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An Antiracist School Counseling Advocacy Framework for Change

Sat, April 26, 1:30 to 3:00pm MDT (1:30 to 3:00pm MDT), The Colorado Convention Center, Floor: Meeting Room Level, Room 108

Abstract

As the demographics of our country become increasingly diverse, it is more important than ever for school counselors to address educational inequities and identify resources to enhance student access. By using advocacy skills and culturally sustaining comprehensive school counseling programs, we can challenge and change social, political, and educational systems to ensure the academic and life successes of all PK-12 students. Advocacy skills are crucial for school counselors and educational partners, serving to eliminate racist policies, practices, and procedures (Braveman et al., 2022). Antiracism is a foundational concept in advocacy work, defined as intentional actions to disrupt the status quo and the normalization of marginalized students' oppression (Diem et al., 2022).

Although there is existing research and literature on antiracism in school counseling (Clemons & Cokley, 2022; Leigh-Osroosh et al., 2023; Mayes & Byrd, 2022; Stickl Haugen et al., 2022), there is a gap in focusing specifically on antiracist school counseling advocacy. To address this, the Antiracist School Counseling Advocacy Framework was created as a practical tool for school counselors to understand and implement antiracist advocacy. This framework is the first to guide school counselors through a process that focuses on using advocacy for systemic change, uniquely offering several pathways to change, from individual to systemic levels, allowing school counselors to advocate effectively within their ability and skill set. The presenter will introduce and outline the Anti-Racist School Counseling Advocacy Framework and identify ways that school counselors can use the Framework to create systemic change in schools.

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