Required Readings & Resources
American School Counselor Association. (2019).
ASCA national model: A framework for school counseling programs.
· Preface
· Introduction
· Executive Summary
Who are School Counselors?
Links to an external site.
PART A-W1 Discussion: Appropriate and Inappropriate Activities for School Counselors
Review the
Discussion Requirements
for this course before responding to the prompt below.
In the executive summary section of your readings for this week is a list of appropriate and inappropriate activities for school counselors. Examine the differences between the two lists and create a summary of expectations for a school counselor. There continue to be schools in which the administration adds inappropriate activities for their school counselors. Discuss how you might use the standards of practice for school counselors addressed by the American School Counselor Association to address this with an administrator. This
article
Links to an external site.
from the ASCA website will assist you in addressing this discussion.
PART B-Terminology is everything when it comes to understanding the role of a school counselor. Before the 21st century, counseling, guidance, and school counseling were not properly defined in schools. Some believed that this meant academics, others careers, and still others socio-emotional health. Still, others believed that a holistic approach needed to be taken. Today, we understand that not every school needs the same mix of academic, career, and socio/emotional support. Therefore, we must use data-driven decision-making to support the individual school counseling plan we will create for the school within which we work. In other words, there is not just one template for all schools.
For this assignment:
· Define the terms guidance, guidance and counseling, and school counseling from the perspective of academic achievement, careers and social/emotional (mental health).
· Address how you will assess the need for each in a particular school. This could include such issues as culture, SES, performance assessments, etc.
· Address how you will know if your program is working or will need modifications. Use the template provided for this assignment. Cite all sources you use to address this assignment.
Historical Use of Terminology Defining Practice
PART C-This assignment gives you an opportunity to explore your own thoughts, beliefs, and ideas about the role of the school counselor in today’s world. No sources are required unless you use a resource for information. For this assignment, from your readings this week, reflect on the past issues in which a school counselor may have been involved with such activities as academics, careers, and mental health. Examine today’s world. Are there differences in priorities today that may require more or less of one of these categories than in the past? In other words, where would you walk in and set your priorities or focus, and how would you know where to focus?
Your grade will be determined according to the Reflection Rubric embedded in this assignment.
