while giving parents permission to take a step back and make room for growth. Through a partnership with LetGrow.Org, school counselors, teachers and administrators across the country have found success in changing the attitudes surrounding this important topic by encouraging students to take on tasks independently and gain valuable experience that builds self-confidence and self-reliance.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss the value of changing attitudes regarding independence and the relationship between building self-reliance and reducing anxiety 2) Identify methods to encourage students to become more independent at home and at school 3) Explain implementation models for school programs promoting independence 4) Access materials for parent education regarding the topic of self-reliance and independence

Use the ASCA National Model to Select Site Supervisors

Using the ASCA National Model as a qualification to be selected as a school counseling site supervisor ensures interns are matched with site supervisors who will provide them with a well-rounded, informative internship experience in alignment with the ASCA National Model. Learn how one district scores and uses completed evidence-based implementation plans (EBIP) from school counselors as a qualification to be selected as a district-approved school counseling site supervisor. Address EBIP development and scoring using the ASCA RAMP rubric.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Use Minute Meetings for Student Voice

Minute meetings have been used for years to detect, clarify and meet individual students' needs, but minute meetings are also useful for creating systemic change. Learn to use the rich qualitative and quantitative data gained from minute meeting questions to advocate for student needs and, more importantly, to identify patterns from individual answers to advocate for the collective student voice.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Teach Students to Challenge Appearance Discrimination

Students can't effectively learn if they don’t feel they belong. An integral part of belonging is helping students see themselves within their schools and build confidence in overcoming exclusion and discrimination. Learn how to teach students to identify prejudice and feel empowered to challenge. Explore all kinds of appearance discrimination and the negative impact it has.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Create Effective Tier 2 Systems

Do you want to move your Tier 2 systems to the next level? Hear an overview of essential components for developing Tier 2 social/emotional and behavioral supports, and discover how to set up advanced tiered systems for sustainability. Review decision-making guides, and discuss ways to use data to guide your decisions and evidence-based practices to implement with students and staff.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Make Data Your Advocacy Tool

Data can be a scary word for many school counselors, but it doesn't have to be. Get examples and steps to make data your friend and not your enemy by gaining support from staff, school administration, parents/guardians, students and other stakeholders. Learn to use data as an advocacy tool to provide more direct services for students, track and analyze your time, streamline your program and help implement systematic change.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Move Beyond College for All

Most districts aspire to be career-first but don’t know how to put that into practice. Learn how one district is flipping the traditional postsecondary planning process to focus on career by building career exploration into each grade level. Address strategies for creating a network of champions to extend postsecondary readiness beyond school counselor time while creating alignment between career technical education and school counseling departments.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

Equity in Ethics

The ASCA Ethical Standards were revised in 2022, and new language and guidance was provided to continue to support school counselors' work as leaders, advocates and consultants in creating systemic change. Discuss equity frameworks and principles and review notable changes to the ASCA Ethical Standards. Explore application of the standards for practicing school counselors.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Pre-K Postsecondary Readiness

Postsecondary readiness begin in preschool. Elementary school counselors are uniquely positioned to individually assist students with the planning necessary for postsecondary preparation. Learn about effective elementary postsecondary advising strategies designed to shape a student's attitude, mindsets and skills necessary to have a positive impact on college and career outcomes.

In-Person Virtual

4:00-5:00 PMET

Am I Ready for RAMP?

The purpose of RAMP is to recognize those who are implementing the ASCA National Model at an exemplary level. Get tools and advice to realistically evaluate if your program is ready for RAMP submission.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

ASCA National Recognition for School Counselor Preparation Programs

College/university school counselor preparation programs may seek national recognition of their school counselor preparation program through the ASCA Specialized Professional Association (SPA) under the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). The ASCA School Counselor Preparation Program Standards are a unified set of principles guiding school counselor preparation programs in training effective future school counselors in areas of professional practice and ethical behavior. Learn how to apply and complete the program report for ASCA’s recognition program for universities’ school counseling master’s degree programs.

In-Person

4:00-5:00 PMET

7:00-9:30 PM ET

RAMP Awards Dinner

Celebrate the 2023 RAMP recipients at the RAMP Awards Dinner. Additional fee applies.

