How a Learning Module Can Affect Confidential Decision Making

This study investigated the ability of a learning module to influence counselors' decisions about confidential information. The module was a self-paced, programmed text written in prose style consisting of behavioral objectives, readings, paper-and-pencil tasks, field activities, and feedback. The study, involving 82 students, used a Solomon-type design of five groups in controlling for the effect of pretesting when the module was used under two conditions: independent study and study in dyads. Analysis of change scores using nonparametric statistics indicated that, when compared with a control group, module users studying alone and in pairs showed significant changes in decisions they made about confidential information.     

A Proposed Internship Model for Students in Counselor Education or Supervision

An internship model is presented for graduate students in counselor education or counselor supervision, particularly those at the doctoral level. The author contends that the internship is a relatively neglected but singularly vital component of graduate training. The author's model proposes five behavioral and interrelated dimensions of intern involvement in the field agency: meetings, observations, conferences, consultations and program evaluations. The article also discusses problems associated with internships, including planning and funding responsibilities as well as the need for defining the internship in behaviorally explicit terms.     

Following the ACES Standards on Preparation of Secondary School Counselors in Career Guidance

Standards for counselor training have been a topic of concern since the 1930s. More recent accomplishments toward quality in counselor education were the adoption of ACES standards at the 1967 Dallas convention and the special issue of Counselor Education and Supervision, “Up-Grading Guidance Practices” (Hill & Munger 1968). This article concentrates on the career guidance and occupational information aspects of the 1967 ACES Standards. In this context, the degree to which some counselor education programs seem to emulate practices contained in the standards and some suggestions for facilitating such emulation are discussed.     

A Developmental Rationale for Curriculum Order and Teaching Styles in Counselor Education Programs

Developmental models provide a useful theoretical foundation for conceptualizing the cognitive development of counseling students. When these models are used, a rationale emerges for teaching styles and course sequencing in counselor education programs.     

Encouraging Counselor Trainee Affective Group Behavior by Social Modeling

Can the planned social modeling of affective, group-focused, personal responses significantly increase such group behaviors in counselor trainees? In the study reported here 32 counselor trainees were randomly assigned to four practicum discussion groups: two video social model groups, one video lecture group, and one discussion group (eight in each group). Pre- and post-response frequencies were analyzed from audiotapes of the counseling groups to study type of delivery, content, process, and focus. Social modeling treatment significantly increased the response frequencies on all measures, while insignificant changes were generally found for the video lecture and group discussion treatments. Questions about social modeling variables and the usefulness of planned modeling in training are considered.     

Generalization of Microcounseling Skills from Training Period to Actual Counseling Setting

This study attempted to measure the generalization of the counseling skills learned via the microcounseling paradigm to the actual counseling setting. Twenty practicum counselors were assigned to two groups: (a) experimental group, training focused on the microcounseling skills of attending behavior, reflection of feeling, and summarization of feeling and (b) control group, no training. Measurements of the microcounseling skills were obtained at four intervals: (1) pretraining, (2) posttraining, (3) counseling session I, and (4) counseling session II. Results indicated that experimental subjects evidenced greater learning and retention of skills in reflection of feeling and summarization of feeling. There were no significant differences between subjects on attending behavior skills. Results are discussed with implications for training counselors via the microcounseling paradigm.     

CRITERION-REFERENCED TESTING: COMMENTS ON RELIABILITY1

Currently there is concern among some educators regarding the reliability of criterion-referenced (CR) measures. In this comment, a recent attempt to develop a theory of reliability for CR measures is examined, and some considerations for determining the reliability of CR measures are discussed. Conventional reliability statistics (e.g., coefficient alpha, standard error of measurement) are found appropriate for CR measures satisfying the assumptions of the measurement model underlying classical test theory. For measures with underlying multidimensional traits, conventional reliability statistics may be used at the homogeneous subscale level. When the confidence interval about a student's “below criterion score” includes the criterion, additional evidence about the student should be obtained. Two-stage sequential testing is suggested as one method for acquiring additional evidence.