In today’s world, there is increased accountability based on high stakes of decision-making; there is a greater need for assessing instruments used in clinical environments. Therefore, this led to the development of new assessment tools from the recent testing practices. The new testing tools and availability of trained, qualified professionals to assist in administering the scores, as well as interpreting the results, continue to grow.
Over the years, assessment has included several tests, and this has become one of the most integral parts of a counselor’s process for counseling in all specialty areas. The use of tests and assessments has resulted in becoming a significant part of counseling, such as client selection, placements, evaluation and accountability, as well as noticing the trends developed in progress and self-discovery.
Professional counselors face a hard-fighting battleground on assessment instruments even today. Currently there is a battle between counselors and psychologists on who has the right to use tests in various states. The debate on who has the right to qualify in administering scores and interpreting psychological tests has led to the enactment of professional counseling license laws.
This paper involves a detailed explanation of efficient assessment and evaluation between states and Texas.
Assessment Laws As They Relate To Houston, Texas
A counselor should take into account the social, cultural and personal factors when making an assessment. A counselor should keep in mind the historical and social prejudice of misdiagnosing a patient from a specific individual group. One should keep in mind mental health as a professional in continuing these problems.
In Houston, a Free and Fair Access Coalition on Testing was established to protect the rights of the counselors in conducting testing and assessment services. The licensing board has an overall goal of protecting the professional’s right to use the broad spectrum of assessment instruments.
Another legal aspect related to counselors’ testing in Houston is privileged communication. This consists of a private conversation between a counselor and his client. There are statutes that guide privileged communication, which apply when one is testifying in a court of law. The clients have the right to privilege conversation. Counselor-client communication differs between states.
Comparing International Test Commission Statement To Houston, Texas
International Tests Commission’s statement on user tests is similar to the one in Houston as they all relate to competencies required by the test users. These include skills, knowledge and other personal characteristics. The competencies are stipulated in the terms assessable in the performance criteria. The criteria prescribed in both international guidelines on user testing assessment and Houston provide a basis for developing specifications on the evidence about the competence required by someone seeking to qualify as a test user.
Multicultural Assessment Standards
The first multicultural assessment standard that stood out was the content and purpose of selecting assessment instruments. Test developers had to evaluate the procedure of materials used, to make sure that there was no offensive language or content used.
The second one is the selection of assessment instruments: validity, norming and reliability. This involves evaluating the availability of evidence on the performance of all test takers in diverse subgroups.
Last but not least is the administration and scoring of assessment instruments. This involves documenting and providing an appropriate process for the test taker with disabilities.
Ethical And Legal Considerations
Every professional counselor has a great responsibility in upholding the trust of the public to seek great levels of education, training and supervision so as to apply in the ethical counseling practice. Professional responsibility is one of the ethical considerations this includes being alert to signs of personal impairment. Counselors have to become knowledgeable with other colleagues, and developing positive relationships with other professionals is ethical.
Reflection
Promoting ethical practices in assessment is considered an essential agenda for counselors involved in assessment.
References
Naugle, K. A. (2009). Counseling and testing: What counselors need to know about state laws on assessment and testing. Measurement and Evaluation In Counseling And Development, 42(1), 31-45. doi:10.1177/0748175609333561
http://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/licensure-requirements/state-professional- counselor-licensure-boards
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