S

chool counselors, referred to What Do School counseling program.

as “guidance counselors” in Counselors Do? Accountability. School counselors
the past, help every student School counselors address the
hold their programs accountable for
academic and developmental needs of
improve academic achievement, student achievement by monitoring
all students, not just those in need, by
personal and social development, and student progress to ensure that the
collaborating with students, parents,
career planning. School counselors school counseling program meets its
school staff and the community.
in the 21st century are highly trained School counseling programs exhibit the desired goals and objectives. School
educators in pre K—12 settings following characteristics: counselors collect, analyze and present
who uphold ethical and professional Foundational mission and goals. statistics about grades, test scores,
School counselors design, implement, attendance and disciplinary records,
standards to design, implement
and maintain guidance programs that and other information to make data-
and manage comprehensive,
align with the educational mission based and data-driven decisions about
developmental, results-based school the school counseling program.
and philosophies of their schools and
counseling programs that promote and school districts. These programs help “The responsibilities of school
enhance student success. every student develop competencies counselors have increased tremendously
in academic achievement, personal over the years. School counselors are
School Counselor and social development, and career an integral part of the whole school
Qualifications planning. community working to help children,
School counselors are certified or Delivery methods. School counselors teachers and other school personnel
licensed professionals who possess a follow a comprehensive guidance and parents. School counselors help
curriculum to work with students in children face challenges, tough classes,
master’s degree or higher in school
individual, small group and classroom peer pressure, friendship problems,
counseling, or a substantial equivalent,
settings. School counselors help depression and more – all that can be
meet the state certification/licensure students create an academic plan roadblocks to future success.”
standards and abide by the laws of the for their education to prepare for -- Angela Reformato, a school counselor
states in which they are employed. successful careers after graduation and in New York
School counselors are required by most help students develop the necessary
public school systems to successfully skills, such as organizational, time- How Do School Counselors
complete advanced-degree coursework management, and study skills. They Impact Student Achievement?
also help students overcome obstacles Numerous research studies show
in the following topics:
that may form barriers to learning by that school counselors, implementing
• Human growth and development helping students respond to issues such a comprehensive school counseling
• Counseling theory as divorce or death in their family, as program, can serve a vital role in
• Individual counseling well as developmental issues typical in maximizing student achievement.
• Group counseling childhood and adolescence.
• Social and cultural foundations A research study of Florida
Program management. School
students in 5th through 9th grades
• Testing and assessment counselors manage their programs just
as teachers manage their curriculum. found that students in schools with
• Research and program evaluation
They collaborate with administrators a comprehensive guidance program
• Professional orientation
and other educators to ensure that the scored significantly better on state’s
• Career development standardized test for reading and math.
school counseling program helps fulfill
School counselors also are required to --Does Implementing a Research-based
the mission of the school by setting
complete a practicum and internship annual goals and putting mechanisms School Counseling Curriculum Enhance
supervised by a certified school in place to facilitate the successful Student Achievement? (Center for School
counselor in a school setting. and effective delivery of the school Counseling Outcome Research, 2004)
 School counselors provide solutions In working with at-risk youth, a The school counselor is an integral
to help curb rates of school failure 2004 study of middle school students system support for the school-family-
and dropout by addressing broader in Baltimore County showed that community relationship that meet the
contexts that include personal, social, school counselors helped increase personal/social, academic, and career
emotional, and career development. academic achievement, raise career needs of a large number of students
--An Investigation of a Model of awareness, and improve overall student through collaboration, coordination,
Academic Motivation for School self-efficacy. and consultation with school and
Counseling, M. Scheel and J. Gonzalez, -- Impact of Career Intervention on community stakeholders.
Professional School Counseling, October At-Risk Middle School Students’ Career --An Examination of School Counselor
2007. Maturity Levels, Academic Achievement, Involvement in School-Family-
and Self-Esteem, H.L. Legum, and C. Community Partnerships, J. Bryan,
School counselors are in a key
Hoare, Professional School Counseling, C. Holcomb-McCoy, Professional School
position to assist schools in their
December 2004. Counseling, June 2007.
education reform mandates to reduce
the achievement gap among low School counselors, because of their
income and minority children. unique training and responsibility, have
-- Fostering Educational Resilience and an influential role of helping students
Achievement in Urban Schools Through become more engaged in the academic
School-Family Community Partnerships, and social arenas within the school.
J. Bryan, Professional School Counseling, --The Multidimensionality of School
February 2005. Engagement and Math Achievement
Among Racial Groups,
D. T. Sciarra, and H. J. Seirup,
Professional School Counseling, April
2008.

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This publication was developed through the collaborative efforts of ACA, ASCA, and NEA.

©2008 American Counseling Association, American School Counselor Association, National Education Association