ANew Vision for School CounselingThe demands of twenty-first century education dictate newroles for school counselors. Schools need professionalschool counselors who are adept at creating systems forchange and at building relationships within the schoolcommunity. Professional School Counselors createnurturing relationships with students that enhanceacademic achievement and personal success as globallyproductive citizens in the twenty-first century. Utilizingleadership, advocacy, and collaboration, professionalschool counselors promote academic achievement andpersonal success by implementing a comprehensive schoolcounseling program that encompasses areas of academic,career, and personal/social development for all students.

In order to deliver a comprehensive school counselingprogram, the professional school counselor shouldunderstand and be competent in the following areas:

• Human growth and development,• Core components for helping relationships,• Cultural diversity,• Societal change and trends,• Student learning and academic success,• Evaluation of student needs,• Group and individual counseling techniques,• Career development,• Use of data,• Use of technology,• Role of the school counselor in leadership,advocacy, and systemic change,

• Legal and ethical guidelines,• Collaboration with internal and externalstakeholders,

• Research and program evaluation,• School culture and mission, and• Interaction with other educational professionals.

Intended Purpose of the StandardsThe North Carolina Standards for School Counselinghave been developed as a resource for school counselorsto enhance their knowledge and skills. Therefore, it is

North Carolina Professional SchoolCounseling Standards

incumbent upon the school counselor to provide servicesas part of a comprehensive multidisciplinary team withcomplementary knowledge, skills, and experiences.

The school counselor standards will• guide professional development as schoolcounselors move forward in the twenty-first century,

• provide the focus for schools and districts asthey support, monitor and evaluate their schoolcounselors, and

• assist higher education programs in developingthe content and requirements of school counseloreducation curricula.

Standard 1: School CounselorsDemonstrate Leadership, Advocacy,and CollaborationProfessional school counselors demonstrate leadership,advocacy, and collaboration by developing a positiveplace for students and staff members to learn and grow.School counselors manage a comprehensive schoolcounseling program that supports academic, career, andpersonal/social development for all students. Schoolcounselors advocate for equity for all students and staffmembers regardless of learning style, culturalbackground, or individual learning needs. Schoolcounselors improve the counseling profession bydemonstrating high ethical standards and by followingthe codes of ethics set out for them.

School Counselors demonstrate leadership inthe school.School counselors work collaboratively with all schoolstaff to create a positive learning community. Schoolcounselors take an active role in analyzing local, state,and national data to develop and enhance schoolcounseling programs. School counselors create data-driven goals and strategies that align with the schoolimprovement plan to improve student learning. School

AS APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON DECEMBER 4, 2008

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• Promote awareness of and responsiveness tolearning styles, cultural diversity, and individuallearning needs

• Collaborate with staff in building relationshipswith students that have a positive impact onstudent achievement

• Participate in the implementation of initiativesto improve the education and development ofall students

• Advocate for equitable, student-centeredlegislation, policy, and procedures

School Counselors demonstrate high ethical standards.School Counselors demonstrate ethical behaviors. SchoolCounselors uphold theAmerican School CounselorAssociation's Ethical Standards for School Counselors,revised June 26, 2004. (http://www.schoolcounselor.org/content.asp?contentid=173), the Code of Ethics for NorthCarolina Educators (effective June 1, 1997) and theStandards for Professional Conduct adoptedApril 1, 1998(www.ncptsc.org).

• Demonstrate ethical behaviors• UpholdAmerican School Counselor Association'sEthical Standards for School Counselors

• Uphold Code of Ethics for North CarolinaEducators and Standards for Professional Conduct

Standard 2: School Counselors PromoteARespectful Environment for ADiversePopulation of StudentsProfessional school counselors establish a respectfulschool environment to ensure that each student issupported by caring staff. School counselors recognizediversity and treat students as individuals, holding highexpectations for every student. Knowing that studentshave many different needs, school counselors work toidentify those needs and adapt their services to meet them.School counselors recognize the fact that many adultsshare responsibility for educating students and collaboratewith them to facilitate student academic success.

