School Counseling Programs
"School counselors should possess the knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes necessary to plan, organize, implement and evaluate a comprehensive, developmental, results-based school counseling program that aligns with the ASCA National Model" (ASCA, 2012).
Professional school counselors are responsible for designing and delivering school counseling programs that are comprehensive in scope, preventative in design, and developmental in nature. The ASCA National Model outlines the components of these programs and brings professional school counselors together with one vision, creating unity and focusing on improving the achievement and success of all students in all areas of development (academic, career, and personal/social). Comprehensive school counseling programs ensure equitable access to a rigorous education for all students, identifies the knowledge and skills all students will acquire as a result of the program, is delivered to all students in a systemic fashion, and is based on data-driven decision making.
But being data-driven has not always been an "obvious" aspect of comprehensive school counseling programs. Prior to 2003, there was no such national model or standard for all school counseling programs. Our field began with more of a "vocational guidance" approach in the early 1900s, and no organizational structure was provided other than a list of duties. Throughout the years there has been great debate over the roles of school counselors, ranging from the long ago duties of simple "advice-giving" to our current status as professional leaders and advocates for all students. Now we are under the third edition of the ASCA National Model, and it is clear that comprehensive, data-driven programs are here to stay.
Professional school counselors are responsible for designing and delivering school counseling programs that are comprehensive in scope, preventative in design, and developmental in nature. The ASCA National Model outlines the components of these programs and brings professional school counselors together with one vision, creating unity and focusing on improving the achievement and success of all students in all areas of development (academic, career, and personal/social). Comprehensive school counseling programs ensure equitable access to a rigorous education for all students, identifies the knowledge and skills all students will acquire as a result of the program, is delivered to all students in a systemic fashion, and is based on data-driven decision making.
But being data-driven has not always been an "obvious" aspect of comprehensive school counseling programs. Prior to 2003, there was no such national model or standard for all school counseling programs. Our field began with more of a "vocational guidance" approach in the early 1900s, and no organizational structure was provided other than a list of duties. Throughout the years there has been great debate over the roles of school counselors, ranging from the long ago duties of simple "advice-giving" to our current status as professional leaders and advocates for all students. Now we are under the third edition of the ASCA National Model, and it is clear that comprehensive, data-driven programs are here to stay.
Reference: American School Counselor Association (2012). The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author.