In-Person

7:00-9:30 PMET

8:00-12:00 PM ET

Registration Open

In-Person

8:00-12:00 PMET

8:30-9:30 AM ET

ASCA-Certified School Counselor Recognition

The ASCA-Certified School Counselor (ACSC) certification demonstrates school counselor knowledge in designing, implementing and assessing a school counseling program. Learn about ACSC recognition, including the benefits, eligibility and application process.

In-Person

8:30-9:30 AMET

Support Military-Connected Youth

Military-connected youth are presented with unique life experiences affecting their college planning and preparation. Frequent transitions and other military life experiences affect their academic continuity, transcripts and access to opportunities but also can positively affect their maturity and skills. Hear from educational professionals at the district, university and federal levels who support military families and military-connected youth through the college planning, access and admissions process. Focus on equitable considerations and practices, as well as solutions to providing military-connected youth with equitable opportunities and access to college, from high school and postsecondary perspectives.

In-Person

8:30-9:30 AMET

Overview:

Military-connected youth are presented with unique life experiences affecting their college planning and preparation. Frequent transitions and other military life experiences affect their academic continuity, transcripts and access to opportunities but also can positively affect their maturity and skills. Hear from educational professionals at the district, university and federal levels who support military families and military-connected youth through the college planning, access and admissions process. Focus on equitable considerations and practices, as well as solutions to providing military-connected youth with equitable opportunities and access to college, from high school and postsecondary perspectives.

Learning Objectives:

1) Explain military-connected youth's strengths, assets and unique challenges 2) Examine your own biases, assumptions and practice, and adopt new perspectives and tools to use when working with and advocating for military-connected students 3) Describe effective practices and solutions to support equitable opportunities and access for military-connected students throughout their postsecondary planning process

Stress Management in School Counseling

Student levels of stress and anxiety have increased as a result of the pandemic and current events. School counselors are in a key role to support students in alleviating their stress. Explore the research on pandemic-related stress and identify various interventions, resources and activities to help students manage their stress at each tier.

In-Person Virtual

8:30-9:30 AMET

A School District’s Journey to RAMP

Discover how all Chicago Public School counseling programs in the district are supported in their path to RAMP designation. Starting out with the creation of an evidence-based implementation plan, school counselors are supported in developing intentional, systematic approaches to address all students' academic, career and social/emotional development, as well as a plan for collecting data and sharing their school counseling program's impact with key stakeholders. This approach creates a pathway for school counselors to align their programs with the ASCA National Model, leading to the RAMP application process. Walk away with valuable resources to help the school counseling programs in your district achieve RAMP status.

In-Person

8:30-9:30 AMET

Overview:

Discover how all Chicago Public School counseling programs in the district are supported in their path to RAMP designation. Starting out with the creation of an evidence-based implementation plan, school counselors are supported in developing intentional, systematic approaches to address all students' academic, career and social/emotional development, as well as a plan for collecting data and sharing their school counseling program's impact with key stakeholders. This approach creates a pathway for school counselors to align their programs with the ASCA National Model, leading to the RAMP application process. Walk away with valuable resources to help the school counseling programs in your district achieve RAMP status.

Learning Objectives:

1) Identify how to align school improvement plans with an evidence-based implementation plan to create a data-informed school counseling program 2) Streamline the ASCA National Model templates and online portal with an evidence-based implementation plan 3) Create pathways toward RAMP designation for the schools in your district

An Anti-racist Lens to Data & MTSS

Schools and districts are continuously working to make schools safe and welcoming for all. School counselors are increasingly utilizing an anti-racist lens within their work to implement comprehensive school counseling programs and MTSS. But what does this look like when it comes to collecting and analyzing data? Learn concrete strategies for aligning your school counseling program with MTSS through an anti-racist lens, focusing particularly on data. Hear how to advocate for and support historically marginalized students through school data collection and analysis and how to use data to dismantle policies and practices that uphold white privilege.

