• American School Counselor Association
    National Standards
     

     

     
     
    In its quest to provide professional support to counselors and school counseling programs throughout the nation, the American School Counselors Association has adopted a set of national standards by which comprehensive K-12 school counseling programs can be designed, implemented, and measured. These standards have proven useful to school counselors, administrators, faculty, staff, parents, students, counselor educators, state associations and communities. The standards address the development of all students in a multi-dimensional manner. A trio of standards supports each dimension.
     
    Academic Development. The academic standards serve as a guide for the school counseling program to implement strategies and activities that support and maximize student learning.
    • Standard A: Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school across the life span.
    • Standard B: Students will complete school with the academic preparation essential to choose from a wide range of substantial post-secondary options.
    • Standard C: Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work, and to life at home and in the community.
    Career Development. Standards for career development serve as a guide for the school counseling program to provide the foundation for acquiring the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that enables students to make a successful transition from school to the world of work.
    • Standard A: Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions.
    • Standard B: Students will employ strategies to achieve future career success and satisfaction.
    • Standard C: Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education and training, and the world of work.

    Personal and Social Development: Program standards for personal/social development serve as a guide for the school counseling program to provide the foundation for personal and social growth, which contributes to academic and career success.

    • Standard A: Students will acquire the attitude, knowledge, and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.
    • Standard B: Students will make decisions, set goals, and take necessary action to achieve goals.
    • Standard C: Students will understand safety and survival skills.