School Counseling

MISSION

The comprehensive school counseling program at Innovations School advocates for equity, access, and success for every student by promoting academic achievement, college/career readiness, and social/emotional growth. We partner with stakeholders to encourage student self-advocacy and accountability and to prepare all students to become lifelong learners and productive citizens.

VISION

All students from Innovations School will graduate career and college ready. Our students will be employed or on track to be employed in a career that matches their individual interests, abilities, and values and they will be productive contributors in a diverse global society. Students will achieve their fullest potential and make a positive difference in their home, workplace, and global community.

BELIEFS

All students shall have access to a school counselor who actively advocates for their academic, career, and social/emotional needs.
Students thrive when they make meaningful connections through activities, academic rigor, and relationships with adults.
Students are lifelong learners and will be productive citizens.
School counselors will collaborate with families, stakeholders, and community resources to meet student needs and assist student development.
School counselors assist students with self-advocacy and accountability skills.
School counselors will use data to design, implement, evaluate and continuously improve the comprehensive school counseling program.
School counselors help students feel valued and empowered.

THE ROLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR

Professional school counselors are certified educators who improve student success for ALL students by implementing a comprehensive school counseling program. School counselors' training allows them to function as a facilitator between parents, teachers, and students in matters concerning the student’s goals, abilities, and any areas for growth. School Counselors are professional mental health experts who work in schools to understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. NTHS School Counselor FAQ

School Counselor Qualifications:

A Master's degree (or higher) in school counseling
Meet the state certification/licensure standards
Fulfill continuing education requirements
Uphold the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) ethical and professional standards

Help all students:

Apply academic achievement strategies
Manage emotions and apply interpersonal skills
Plan for postsecondary options (high education, military, apprenticeships, work force)

Methods/Services:

Individual and small group counseling (short term interventions only)
Referrals to outside services (long-term interventions)
Crisis intervention counseling
Individual academic planning and goal setting
School counseling classroom lessons based on student success standards
Data analysis to identify student issues, needs, and challenges
Conflict resolution and peer facilitation
Collaboration with families/teachers/administrators/community for student success
Student Advocacy
Advocate for positive change in the school and in the district

ASCA: AMERICAN SCHOOL COUNSELOR ASSOCIATION

School counselors design and deliver school counseling programs that improve student outcomes. “The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs” outlines the components of a school counseling program that is integral to the school’s academic mission and is created to have a significant positive impact on student achievement, attendance and discipline.The ASCA National Model guides school counselors in the development of school counseling programs that:

are based on data-informed decision-making.
are delivered to all students systematically.
Including a developmentally appropriate curriculum focused on the mindsets and behaviors, all students need for postsecondary readiness and success.
close achievement and opportunity gaps
result in improved student achievement, attendance and discipline.

Training & Credentialing Matters

School counselors are certified/licensed educators with a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling, making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, career, and social/emotional development needs through the implementation of a school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success.

The ASCA National Model Framework consists of four components:

Define, Manage, Deliver, Assess

Define:

Three sets of school counseling standards define the school counseling profession. These standards help new and experienced school counselors develop, implement and assess their school counseling program to improve student outcomes.

Student Standards

ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success: K–12 College- and Career-Readiness for Every Student

Professional Standards

ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors
ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies

Manage:

To be delivered effectively, the school counseling program must be efficiently and effectively managed. The ASCA National Model provides school counselors with the following program focus and planning tools to guide the design and implementation of a school counseling program that gets results.

Program Focus

Beliefs
Vision Statement
Mission Statement

Program Planning

School Data Summary
Annual Student Outcome Goals
Action Plans (Classroom/Group & Closing the Gap)
Lesson Plans
Annual Administrative Conference
Use of Time
Calendars (Annual & Weekly)
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 Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success and improve their achievement, attendance and discipline.

Direct Student Services

Instruction
Appraisal and Advisement
Counseling

Indirect Student Services

Consultation
Collaboration
Referrals

Assess

To achieve the best results for students, school counselors regularly assess their program to:

determine its effectiveness
inform improvements to their school counseling program design and delivery
show how students are different 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

School Counseling Program Assessment
Annual Results Reports

School Counselor Assessment and Appraisal

ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies Assessment
School Counselor Performance Appraisal Template