The Lone Star Award is an award that recognizes effective and outstanding school counseling programs in the state of Texas. The Lone Star Award prepares school counselors to apply for the national ASCA RAMP award.

The Lone Star Awards recognizes comprehensive counseling programs that are data-driven, developmentally appropriate, and delivered to all students with the goal of improving student outcomes, closing achievement and opportunity gaps, and preparing students for post-secondary success.

In 2016, the Lone Star State School Counselor Association launched an innovative awards system with three tiers: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each tier involves increasingly rigorous standards designed to advance school counseling programs toward national recognition through the esteemed American School Counselor Association's RAMP award. This is a progressive award system, requiring applicants to apply for each level in sequential order.

ROAD TO RAMP

RISING STAR AWARD

The Rising Star Award is designed for schools that are in the early stages of developing their comprehensive school counseling program and have established some foundational components.  

Complete all section requirements (1-4 and 6), including:
  • ASCA Templates
  • Supplemental Documentation

No reflections are required.

*This award operates independently from the Lone Star progressive award system. You are not required to apply for the Rising Star Award before applying for the Bronze Award.

BRONZE AWARD

The Bronze Award recognizes schools that have established a solid foundation in their counseling programs.

Complete all section requirements (1-10)
  • ASCA Templates
  • Supplemental Documentation
  • Graphs

No reflections are required.


SILVER AWARD

The Silver Award recognizes schools that have achieved the bronze level and demonstrated substantial progress and effectiveness in their counseling initiatives.

Complete all section requirements (1-10)

  • ASCA Templates
  • Supplemental Documentation
  • Graphs

PLUS the first five reflections are required. 

*Must have completed the bronze level.


GOLD AWARD

The highest level is awarded to schools that have completed the Bronze and Silver levels and recognizes those with exemplary counseling programs that meet rigorous national standards.

Complete all section requirements (1-10), including:

  • ASCA Templates
  • Supplemental Documentation
  • Graphs

All reflections are required.

 *Must have completed the bronze and silver levels.


HOW TO APPLY

The deadline to apply is every September 1.

    The Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA) utilizes Schoology for the awards application process. This platform streamlines the submission and review of applications, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for all participants.

    The State of Texas has provided Schoology for all districts, some districts may have opted to continue using their existing LMS. Since LMS platforms are typically utilized by teachers, you might not be aware if your district is using Schoology. To find out, please ask your principal. If your district is using Schoology, inquire about how you can access your district account.

    How to Apply for the Lone Star Awards Using Schoology

    If You Have a Schoology Account:

    1. Log in to your Schoology account.

    2. Navigate to My Courses.

    3. Select Join a Course on the left-hand side.

    4. Enter the access code for the award you are applying for:

      • Rising Star Award: 5C2J-ZNRG-56MWZ
      • Bronze Award: H4JT-GSRF-ZW3M3
      • Silver Award: P77M-4J38-XMZNC
      • Gold Award: 7XTC-9W3B-5XGP5

    If You Do Not Have a Schoology Account:

    1. Go to: https://app.schoology.com/register.php 

    2. Sign up as a STUDENT.

    3. Enter the access code for the award you are applying for:

      • For Rising Star Award enter access code 5C2J-ZNRG-56MWZ
      • For Bronze Award enter access code H4JT-GSRF-ZW3M3
      • For Silver Award enter access code P77M-4J38-XMZNC
      • For Gold Award enter access code 7XTC-9W3B-5XGP5

    4. Complete the registration by entering your information (first name, last name, email address, and password) and register.

    Next Steps:

    • Download ASCA templates and rubric in the “Start Here” folder of your course.
    • Completed sections must be uploaded to the corresponding folders in your Schoology course by September 1st at midnight.
    • Incomplete applications will not be scored.

    Award-winning school counseling programs will be honored at the Lone Star State School Counselor Association Annual Conference in November at the Awards Gala.

    Contact

    For questions about the Lone Star Awards, please contact:

    Monica Dominguez
    Lone Star Award Chair
    monica.dominguez@lonestarstateschoolcounselor.org

    LONE STAR AWARD SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAMS




    LSSSCA empowers school counselors with the knowledge and skills in order to promote professionalism and ethical practices by providing leadership, advocacy, and professional development.


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