School Counselors foster a school environment inwhich each child has a positive, nurturingrelationship with caring adults.School counselors create an environment that is inviting,respectful, supportive, inclusive, and flexible. Schoolcounselors model and teach behaviors that lead to positive

counselors annually discuss the comprehensive schoolcounseling program with the school administrator. Schoolcounselors provide input in the selection of professionaldevelopment for the school staff that meets the needs ofstudents and choose professional development activitiesthat foster their own professional growth. Schoolcounselors mentor and support colleagues to improvethe academic success of students.

• Work collaboratively with all school staff tocreate a positive learning community

• Take an active role in analyzing local, state, andnational data to develop and enhance schoolcounseling programs

• Create data driven goals and strategies that alignwith the school improvement plan

• Discuss the comprehensive school counselingprogram with the school administrator

• Provide input in the selection of professionaldevelopment for the school staff

• Choose professional development activities thatfoster their own professional growth

• Mentor and support colleagues

School Counselors enhance the counseling profession.School counselors strive to improve the counselingprofession by staying current in research and bestpractices. School counselors contribute to establishinga positive school climate. School counselors promoteprofessional growth for all educators and collaboratewith their colleagues to improve the profession.

• Strive to improve the counseling profession• Contribute to establishing a positive school climate• Promote professional growth• Collaborate with their colleagues

School Counselors advocate for schools and students.School counselors advocate for positive change inpolicies and practices affecting student learning. Schoolcounselors promote awareness of and responsiveness tolearning styles, cultural diversity, and individual learningneeds. School counselors collaborate with staff inbuilding relationships with students that have a positiveimpact on student achievement. School counselorsparticipate in the implementation of initiatives toimprove the education and development of all students.School counselors advocate for equitable, student-centered legislation, policy, and procedures.

• Advocate for positive change in policies andpractices affecting student learning

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School Counselors recognize students are diverseand adapt their services accordingly.School counselors recognize that all students havedifferent needs and collaborate with school andcommunity personnel to help meet their needs. Schoolcounselors identify these needs using data, referrals,observation, and other sources of information. Schoolcounselors’ collaborate with others to create acustomized plan of action that provides follow-upservices to meet students’ varied needs.

• Collaborate with school and communitypersonnel to help meet student needs

• Identify special needs using data, referrals,observation, and other sources of information

• Collaborate with others to create a customizedplan of action that provides follow-up services tomeet students’ varied needs

School Counselors work collaboratively with thefamilies and significant adults in the lives of students.School counselors recognize that educating students isa shared responsibility involving the school, parents/guardians, and the community. School counselorsimprove communication and collaboration among theschool, home, and community in order to promote andbuild trust, understanding, and partnerships with allsegments of the school community. School counselorsseek solutions to overcome barriers that may stand inthe way of effective family and communityinvolvement in the education of students.

• Improve communication and collaborationamong the school, home, and community

• Promote and build trust, understanding, and partner-ships with all segments of the school community

• Seek solutions to overcome barriers that maystand in the way of effective family andcommunity involvement

Standard 3: School CounselorsUnderstand and Facilitate theImplementation of A ComprehensiveSchool Counseling ProgramProfessional school counselors align their programs withstate and national best practices to ensure that their rolefits into the school program.A comprehensive schoolcounseling program meets the academic, career, andsocial/emotional developmental needs of students

and nurturing relationships through developmentally-appropriate and prevention-oriented activities.

