ASCA National Model A Framework For School Counseling

ASCA National Model A Framework For School Counseling Programs

Rationale Importance of a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP) Comprehensive, preventative, and developmental in nature ASCA National Model provides an outline of the components of a CSCP Based on data-driven decision making Based on standards in academic, career, and personal/social development Promote the learning of all students

Framework: Purpose 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 delivered systematically to all students.

Framework: 4 Interrelated Components Foundation CSCP will be based on a strong foundation that clearly states a school’s goals for student achievement. Delivery System Describes the methods that school counselors use to share their lessons with all students

Framework: 4 Interrelated Components Management System Helps maintain organization of the school counseling program and ensures all students’ needs are met. Accountability CSCP’s must collect data to make sure that interventions are effective and to evaluate the overall progress the program makes towards meeting its goals.

Themes: Advocacy As stated by ASCA, “School counselors advocate for students’ educational needs to work and ensure these needs are addressed at every level of the school experience…School counselors work as advocates to remove systemic barriers that impede the academic success of any student. ” Advocacy is essentially educating with passion. School counselors are advocates for students, families, teachers and schools.

Themes: Leadership The ASCA National Model states, “School counselors serve as leaders engaged in system-wide change to ensure student success. ” It has been described as a five-step template which includes: challenge the process, inspire a shared vision, enable others to act, model the way, and encourage the heart.

Themes: Collaboration means working together with others to reach a common goal that cannot be achieved by working individually. Can be between the school counselor and teachers, parents, school staff, community members, etc.

Systemic Change This type of change occurs when policies and procedures are examined and changed to match the findings of new data. Examples: when parents are present for programs geared towards them, when administrators change policies to be more beneficial to students and education. It is the fruit of many labor efforts and data.

ASCA Model Elements: Foundation Elements include program focus, student competencies, and professional competencies. Program focus: beliefs, mission & vision statement. Mission statement: influenced by program’s beliefs and ties in with the school corp. ’s mission statement. Describes importance that the school counseling program plays in all students’ lives Vision statement: describes direction of school counseling program & how PSC’s plan to address school needs.

ASCA Model Elements: Foundation, Cont. Elements include program focus, student competencies, and professional competencies. Student competencies: academic, career, & professional. Professional competencies: school counseling competencies and ethical standards.

ASCA Model Elements: Delivery System Pinpoints the types of services that the school counseling program provides. Collaborate frequently with delivery methods. Programming aims to promote awareness, development & prevention. Ideally, 80% of PSC’s time should be spent directly with students. Individual & group counseling, classroom lessons, peer facilitation, consultation.

ASCA Model Elements: Management System Time use assessments Advisory Council: looks at program goals and makes recommendations Students, teachers, administrators, school counselors, and community members Data!: used to evaluate guidance plans, group work, future plans, etc.

ASCA Model Elements: Accountability Data illustrates need for school counselors in the school. Helps PSC’s identify the areas where more or less focus is needed. Utilize data to measure effectiveness of programming and impact it has on students.

References American School Counselor Association. (n. d. ). A framework for school counseling programs. In ASCA National Model. Retrieved April 1, 2014, from http: //www. ascanationalmodel. org/Ascanationalmodel/ media/ANM-templates/ANMExec. Summ. pdf Dollarhide, C. T. , & Saginak, K. A. (2012). Comprehensive School Counseling Programs (2 nd ed. , pp. 77 -78). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.