Howell Elementary and Lindeman Elementary in the Erlanger- Elsmere School District have earned national recognition from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). In special ceremonies later this year, the schools will be officially given a “Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP)” designation, presented to schools making an exemplary commitment to comprehensive school counseling programs.
Howell and Lindeman join approximately 600 schools nationwide that have earned this recognition since its inception in 2004. (To give that number some perspective, there are more than 98,000 public schools in the United States.) Tichenor Middle School, also in the Erlanger-Elsmere district, achieved the designation in 2014.
“Howell and Lindeman are among the elite and are model programs for other schools to emulate,” said Dr. Brett Zyromski, Associate Professor and School counseling Program Director at Northern Kentucky University. “To be able to show the evidence of the great work that has been done over the last couple of years to support student success is truly impressive, and it is fantastic that they have received national recognition of that work.”
The counselors at Howell and Lindeman are an integral part of the students’ education.
“At Erlanger- Elsmere Schools, we are dedicated to serving the whole child, and our schools are demonstrating how effective, evidence-based school counseling programs can make a difference in students’ lives,” said Dr. Kathy Burkhardt, superintendent of Erlanger-Elsmere Schools.
To earn the RAMP distinction a school must submit a rigorous self-study covering 12 areas. The RAMP designation is awarded to schools that align with the criteria set forth in the ASCA National Model and recognizes schools that are committed to delivering a comprehensive, data-driven school counseling program and an exemplary educational environment. RAMP designation is a distinct indicator of how a school counseling program impacts student achievement and success. The ASCA believes the implementation of comprehensive counseling programs in all schools across the nation is a vital step in the transformation of the education system.
School counselors at Howell and Lindeman, supported by the school principals, worked diligently to implement ASCA’s national model and worked on the RAMP self-study over the past two years. The study they completed is highly comprehensive and demands significantly detailed information including examples of implementing evidence-based practices; ways the program ensures community outreach; and the detailed roles and responsibilities of each counselor.
Those involved at Lindeman were counselors Kathy Koerner and Cassie Sandlin and Principal Angie Gabbard.
Those involved at Howell were counselors Pam Boyle, Jen Bird, and Ashley Sprague and Principal Michael Goodenough. Support was also provided by NKU and Dr. Melissa Mariani and Dr. Zyromski.
Howell and Lindeman will be publicly recognized along with the other RAMP-designated schools in New Orleans, Louisiana, this July as part of the ASCA National Conference.
See more about Erlanger-Elsmere Independent Schools the their website.