• Create an environment that is inviting, respectful,supportive, inclusive, and flexible

• Model and teach positive behaviors that lead topositive and nurturing relationships throughdevelopmentally-appropriate and prevention-oriented activities

School Counselors embrace diversity in the schoolcommunity and in the world.School counselors demonstrate knowledge of the historyof diverse cultures and their role in shaping global issues.School counselors collaborate with teachers to ensurethat the presentation of the Standard Course of Study isrelevant to a diverse student population. Schoolcounselors actively select materials and developactivities that counteract stereotypes and incorporatehistories and contributions of diverse cultures. Schoolcounselors recognize the influence of culture on a child’sdevelopment and personality. School counselors helpothers understand how a student’s culture, language, andbackground may influence school performance andconsider these influences in the programs and servicesthey provide.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the history of diversecultures and their role in shaping global issues

• Collaborate with teachers to ensure that thepresentation of the Standard Course of Study isrelevant to a diverse student population

• Select materials and develop activities thatcounteract stereotypes and incorporate historiesand contributions

• Understand how a student’s culture, language,and background may influence schoolperformance and consider these influences in theprograms and services they provide

School Counselors treat students as individuals.School counselors maintain high expectations,including graduation from high school, for students ofall backgrounds. School counselors appreciate thedifferences and value the contributions of each studentin the learning environment.

• Maintain high expectations for all students• Appreciate the differences and value the contri-butions of each student in the learning environment

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School Counselors recognize the interconnectednessof the comprehensive school counseling programwith academic content areas/disciplines.School counselors understand how the comprehensiveschool counseling program relates to other disciplines.School counselors support the mission and goals of theschool and district by providing technical assistance toall curricula areas as they align components of theNorth Carolina Standard Course of Study GuidanceCurriculum to their content areas/disciplines. Schoolcounselors support teachers and other specialists’ use ofthe North Carolina Guidance Curriculum to developand enhance students’ twenty-first century skills andpromote global awareness.

• Support the mission and goals of the school anddistrict by providing technical assistance to allcurricula areas as they align components of theNorth Carolina Standard Course of Study GuidanceCurriculum to their content areas/disciplines

• Support teachers and other specialists’ use of theNorth Carolina Guidance Curriculum to developand enhance students’ twenty-first century skillsand promote global awareness

School Counselors develop comprehensive schoolcounseling programs that are relevant to students.School counselors use data to develop comprehensiveprograms that meet student needs. School counselorsdeliberately, strategically, and broadly incorporate intotheir programs the life skills that students need to besuccessful in the twenty-first century. These skills spanthe academic, personal/social, and career domains andinclude leadership, ethics, accountability, adaptability,personal productivity, personal responsibility, peopleskills, self-direction, and social responsibility.

• Use data to develop comprehensive programs thatmeet student needs

• Incorporate into their programs the life skillsthat students need to be successful in the twenty-first century

Standard 4: School CounselorsPromote Learning for All StudentsProfessional school counselors are knowledgeable of theways in which learning takes place and understand thesignificance of academic, career, and personal/socialdevelopment of all students. School counselors work to

through the implementation of programming includingindividual counseling, classroom presentation, academicadvising, career development services, consultation,parent education and other responsive services. Schoolcounselors deliver a comprehensive school counselingprogram for all students and provide developmentally-appropriate services and activities based on studentneeds. A school counselor must engage in leadership,advocacy, and collaboration with all school personnel forthe successful implementation of a comprehensive schoolcounseling program. School counselors understand howstudents learn and help all students develop in the areas ofacademic, career, and personal social success. Schoolcounselors align their services with the North CarolinaStandard Course of Study to meet the needs of students.

School Counselors align their programs to supportstudent success in the North Carolina StandardCourse of Study.In order to support the North Carolina Standard Courseof Study, school counselors align content standards andimplement program models developed by professionalorganizations in school counseling. School counselorssupport equity and access to rigorous and relevantcurricula for all students. School counselors developand apply strategies to enhance student success.

• Align content standards and implement programmodels developed by professional organizationsin school counseling

• Support equity and access to rigorous andrelevant curricula

• Develop and apply strategies to enhancestudent success

School Counselors understand how theirprofessional knowledge and skills support andenhance student success.School counselors bring richness and depth ofunderstanding to their school through their knowledge oftheories and research about human development, studentlearning, and academic success. School counselors applythis knowledge as they address the academic, career, andpersonal/social development of all students.

