Comprehensive School Counseling Program

Goals

The ASCA National Model provides a flexible framework elementary school counselors use to develop a school counseling program designed to meet their students’ unique needs. The delivery of this program includes:

Direct student services including:

• 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 including:

• 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.

(American School Counseling Association, 2025)