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. 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 Model: A Framework For School Counseling Programs,
with its 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 School Counseling Program by Providing:School Guidance Curriculum-
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-
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-
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-
Professional development
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Consultation, collaboration and teaming
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Program management and operation
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, school 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.