• Know theory and research about human develop-ment, student learning, and academic success

• Address the academic, career, and personal/socialdevelopment of all students

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School Counselors use a variety of delivery methods.School counselors utilize the Guidance Curriculum,Individual Student Planning, and Preventive andResponsive Services in meeting the needs of studentsas they strive to raise achievement and close gaps.School counselors spend the majority of their time inthese direct services, allocating time based on thedevelopmental needs of their students. Schoolcounselors are responsive to individual student needsand differences in learning styles and culture in theprograms and activities they provide. Schoolcounselors employ technology as appropriate toenhance delivery of their programs.

• Utilize the Guidance Curriculum, IndividualStudent Planning, and Preventive and ResponsiveServices in meeting the needs of students as theystrive to raise achievement and close gaps

• Allocate time based on the developmental needsof their students

• Respond to individual student needs anddifferences in learning styles and culture in theprograms and activities they provide

• Employ technology as appropriate to enhancedelivery of their programs

School Counselors help students develop criticalthinking and problem-solving skills.School counselors assist all students with developingacademic, career, and personal/social skills. Schoolcounselors help students utilize sound reasoning,understand connections, and make complex choices.School counselors help students learn problem-solvingtechniques that incorporate critical thinking skills such asidentifying problems, recognizing options, weighingevidence, and evaluating consequences. Schoolcounselors encourage students to use these skills to makehealthy and responsible choices in their everyday lives.

• Assist all students with developing academic,career, and personal/social skills

• Help students utilize sound reasoning, understandconnections, and make complex choices

• Help students learn problem-solving techniquesthat incorporate critical thinking skills such asidentifying problems, recognizing options,weighing evidence, and evaluating consequences

• Encourage students to use these skills to makehealthy and responsible choices in theireveryday lives

eliminate barriers that students may experience. Schoolcounselors use data to plan programs that help studentsdevelop their academic and career-related skills as wellas their abilities to relate cooperatively and effectivelywith other people. School counselors use a variety ofmethods to implement programs that will help raiseachievement and close gaps. School counselors helpstudents think through their problems and find solutions.School counselors listen and communicate well, and theymodel those behaviors for others around them.

School Counselors know how students learn.School counselors understand the teaching and learningprocess. School counselors know the influences thataffect individual student learning, such as humandevelopment, culture, and language proficiency. Schoolcounselors are aware of barriers that impact studentlearning and assist in overcoming them. Schoolcounselors provide resources to staff to enhance studentstrengths and address student weaknesses.

• Know the influences that affect individual studentlearning, such as human development, culture,and language proficiency

• Assist in overcoming those barriers that impactstudent learning

• Provide resources to staff to enhance studentstrengths and address student weaknesses

School Counselors plan their programs for theacademic, career, and personal/social developmentof all students.School counselors use academic, behavior, andattendance data to plan appropriate programs forstudents. School counselors discuss the comprehensiveschool counseling program with school administratorsand communicate the goals of the program tostakeholders. School counselors consult and collaboratewith colleagues, parents/guardians, and otherstakeholders to ensure that students’ needs areaddressed. School counselors make their programsresponsive to cultural diversity and student needs.

• Use academic, behavior, and attendance data toplan appropriate programs

• Discuss the comprehensive school counseling pro-gram with school administrators and communicatethe goals of the program to stakeholders

• Consult and collaborate with colleagues,parents/guardians, and other stakeholders

• Make their programs responsive to culturaldiversity and student needs

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their program. School counselors evaluate theeffectiveness of their program based on these data.

• Think systematically and critically about theimpact of the comprehensive school counselingprogram on student academic, career, andpersonal/social development

• Analyze student achievement, behavior, andschool climate data, as well as feedback fromstudents, parents, and other stakeholders tocontinually develop their program

• Evaluate the effectiveness of their program

School Counselors link professional growth to theneeds of their school and their program goals.School counselors participate in continued, high qualityprofessional development that reflects a global view ofeducational practices; includes twenty-first centuryskills and knowledge; aligns with the State Board ofEducation priorities; and meets the needs of studentsand their own professional growth.

