Landscape Review of School Counseling Programs and Practices

• In Event: School Counseling at the Crossroads of Change

Abstract

Objectives/Purpose
This study sought to examine and explore promising school counseling programs and practices that were innovative and determined effective. The investigation examined four primary areas: 1) delivery of K-12 school counseling program and practices, 2) financing school counseling services, 3) licensure endorsing and school counselor evaluation, and 4) professional development and pre-service training programs for school counselors.

Perspective(s) or theoretical framework
As momentum grows for an increased focus on evidence-based school counseling practices, it can be instructive to look more broadly at entire school counseling programs that are deemed effective. What does a results-based school counseling program look like in practice? Schools with award winning school counseling programs are often recognized because they are well- organized, highly structured and follow standards of quality programs, but those components do not necessarily align with innovative approaches to delivering school counseling services.

Methods, techniques, or modes of inquiry
To find answers, a study conducted in 2015 with funding from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Lilly Endowment analyzed more than 100 secondary school counseling programs around the country for the purpose of pinpointing those deemed “innovative and effective.” Schools researched for the study were identified through a literature review of professional counseling journals, an examination of Recognized ASCA Model Programs (RAMP) schools, discussions at the Evidence-Based School Counseling Conference, individual phone and in-person interviews with numerous school counseling researchers and counselor educators, and from results of a national survey distributed through the Reach Higher initiative.

Data sources, evidence, objects, or materials:
School counselors, counselor educators, researchers, and other school counseling professionals were asked to nominate schools they believed to be innovative and effective based on the theory that such programs might have common components that align with positive outcomes. Detailed interviews were then conducted with 20 secondary schools and results summarized in a final report.

Results:
The findings point to several important points that can be instructive to schools striving to make their school counseling programs more innovative and effective. The results challenge existing notions of the assumed correlation between recognized programs and effective programs and point to the need for further research in areas not examined thoroughly in the past. Preliminary findings indicate a focus on college and career readiness and collaborative initiatives to expand the services of secondary school counseling programs. Another preliminary finding indicates pre-service programs have expanded their focus on topics of mental health and college and career counseling.

Significance of the study:
The school counseling profession continues to battle funding and resource issues. This study begins to shed light on promising programs and practices as well as uncover school systems that have operated “outside the box” to best meet the needs of students and school communities. While there are several models that provide a great blueprint for best practices, this study has found innovative and unique approaches to school counseling programming, funding opportunities, and ongoing professional development.

Authors

• Matt Fleck, Fleck Education

• Brandie M Oliver, Butler University