In-Person

8:30-9:30 AMET

Drum, Draw, Drama & Dance

In the age of screen time and constant stimulation, it can be difficult to keep students' attention with traditional counseling instruction. Hear ways to create engaging experiences for students through arts integration. Come get your art on while we explore intentionally integrating art standards from music, drama, visual arts, and dance/movement with ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success. Through hands-on examples, learn discover strategiesto easily integrate arts into school counseling lessons on career, self-awareness, diversity and inclusion, and empathy.

In-Person Virtual

8:30-9:30 AMET

Overview:

In the age of screen time and constant stimulation, it can be difficult to keep students' attention with traditional counseling instruction. Hear ways to create engaging experiences for students through arts integration. Come get your art on while we explore intentionally integrating art standards from music, drama, visual arts, and dance/movement with ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success. Through hands-on examples, learn discover strategiesto easily integrate arts into school counseling lessons on career, self-awareness, diversity and inclusion, and empathy.

Learning Objectives:

1) Explain the concept of arts integration vs. art enhancement 2) Apply ASCA Student Standards and fine arts standards to counseling instruction 3) Discuss a variety of arts integration strategies you can implement in your school counseling program 4) Reflect on your favorite art form and how to use it to increase student engagement and retention

Effective School Counselor/Principal Relationships

Evidence suggests that an effective collaboration between administrators and school counselors leads to improved overall student achievement. Address how school counselors and principals can use the ASCA National Model to create a professional partnership rooted in mutual trust and communication, with a shared vision for student success.

In-Person

8:30-9:30 AMET

Create Gender-Support Plans for LGBTQ+ Students

School counselors and other educational support staff must intentionally consider ways to effectively advocate for all students. Hear first-hand experiences in advocating for your LGBTQ+ community. Learn about the implementation of gender support plans (GSPs) and other tools as concrete examples of advocacy and intentional support.

In-Person

8:30-9:30 AMET

Create Outcome and Mindsets & Behaviors Data Graphs

Visual representation of the impact of school counselors’ work is important to building support for the school counseling program. Data graphs can facilitate the creation of infographics, slide presentations and newsletter articles that inform educational partners on the added value of school counselors to generate positive change for student outcomes. Discover ways to identify what to include, how to summarize student responses and methods for creating quality graphs that convey impact at a glance.

In-Person Virtual

8:30-9:30 AMET

Strategies to Support Black Girls

The culturally unique experiences of Black girls within their families, schools and community can influence their self-concept from a young age. Historically, Black girls have displayed resilience amid all of the social "isms" they encounter. Black girls need to be equipped with tools that help them maintain their strength, confidence and resilience without jeopardizing their wellness and livelihood. Walk away with culturally inspired strategies that empower Black girls to build and develop confidence, pursue leadership and imporove their overall well-being.

In-Person

8:30-9:30 AMET

Overview:

The culturally unique experiences of Black girls within their families, schools and community can influence their self-concept from a young age. Historically, Black girls have displayed resilience amid all of the social "isms" they encounter. Black girls need to be equipped with tools that help them maintain their strength, confidence and resilience without jeopardizing their wellness and livelihood. Walk away with culturally inspired strategies that empower Black girls to build and develop confidence, pursue leadership and imporove their overall well-being.

Learning Objectives:

1) Explain how history has shaped the lives of Black girls today 2) Discuss key factors affecting Black girls' social/emotional well-being and how these factors affect Black girls' life experiences 3) Access culturally informed tools and resources to help develop the confidence and social/emotional well-being of Black girls in their families, schools and communities

Public Arena Advocacy

School counselors are encouraged to advocate for their programs and students to bring about systemic change within an educational setting. As school counselors create action plans to address social issues affecting students, they should consider where their actions fall on an advocacy/activism continuum. Learn the similarities and differences between advocacy and activism, best practices for engaging in public arena advocacy and tips for safeguarding employment.

In-Person

8:30-9:30 AMET

NCAA Eligibility Center Hot Topics

Learn about updates to the initial-eligibility process, including COVID-19 exceptions moving forward, standardized test scores, nontraditional program case studies, core course review and best practices for high school counselors.

