ASCA: American School Counselor Association
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
Training & Credentialing MattersSchool 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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The ASCA National Model framework consists of four components:
Define, Manage, Deliver, Assess
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
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
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.
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.
These activities and services help students develop the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success and improve their achievement, attendance and discipline.
These activities and services help students develop the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success and improve their achievement, attendance and discipline.
Direct Student Services
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Indirect Student Services
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Assess
To achieve the best results for students, school counselors regularly assess their program to:
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 Counselor Assessment and Appraisal
- 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
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