Connecticut School Counselor Association

Promoting Excellence in School Counseling since 1963

ASCA National Standards

National Standards for School Counseling Programs are what the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) believes to be the essential elements of a quality school counseling program. The standards, which were published by ASCA in 1997, address program content and knowledge, attitudes, and competencies that all students will develop as a result of their participation in the school counseling program. The Connecticut School Counselor Association (CSCA) adopted the National Standards in 1999 and used them to develop nine goals for The Comprehensive School Counseling Program Guide 2000. Those nine goals, which are outlined below, are categorized by the three program content areas, academic, career and personal/social, and are linked to the National Standards.

Academic Development National Standard 1: Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the lifespan.

CSCA Program Goal 1: Skills for Learning

National Standard 2: Students will employ strategies to achieve success in school.

CSCA Program Goal 2: School Success

National Standard 3: Students will understand the relationship of academics to the world of work, and to life at home and in the community.

CSCA Program Goal 3: Academics to Life Success Career Development

National Standard 4: Students will acquire the skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make appropriate career decisions.

CSCA Program Goal 4: Investigate Careers

National Standard 5: Students will employ strategies to achieve future career success and satisfaction.

CSCA Program Goal 5: Career Success

National Standard 6: Students will understand the relationship between personal qualities, education and training, and the world of work.

CSCA Program Goal 6: Relationship between School and Work Personal/Social Development

National Standard 7: Students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.

CSCA Program Goal 7: Respect for Self and Others

National Standard 8: Students will make decisions, set goals and take appropriate action to achieve goals.

CSCA Program Goal 8: Goal Setting/Goal Attainment

National Standard 9: Students will understand safety, and survival skills.

CSCA Program Goal 9: Survival and Safety Skills