School Counseling History Frank Parsons promoted vocational guidance services in the school.s The first school guidance program was developed by Jessie Davis. First called guidance, it is now called counseling or psychoeducation. National Defense Education Act allocated funding for colleges and universities to educate school counselors. School counseling is the largest specialty within the counseling profession. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling History 1960’s: The focus of school counseling shifted to a developmental approach. 1970’s: The developmental perspective expanded to included K-12. 1975: Education for All Handicapped Children expanded the school counselor role to include: Testing and placement. 1984: Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act was passed to aid students with vocational concerns. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Qualifications of School Counselors Current standards as specified by the Counsel for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) 1993 is: –48 hour Mater’s degree that includes practicum and internship. An extensive content area must also be covered “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004” Professional orientationHelping relationships Counseling theoriesHuman development Social and cultural foundationsGroup counseling Career and lifestyle counselingAppraisal, research and evaluation School counselingConsultation
School Counseling Core Principles School counseling needs to be an independent school program with a defined counseling curriculum that includes program objectives and outcomes. School counseling needs to be an integrated part of the district’s total educational program and not just an add on. School counseling programs need to be developmental with a life-span perspective. School counseling services need to be offered to every student without discrimination. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Types of Program Interventions Direct Services: Individual and group counseling and classroom guidance/psychological education. Indirect Services: Consultation with teachers and parents and coordination of functions or services. Other Services: Clerical work. It is recommended that school counselors spend at least 75% of their time in direct services. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Direct Services Individual and Group Counseling: Promotes students’ personal and social growth and enhances career and educational development. Classroom Guidance/Psychological Education: A structured unit related to prevention or developmental needs. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Indirect Services Consultation: Working with teachers, staff and parents to help with interactions with children This may be done through seminars, workshops, conferences or on a one-to-one basis. Coordination: When the counselor takes a leadership role in coordinating counseling services within the school or district. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Developmental School Counseling This approach is more preventative, wellness-oriented, and proactive. Skills and experiences for student success have been identified and have been related to specific skills, behaviors and tasks. Classroom guidance activities are aimed to teach these skills and behaviors. It is geared to work within the developmental growth of the students. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Elementary School Counseling 1964 National Defense Education Act extended counseling services to the elementary schools. Focuses on remediation, prevention and enhancement of skills. Focuses also on youth at risk. The belief is to nip in the bud self-defeating or adverse behaviors before they become set patterns. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Middle and High School The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) recommends there be no more than 400 students per school counselor at this level. Counselors work on skills-based programs that are designed to help adolescents deal with the developmental tasks associated with adolescence. There is an emphasis on career development at well. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling School Assistance Programs Some schools contract out to provide additional services not covered by school counselors. Some schools are establishing ancillary programs in the schools such as the Student Assistance Program (SAP) which is designed for youth at risk for drugs, alcohol and other substances. Some schools have hired an in-house Student Assistance Team (SAT) to aid school counselors. Counselors may be called in from the outside to help handle crises such as suicides. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Multicultural Counseling Multicultural and diversity issues include all of the following: gender, skin color, size and shape, physical disability, socioeconomic status, emotional stability, academic aptitude, psychomotor ability, learning style, sexual preference and orientation, mentally disabled or mentally gifted and social skills. For the above reasons, all school settings are multicultural settings. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Employment In Higher Education Student Personnel Services: This includes admissions, recruitment, academic advising, registration, financial aid, records, residence hall and food services, health services, disability and veterans services, and career placement services. College and University Counseling: Provides personal, educational and vocational counseling to students, faculty and staff. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”
School Counseling Future Trends School counseling is considered by some to be on the verge of becoming obsolete because many feel it is an “extra” that should be eliminated when budgets get tight. Outcome research may become more important for school counselors to “prove” how much they are needed in the schools. School counselors will need to spend more time promoting the profession and become more proactive in their roles. “Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2004”