Some may view school counselors merely as individuals who hand students transcripts and college information packets. However, in today’s classrooms, they are crucial to a student body’s achievement.
According to schoolcounselor.org, school counselors are responsible for creating and carrying out programs to improve students’ academic achievement, personal growth, and readiness for college or careers. School counselors are educated to address the unique developmental requirements of each age group in a school setting and are expected to adhere to the professional and ethical standards set forth by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA).
A master’s degree program accompanies these standards. The American Counseling Association (ACA), a branch of the American School Counseling Association (ASCA), is another common organization among school counselors.
As per the ASCA’s National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs, school counselors are in a distinct role within the school since they provide guidance to kids regarding academics and behavior, but they are not teachers or administrators.
Counselors collaborate collaboratively with faculty, parents, and administrators to foster a safe and supportive learning environment for students. Advocating for the significance of academic, professional, and social/emotional development, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) establishes guidelines for school counselors to adhere to.
To help primary school students reach their full potential, this article will discuss five key methods school counselors promote achievement.
1. Preparation for College
In terms of a student’s college planning, school counselors are crucial. The college application rates of students collaborating with school counselors or accessing college help are higher. Furthermore, when schools use ASCA’s National Model, the graduation rate increases by almost 29%.
Besides, school counseling programs can aid in reducing racial and ethnic disparities that prevent underprivileged kids from achieving their college goals. Intentional school counseling work can help close the achievement gap for Latino students with low English proficiency, and a culturally and linguistically appropriate counseling intervention can help close the achievement gap for students of other races when it comes to AP class enrollment.
2. Results in the Classroom
Outside of helping students become ready for college and elementary school counselor can significantly impact their academic success. For instance, schools with one counselor for every 250 kids or fewer have 91% graduation rates, 94% attendance rates, and 2% disciplinary issue rates. There is an 83% improvement in failing grades among primary school kids who participate in small-group counseling.
A study conducted in Missouri on licensed school counselors found that kids in schools with more counselors on staff had better behavioral and academic outcomes, and this may be especially true for kids from low-income families.
3. Competencies in Social and Emotional Competence
A great deal of research has focused on how school counselors impact the behavioral environments of schools and the social-emotional abilities of their pupils. It has been proposed that school counselors can help children with mental health concerns attend class more frequently and feel more connected to their school.
School counseling programs have been shown to enhance students’ cognitive, attitudinal, self-regulation, behavioral, and social capacities.
The crucial role of school counselors in promoting student achievement can be obscured in popular culture’s portrayal of educational environments. In actuality, they collaborate with parents, school officials, and teachers to make the school a place where kids may succeed academically, earn college credits, and build the social and emotional resilience to face the challenges of life.
4. Studying and Assessing Programs
To make sure that school programs are meeting kids’ needs, school counselors conduct regular evaluations. Students, parents, instructors, and administrators work together on these assessments. Finding curriculum roadblocks that can prevent students from graduating and achieving their career goals is the main objective. Then, counselors collaborate with other school stakeholders to create plans to bridge these gaps and prepare students for what lies ahead.
5. Positive Connections
Building trustworthy relationships is fundamental to a school counselor’s work. How counselors, students, and parents interact is defined by these links. Counselors may take part in the creation of parenting and bonding techniques to help students and their families become more connected. Adolescents, who are undergoing rapid maturation, may benefit greatly from this component.
Additionally, counselors may plan activities like parent workshops, literacy nights, and volunteer opportunities to get families involved in their children’s education. Both the school community and the parents’ sense of involvement in their child’s education are bolstered by these events.
To further assist their kids, counselors frequently collaborate with other organizations offering mental health services, tutoring facilities, social assistance, and other supplementary help. Counselors make sure kids have access to the tools they need by putting families in touch with these organizations.
In the end!
When it comes to the educational process, school counselors are frequently indispensable. Using their knowledge and experience, they help kids navigate the challenges of school and life by acting as advocates, mediators, consultants, supporters, observers, and navigators. More than just preparing pupils for success in school and the workforce, they go above and above in their jobs. Students are also better equipped to live fulfilling lives due to this program.
Compared to other education professionals, school counselors have a unique opportunity to impact students’ lives more intimately. School counselors play an important role in students’ personal, academic, and professional development, assisting them with navigating their educational journey and job preparation. Despite the high level of responsibility, the role can potentially provide ample rewards.