During which stage should a counselor collect data on a new counseling program to ensure its effectiveness?

A counselor should collect data on a new counseling program throughout all stages—before implementation, during implementation, and after implementation—to comprehensively evaluate its effectiveness.

Before implementation, gathering data helps in understanding the needs of the students and the context of the school environment, which can inform the development of the program and ensure that it addresses relevant issues. This proactive approach allows counselors to set clear goals and benchmarks for success.

During implementation, collecting data can monitor the program’s delivery and student engagement, providing real-time feedback. This allows for adjustments to be made as needed, ensuring that the program is on track and effectively meeting its objectives.

After implementation, data collection assesses the overall impact of the program, determining whether it achieved the intended outcomes and how it can be improved for future iterations. Evaluating the program's success at this stage aids in accountability and demonstrates the program's value to stakeholders such as school administrators and parents.

Thus, continuous data collection ensures that the program is both effective and responsive to the needs of the students throughout its lifecycle.