The Alabama School Counseling Program of Distinction recognizes school counseling programs that demonstrate an exemplary level of implementation of a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program. The application process is an all-inclusive collection of 15 components that align with the Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Model for Alabama Public Schools (State Plan) and the American School Counselor Association National Model. Schools who earn the Program of Distinction designation will be eligible for RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model Program), which is awarded by ASCA as the highest national recognition for a school counseling program.
Counselors applying for the Program of Distinction will need to pay a $150 application fee. Please email us at pd@alabamaschoolcounselors.org to request an online payment link or make a check out to the Alabama School Counselor Association (ALSCA) and mail the check to:
ALSCA
5184 Caldwell Mill Road
Suite 204-118
Hoover, AL 35244
The fee is due no later than July 1, 2024.
Step One: Review and understand the overall requirements for each component.
Link to the online application: School Counseling Program of Distinction Application
The templates provided in the application must be used.
The reflection/narratives provide a rationale and explanation for the information submitted and a deeper understanding of the process. Each narrative must be a separate uploaded PDF document.
Step Two: Understand the scoring.
Each application will be scored based on the requirements/descriptors on the application.
Each application is scored by a three-person review team overseen by a lead reviewer.
Distinction status will be awarded to schools that receive scores of 67 or higher (out of a possible 75). Schools that score between 60 and 66 will have an opportunity to resubmit.
The application will not be reviewed if all required components are not complete or provided.
Following is a list of the individual sections that will be scored for your application submission. Only use the templates provided in the application. The application must include:
Vision and Mission Statements – 6 points
Annual Student Outcome Goals – 7 points
Annual Administrative Conference – 5 points
Classroom and Group Standards and Skills Action Plan – 5 points
Lesson Plans (Classroom and Group) – 5 points
Classroom Instruction Results Report – 7 points
Small Group Results Report – 7 points
Advisory Council – 6 points
Annual Calendar – 3 points
Closing the Gap Action Plan/Results Report – 9 points
Comprehensive School Counseling Program Plan – 3 points
Curriculum Narrative – 3 points
Individual Student Planning/Advisement – 3 points
Responsive Services – 3 points
System Support – 3 points
By submitting your application, you are giving ALSCA permission to share and reproduce your materials (with appropriate citation to your school provided).
See the complete application rubric for details about what each section must address and include.
Step Three: Complete the online application.
Even though you will work on the application components throughout the school year, the deadline for submitting an application is July 1, 2024. In addition to the 15 scored sections, the application also contains an information section (first page of the application), administrator’s page, and a signature page (last section of the application). Make sure all this information is accurate and up-to-date at the time you finalize your online application.
Step Four: Review the online submission.
Make sure all required materials are included and all fields are complete. Click the submit button when finished.
All online applications and application fee of $150 must be submitted by midnight on July 1, 2024.
Save a copy of all the files in either electronic or paper format. Once you upload your files and documents and hit “submit,” they are no longer accessible.
For questions or concerns, please email Cindy Davis.
2022-2023
The 2022-2023 recipients will be announced in November, 2023!
2021-2022
Arab Elementary School, Arab City Schools
School Counselor: Laura Rankhorn
Parkside School, Cullman County Schools
School Counselor: Kim Crumbley
Rock Quarry Elementary School, Tuscaloosa City Schools
School Counselor: Angela Chandler
Robbins Elementary School, Mobile County Public Schools
School Counselor: Kelly Chism
Baldwin County Virtual School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselors: Kimberly Windham and Dianna Wolchina
Belforest Elementary School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselors: Kimberly Powell and Natalie Ward
Guntersville Middle School, Guntersville City Schools
School Counselor: Calley Kutner
Huntsville Junior High School, Huntsville City Schools
School Counselor: Sarah Spear
2020-2021
Daphne Middle School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselors: Amanda Blake and Sheniqua Roberson
E.R. Dickson Elementary School, Mobile County Public Schools
School Counselors: Summer Davis, Kristy Elderkin, and Katryna Kinn
Hillcrest High School, Tuscaloosa County Public Schools
School Counselors: Brandi Shanklin, LaTonya Jemison, and Emily Woodroof
J. Larry Newton Elementary School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselors: Carissa Davis and Janie Evans
Malachi Wilkerson Middle School, Birmingham City Schools
School Counselor: Shannon Parker
2019-2020
Central Baldwin Middle School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselors: Lana Mallet and Jami Ornellas
Creek View Elementary School, Alabaster City Schools
School Counselor: Daniel Birdsong
Daphne East Elementary School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselors: Keri Jones and Kelley Morris
Daphne Elementary School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselor: Rebecca Johnson
Hayden Primary School, Blount County Schools
School Counselor: Billie Miller
Huffman Middle School, Birmingham City Schools
School Counselor: Larice Manley
Magnolia Elementary School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselor: Tomica Bradley-Wiggins
Pillans Palmer Middle School, Mobile County Public Schools
School Counselors: Malinda S. Gray and Darlene Lewis
Scarborough Model Middle School, Mobile County Public Schools
School Counselors: Apryle Coats and Darlene Lewis
Silverhill Elementary School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselor: Shamika Bramble
Susan Moore Elementary School, Blount County Schools
School Counselor: Patti Gilliland
Reeltown High School, Tallapoosa County Schools
School Counselor: Kim Counts
Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover City Schools
School Counselor: Terri Coleman
Vestavia Hills High School, Vestavia City Schools
School Counselors: Anna Daneri, Brandon Boggs, Daria Howard, Oliver Aaron, Kylie Reagan, and Christine Rohling
2018-2019
Fairhope Elementary School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselors: Kate Wellborn and Dianna Wolchina
Fairhope Intermediate School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselors: Beth Ann Mills and Kenita Bonner-Callwood
Foley Middle School, Baldwin County Public Schools
School Counselors: Coryn Bergenty and Jennifer Kukes
Helena Elementary School, Shelby County Schools
School Counselors: Shelly Mitchell and Shelly Johnson
Homewood Middle School, Homewood City Schools
School Counselors: AnnaGrace Baldwin and Jimicka Alexander
Contact ALSCA with questions today!
