How can school counselors support large-scale postsecondary and career-readiness initiatives? While schools and districts want to use personalized learning or individualized learning plans as a way to align students' school experiences to their postsecondary and career goals, schools may lack the human capital to support and guide this endeavor.…

The professional identity of school counselors has changed and adapted in significant part due to the empirically supported American School Counselors Association (ASCA) National Model. The roles of school counselors within the P-12 school setting have been ruled by job descriptions (describing the expectations of the position) and performance…

In education, much emphasis is placed on academic achievement without fully understanding the role counseling programs can have to ensure all students are learning at high levels and are college and career ready. The staff of Midwest School District believes that guidance and counseling is an integral part of each school's total education program.…

The 2012-2013 school year represents a pivotal juncture for DC Public Schools. Last spring, Mayor Gray and Chancellor Kaya Henderson introduced "A Capital Commitment," their ambitious plan to dramatically accelerate student achievement in the district over the next five years by providing all of their students with a safe, academically…

This study evaluated psychological counseling and guidance services based on elementary and secondary education teachers' views. Participants were 204 teachers. "School Guidance Services Scale" and "Teacher Personal Information Form" were used for gathering the necessary information. Percentage calculations and multiple regression analysis were…

School counselors acknowledge the need for supervision but rarely receive it. This article describes the counselor performance improvement system in one school district. Supervision is embedded in a process that assesses counselors' levels of professionalism on a matrix of competence and commitment. Administrative and clinical supervisors…

Describes professional growth program for elementary school counselors which focused on elementary school counselor's role and on concrete behaviors, resources, assessments, and timelines for enhancing performance in this role. Describes how this plan helped school counselors identify and develop counseling and guidance skills. Includes list of…

This counselor assessment instrument begins by listing 11 competencies for Mississippi school counselors. They should be able to: (1) organize and administer the guidance program; (2) provide counseling interviews for students during the school year; (3) provide group guidance and counseling with students during the school year; (4) coordinate…

Challenges some common arguments used by counselors who resist accountability by citing time and budget constraints. Identifies important research issues and discusses recommendations to help counselors deliver more services and show they are making a positive difference. (JAC)

This guide offers articles giving advice and information about pupil services. It serves to blend theory and practice in reporting on promising practices in the pupil services disciplines in Wisconsin. Material and suggestions are adaptable elsewhere, and serve to stimulate professional activity in the pupil services field. Major articles focus on…

A counselor role questionnaire was developed to assess attitudes toward 12 counselor roles, 10 of which were modifications of the major role activities outlined in the ASCA policy statement. The roles of ombudsman and change agent were added. Results indicate that students, administrators, teachers and parents view all 12 roles as appropriate.…

The Counselor Quality Assurance Program, part of the Houston, Texas, Plan for Excellence, addresses the renewal and professional growth opportunities for school counselors. The program is administered by a bi- or tri-dimensional assessment team that may consist of the principal, a supervisor or appropriate central office administrator, and the…

Describes a successful Minnesota program, developed to improve counselors' performance, that was adapted from a similar teacher program. Administrators and counselors share performance criteria to focus on significant counseling behaviors. Includes a list of performance evaluation criteria. (MD)

The authors present the rationale for developing a system of accountability for school counselors and then define several approaches that have been successful in evaluating counseling programs. (HMV)

Discusses the problem of evaluating school counselors, often seen as both teachers and administrators. Besides student outcomes, principals can consider several factors, including teacher-parent feedback, informal observations of counselors' presentations, and followup of student referrals. An inset briefly describes a College Board report with…