School Counseling

School Counseling Consultant - Cynthia Floyd

NC Professional School Counseling Standards

School Counselors design and deliver comprehensive school counseling programs that promote student achievement. These programs are comprehensive in scope, preventive in design and developmental in nature. A comprehensive school counseling program is an integral component of the school’s academic mission. Comprehensive school counseling programs, driven by student data and based on standards in cognitive, career and socio-emotional development, promote and enhance the learning process for all students.

School Counselors participate as members of the educational team and use skills of leadership, advocacy and collaboration to promote systemic change as appropriate. Effective school counseling programs are a collaborative effort between the school counselor, parents and other educators to create an environment that promotes student achievement. School staff and school counselors value and respond to the diversity and individual differences in our societies and communities. Comprehensive school counseling programs ensure equitable access to opportunities and rigorous curriculum so that all students may graduate “career and college ready” as school counselors focus their skills, time and energy on direct and indirect services to students. Direct services to students are services that are in-person” interactions between the student and school counselor and include the following:

Integration of the Guidance Standard Course of Study within the school setting
Individual student planning
Responsive services.

Indirect services are provided on behalf of the student as a result of the school counselors’ interactions with others including:

Referrals for assistance
Consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators and community agencies

School counselors strive to balance their time among all of these services, based upon the unique needs of their school community.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of the school counseling program in measurable terms, school counselors analyze school and school counseling program data to determine “how students are different as a result of the school counseling program.” School counselors use data to show the impact of the school counseling program on student achievement, attendance and behavior. In addition, school counselors analyze school counseling program assessments to guide future action to improve future results for all students.

In North Carolina, one has to complete an approved master’s degree counselor education program in a regionally accredited college or university in order to be a licensed school counselor. Within these counselor education programs, several standards are studied such as the professional identity of school counseling, cultural diversity, human growth and development and career development. Also required are the core components for helping relationships, group and individual work, assessment, research and program evaluation, knowledge and requirements for school counselors, contextual dimensions of school counseling, and an internship under a highly qualified school counselor. School counselors are expected to apply their professional training in schools as leaders, advocates and collaborators in order to support student achievement.

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Current information and news of particular interest to school counseling staff.

NC Professional School Counseling Standards

The State Board of Education approved the North Carolina Professional School Counseling Standards on Dec. 4, 2008. The North Carolina Professional School Counseling Standards will guide the professional development of school counselors in the 21st century; provide focus for schools and districts as they support, monitor, and evaluate school counselors; and assist higher education programs in developing the content and requirements for school counselor education curricula.

School Counseling Resources

Professional Associations

American School Counselor Association
The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors' efforts to help students focus on academic, personal/social and career development so they achieve success in school and are prepared to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society.

American Counselor Association
The American Counseling Association is dedicated to the growth and development of the counseling profession and those who are served.

National Association for College Admission Counseling
The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), founded in 1937, is an organization of more than 9,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education.

National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) is the nation’s premier professional certification board devoted to credentialing counselors who meet standards for the general and specialty practices of professional counseling.

North Carolina Counselor Association
The North Carolina Counseling Association represents diverse interests of its professional development membership through an Executive Council, geographically located members, specialty organizations, and committees (includes the NC Counselors in Schools division).

North Carolina School Counselor Association
The mission of the North Carolina School Counselor Association is to promote excellence in professional school counseling. NCSCA provides professional advocacy member services such as an annual Fall Conference, quarterly newsletter, and drive-in workshops to assist in professional development.

Addtional Resources

ACT
‘Helping people achieve education and workplace success.” Across the nation, more and more states are using ACT testing and instructional improvement programs statewide to improve the college and work readiness of their students. North Carolina high school students may take the PLAN, the ACT and the WorkKeys assessment, in their pursuit to be college and career ready upon high school graduation. Educators will use the results of these ACT assessments to guide their students towards meeting their personal career and college ready goals.

CFNC
College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina that helps students plan, apply, and pay for college. CFNC has sections for educators and parents on their website to assist you as you are working with your students. CFNC is a partnership of Pathways, the N.C. State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc.

College Board
College Board believes that an investment in education is an investment in the future. They are champions of innovation, equity and excellence for all students. In addition, they are advocates for children and parents, empower teachers and educators and are a strong presence in many schools across the country. The work of College Board falls mainly into three categories: College Readiness, College Connections, Success and Advocacy.

School Counseling in North Carolina Information Sheet
A summary of best practices for effective comprehensive school counseling programs.

From the Frontline: What’s Really Going on with Testing Coordination
2003 School Counselor questionnaire summary results regarding the impact testing coordination has on the role of the school counselor.

Report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee (Revised May 2007)
Role School Counselors Play in Providing Dropout Prevention and Intervention Services to Students in Middle and High School. Session Law 2006-176 (Senate Bill 571).

Report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee (November 2007)
Implementation of State Board Policy QP-C-012 Policy Delineating the Job Description and Performance Criteria for School Counselors. Session Law 2006-176, Section 2 (Senate Bill 571).

National Center for School Counseling Outcome Research
The Center for School Counseling Outcome Research is dedicated to improving the practice of school counseling by developing the research base that is necessary for responsible and effective practice.

NBPTS National School Counselor Certification
By participating in this certification process, you are joining tens of thousands of educators in an unprecedented effort to elevate and reshape the field of education and ultimately improve student learning.

NC DPI Application for NBPTS Funding
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification Application for state funding for the year

North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors
This site was established to provide potential Licensed Professional Counselors with information on obtaining licensure in North Carolina, to provide currently Licensed Professional Counselors with up-to-date information and resources on the many facets of being a counselor in North Carolina, and information on the Board, its responsibilities and obligations to the general public.

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School Counseling

School Counseling Consultant - Cynthia Floyd

NC Professional School Counseling Standards