Data-Based Decision Making Research Paper

Certainly, school counselors are in an ideal position in terms of access to, and identification of, students in need. Despite, job descriptions, duties and responsibilities, and large student to school counselor rate limit the amount of time school counselor can give to student with ongoing mental health needs (Brown et al., 2009). The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has long advocate for the elimination of non-counseling duties such as plan testing programs, writing excuses for students who are absent or tardy, teaching classes when teachers are absent, and providing long-term therapy for students with psychological disorders (ASCA). A designation of time for school counselors to provide appropriate activities related to responsive

Psychologists aid in the well-being and health of people through research, testing and evaluation. There are many different types of psychologists, for example, there are clinical psychologists, school psychologists and clinical social workers. A common similarity between the three are that all professions can provide therapy; however, none of them can prescribe medicine. Clinical psychologists’ job duties include providing individual or group therapy and making diagnoses, while school psychologists tend to make provide individual and group therapy, make diagnoses and work together with the school staff in order to maximize the positivity and efficiency of a school setting.

School psychologists come to the aid of their students in many ways, through times of distress, frustration, confusion, and more. I feel the main goal of the school psychologist is to make learning an easier and more enjoyable process for the students. This means allowing them to close the gap between themselves and their peers in their area of concerns in a way that makes sense to their individual needs.

With the evolution of all things in the twenty-first century, the school counseling models also evolved. “The history of school counseling has been fraught with many twists and turns, leaving a trail littered with artifacts of each change of direction” (American School Counselor Association, 2012, p. x). Each institution generating a model to interpret what a school counselor should be and what a school counseling program should accomplish.

According to Banerjee, R., Tolmie, A., & Boyle, J. (2011) the role of an educational psychologist is to assist children and young people with learning difficulties or who are

How does the school psychologist come into play? Well, the students are most effected by their teachers, and their teachers are affected by school policies and climate. That is where a school psychologist can make a difference. They can support teachers by tailoring professional development to fit teacher needs. They can affect the school climate and to some extent school policies to help teachers feel heard and gain some autonomy. A primary goal of a school psychologist should be to build positive policies that support teacher-student relationships, and competency. By building teachers’ skills, school psychologists, support them in an era of high-pressure testing and accountability to help teachers feel secure in their abilities.

The National Association of School Psychologists contends that school psychologists have successfully completed psychology programs with rigorous curriculum to acquire the skills necessary to which they may effectively conduct interviews and observations in a systematic manner

Although opportunities exists there is also risks and barriers to the movement of broader roles to school psychologist. School psychologist are in high demand their positions

Adrienne, I enjoyed reading your post and agree with your quote, "the study noted that were some administrators that were unfamiliar with any of the counseling profession's guiding standards. To me, this emphasizes the need for the counselor to grounded in their purpose. As quoted in Erford, 2015, Transforming the School Counseling Profession, "The role of the professional school counselor is frequently determined by others, rather than by the counselors' developing their own purposeful, comprehensive programs." As the role of the PSC advances, it is imperative that the school counselor is able to define its role. In the late 1990's the ASCA published the National Standards for School Counseling programs (C. Campbell & Dahir, 1997) and these standard gave direction to a profession searching for ways to solidify identity and role in standards-based school reform.

School counselors have become critical to any leadership team. They help and listen to students with academic achievement, personal/social development and career development and helping the students become well-adjusted adults of tomorrow.

Furthermore, there are many advantages that come along with this job profession. To begin with, it is a great feeling to help an individual overcome and face, their challenges they may be experiencing unable to cope alone. School psychologist Natasha Noel stated “she enjoys her career being able to help student refine the aspect of their lives (Noel, 2015).” She helps children with a mental disorder by teaching them to deal with their disorders and disabilities and overthrown mental and emotional difficulties (Noel, 2015).”

School psychologists also develop and implement school-wide programs, such as anti-bullying, crisis planning and crisis response. While some school psychologists provide counseling directly to students, typically they work more with teachers and school personnel to determine the best prevention or intervention for a child, classroom, or school and then serve to consult and collaborate as these are implemented.

School counseling has evolved over the years into a significant component of the educational system. School counselors are taking on new roles in schools as leaders, working with “school administration and staff in developing student attitudes and behavior which are necessary to maintain proper control, acceptable standards of self-discipline and a suitable learning environment within the school” (Secondary School Counselor 2012). Counselors work in “diverse community settings designed to provide a variety of counseling, rehabilitation, and support services” (Counselors, 2010). When working in a school district as a counselor, you can either be an elementary school counselor, middle school counselor or a high school counselor.

School counselors have the responsibility of helping individuals understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations. Moreover, counselor provided crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at the school or around the community. Also, counselors have the responsibility to serve has guardians and prepared the students for later

So, a clear perspective in the mental health field will help professionals and psychologists understand and respond to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student population. Helping students overcome obstacles regarding learning, social, emotional, and family problems can be a very rewarding career choice. Imploring and implementing new strategies and procedures will enhance the learning and environment that children are predisposed to. Improving the social and emotional atmosphere of school will aid in the academic advances in the school. Due to that, school psychologists have requirements and safeguards that have to be enforced in their field.