Three Gwinnett County public schools have been recognized for their commitment to their school counseling programs. Archer High School, Gwin Oaks Elementary School, and Mason Elementary School (Re-RAMP) have been awarded the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation. Archer High School and Gwin Oaks Elementary School are first-time recipients while Mason Elementary School had its designation re-certified.
Dr. Demetria Williams, Gwinnett County Public Schools’ director of Counseling, College, and Career Services, says the designations are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the district’s counselors and administrators. “The Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) application process is the culmination of successfully implementing the ASCA National Model framework to show evidence of direct and indirect services to students, program planning, and improved student outcomes in the school counseling program,” she says. There are ten components of the application, covering the entire school year of data collection. Each application is judged by a three-person review team overseen by a lead RAMP reviewer. Schools that earn scores of 54 or higher out of a possible 60 are awarded RAMP status. Schools that earn a score of 58 or higher after the initial review are designated a RAMP School of Distinction.
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) awards this designation to schools that are committed to delivering comprehensive data-driven school counseling programs. This year, 101 schools in 21 states received the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation. These schools will be honored during a special ceremony at the American School Counselor Association’s Annual Conference for making an exemplary commitment to their school counseling programs. The RAMP designation, awarded for aligning with the criteria in the ASCA National Model, recognizes schools committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-informed school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment.
Since the program’s inception, nearly 1,300 schools have been designated as RAMP recipients. This year, Georgia leads the number of RAMP designations, with 25 schools in the state receiving the honor. The RAMP designation is good for five years; this year 15 schools earned Re-RAMP status. “This year’s RAMP honorees have shown their commitment to students and the school counseling profession,” says Jill Cook, ASCA executive director. “These schools used data to drive their program development and implementation so all students can achieve success. RAMP designation distinguishes these schools and encourages school counselors nationwide to strive for excellence.”
For more information on the program, visit www.schoolcounselor.org/ramp