Book Description

The purpose of the school counseling program is to impart specific skills and learning opportunities through academic, career, and personal/social development experiences in a proactive and preventive manner for all students. This document presents national standards that can establish similar goals, expectations, support systems, and experiences for all students as a result of participation in a school counseling program. Chapter 1 defines standards and provides the American School Counselor Association's (ASCA) rationale for the development of these national standards. Chapter 2 provides an overview of the history of the school counseling profession and defines the school counseling program. The program goals are outlined, and major components are described along with benefits derived by its constituencies. Chapter 3 outlines the standards for the areas of academic, career, and social development. Following this is a list of student competencies that define the specific knowledge, attitudes, and skills that students should obtain as a result of participating in the program. Chapter 4 focuses on the initial stages of implementation and evaluation for a standards-based school counseling program. Sample activities of standards into practice are presented. Appendixes include information about ASCA, the Research Development Process for National Standards, and The School Counselor and comprehensive School Counseling Programs. (Contains 48 references.) (ADT)