ASCA Position Statements

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) has developed a number of position statements over the past few years to support school counselors in clarifying their roles in a variety of areas related to school counseling.  These documents have been developed by ASCA’s Position Statement Committee and then discussed, revised, and voted on by school counselor delegates from throughout the U.S. at the annual Delegate Assembly meetings. This is the governing body that makes official decisions related to the school counseling profession. Each state, including West Virginia, has delegates that discuss agenda items and vote each year.  Position statements are reviewed regularly on a rotating basis to assure they are up-to-date with school counseling practices and other education initiatives. 

The position statements below provide a national standard for school counseling practices and may be reviewed by counselors and shared to support communication with others regarding the appropriate role of the school counselor and/or best practices.

Academic and Career Planning

Annual Performance Evaluation

Bullying, Harassment and Violence-Prevention Programs

Character Education

Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention

Children Experiencing Homelessness

Comprehensive School Counseling Programs

Confidentiality

Corporal Punishment in the Schools

Credentialing and Licensure

Crisis/Critical Incident Response in the Schools

Cultural Diversity

Discipline

Equity for All Students

Gender Equity

Gifted and Talented Student Programs

Group Counseling

High-Stakes Testing

HIV/AIDS/STD

LGBTQ Youth

Peer Helping

Prevention and Intervention of Behaviors That Place Students At Risk

Response to Intervention

Retention, Social Promotion and Age-Appropriate Placement

School Counseling Preparation Programs

School-Family-Community Partnerships

Student Mental Health

Student Recruitment

Students with Special Needs

Student Assistance Programs

Student Technology Use and Safety

Test Preparation Programs

Use of Non-School-Counseling-Credentialed Personnel

Use of Support Staff in School Counseling Programs