Comprehensive School Counseling

A comprehensive school counseling program is an integral component of the school's academic mission.  Comprehensive school counseling programs, driven by student data and based on standards in academic, career and personal/social development, promote and enhance the learning processes for all students. 

The ASCA National Model:

 

• ensures equitable access to a rigorous education for all students.

 

• identifies the knowledge and skills all students will acquire as a result of the K-12  comprehensive school counseling program.

 

• is delivered to all students in a systematic fashion.

 

• is based on data-driven decision making.

 

• is provided by a state-credentialed school counselor.

 

School counselors create comprehensive school counseling programs that focus on student outcomes, teach student competencies and are delivered with identified professional competencies.

 

THE ROLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR

 

Professional school counselors design and deliver comprehensive school counseling programs that promote student achievement.  These programs are comprehensive in scope, preventative in design and developmental in nature.  Professional school counselors have a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling, meet the state certification/licensure standards, and abide by the laws of the states in which they are employed.  They are licensed through the state Department of Education.  They uphold the ethical and professional standards of ASCA and other applicable professional counseling associations, and promote the development of the school counseling program based on the following areas of the ASCA National Model: Foundation, delivery, management and accountability.

　

School counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community in the following areas:

 

Direct Student Services

These services are in-person interactions between school counselors and students and include the following:　

 

School counseling core curriculum:  This curriculum consists of structured lessons designed to help students attain the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge, attitudes and skills appropriate for their developmental level.  The school counseling core curriculum is delivered throughout the school's overall curriculum and is systematically presented by school counselors in collaboration with other professional educators in K-12 classroom and group activities. 

 

Individual student planning:  School counselors coordinate ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.

 

Responsive services:  Responsive services are activities designed to meet students' immediate needs and concerns.  Responsive services may include counseling in individual or small-group settings or crisis response.

 

Indirect Student Services

Indirect services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselor's interactions with others including referrals for additional assistance, consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations.

 

Much of this text is quoted, or modified, from the American School Counseling Association (2003, revised 2009, 2012). ASCA National Standards for Students. Alexandria, VA: Author