COUN 532 Overview of School Counseling

Course Description

This course introduces the new Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (CGCP) of the American School Counseling Association's (ASCA) National Model for elementary, middle/junior high, and high school students. It also presents a systematic approach to the foundation, delivery, management, accountability elements, and implementation of guidance programs in schools.

Topics and Objectives

History of School Counseling

· Identify important historical trends/events that have had a significant impact in shaping counseling and guidance services in today's schools.

ASCA's National Model Themes

· Examine new counseling themes that will be needed to support ASCA's National Model: leadership, advocacy, collaboration and teaming, and systemic change.

· Analyze how the themes assist counselors with students' achievement.

· Compare and contrast historical school counseling skills with ASCA's new counseling themes.

Foundation: Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling Program (CGCP)

· Examine the philosophy of ASCA's National Model.

· Create a mission statement that describes ASCA's vision and purpose.

· Define ASCA's National Standards for Student Academic, Career, and Personal/Social Development.

Key Components: CGCP

· Define the key components: foundation, delivery system, management system, and accountability.

· Examine the benefits of school counseling programs based on ASCA's National Model.

Delivery System: CGCP

· Define the key components of the delivery system: guidance curriculum, individual student planning, responsive services, and system support.

Management System: CGCP

· Define the key components of the management system: management agreements, advisory counsel, use of data, action plans, use of time, and calendars.

Accountability System: CGCP

· Define the key components of the accountability system: results reports, school counselor performance standards, and program audit.

Implementation: CGCP

· Define the key components of the implementation process: administrative support and preconditions, steps to implementation, and the impact of program transformation.

Ethical Issues in School Counseling

· Examine ASCA's Ethical Standards for School Counselors in relationship to local school and district policies.