AREAS OF FOCUS
School Counseling Conceptual Model
A school counseling program reaches every student and will focus on the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for successful academic, career, and personal/social development.
Foundation
The program focus asks that school counselors identify department beliefs and develop a philosophy statement that addresses how all students benefit from the school counseling program. A mission statement is created and program goals are developed to define how the mission will be measured.
Enhancing the learning process for all students, the ASCA Student Standards guide the development of effective school counseling programs around three domains: academic, career and personal/social development.
The ASCA School Counselor Competencies outline the knowledge, attitudes and skills that ensure school counselors are equipped to meet the rigorous demands of the profession.
Delivery System
School counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community in the following areas:
Direct services are in-person interactions between school counselors and students and include the following:
Guidance 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.
Individual student planning involves school counselors coordinating ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.
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 services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselors’ interactions with others including referrals for additional assistance, consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations.
Management System
School counselors incorporate organizational assessments and tools that are concrete, clearly delineated and reflective of the school’s needs.
Accountability
To demonstrate the effectiveness of the school counseling program in measurable terms, school counselors analyze school and school counseling program data to determine how students are different as a result of the school counseling program.
