The ASCA National Model: a framework for school counseling programs

Professional School Counseling, Feb, 2003

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

School counseling programs are collaborative efforts benefiting students, parents, teachers, administrators and the overall community. School counseling programs should be an integral part of students' daily educational environment, and school counselors should be partners in student achievement. Unfortunately, school counseling has lacked a consistent identity from state to state, district to district and even school to school. This has led to a misunderstanding of what school counseling is and what it can do for a school. As a result, school counseling programs are often viewed as ancillary programs instead of a crucial component to student achievement, and school counselors have not been used to their fullest.

The question has often been posed, "What do school counselors do?" The more important question is, "How are students different because of what school counselors do?"

To help answer this question, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) created The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs. By implementing a school counseling program based on ASCA's National Model, schools and school districts can:

* Establish the school counseling program as an integral component of the academic mission of the school.

* Ensure every student has equitable access to the school counseling program.

* Identify and deliver the knowledge and skills all students should acquire.

* Ensure that the school counseling program is comprehensive in design and is delivered systematically to all students.

The ASCA National Model supports the school's overall mission by promoting academic achievement, career planning and personal/social development. It serves as a framework to guide states, districts and individual schools in designing, developing, implementing and evaluating a comprehensive, developmental and systematic school counseling program.

The ASCA National Model consists of four interrelated components: foundation, delivery system, management systems and accountability. Infused throughout the program are the qualities of leadership, advocacy and collaboration, which lead to systemic change.

Historically, many school counselors spent much of their time responding to the needs of a small percentage of students, typically those who were high achievers or who were high risk. ASCA's National Model outlines a program allowing school counselors to direct services to every student.

As educators who are specially trained in childhood and adolescent development, school counselors can take a leadership role in effecting systemic change in a school. However, a successful school counseling program is a collaboration of parents, students, school counselors, administrators, teachers, student services personnel and support staff working together for the benefit of every student.

The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs keeps the development of the total student at the forefront of the education movement and forms the needed bridge between counseling and education.

FOUNDATION

Like any solid structure, a school counseling program is built on a strong foundation. Based on the school's goals for student achievement, what every student should know and should be able to do, the foundation determines how every student will benefit from school counseling.

Beliefs and Philosophy--The philosophy is a set of principles guiding the program development, implementation and evaluation. All personnel involved in managing and implementing the program should reach consensus on each belief or guiding principle.

Mission--A mission statement describes the program's purpose and goals. A school counseling program mission statement aligns with and is a subset of the school and district's mission.

ASCA National Standards--All school counseling programs should help students develop competencies in academic achievement, career planning and personal/social development.

DELIVERY SYSTEM

Based on the core beliefs, philosophies and missions identified in the foundation, the delivery system describes the activities, interactions and methods to deliver the program.

Guidance Curriculum--The guidance curriculum is structured developmental lessons designed to assist students in achieving the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge and skills appropriate for their developmental level. The guidance curriculum is infused throughout the school's overall curriculum and is presented systematically through K-12 classroom and group activities.

Individual Student Planning--School counselors coordinate ongoing systemic activities designed to assist students individually in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.

Responsive Services--The traditional role of school counselors, responsive services are activities meeting individual students' immediate needs, usually necessitated by life events or situations and conditions in the students' lives. These needs require counseling, consultation, referral, peer helping or information.