The Essential Role of

High School Counselors

alcohol and drugs while exploring the
boundaries of more acceptable behavior
and mature, meaningful relationships.
They need advisement in using technol-
ogy to further their academic and career
goals and also need assistance managing
and responding to the challenges of us-
ing technology safely and appropriately
for personal expression.

High school students need advisement

in making concrete and compounded
decisions. They must navigate academic,
peer and parental pressures as they face
high-stakes testing, the challenges of
college admissions, the scholarship and
financial aid application process and
entrance into a competitive job market.

MEETING THE NEED

High school counselors are educators
uniquely trained in child and adoles-
cent development, learning strategies,
self-management and social skills who

R
understand and promote success for to-
esearch shows the implementation of a school counseling day’s diverse students. They implement
program, as outlined by “The ASCA National Model: A a school counseling program to support
Framework for School Counseling Programs,” has a positive students through this important devel-
opmental period. The program provides
impact on student achievement. The development and implementa- education, prevention and intervention
tion of these programs requires leadership from well-trained, highly activities, which are integrated into all
competent high school counselors and includes a collaborative aspects of students’ lives. The program
teaches knowledge, attitudes and skills
effort with school administrators, classroom teachers, school staff students need to acquire in academic,
and community stakeholders. career and social/emotional develop-
ment, which serve as the foundation for
future success.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ graduate. During these adolescent years,
DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS students are evaluating their strengths, High school counselors do not work in
High school is the final transition into skills and abilities. isolation; rather they are integral to the
adulthood, postsecondary education and total educational program. They pro-
the world of work as students begin sep- The biggest influence is their peer vide a proactive program that engages
arating from parents and exploring and group. They are searching for a place to students and includes leadership, advo-
defining their independence. Students belong and rely on peer acceptance and cacy and collaboration with school staff,
are deciding who they are, what they do feedback. They face increased pressures administration and community/family
well and what they will do when they regarding risk behaviors involving sex, members in the delivery of programs and
activities to help students achieve success.
High school counselors also collaborate
with teachers and parents on early iden-
tification and intervention of children’s needs in addition to balancing delivery Indirect student services including:
academic and social/emotional needs, methods, recognizing students learn in n consultation – share strategies
which is essential in removing barriers to multiple ways. The end result of this supporting student achievement with
learning and developing skills and behav- work is reflected in improvement in parents, teachers, other educators and
iors critical for academic achievement. academic, attendance and discipline out- community organizations
comes related to academic development, n collaboration – work with other
The work of high school counselors college and career readiness and social/ educators, parents and the community
aligns with the school’s mission to sup- emotional development. to support student achievement
port all students’ academic achievement n referrals – support for students and
as they prepare for the ever-changing The ASCA National Model provides a families to school or community
world of the 21st century. This alignment flexible framework high school counsel- resources for additional assistance and
is accomplished through the design, de- ors use to develop a program designed information.
velopment, implementation and evalua- to meet their students’ unique needs.
tion of a school counseling program. The The delivery of these services includes: RESEARCH ON THE
tools guiding this work are the ASCA EFFECTIVENESS OF SCHOOL
Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Suc- Direct student services including: COUNSELING
cess, which address students’ academic, n instruction – teaching the school Numerous studies demonstrate the value
career and social/emotional development, counseling curriculum to students of school counseling for students in
and the ASCA National Model, with its focused through the lens of selected the domains of academic development,
data-informed, results-based focus. Re- student standards from the ASCA college and career readiness and social/
search demonstrating the effectiveness of Mindsets & Behaviors for Student emotional development. Results of
school counseling programs continues to Success. research about the effectiveness of
grow, and there is evidence of the positive n appraisal and advisement – assessing school counseling can be found at
impact these programs have on academic student abilities, interests and schoolcounselor.org/effectiveness.
and social/emotional development. achievement to help them make
decisions about their future. THE ASCA NATIONAL MODEL:
IMPLEMENTING A SCHOOL n counseling – providing professional A FRAMEWORK FOR SCHOOL
COUNSELING PROGRAM assistance and support to a student or COUNSELING
High school counselors define and focus small group of students during times For more information about school
the school counseling program based on of transition, heightened stress, critical counseling programs based on the
the school’s academic, attendance and change or other situations impeding ASCA National Model, go to
discipline data. Identifying student needs student success. School counselors schoolcounselor.org/ascanationalmodel.
through this data and consulting with do not provide therapy or long-term
administrators guides program develop- counseling in schools; however, school (Revised, 2019)
ment. High school counselors provide counselors are prepared to recognize
equitable and appropriate services by and respond to student mental health
addressing students’ academic, career needs and to assist students and
and social/emotional developmental families seeking resources.

Why High School Counselors?

High school years are full of growth, promise, excitement, frustration, disappointment and hope. It is the time when students
begin to discover what the future holds for them. High school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a
comprehensive school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe
and respectful learning environment. High school counselors enhance the learning process and promote academic, career
and social/emotional development. High school counseling programs are essential for students to achieve optimal personal
growth, acquire positive social skills and values, set informed career goals and realize their full academic potential to become
productive, contributing members of the world community.

High school counselors hold a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification
includes ongoing professional development to stay current with educational reform and challenges facing today’s students.
Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.