The foundation of a Comprehensive School Counseling Program (CSCP) must be strong which can ensure that additional elements in this profession can be added on to the foundation and secure. The school counseling program’s foundation serves as the solid ground upon which the rest of the comprehensive school counseling program is built (ASCA National Model, p.21, 2012).

American School Counselor Association. (2012). ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author.

 

Beliefs can consist of an individual’s personal outlook and views on life. This can also be influenced by one’s up bringing and culture. It is important that professional school counselors use their beliefs to effectively assist students when creating programs. Beliefs are discussed early in the process of developing a school counseling program. It is important that school counselors’ beliefs about students, families, teachers and the educational process are crucial in supporting student success (ASCA National Model, p.21-22, 2012).

American School Counselor Association. (2012). ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author.

 

Philosophy, in relation to creating a comprehensive school counseling program is a very important component for professional school counselors. An individual’s philosophy on what should be included in a comprehensive school counseling program can be influenced by personal beliefs and those beliefs should reflect goals of assisting students towards success. A school counselor’s philosophy of counseling is a critical element in his or her approach to guiding students to lead purposeful lives, attend to unique personal circumstances, enhance leaning and achievement, and reach their many goals and endeavors (School Counseling Manual).

 

Mission statements are very important in the process of creating a comprehensive school counseling program. Creating a mission statement outlines the school, programs, goals and focus that can lead towards student success. A mission statement provides the focus and direction to reach the vision, creating one focus or purpose in the development and implementation of the comprehensive school counseling program (ASCA National Model, p. 24, 2012).

American School Counselor Association. (2012). ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author.

Program goals are created in the beginning stages of developing a comprehensive school counseling program to outline what the program should achieve regarding student success rates and improvement needs. Program goals define how the vision and mission will be accomplished and guide the development of curriculum, small-group and closing -the -gap action plans (ASCA National Model, p.25, 2012). 

American School Counselor Association. (2012). ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author.

 

Standards, when creating a comprehensive school counseling program are used to measure the level of student progress and guides professional school counselors on what is needed to help students thrive. School counselors use the standards to assess student growth and development, guide the development of strategies and activities and create a program that helps students achieve their highest potential (ASCA National Model, p. 29, 2012).

American School Counselor Association. (2012). ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author.

 

Competencies are used as a guide within this profession to assist professional school counselors with fulfilling expected duties towards student needs. The ASCA School Counselor Competencies outline the knowledge, abilities, skills and attitudes that ensure school counselors are equipped to meet the rigorous demands of the profession and the needs of pre-K–12 students (ASCA Competencies, 2012).

 

 

Indicators are outlines of expectations of achieving the school’s vision, mission, academic, safety, and developmental rates for students. Below is a video the 5 key Indicators of School Performance which explains how to increase student success rates. The five key elements described in this video includes Student Achievement, Discipline Referrals, Attendance Rates, Graduation Rates, and Teacher Satisfaction. 

 

Results reports provide data on the level of success students have gained through a comprehensive school counseling program. These results can help guide professional school counselors on improvement needs for the program as well.

 

A school counselor self- assessment can be used to help professional school counselors measure the efforts put forward when creating comprehensive school counseling programs and fulfilling the expectations within this profession. Attached is a link of a school counseling self- assessment on leadership.

 

A program assessment evaluation is used to get feedback from students, teachers and other stakeholders on the guidance lessons or comprehensive school counseling programs. Below is a sample of a survey to evaluate a guidance program.

 

Individual student Planning: The individual student planning is designed to help students establish personal goals, as well as future goals. The individual student planning will consist of a  middle school readiness plan and individual learning plans. This plan will help students develop their own learning as well as achieving academic and personal/ social competencies. The school counselor will work with students to help improve personal and social goals, while also helping students transition from elementary to middle school. The school counselor will use strategies such as appraisal which will help the counselor learns students interests, skills, and achievement(ASCA, 2016 pp.86). 

Responsive Services: The responsive services are geared toward students immediate needs and concerns. This can be initiated by the teacher, student, or parents, the ultimate goal is to help students resolve any academic and/or social needs. In order to fulfill the students needs there will be counseling session which include individual or small group counseling. During the school counseling sessions the overall goal is to help students identify problems, causes, and possible consequences(ASCA, 2016 pp. 86). Although counseling session are provided for the students this is not long term and school counselors may not help students deal with any psychological disorder. However the counseling sessions are there to help student immediate needs which are preventing them from academic success. 

Consultation Practices: Consultation practices will be used as a resource for the parents, teacher, and other educators to learn about different strategies on how to support the students. The school counselor will hold seminars that gives teachers, parents, and other educators insight on how to help student academic and personal/social development. 

Collaboration Practices: The school counselor will work with other educators, parents, and community shareholder in order to provide academic success for the students. The school counselor will teams up with local business in the community in order to provide a safe and fun environment for the students to collaborate. The school counselor will also provide workshops for the parents which teaches them how they ca enhance their students learning while at home(ASCA,2016).

School Counseling Curriculum: The school counseling curriculum will consist of the different lessons the school counselor will present over the course of the year. The school counselor will complete bully lessons, safety tips, and middle school readiness for 5th graders. 

References

American School Counselor Association. (2012). ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author.