Counseling Curriculum and Standards
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Why elementary school counselors? Top of Page
The elementary school years set the foundation for developing the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary for children to become healthy, competent and confident learners. Elementary school counselors have an impact on these years by implementing a school counseling program and collaborating with school staff, parents and the community to create a safe and respectful learning environment. By providing education, prevention, early identification and intervention, elementary school
counselors help their students achieve academic success, develop an understanding of career opportunities and develop social/emotional skills in response to issues they face.
Elementary school counselors hold a master’s degree and required state certification in school counseling. Maintaining certification includes ongoing professional development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing today’s students. Professional association membership enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.
(Published by The American School Counseling Association)
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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS’
DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDSTop of Page
DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS
The elementary years are a time when
students begin to develop their academic
self-concept and feelings of competence
and confidence as learners. They are
beginning to develop decision-making,
communication and life skills, as well as
character values. It is also a time when
students develop and acquire attitudes
toward school, self, peers, social groups
and family.
students begin to develop their academic
self-concept and feelings of competence
and confidence as learners. They are
beginning to develop decision-making,
communication and life skills, as well as
character values. It is also a time when
students develop and acquire attitudes
toward school, self, peers, social groups
and family.
(Published by The American School Counselor Association)
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The role of the elementary school counselorTop of Page
Direct student services include:
- Instruction – teaching the school
counseling curriculum to students
focused through the lens of selected
student standards from the ASCA
Mindsets & Behaviors for Student
Success. - Appraisal and advisement – assessing
student abilities, interests and
achievement to help them make
decisions about their future. - Counseling – providing professional
assistance and support to a student
or small group of students during
times of transition, heightened stress,
critical change or other situations
impeding student success. School
counselors do not provide therapy
or long-term counseling in schools.
However, school counselors are
prepared to recognize and respond
to student mental health needs and
assist students and families seeking
resources
Indirect student services include:
- Consultation – share strategies
supporting student achievement with
parents, teachers, other educators and
community organizations - Collaboration – work with other
educators, parents and the community
to support student achievement - Referrals – support for students and
families to school or community
resources for additional assistance and
information
(Published by The American School Counselor Association)
The ASCA National Model for School Counselors
