About the ASCA National Model
The question has often been posed, “What do school counselors do?” The more important question is, “How are students different because of what school counselors do?”
In order to answer this question, the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) designed a model that should act as the basis for comprehensive, developmental guidance programs. The ASCA National Model supports the school’s overall mission by promoting academic achievement, career planning and personal/ social development. It serves as a framework to guide states, districts and individual schools in designing, developing, implementing and evaluating a systematic school counseling program that serves all the students in the school. Infused throughout the program are the qualities of leadership, advocacy and collaboration, which lead to systemic change. The National Model consists of four interrelated components: foundation, delivery system, management systems and accountability.
Foundation: Like any solid structure, a school counseling program is built on a strong foundation. Based on the school’s goals for student achievement, what every student should know and should be able to do, the foundation determines how every student will benefit from the school counseling program.
Delivery System: Based on the core beliefs, philosophies and missions identified in the foundation, the delivery system describes the activities, interactions and methods necessary to deliver the program. This includes classroom guidance and group counseling lessons, individual student activities, and the responsive services supported by the program.
Management System: Intertwined with the delivery system is the management system, which incorporates organizational processes and tools to ensure the program is organized, concrete, clearly delineated and reflective of the school’s needs.
Accountability: School counselors and administrators are increasingly challenged to demonstrate the effectiveness of the school counseling program in measurable terms. To evaluate the program and to hold it accountable, school counselors must collect and use data that link the program to student achievement. The information gathered through the accountability process should refine and revise the foundation.