According to the ASCA National Model for the "Manage" phase, what is essential for program planning?

The correct answer emphasizes the importance of using time assessments and establishing annual student outcome goals as essential components of program planning in the "Manage" phase of the ASCA National Model. This approach ensures that the counseling program is systematically evaluated and adjusted based on both the effectiveness of service delivery and the identified needs of students.

Time assessments allow counselors to analyze how their time is allocated across various activities such as direct counseling, administrative tasks, and other responsibilities. This helps in ensuring that the counseling program is aligned with student needs and school goals. Additionally, setting annual student outcome goals provides a clear direction for what the program aims to achieve, promoting accountability and facilitating the measurement of success. These goals should be data-driven and geared towards measurable outcomes for students, which fosters continuous improvement in the program.

In contrast, consultation with parents only limits the scope of stakeholder engagement, as program planning should involve collaborative input from various stakeholders, including teachers, students, and the community. Focusing solely on individual counseling sessions overlooks the broader perspective of the comprehensive program, which includes preventative measures and group interventions. Developing a strict curriculum without feedback ignores the dynamic nature of educational needs and the necessity of responding to student and community input to ensure relevance and effectiveness. Thus, the integration of time assessments and