The Professional School Counselor
The professional school counselor is a certified/licensed
educator with the minimum of a master’s degree who has completed a 48-60 hour
graduate program, has done a research project and thesis, has passed state
testing requirements (or has passed the National Counselor Certification), has
passed a rigorous comprehensive exam, and has spent 700 hours, or more, honing
counseling theories and skills through direct contact during counseling labs,
practicums, and internships. Professional school counselors are trained
in school counseling with unique qualifications and skills to address the
academic, personal/social, and future/career development needs through the
implementation a theory based, data driven comprehensive school counseling
program that promotes and enhances student achievement. Professional school
counselors are employed in elementary, middle/junior high and high schools and
in district supervisory, counselor education and post-secondary settings. Their
work is differentiated by attention to developmental stages of student growth,
including the needs, tasks and student interests related to those stages.
Professional school counselors serve a vital
role in maximizing student achievement. In fact, a study by Carrell and
Hoekstra, found that adding one counselor to a school is “roughly twice as
effective as hiring additional teachers to reduce class sizes.” (Carrell &
Hoekstra, 2010). The study further found that by using school counselors in the
effective ways in which they were trained, and there were more school
counselors to help students, graduation rates, college going rates, coping
skills, and all around personal and social success would improve.
Through the incorporation of leadership,
advocacy, and collaboration, professional school counselors promote equity and
access to opportunities and rigorous educational experiences for all students.
Professional school counselors support a safe learning environment and work to
safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community.
Collaborating with other stakeholders to promote student achievement and social
growth, professional school counselors address the needs of all students
through prevention and intervention programs that are a part of a comprehensive
school counseling program.
To achieve maximum program effectiveness, the
American School Counselor Association recommends a counselor-to-student ratio
of 1:250.
Professional school counselors abide by the
laws of the states in which they are employed. They uphold the ethical and
professional standards of professional counseling associations, and promote the
development of a comprehensive school counseling program.
Throughout the week, you’ll find ASCA and
TSCA based information on this blog to share with others while promoting a
comprehensive school counseling program that, hopefully, is moving in the
direction of state and national guidelines toward a RAMP (Recognized ASCA Model
Program) designation from the American School Counseling Association.
Kristine Kilgour, M.Ed., LPSC
School Counselor & Supreme Court Approved Mediator
rfhscounselor@gmail.com
