Today’s young people are living in an exciting time, with an
increasingly diverse society, new technologies, and expanding
opportunities. To help ensure that they are prepared to become the next
generation of parents, workers, leaders, and citizens, every student
needs support, guidance, and opportunities during adolescence, a time of
rapid growth and change. Early adolescents face unique and diverse
challenges, both personally and developmentally, that have an impact on
academic achievement.
Middle School Students' Developmental Needs
Middle school is an exciting, yet challenging time for students, their
parents and teachers. During this passage from childhood to adolescence,
middle school students are characterized by a need to explore a variety
of interests, connecting their learning in the classroom to its
practical application in life and work; high levels of activity coupled
with frequent fatigue due to rapid growth; a search for their own unique
identity as they begin turning more frequently to peers rather than
parents for ideas and affirmation; extreme sensitivity to the comments
from others; and heavy reliance on friends to provide comfort,
understanding and approval.
Meeting the Challenge
Middle school counselors are professional educators with a mental health
perspective who understand and respond to the challenges presented by
today’s diverse student population. Middle school counselors do not work
in isolation; rather they are integral to the total educational
program. They provide proactive leadership that engages all stakeholders
in the delivery of programs and services to help students achieve
success in school. Professional school counselors align with the
school’s mission to support the academic achievement of all students as
they prepare for the ever-changing world of the 21st century. This
mission is accomplished through the design, development, implementation
and evaluation of a comprehensive, developmental and systematic school
counseling program. The ASCA National Standards in the academic,
National Model: A Framework For School Counseling Programs, with it’s
data driven and results-based focus serves as a guide for today’s school
counselor who is uniquely trained to implement this program.
Middle School Counselors Implement the Counseling Program by Providing:
School Guidance Curriculum
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Academic skills support
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Organizational, study and test-taking skills
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Education in understanding self and others
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Coping strategies
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Peer relationships and effective social skills
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Communication, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution
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Career awareness, exploration and planning
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Substance abuse education
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Multicultural/diversity awareness
Individual Student Planning
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Goal-setting/decision- making
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Academic planning
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Career planning
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Education in understanding of self, including strengths and weaknesses
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Transition planning
Responsive Services
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Individual and small group counseling
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Individual/family/school crisis intervention
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Peer facilitation
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Consultation/collaboration
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Referrals
System Support
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Professional development
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Consultation, collaboration and teaming
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Program management and operation
Middle School Counselors Collaborate With:
Parents
Parent information night
Communication/networking
Academic planning programs
Parent and family education
One-on-one parent conferencing
Assessment results interpretation
Resource referrals
College/career exploration
Teachers
Career portfolio development
Assistance with students’ academic plans
Classroom guidance activities on study skills, career development, etc.
Academic support, learning style assessment and education to help students succeed academically
Classroom career speakers
At-risk student identification and implementation of interventions to enhance success
Parent communication/education
Administrators
School climate
Behavioral management plans
School-wide needs assessment
Student data and results
Student assistance team building
Leadership
Students
Peer education
Peer support
Academic support
School climate
Leadership development
Community
Job shadowing, service learning
Crisis interventions
Referrals
Parenting classes
Support groups
Career education
Why Middle School Counselors?
Middle school students are characterized by rapid physical growth,
curiosity about their world and an emerging self-identity. Through a
comprehensive developmental school counseling program, counselors work
as a team member with school staff, parents and the community to create a
caring, supportive climate and atmosphere whereby young adolescents can
achieve academic success. Middle school counselors enhance the learning
process and promote academic achievement. School counseling programs
are essential for students to achieve optimal personal growth, acquire
positive social skills and values, set appropriate career goals and
realize full academic potential to become productive, contributing
members of the world community. The professional middle school counselor
holds a master’s degree and required state certification in school
counseling. Maintaining certification includes on-going professional
development to stay current with education reform and challenges facing
today’s students. Professional association membership is encouraged as
it enhances the school counselor’s knowledge and effectiveness.
ASCA - 1101 King Street, Suite 625, Alexandria VA 22314, (703) 683-ASCA,
[email protected]
© Copyright 2014 American School Counselor Association. All Rights Reserved.