• Participate in continued, high qualityprofessional development

School Counselors function effectively in a complexdynamic environment.Understanding that change is constant, schoolcounselors actively investigate and consider new ideasthat improve student academic, career, andpersonal/social development as well as the schoolcounseling profession. School counselors collaboratewith students, staff, parents, and other stakeholders toimplement these ideas.

• Actively investigate and consider new ideas thatimprove student academic, career, andpersonal/social development as well as the schoolcounseling profession

• Collaborate with students, staff, parents, andother stakeholders to implement these ideas

School Counselors use and promote effectivelistening and communication skills.School counselors listen responsively to students,colleagues, parents/guardians, and other stakeholders inorder to identify issues and barriers that impede studentsuccess. School counselors use a variety of methods tocommunicate effectively in support of the academic,career, and personal/social development of all students.School counselors assist students in developingeffective listening and communication skills in order toenhance academic success, build positive relationships,resolve conflicts, advocate for themselves, and becomeresponsible twenty-first century citizens.

• Listen responsively to students, colleagues,parents/guardians, and other stakeholders in orderto identify issues and barriers that impede studentsuccess

• Use a variety of methods to communicateeffectively in support of the academic, career, andpersonal/social development of all students

• Assist students in developing effective listeningand communication skills in order to enhanceacademic success, build positive relationships,resolve conflicts, advocate for themselves, andbecome responsible twenty-first century citizens

Standard 5: School Counselors ActivelyReflect on Their PracticeProfessional school counselors demonstrate accountabilityfor managing and delivering a comprehensive schoolcounseling program. School counselors analyze formaland informal data to evaluate their programs in adeliberate on-going manner. School counselors participatein professional development opportunities that support theschool and district’s mission as well as the comprehensivecounseling program. School counselors recognize thatchange is constant and use best practices to continuallyimprove their programs.

School Counselors analyze the impact of the schoolcounseling program.School counselors think systematically and criticallyabout the impact of the comprehensive schoolcounseling program on student academic, career, andpersonal/social development. School counselorsanalyze student achievement, behavior, and schoolclimate data, as well as feedback from students,parents, and other stakeholders to continually develop

• Every school provides an environment in whicheach child has positive, nurturing relationships withcaring adults.

• Every school promotes a healthy, active lifestyle wherestudents are encouraged to make responsible choices.

• Every school focuses on developing strong studentcharacter, personal responsibility and community/world involvement.

• Every school reflects a culture of learning thatempowers and prepares students to be life-longlearners.

Leadership Will Guide Innovation in NC PublicSchools.• School professionals will collaborate with nationaland international partners to discover innovativetransformational strategies that will facilitatechange, remove barriers for 21st Century learningand understand global connections.

• School leaders will create a culture that embraceschange and promotes dynamic, continuousimprovement.

• Educational professionals will make decisions incollaboration with parents, students, businesses,education institutions, and faith-based and othercommunity and civic organizations to impactstudent success.

• Public school professionals will collaborate withcommunity colleges and public and private universitiesand colleges to provide enhanced educationalopportunities for students.

NC Public Schools Will Be Governed and SupportedBy 21st Century Systems.• Processes are in place for financial planning andbudgeting that focus on resource attainment andalignment with priorities to maximize studentachievement.

• Twenty-first century technology and learning toolsare available and are supported by school facilitiesthat have the capacity for 21st Century learning.

• Information and fiscal accountability systems arecapable of collecting relevant data and reportingstrategic and operational results.

• Procedures are in place to support and sanctionschools that are not meeting state standards forstudent achievement.

NC Public Schools Will Produce GloballyCompetitive Students.• Every student excels in rigorous and relevant corecurriculum that reflects what students need to knowand demonstrate in a global 21st Century environment,including a mastery of languages, an appreciation ofthe arts and competencies in the use of technology.

• Every student’s achievement is measured with anassessment system that informs instruction andevaluates knowledge, skills, performance anddispositions needed in the 21st Century.

• Every student will be enrolled in a course of studydesigned to prepare them to stay ahead ofinternational competition.

• Every student uses technology to access anddemonstrate new knowledge and skills that will beneeded as a life-long learner to be competitive in aconstantly changing international environment.