In-Person

8:30-9:30 AMET

ASCA National Model Sustainability

Continued implementation of the ASCA National Model becomes the culture of the school and ensures measured benefits for students and school counselors. Explore your personal and professional "why" regarding the ASCA National Model and how the templates support the continuation of the work. Identify onboarding techniques to maintain support for ASCA National Model implementation and continued development work.

In-Person Virtual

8:30-9:30 AMET

Equity and the ASCA National Model

The ASCA National Model guides school counselors in using data to identify trends and inequities in achievement, attendance and discipline and to lead, advocate and collaborate on strategies to improve student achievement and remove barriers, thus providing the best possible outcomes for students. Learn how ASCA National Model implementation is one of the best ways to do equity work in your schools.

In-Person Virtual

8:30-9:30 AMET

9:45-10:45 AM ET

Build a Future-Focused Elementary Program

A focus on postsecondary readiness is essential for students of all ages. At the elementary level, teaching about careers, colleges and postsecondary options doesn’t have to be limited to a standalone unit or lesson. Explore how to integrate a future focus throughout your program, and develop meaningful content about postsecondary opportunities for your students. Discover strategies to refresh your perspective, ensure your program reflects the evolving postsecondary landscape and tohelp even your youngest students dream big.

In-Person

9:45-10:45 AMET

Overview:

A focus on postsecondary readiness is essential for students of all ages. At the elementary level, teaching about careers, colleges and postsecondary options doesn’t have to be limited to a standalone unit or lesson. Explore how to integrate a future focus throughout your program, and develop meaningful content about postsecondary opportunities for your students. Discover strategies to refresh your perspective, ensure your program reflects the evolving postsecondary landscape and tohelp even your youngest students dream big.

Learning Objectives:

1) Integrate concepts related to postsecondary readiness, workplace habits and goal-setting throughout your school counseling program 2) Implement schoolwide events, classroom lessons, small groups and individual academic planning and advisement to promote elementary students’ postsecondary awareness and readiness 3) Expand your current practice to include innovative, engaging and relevant opportunities for your students

RAMP Reviewer Bootcamp

If you’ve implemented the ASCA National Model and have a strong process for collecting data, learn how you can become a RAMP reviewer who scores and provides feedback on RAMP applications. Explore using your ASCA National Model knowledge and skills to further the profession and hone your own program.

In-Person

9:45-10:45 AMET

The RAMP Journey via Multiple Lenses

Chicago Public Schools has become a leading RAMP district by layering in support and advocacy for school counselor work from the school to district and national level. Hear tips to use and pitfalls to avoid as you work toward RAMP in your school or district. Become an accountability partner with other school counselors, schools and leaders in your district by making the Chicago Public Schools’ model your own.

In-Person

9:45-10:45 AMET

Out-of-the-Box School Counseling

Do you want to be creative in your approach to meet the needs of all students? Are you looking for creative, data-informed initiatives? Explore out-of-the-box school counseling techniques you can easily implement. Leave with creative programs, initiatives and lessons to invigorate your school counseling program.

In-Person Virtual

9:45-10:45 AMET

Mindfulness in School Counseling

The number of children in schools suffering from anxiety and stress is rapidly rising, and their emotional regulation is lacking. Research has shown that practicing mindfulness reduces these negative feelings. Mindfulness trains the brain to be less reactive. Learn about specific ways you can integrate mindfulness into your school counseling program. Through small groups and schoolwide activities, mindfulness can become a powerful tool for the entire school community.

In-Person

9:45-10:45 AMET

Support Underrepresented Colleagues

In many U.S. schools, educators don't mirror the student population demographics. However, research indicates positive outcomes result from having school staff demographics that mirror the student population. Therefore, when schools employ educators of color, schools owe it to students to retain these qualified individuals. Educators of color report that the same attributes that may help create positive outcomes for students may also create added stress or obstacles for educators. As school counselors, we must address this issue to continue to create positive student outcomes and address student discrepancies.

In-Person Virtual

9:45-10:45 AMET

Overview:

In many U.S. schools, educators don't mirror the student population demographics. However, research indicates positive outcomes result from having school staff demographics that mirror the student population. Therefore, when schools employ educators of color, schools owe it to students to retain these qualified individuals. Educators of color report that the same attributes that may help create positive outcomes for students may also create added stress or obstacles for educators. As school counselors, we must address this issue to continue to create positive student outcomes and address student discrepancies.

