The Essential Role of High School Counselors

alcohol and drugs while exploring the boundaries of more acceptable behavior and mature, meaningful relationships. They need advisement in using technol- ogy to further their academic and career goals and also need assistance managing and responding to the challenges of us- ing technology safely and appropriately for personal expression.

High school students need advisement in making concrete and compounded decisions. They must navigate academic, peer and parental pressures as they face high-stakes testing, the challenges of college admissions, the scholarship and financial aid application process and entrance into a competitive job market.

MEETING THE NEED High school counselors are educators uniquely trained in child and adoles- cent development, learning strategies, self-management and social skills who understand and promote success for to- esearch shows the implementation of a school counseling day’s diverse students. They implement program, as outlined by “The ASCA National Model: A a school counseling program to support Framework for School Counseling Programs,” has a positive students through this important devel- R opmental period. The program provides impact on student achievement. The development and implementa- education, prevention and intervention tion of these programs requires leadership from well-trained, highly activities, which are integrated into all competent high school counselors and includes a collaborative aspects of students’ lives. The program teaches knowledge, attitudes and skills effort with school administrators, classroom teachers, school staff students need to acquire in academic, and community stakeholders. career and social/emotional develop- ment, which serve as the foundation for future success. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ graduate. During these adolescent years, DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS students are evaluating their strengths, High school counselors do not work in High school is the final transition into skills and abilities. isolation; rather they are integral to the adulthood, postsecondary education and total educational program. They pro- the world of work as students begin sep- The biggest influence is their peer vide a proactive program that engages arating from parents and exploring and group. They are searching for a place to students and includes leadership, advo- defining their independence. Students belong and rely on peer acceptance and cacy and collaboration with school staff, are deciding who they are, what they do feedback. They face increased pressures administration and community/family well and what they will do when they regarding risk behaviors involving sex, members in the delivery of programs and activities to help students achieve success. High school counselors also collaborate with teachers and parents on early iden- tification and intervention of children’s needs in addition to balancing delivery Indirect student services including: academic and social/emotional needs, methods, recognizing students learn in n consultation – share strategies which is essential in removing barriers to multiple ways. The end result of this supporting student achievement with learning and developing skills and behav- work is reflected in improvement in parents, teachers, other educators and iors critical for academic achievement. academic, attendance and discipline out- community organizations comes related to academic development, n collaboration – work with other The work of high school counselors college and career readiness and social/ educators, parents and the community aligns with the school’s mission to sup- emotional development. to support student achievement port all students’ academic achievement n referrals – support for students and as they prepare for the ever-changing The ASCA National Model provides a families to school or community world of the 21st century. This alignment flexible framework high school counsel- resources for additional assistance and is accomplished through the design, de- ors use to develop a program designed information. velopment, implementation and evalua- to meet their students’ unique needs. tion of a school counseling program. The The delivery of these services includes: RESEARCH ON THE tools guiding this work are the ASCA EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Suc- Direct student services including: COUNSELING cess, which address students’ academic, n instruction – teaching the school Numerous studies demonstrate the value career and social/emotional development, counseling curriculum to students of school counseling for students in and the ASCA National Model, with its focused through the lens of selected the domains of academic development, data-informed, results-based focus. Re- student standards from the ASCA college and career readiness and social/ search demonstrating the effectiveness of Mindsets & Behaviors for Student emotional development. Results of school counseling programs continues to Success. research about the effectiveness of grow, and there is evidence of the positive n appraisal and advisement – assessing school counseling can be found at impact these programs have on academic student abilities, interests and schoolcounselor.org/effectiveness. and social/emotional development. achievement to help them make decisions about their future. THE ASCA NATIONAL MODEL: IMPLEMENTING A SCHOOL n counseling – providing professional A FRAMEWORK FOR SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM assistance and support to a student or COUNSELING High school counselors define and focus small group of students during times For more information about school the school counseling program based on of transition, heightened stress, critical counseling programs based on the the school’s academic, attendance and change or other situations impeding ASCA National Model, go to discipline data. Identifying student needs student success. School counselors schoolcounselor.org/ascanationalmodel. through this data and consulting with do not provide therapy or long-term administrators guides program develop- counseling in schools; however, school (Revised, 2019) ment. High school counselors provide counselors are prepared to recognize equitable and appropriate services by and respond to student mental health addressing students’ academic, career needs and to assist students and and social/emotional developmental families seeking resources.

Why High School Counselors? High school years are full of growth, promise, excitement, frustration, disappointment and hope. It is the time when students begin to discover what the future holds for them. High school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment. High school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic, career and social/emotional development. High school counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set informed career goals and realize their full academic potential to become productive, contributing members of the world community.

High school counselors hold a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes ongoing professional development to stay current with educational reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.