What is the primary purpose of conducting a program evaluation at the end of the school year?

The primary purpose of conducting a program evaluation at the end of the school year is to identify necessary counseling services for the following year. This evaluation allows counselors and school administrators to analyze the effectiveness of the counseling programs and services that were implemented over the year. By examining student needs, outcomes, and feedback, counselors can determine what worked well and what may need improvement or adjustment. This insight helps ensure that the counseling services provided in the next academic year are tailored to meet the specific needs of students, thereby enhancing their overall academic and emotional support.

In contrast, while assessing student performance on standardized tests might be part of an evaluation, it does not directly focus on the counseling program itself. Evaluating teacher effectiveness is crucial in an educational context but is not the primary reason for a counseling program evaluation. Similarly, while overall school funding may influence counseling services, it is more of an administrative concern rather than the central goal of evaluating the counseling program. The focus remains on creating a responsive and effective counseling framework to support student success in the future.