Learning Objectives:

1) Discuss the positive outcomes for students associated with having educators of color, including school counselors, on staff 2) Explain existing barriers that create difficulties in retaining educators of color, and better understand how to address them 3) Describe your role in accordance with the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors in working with and supporting school counselors from underrepresented and marginalized populations

Help Children Cope with Grief and Loss

Grief arises as a product of a loss we've experienced. It is associated with losses that may include health, job, relationship, pet, family and any major events. The death of someone close to a child often has a profound and lifelong effect on the child and may result in a range of both short- and long-term reactions.

In-Person

9:45-10:45 AMET

Successful Transitions for Tier 3 Students

Transitioning from middle school to high school can be difficult for many students. In particular, students who are exhibit difficulties in achievement, attendance and/or behavior in middle school are at a higher risk of retention and dropout rates at the high school level. Learn to incorporate collaboration between feeder middle schools and high schools to identify Tier 3 at-risk students, and implement a targeted intervention in conjunction with administration to assist students in the transition from middle school to high school.

In-Person Virtual

9:45-10:45 AMET

Leverage Social Media to Promote DEI Efforts

Growing unrest in the U.S. has shown a spotlight on diversity, equity and inclusion. The ethical imperative for school counselors to be leaders, advocators, collaborators and consultants in creating systemic change requires more intentionality. Learn about an innovative way you can leverage social media to help your school, district or association foster a safe, equitable, affirming school environment in which all members of the school community demonstrate respect, inclusion, and acceptance. Discover how to create authentic crosscultural spaces for students to learn about other students and their identities.

In-Person Virtual

9:45-10:45 AMET

Overview:

Growing unrest in the U.S. has shown a spotlight on diversity, equity and inclusion. The ethical imperative for school counselors to be leaders, advocators, collaborators and consultants in creating systemic change requires more intentionality. Learn about an innovative way you can leverage social media to help your school, district or association foster a safe, equitable, affirming school environment in which all members of the school community demonstrate respect, inclusion, and acceptance. Discover how to create authentic crosscultural spaces for students to learn about other students and their identities.

Learning Objectives:

Discuss the importance of employing creative ways to sustain culturally responsive school counseling that establishes a safe, equitable, affirming school environment within and outside of the school community
Describe practical strategies and resources to use social media and communications to deliver Tier 1 lessons to students, families and the community
Proactively educate students about students from diverse backgrounds in their community to reduce hate and bias

Data Collection and Reporting

Focus on the three types of student data, with emphasis on how school counselors collect, analyze and report that data. Hear specific instructions for creating results reports and graphs that convey impact at a glance. Enhance your expertise in the use of data as defined by the ASCA National Model.

In-Person Virtual

9:45-10:45 AMET

Career Development: Early and Everywhere

Help students explore challenges, describe their interest themes, navigate uncertainty and develop the human skills needed to thrive in work and life. Hear about different approaches to career exploration including incorporating a Challenge Mindset, integrating human skills development and encouraging awareness of Holland interest themes. Learn ways to weave career development concepts throughout your elementary classroom curriculum.

In-Person

9:45-10:45 AMET

Amplify Adult SEL

Promoting and supporting adult social/emotional learning (SEL) is essential to a successful comprehensive SEL initiative. Discover the “why” and the “how” of adult SEL and the role you can play in promoting, implementing and engaging in this work. Walk away with resources and strategies for engaging adults, building SEL mindsets and skills and increasing your own SEL growth and advocacy.

In-Person

9:45-10:45 AMET

Careers in Aviation

Do your students have a passion for STEM-focused courses? Would you know how to help student who showed interest in a career in the aviation field? Together, Delta Flight Operations and TechOps will be sharing different pathways that can lead to a lifelong career as a pilot or an aircraft maintenance technician.

In-Person

9:45-10:45 AMET

11:00-12:00 PM ET

General Session: Dr. Bernice King

In-Person Virtual

11:00-12:00 PMET