Today's school counselors are vital members of the education team. They help all students in the areas of academic achievement, career development and social/emotional development, ensuring today's students become the productive, well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.
Roles and Ratios
School counselors have unique training to address all students’ academic, career and social/emotional development needs and make a positive impact on student achievement, attendance and behavior.
- The role of the school counselor
- Appropriate/inappropriate duties
- Infographic: What Does a School Counselor Do?
- School-counselor-to-student ratios (ASCA recommends a ratio of 1:250)
- The Essential Role of Elementary School Counselors
- The Essential Role of Middle School Counselors
- The Essential Role of High School Counselors
- The Essential Role of School Counselor Educators
- The Essential Role of School Counseling Directors/Coordinators
- Guidance Counselor vs. School Counselor
- Effectiveness of school counseling
- Position statements
Hiring, Interviewing and Evaluating School Counselors
These resources can help identify the most highly qualified candidates as well as enhance your school counseling program based on best practices in school counseling.
- Annual Administrative Conference: Iowa BOEE has approved the use of the Annual Administrator Conference template as the School Counselor Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) for recertification purposes as long as it is adapted to include the same elements required for the IPDP. Click here to make a copy of the adapted administrative conference form for IPDP.
- School Counselor Evaluation Supplement (.doc)
- School Counselor Evaluation Supplement (.pdf)
- Sample interview questions
- School counselor competencies
- Have a position to post? Members can post job ads on the ASCA SCENE. Nonmembers can e-mail ASCA to post it for you
Education and Training
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) offers many opportunities to promote professional growth, including intensive training that can be brought to your school or district.
- Site-based training
- ASCA National Model training
- ASCA Annual Conference
- ASCA publications (bulk discounts available)
- ASCA U Specialist trainings
Comprehensive School Counseling Program Resources
These resources offer ways to store components of your comprehensive school counseling program online and apply to receive recognition for exemplary school counseling programs.
Content from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA)