Advocacy is an integral component to effective school counseling. Using focus group methodology with nine school counselors, this qualitative study examined how current school counselors define advocacy and how and when school counselors advocate on behalf of individual students. Further, this research also explored how school counselors have…

Although advocacy has a long tradition in the counseling profession (Kiselica & Robinson, 2001), school counselors' roles as advocates have only recently received widespread attention (Baker & Gerler, 2004). The American School Counselor Association National Model describes advocacy as a key role for professional school counselors, and numerous…

Presents the view that school counselors must be proactive leaders who are effective collaborators in advocating for the success of all students. Suggests that through their counseling, collaboration, leadership, advocacy, and the effective use of data, school counselors can minimize barriers so that students have increased opportunities to…

Uses a case study to frame a response and define the school counselor's advocacy role by examining: legislation regarding student-on-student sexual harassment; the prevalence of sexual harassment in schools and the emotional costs; and the counselor's legal and ethical obligations. Asserts that school counselors can empower students with the…

The recent endorsement of the advocacy competencies by the American Counseling Association signals their relevance to the school counseling profession. This article outlines the importance of being a social change agent, the value of advocacy in K-12 schools, and how school counselors can use the advocacy competencies as a framework for promoting…

The school experiences of students with disabilities can be positively or negatively influenced by the attitudes and behaviors of students and school personnel and by general school policies. School counselors can take the lead in assessing school climate in relation to students with disabilities and initiating interventions or advocating for…

Presents a response to articles published in the December 2001 issue of "Professional School Counseling." Focuses on the unending questions about the role of the school counselor, ongoing call for program evaluation and accountability, increasingly complex diversity in the schools, and school counselors as advocates. (Contains 12 references.) (GCP)

A qualitative investigation examined aspirations of youth experiencing significant educational, legal, or emotional difficulty. A research panel of five professional school counselors analyzed transcripts from interviews of 15 youth having multiple risk factors. Data revealed that, despite considerable obstacles, these young people typically held…

The academic achievement gap of students of color and low-income students as compared to middle and upper socioeconomic students and White students has been clearly documented. Historically the long-standing role of the school counselor has contributed to the status quo of these inequities, inadvertently maintaining educational and social…

School counselors have struggled to define their roles for years. The use of technology has been discussed as one method for disseminating information about school counselor roles. Content from 456 school counseling departmental Web sites was examined and results showed that the majority of Web sites did not contain information pertaining to…

The school-age population is very much at risk of being affected by AIDS. As a result, school counselors must become active participants in the war against AIDS. In order to accomplish this goal, counselors need current information about the illness. Article provides a thorough knowledge base concerning HIV/AIDS and makes counselors aware of…

With the increasing number of children from diverse backgrounds entering the U.S. school systems, it is imperative that school counselors gain a working knowledge of how to best serve these children. This article provides a checklist of 51 competencies that the author believes are necessary for working with culturally diverse students. The…

Solution Shop is a data-driven counseling and study skills program that specifically addresses the under-achievement of students of color and economically disadvantaged students. Solution Shop provides an example of the key role professional school counselors can play in the school reform movement. This program is based on solution-focused…