The Reflective School Counselor's Guide to Practitioner Research: Skills and Strategies for Successful Inquiry

"Like the little train that said ′I think I can, I think I can,′ this book tells school counselors, ′You can, you can′ do research. The text encourages and guides school counselors who have very little time and resources for research, enabling them to show and tell the differences that result from their programs."
―Angie Stansell, School Counselor
Hatton High School, Town Creek, AL

"This text can help any school counselor develop the observation and analytical skills to become a practitioner-inquirer. However, the book is much more than a collection of research techniques―it is a celebration of what is possible when school counselors pursue answers to their own questions about the students with whom they work. I predict this groundbreaking book will become a classic."
―Ruth Shagoury
Author, The Art of Classroom Inquiry

Become an advocate for underserved students by using data from inquiry projects!

This practical and timely book is ideal for school counselors unfamiliar with the process of practitioner research, from framing research questions and gathering authentic data to using results that can benefit students and create lasting schoolwide change. The authors use the American School Counselor Association′s National Model to build practitioners′ inquiry skills on issues of achievement, opportunity inequities, school culture, and community partnerships. The text covers:

• Practical methods for formulating the questions on which inquiry projects are based
• A step-by-step process for collecting, analyzing, and using data
• Guidelines for developing counselors′ advocacy, leadership, and collaboration skills

Vicki Brooks-McNamara received her Ph.D. in counselor education from the University of Wyoming. She taught all K-12 levels before becoming a school counselor and counselor educator. Under Vicki’s leadership, the school counseling program at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon transformed into a premier program preparing school counselors to be leaders and advocates who are guided by data to facilitate systemic change.

Vicki currently is a Senior Consultant with The Education Trust. She coordinates and facilitates district and state-wide school counseling workshops to assist practitioners in essential skill development necessary in today’s school reform. She is on the editorial board of the Profession School Counseling journal and a Senior Fulbright Recipient. Additionally, she is a consultant and advisory member for The College Board’s National Office of School Counselor Advocacy. Vicki resides in Portland with her husband Mike.

Danielle Torres earned a B.A. and M.A. from Pepperdine University, and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Oregon. She is currently a faculty member of the School Counseling Program at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Her teaching includes courses in action research, diversity issues in education, and the professional development of school counselors. She has experience as a counselor in schools at all grade levels and with various school-based research projects. Dr. Torres resides in Portland, Oregon.