The demand for mental health counseling services has surged, but the capacity of college counseling centers to meet this demand has not kept pace. The effects of COVID-19 have exacerbated this already fragile system of care. College students are enrolling in college with increased levels of anxiety, depression, disordered eating, suicidal…

Leveraging the state's dual enrollment program, Georgia policymakers introduced a novel postsecondary pathway called "Option B" that allows students to bypass many traditional high school graduation requirements by completing sub-baccalaureate credentials for career and technical education instead. Given the distinctiveness of this…

This Data Point uses data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 (HSLS:09), a national study of more than 23,000 ninth-graders in 2009. Students answered surveys between 2009 and 2016. This Data Point investigates whether high school students met with counselors about college and if meetings varied by parental education. It also describes…

It is important for school counselors to learn more about antiracism and to incorporate antiracist concepts into their practice more consistently (Holcomb-McCoy, 2021; Mayes & Byrd, 2022; Stickl Haugen et al., 2022). Operating from a critical political standpoint perspective (Cushman, 1995; Prilleltensky, 1994), namely, critical race theory…

School counselors are to leverage purposeful interventions to support the career development of gifted and talented students. This study investigated school counselors' experiences and self-efficacy in providing career counseling to high-ability visual artists (HAVAs). Participants reported feeling confident in their ability to provide career…

Today's children are born into a climate crisis and are increasingly exposed to its effects. Eco-anxiety is an emotional response to climate crises. Numerous recent studies have shown that the prevalence of eco-anxiety is increasing among children. School counsellors are uniquely positioned to lead educators, parents, and students on how…

Using Consensual Qualitative Research, researchers examined teachers' experiences in the student referral process, specifically how they determined when and to whom a referral should be made. Results indicate that teachers actively work to engage students and families in strong relationships to avoid referrals and that certain behaviors are more…

This study examined school counselors' perceptions of how leadership styles affect work output, staff comradery, and employee morale. The research problem examined in this qualitative descriptive case study was work output, staff comradery, and employee morale differ greatly depending on the leadership style that the immediate supervisor…

Access to pre-college and college support programs is essential to student achievement and success. There are a myriad of opportunities and programming that will assist in college readiness for K-12 students. Exposure and awareness are key to these college readiness programs. By participating in college readiness programs, students are more apt to…

Obtaining a postsecondary certificate or degree has been correlated with improved job opportunities, increased earning capacity, and better overall quality of life. Despite these benefits, a considerable proportion of students from rural schools exhibit a lower likelihood of pursuing postsecondary education than their urban counterparts. The…

It is well documented that college degree attainment can impact lifetime earnings and social mobility. However, research shows that first-generation college students (FGCs) are less likely than their peers to enroll in college after high school. The influence of a college counselor at the high school level as an influential other may positively…

A school counselor's education and training are often inconsistent with the job duties assigned by the school. These discrepancies from perceived appropriate job duties can lead to uncertainty and negatively impact the school counselor's sense of self-worth. This study explored the research question: "What are the experiences of school…

This study aimed to learn about Pennsylvania school counselors' use of career education platforms for post-secondary preparedness. An extensive review of previous literature revealed gaps regarding school counselor self-efficacy using career education platforms, using the Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework in career education, and…

This dissertation investigates the major pathway selection process of students at a California community college from the perspective of counselors in light of the Guided Pathways movement. This study seeks to understand counselors' perspectives on how Guided Pathways shapes students' choices in selecting their majors. A qualitative research…

School counselor roles and responsibilities have changed over time based on changes needed to support students. From being identified as vocational guidance to guidance counselors, these changes have influenced their advocacy for their profession and their students' academic, socio-emotional, college, and career developmental needs. They are now…