President’s Letter: A New View of Data

Using data is essential to demonstrate the success of our school counseling programs. And usually when we think of the word data, it comes with a curse under our breath. None of us went into school counseling because we wanted to do research and collect data. However, data collection can be a wonderfully, helpful tool for school counselors and our programs. I challenge us to start thinking of data in a more positive light.
 
Every year, our schools have to come up with ideas for our data project. If we can flip the switch and look at data projects as an opportunity, rather than a burden, we will no longer feel like data is a hoop to jump through to meet the requirements of our job. Here are some quick ideas to get your gears turning.
 
First, think about what you are already doing. Is there something in your program that you already do and feel passionate about? Can you start collecting data on it? Or perhaps you can do a couple of minor things that will allow you to start collecting data? No need to reinvent the wheel if it isn't necessary.
 
Second, start thinking longitudinally. (Hello program review!) If there is an area in your program you would like to focus on, is it also something that you can do with a certain group of students for two to three years? You can essentially do the same data project for three years – and think of the data you would get from something like that!
 
Finally, is there something you’ve always wanted to do, or felt that your program was missing? Let this be your excuse to implement it! We are always striving to make things better and by using those things in a data project, you will have firm facts to know if it is worth doing again.
 
Data doesn’t have to be a negative thing, and really, it shouldn’t be! If we let data guide, enhance and direct our programs, it becomes meaningful and useful.
 
Contact Hillary Emmer, USCA president-elect-elect, at presidentee@utschoolcounselor.org.