The Role of the
School Counselor
Who are School Counselors?
S
chool counselors are certified/licensed educators who improve student success for ALL students by
implementing a comprehensive school counseling program.
EMPLOYED AT ALL LEVELS
IDEAL CASELOAD
250:1
250 students per school counselor
Also employed in district supervisory positions; and
school counselor education positions
Elementary
High
School
Middle
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
QUALIFICATIONS
For more information,
resources please visit
www.schoolcounselor.org
Hold, at minimum, a master’s degree in school
counseling
Meet the state certification/licensure standards
Fulfill continuing education requirements
Uphold ASCA ethical and professional standards
LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBERS
School counselors work to maximize student
success, promoting access and equity for
all students. As vital members of the school
leadership team, school counselors create a
school culture of success for all.
School counselors help all students:
n apply academic achievement strategies
n manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills
n plan for postsecondary options (higher education,
military, work force)
Appropriate duties include providing:
n individual student academic planning and goal setting
n school counseling classroom lessons based on student
success standards
n short-term counseling to students
n referrals for long-term support
n collaboration with families/teachers/ administrators/
community for student success
n advocacy for students at individual education plan
meetings and other student-focused meetings
n data analysis to identify student issues, needs and challenges
n acting as a systems change agent to improve equity and
access, achievement and opportunities for all students
The School Counselor’s Role
S
chool counselors design and deliver school counseling programs that improve student outcomes.
They lead, advocate and collaborate to promote equity and access for all students by connecting
their school counseling program to the school’s academic mission and school improvement plan.
They uphold the ethical and professional standards of ASCA and promote the development of the
school counseling program based on the following areas of the ASCA National Model: define, deliver,
manage and assess.
n Lesson Plans
n Annual Administrative Conference
n Use of Time
n Calendars
n Annual
n Weekly
n Advisory Council
DELIVER
School counselors deliver
developmentally appropriate activities
and services directly to students or
indirectly for students as a result of
the school counselor’s interaction with
others.
These activities and services help
students develop the ASCA Student
Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for
Student Success and improve their
achievement, attendance and discipline.
Through the school counseling program,
school counselors ensure equitable
academic, career and social/emotional
development opportunities for all
students.
Direct Services with Students
Direct services are in-person interactions
between school counselors and students
and include the following:
n Instruction
n Appraisal and Advisement
n Counseling
Indirect Services for Students
Indirect services are provided on behalf
of students as a result of the school
counselors’ interactions with others
including:
n Consultation
n Collaboration
n Referrals
ASSESS
To achieve the best results for students,
school counselors regularly assess their
program to:
n determine its eectiveness in helping
all students succeed
n inform improvements to their school
counseling program design and delivery
n show how students are dierent as a
result of the school counseling program
School counselors also self–assess
their own mindsets and behaviors to
inform their professional development
and annually participate in a school
counselor performance appraisal with
a qualified administrator. The ASCA
National Model provides the following
tools to guide assessment and appraisal.
Program Assessment
n School Counseling Program
Assessment
n Annual Results Reports
School Counselor Assessment
and Appraisal
n ASCA School Counselor Professional
Standards & Competencies
Assessment
n School Counselor Performance
Appraisal Template
For research on the eectiveness of school counseling programs, go to https://www.schoolcounselor.org/eectiveness
For more information about the role of the school counselor, go to https://www.schoolcounselor.org/role
DEFINE
School counselors create school
counseling programs based on three sets
of standards that define the profession.
These standards help school counselors
develop, implement and assess their
school counseling program to improve
student outcomes.
Student Standards –
ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets &
Behaviors for Student Success
Professional Standards –
n ASCA Ethical Standards for School
Counselors
n ASCA School Counselor Professional
Standards & Competencies
MANAGE
To be delivered eectively, the school
counseling program must be eciently
and eectively managed. School
counselors use program focus and
planning tools to guide the design and
implementation of a school counseling
program that gets results.
Program Focus
n Beliefs
n Vision Statement
n Mission Statement
Program Planning
n School Data Summary
n Annual Student Outcome Goals
n Action Plans
n Classroom and Group
n Closing the Gap
School
counselors
work to create
a future world
where all
students
thrive.
Updated 2023