Conclusion

An assessment plan that takes into account the life experiences, personal circumstances, self- esteem, barriers, expectations and feelings of those being assessed is more reflective of the whole person. A more complete picture emerges, enabling the formulation of a plan that is truly tailored to meet the needs of the participant.

CCLOW COLUMN

Mairi St. john Macdonald Scholarship

Information and applications for the Mairi St. john Macdonald Scholarship, CCLOW's national scholarship for women returning to high school, have been distributed to colleges, adult education and upgrading programs across the country. If you would like to receive an application, contact Dianne Palachick at CCLOW by phone at (416) 699-1909 or 1-800-858- 7558, by fax at (416) 699-2145 or bye-mail at cclow@web.apc.org. Application deadline is May 31, 1996.

But such a program would not be successful without the evaluative input of its participants. Participant evaluation of all aspects of the program not only offers a measure of quality control and accountability but also communicates that participants have an important role to play in shaping the program to meet their needs. This collaborative approach is a powerful way to enhance self-confidence, and this prepares women not only for the testing but for the challenges that await them in the future.

Deborah Reixach works as an Assessment Counsellor at the YWCA LEAP (Learn, Explore and Prepare... for the Future) Program in Scarborough, Ontario. She holds an M.Ed. in Counselling Psychology and has published other articles based on her experiences of working with disadvantaged women. She sincerely thanks her mother for all her support and assistance with editing.



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