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Realistic Goal Setting Scenario

Jazmin Quintana

College Name, Grand Canyon University

SCN:600

Laura Cohen

10/06/2021
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Realistic Goal Setting Scenario

As a school counselor I would work with Rob by assessing his grades and looking at

notes that may be in his student profile. I would also meet with Robs math instructor to

understand what areas Rob is struggling with and ways we can work to improve his grades. It is

important to include Rob in this discussion as well to ensure he understands what work he has

ahead of himself to get into his local high school. Collaborating with Rob and his math instructor

will provide us with a better understanding of how we can improve his math grade, and the time

frame we must reach these improvements. When working with Rob it is important to have

additional resources or plans in the event getting him into this specific high school may not meet

the time frame. I will work with Rob to understand if he has a plan for after high school or if he

has an idea of the direction he wants to work towards. This will help us to develop a plan of

action and investigate different high schools that may offer other programs he might be

interested in. In a situation such as this it is important to include the student in the planning,

develop realistic goals and discuss the possibility of other options.

Including Rob in different college and career counseling sessions would be beneficial to

him as it will provide him insight as to what careers and colleges offer allowing Rob to further

understand what his goals will target. College readiness programs which outline the requirements

for admission such as the necessary grade point average and SAT or ACT scores, would benefit

Rob and provide him with direction and information on what his grades would need to be at to

attend school. Career counseling sessions will provide Rob with direction and information on

what school is needed to take this career path, such as a technical/trade school or traditional

college. These courses will allow Rob to understand the requirements for the career or college he

wants to attend creating an area of focus for the goals he would need to set. Understanding these
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requirements will help Rob and myself to develop a plan for the year focusing on certain areas

for shorter periods of time to work towards a larger goal such as acceptance to the high school he

is aiming for.

Having a strong and understanding relationship with school staff, administration and

family is imperative to the success of students. It takes collaboration to help students reach their

goals. I would work to include Rob and his parents in planning and ensure there is

communication between everyone to understand where Rob is now at. I would also suggest

having a meeting with everyone, Rob, his parents, his math instructor, and myself to develop a

realistic plan. Assuming this is the beginning of the school year for Rob, I would suggest we

work to develop a large goal, and then branch off to create smaller achievable goals that will help

Rob reach his end of the year goal. Working with everyone to develop the plan such as having

Rob attend tutoring, complete extra credit assignments if possible, or potentially take an extra

math course if his schedule allows it could help increase his overall math score. When working

towards realistic goals an initial goal may be focusing on tutoring twice a week with the

instructor after, before or during a free period of school to help Rob increase his understanding if

he is struggling to comprehend the material would be a good starting goal for him.

Working with student it is important to ensure the code of ethics is upheld. School

counselors must respect and support the student’s development which includes utilizing support

networks, educational support services, parents, and faculty to provide the support Rob needs

(ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, 2016). Ensuring that as a school counselor I am

providing Rob with any available resources which can help achieve his goal aligns with the

ethical standards counselors are to abide. It is important that school counselors demonstrate

support and are compassionate when helping students such as Rob as this can be a stressful time
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for students when they are progressing to the next chapter in their school career. I would ensure

that Rob feels listened to, that he feels his problems are important and that I am working to help

him achieve his goal by providing additional resources that are available to him through the

school or outside of the school.

The professional disposition of curiosity states that educators should promote and support

curiosity and think innovatively and creatively to address a problem (Professional Dispositions

of Learners, 2015). This disposition applies to the scenario Rob is in as it will take the team to

come up with a variety of ways to work towards increasing his grade in math. It is imperative

that the team utilize available resources as well as think outside of the box when helping Rob.

This can look like suggesting additional tutoring, extra assignments, potential for joining math

related clubs as extra credit. Working to outline a plan and create small goals to reach a larger

more long-term goal is important to helping Rob and ensuring he does not become discouraged

or overwhelmed in working towards his grade increase.

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References

ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. (2016). Retrieved from

https://www.schoolcounselor.org/getmedia/f041cbd0-7004-47a5-ba01-3a5d657c6743/

Ethical-Standards.pdf.

Professional Dispositions of Learners. GCU. (2015). Retrieved from

https://www.gcumedia.com/lms-resources/student-success-center-content/documents/coe/

coe-pro-disposition.pdf.