Over the past two decades, state policy pertaining to school counselors has grown to the point that most states now require the delivery of counseling services. Some states mandate the presence of a school counselor in each school, and several specify required student-to-school counselor ratios. In 2019, New York State instituted regulations…

There is a dearth of existing literature pertaining to the use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in school counseling; which may be beneficial when addressing student concerns such as social anxiety and decreased social networks. This article discusses the overlap of ACT with comprehensive school counseling programs and culminates with a…

With the implementation of Response to Intervention (RTI) across many states, the school counseling profession must be proactive in establishing its critical role in this process. This article outlines the three essential and shared components between RTI and comprehensive, developmental school counseling programs. Each of these integral and…

The role of the school counselor has undergone numerous revisions over the past few decades. The current emphasis on accountability and academic performance of students has forced counselors to scrutinize their role in promoting students' academic success and school completion. In this article, the authors review the problem of school dropout from…

Without structured guidance activities, students may drift through high school without learning about all of the career opportunities available and without gaining the skills that can help them take advantage of those opportunities. They may also be in danger of failing to continue on to postsecondary education, or even worse, of dropping out of…

This qualitative study explores career counseling and guidance services as provided to students engaged in career and technical education programs at three sites in the United States. The sites, consisting of high schools and community colleges, were part of the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education's 5-year studies of…

This evaluation study explores the reform role of Chicago Public Schools (CPS) school counselors in promoting students' academic achievement, college readiness, and transition from 8th grade into high school. In addition, this report identifies particular actions that CPS can undertake to better utilize and support school counselor professionals,…

This study draws on data from descriptive case studies of 15 high schools, three in each of five states. The findings highlight constraints in the availability of college counseling, differences in the availability of college counseling across schools, and the influence of schools, districts, higher education institutions, and states on the…

A three-session, wellness-based classroom guidance unit was developed based on the Indivisible Self wellness model and presented to 55 students in 5th grade. Participants completed the Five Factor Wellness Inventory, Elementary School Version, before and after the unit. Wellness scores were significantly and positively higher at post-testing for…

Presents a response to articles published in the December 2001 issue of "Professional School Counseling." Suggests that school counselors' roles are defined within a comprehensive counseling program that is responsive to every student with special attention paid to those underserved populations. (Contains 20 references.) (GCP)

School counseling has undergone a transformation to align the role and function of the school counselor more closely with the needs of students. Suggests that attention must now be directed toward seeking solutions to the limitations presented by the current, comprehensive developmental model, specifically by taking into account contextual factors…

Little attention has been given to how school counselor education and professional training establishes competencies for which the duties constituting the practice of school counseling are uniquely derived. Furthermore, there is a dearth of information in the literature regarding how school counselor training, the national standards for school…

This digest considers the school counselor's role in helping students to acquire the basic skills they will need throughout their lives. A contemporary definition of basic skills includes not only the modern versions of the "three Rs" (reading, writing, and computing), but also encompasses a variety of attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors…

This fact sheet presents an overview of problems in designing comprehensive guidance programs and a rationale for a new direction. Five guidelines for a new comprehensive program are discussed: (1) build on existing program; (2) use teamwork approach; (3) identify desired student outcomes; (4) plan program activities related to outcomes; and (5)…

Current economic, industrial, occupational, and social changes in the U.S. are having substantial impact on the academic and career and technical education programs in our public schools. As a result, students and their parents, need assistance in navigating the school system and accessing information so they can make informed decisions about…