• Every student has the opportunity to graduate fromhigh school with an Associate’s Degree or collegetransfer credit.

NC Public Schools Will Be Led By 21st CenturyProfessionals.• Every teacher will have the skills to deliver 21stCentury content in a 21st Century context with21st Century tools and technology that guaranteesstudent learning.

• Every teacher and administrator will use a 21stCentury assessment system to inform instructionand measure 21st Century knowledge, skills,performance and dispositions.

• Every education professional will receive preparationin the interconnectedness of the world with knowledgeand skills, including language study.

• Every education professional will have 21st Centurypreparation and access to ongoing, high qualityprofessional development aligned with State Boardof Education priorities.

• Every educational professional uses data to informdecisions.

NC Public School Students Will Be Healthy andResponsible.• Every learning environment will be inviting, respectful,supportive, inclusive and flexible for student success.

Future-Ready Students: Goals for the 21st CenturyThe guiding mission of the North Carolina State Board of Education is that every public school student willgraduate from high school, globally competitive for work and postsecondary education and prepared for lifein the 21st century.

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA State Board of Education | Department of Public Instruction

In compliance with federal law, NC Public Schools administers all state-operated educational programs, employment activities and admissions without discriminationbecause of race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, age, military service, disability, or gender, except where exemption is appropriate and allowed by law.

Inquiries or complaints regarding discrimination issues should be directed to: Dr. Rebecca Garland, Chief Academic OfficerAcademic Services and Instructional Support : : 6368 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-6368 : : Telephone: (919) 807-3200 : : Fax: (919) 807-4065

Visit us on the Web :: www.ncpublicschools.org

North Carolina Professional School Counseling Standards Committee Members

Kathy Boyd, Senior Staff Attorney – NC School Boards Association

Brenda Deese, LEADirector of Student Services – Robeson County Schools

Angel Dowden,AP/IB Program Coordinator and Former High School Counselor – NC Department of Public Instruction andWake County Schools

Reneé Evans, Past President of NCSCA and Assistant Professor of Counselor Education – NC School Counselor Association andAppalachian State University

Cynthia Floyd, Executive Director of Student Support Services – Wilson County Schools

John Galassi, Professor and Coordinator of School Counseling – UNC Chapel Hill

Beverly Kellar, Deputy Superintendent – Gaston County Schools

Linda Kopec, Principal – Onslow County Schools

Leah McCallum, Elementary School Counselor and USC doctoral student – Scotland County Schools

Carolyn McKinney, Executive Director – NC Professional Teaching Standards Commission

Evan Myers, NCPAPA Past President and Principal – NC Principals and Assistant Principals Association and DavidsonCounty Schools

Joe Parry-Hill, Personnel Analyst – North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Pat Partin, Retired Professor of Psychology and Counseling – Gardner-Webb University

Marrius Pettiford, ASCA Southern Regional Vice President and Student Support Services Director – American SchoolCounselor Association and Alamance-Burlington Schools

Barbara Potts,Middle School Counselor – Guilford County Schools

Kenneth Simington, Director of Student Services – Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Larry Simmons, Section Chief, School Personnel Support – North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Teresa A. Smith, K-12 Student Support Services Consultant – North Carolina Department of Public Instruction

Eric Sparks,ASCA President and Director of School Counseling – American School Counselor Association andWake County Schools

Audrey Thomasson,Middle School Counselor – Wake County Public Schools

Jose Villalba,Assistant Professor of Counselor Education – UNC Greensboro

Florence Weaver, Professor of Counselor Education – East Carolina University

Edward Wierzalis, President NCSCA and Coordinator of School Counseling and Clinical Placement – NC School CounselorAssociation and UNC Charlotte

FOR MORE INFORMATION – Teresa A. Smith, K-12 Student Support Services Consultant6341 Mail Service Center : : Raleigh, NC 27699-6341 : : Telephone: (919) 807-3820 : : tsmith@dpi.state.nc.us : : www.ncpublicschools.org/studentsupport