ASCA: ​American School Counselor Association

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ASCA National Model

School counselors design and deliver school counseling programs that improve student outcomes. “The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs” outlines the components of a school counseling program that is integral to the school’s academic mission and is created to have a significant positive impact on student achievement, attendance and discipline.

The ASCA National Model guides school counselors in the development of school counseling programs that:

• are based on data-informed decision making
• are delivered to all students systematically
• include a developmentally appropriate curriculum focused on the mindsets and behaviors all students need for postsecondary readiness and success
• close achievement and opportunity gaps
• result in improved student achievement, attendance and discipline

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Training & Credentialing Matters

School counselors are certified/licensed educators with a minimum of a master’s degree in school counseling, making them uniquely qualified to address all students’ academic, career and social/emotional development needs through the implementation of a school counseling program that promotes and enhances student success. 

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Ratios Matter

Research shows that appropriate student-to-school-counselor ratios have a significant effect on student attendance and lead to higher test scores. The ideal caseload is 250:1

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The ASCA National Model framework consists of four components:
Define, Manage, Deliver, Assess

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Define:

Three sets of school counseling standards define the school counseling profession. These standards help new and experienced school counselors develop, implement and assess their school counseling program to improve student outcomes.

Student Standards
ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success: K–12 College- and Career-Readiness for Every Student

​Professional Standards

• ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors
• ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies

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Manage:

To be delivered effectively, the school counseling program must be efficiently and effectively managed. The ASCA National Model provides school counselors with the following program focus and planning tools to guide the design and implementation of a school counseling program that gets results.

Program Focus

• Beliefs
• Vision Statement
• Mission Statement

Program Planning

• School Data Summary
• Annual Student Outcome Goals
• Action Plans (Classroom/Group & Closing the Gap)
• Lesson Plans
• Annual Administrative Conference
• Use of Time
• Calendars (Annual & Weekly)
• Advisory Council

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Deliver:

​School counselors deliver developmentally appropriate activities and services directly to students or indirectly for students as a result of the school counselor’s interaction with others.
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These activities and services help students develop the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success and improve their achievement, attendance and discipline.

Direct Student Services

• Instruction
• Appraisal and Advisement
• Counseling​

Indirect Student Services

• Consultation
• Collaboration
• Referrals

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Assess

To achieve the best results for students, school counselors regularly assess their program to:

• determine its effectiveness
• inform improvements to their school counseling program design and delivery
• show how students are different as a result of the school counseling program

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​School counselors also self–assess their own mindsets and behaviors to inform their professional development and annually participate in a school counselor performance appraisal with a qualified administrator. The ASCA National Model provides the following tools to guide assessment and appraisal.

Program Assessment

• School Counseling Program Assessment
• Annual Results Reports

School Counselor Assessment and Appraisal

• ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies Assessment
• School Counselor Performance Appraisal Template