Counseling 21st Century Students for Optimal College and Career Readiness: A 9th–12th Grade Curriculum

This second edition presents an updated action-based curriculum for high school counselors that will meet the needs of 21st century students, helping to foster their growth and engage them in learning what they need to succeed beyond high school. This book takes a comprehensive, developmental approach, focusing on 9th-12th grade students rather than solely on those in 11th and 12th grade. It provides a model for developing and enhancing a successful college advising office as well as essential advice on methods of working with parents. Specific topics discussed include successful transition to 9th grade, using technology in the college and career advising process, assisting and advising students in college research and application, and helping seniors make successful transitions to college. There is also a special focus on students in urban and rural schools to enable them to have the same enriched experiences in their college and career advising program as those students in private and suburban schools. The curriculum is geared for use by school counselors, college advisors, and readers in graduate counseling student courses.

Table of Contents:
Section I: Understanding the Challenge 1. Counseling 9 – 12 Students for College and Career Readiness: The Challenges of a Changing World and Rising Educational Requirements 2. Development of School–College Partnerships and Grants: Why They Are Important to College and Career Readiness and to the Challenge 3. Addressing the Challenge: Overview of the Counseling Curriculum for Grades 9 – 12 Section II: Making the College and Career Advising Optimal: The Curriculum 4. The Move to High School: Making the Transition to 9th Grade Successful 5. Using Technology in the College and Career Advising Process: Integrating Technology Driven Tools in the College and Career Advising Process 6. Motivation and Testing: Learning About Standardized Testing and Using It to Get Motivated About the College Process (10th–11th Grades) 7. Assisting Students in Career Exploration 8. Advising Students in College Research (9 - 11th Grades) 9. Empowering Students in Their Essay Writing (11th–12th Grades) 10. Assisting Students in Constructing the Final List of Colleges (12th Grade) 11. Helping Seniors Make the Transition to College (12th Grade) Section III: The Counselor As Creator and Manager 12. The Advising Office: More Than Just Good Organization 13. Writing the Counselor Recommendation and Completing the School Report 14. Working with Parents 15. Financial Aid and Merit-Based Scholarships 16. Advising Students with Learning Disabilities About College 17. Future Directions

About the Author :
Corine Fitzpatrick, PhD, has over 20 years of experience in education including work as a teacher, a counselor, and a psychologist. She is currently a professor and chair of the Graduate Counseling and Therapy Programs Department at Manhattan College in New York City. Kathleen Costantini, MA, has over 25 years of experience as a teacher, an administrator, and a college advisor. She has worked on the K-12 level and currently is an adjunct lecturer and grant consultant at Manhattan College.

Review :
"A text that should be on every school counselor's bookshelf. The chapters are filled with concepts and theories to assist pupil personnel services professionals and administrators in preparing students for college and the workforce. The text does an incredible job helping educators put theory into practice when guiding students towards a successful future and career path." —Richard D. Tomko, PhD, MJ, superintendent of Schools, Belleville Public Schools District, Belville, NJ "As a former guidance counselor and administrator of School Counseling Programs this book is a must have for those new to the field of counseling. As a former school building leader it provided cohesion to our Guidance Department and guided the launch of our College Office. I’ll continue to refer to this guide as I take on District Leadership positions as it has proven to be invaluable." —Alex Marrero, EdD, superintendent of Schools, Denver, Colorado "A very practical and relevant book that would be invaluable to any school counseling professional as well as faculty teaching a course on college and career readiness for future school counselors. The authors address the topic of college and career readiness from a developmental, holistic, and pragmatic perspective. The activities and resources provide ways to engage students in preparing for successful postsecondary transitions." — Lourdes M. Rivera, PhD, associate professor, program coordinator, Counselor Education, Queens College "I strongly recommend this very useful tool, for professionals who are interested in improving their craft in knowledge of college and career readiness. School principals, must also be equipped with examples of how important these methodologies are, while preparing students for college alacrity." — Rose Fairweather-Clunie, retired Middle/High School Principal of The IN-Tech Academy, Bronx, New York "The challenges created by a fast-changing global world economy can only be tackled by providing students and counselors with comprehensive tools that prepare them to face changes. This much-awaited updated book provides practical and essential activities for college readiness. It is also a great tool for first generation college bound students." — Angela Arias, EdD, Yonkers City School District, NYGEAR UP, coordinator "This book covers all of the main ideas and pragmatic methods that any counselor engaging in their work as counselors must master before beginning such a task. The reader will discover the core mechanisms necessary for change to occur in groups or individual work. Counseling 21st Century Students for Optimal College and Career Readiness A 9th– 12th Grade Curriculum is both rich in language and deep in practice." — Neil Veloz, LMSW, Licensed Bilingual Social Worker, New York City Department of Education, Cluster 6 School Base Support Team "Dr. Fitzpatrick and Ms. Costantini provide an above and beyond guide to any School Counselor or College and Career planner. The samples alone are well worth the investment, especially to anyone new to the profession. Couldn't recommend this book more!!!" — Kara Ferrazzano, school counselor, Hackensack High School "Many books get buried on my desk during the course of the year - this is not one of those. Even in a higher education setting, I find it to be most helpful in understanding our students." —John Bennett, assistant vice president, Student Services, Manhattan College, Riverdale, Bronx, New York "This resource is a necessity for new counselors and should be utilized by all counselors to strengthen their skills. The curriculum provided in the second edition of Counseling 21st Century Students for Optimal College and Career Readiness helps counselors best advise their students and aid students as they begin their post-secondary journey. The information provided in this book is excellent for all counselors; I highly recommend it." — Megan McShane, college counselor, Cristo Rey New York City High School "This book provides an excellent overview of vital curriculum resources to plan and implement a robust college counseling program at the secondary level. Additionally, this resource has provided valuable guidance in educating prospective School Counselors by outlining realistic expectations of the role of a Secondary School Counselor." —Dana Rose, co-department Chair & school counselor, Clarkstown High School North; trustee for The Westchester, Putnam, Rockland Counseling Association. "With a developmental focus, this book meets the diverse needs of school counselors working in a high school in terms of being career ready. The practical interventions compliment the program objectives. The tips, checklists, activities, and guidelines are essential for the pre-service, novice, and expert school counselors." —Cynthia Walley, associate professor, Mercy College, School Counseling