ASCA SCHOOL COUNSELOR PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS & COMPETENCIES 3
PROFESSIONAL FOUNDATION
B-PF 1. Apply developmental, learning,
counseling and education theories
a. Use human development theories to have an impact on de-
velopmental issues aecting student success
b. Use learning theory to support student achievement and
success, including students with diverse learning needs
c. Use established and emerging evidence-based counseling
theories and techniques that are eective in a school setting
to promote academic, career and social/emotional develop-
ment, including but not limited to rational emotive behavior
therapy, reality therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, Ad-
lerian, solution-focused brief counseling, person-centered
counseling and family systems
d. Use counseling theories and techniques in individual,
small-group, classroom and large-group settings to promote
academic, career and social/emotional development
e. Use career development theories to promote and support
postsecondary planning
f. Use principles of multitiered systems of support within the
context of a school counseling program to provide instruc-
tion and interventions matched to student need
B-PF 2. Demonstrate understanding of
educational systems, legal issues, policies,
research and trends in education
a. Explain the organizational structure and governance of the
American educational system as well as cultural, political and
social influences on current educational practices
b. Explain educational systems, philosophies and theories and
current trends in education, including federal and state
legislation
c. Explain and/or inform the process for development of policy
and procedures at the building, district, state and national
levels
d. Explain the history of school counseling to create a context
for the current state of the profession and school counseling
programs
e. Explain the nature of academic, career and social/emotional
counseling in schools and the similarities and dierences
between school counseling and other fields of counseling,
such as mental health, marriage and family, substance abuse
counseling, social work and psychology, within a continuum
of care
f. Delineate the roles of student service providers, such as
school social worker, school psychologist or school nurse,
and identify best practices for collaborating to have an impact
on student success
g. Articulate a rationale for a school counseling program
h. Use education research to inform decisions and
programming
i. Use current trends in technology to promote student success
B-PF 3. Apply legal and ethical principles of the
school counseling profession
a. Practice within the ethical principles of the school counseling
profession in accordance with the ASCA Ethical Standards
for School Counselors
b. Adhere to the legal responsibilities of the role of the school
counselor including the unique legal and ethical principles of
working with minor students in a school setting
c. Adhere to the ethical and statutory limits of confidentiality
d. Fulfill legal and ethical obligations to families, teachers,
administrators and other school sta
e. Consult with school counselors and other education,
counseling and legal professionals when ethical and legal
questions arise
f. Resolve ethical dilemmas by employing an ethical decision-
making model in accordance with the ASCA Ethical
Standards for School Counselors
g. Model ethical behavior
h. Engage in continual professional development to inform and
guide ethical and legal work
B-PF 4. Apply school counseling professional
standards and competencies
a. Stay current with school counseling research and best
practices
b. Conduct and analyze self-appraisal and assessment related to
school counseling professional standards and competencies
c. Use personal reflection, consultation and supervision to
promote professional growth and development
d. Develop a yearly professional development plan to ensure
engagement in professional growth opportunities related
to relevant professional standards and competencies and
personal limitations
B-PF 5. Use ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets
& Behaviors for Student Success to inform the
implementation of a school counseling program
a. Select ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for
Student Success to address student needs demonstrated in data
b. Prioritize ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors
for Student Success aligned with school improvement goals
c. Select or create competencies aligned with the ASCA Student
Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success and
the Common Core State Standards or other state-specific
standards
B-PF 6. Demonstrate understanding of the
impact of cultural, social and environmental
influences on student success and opportunities
a. Demonstrate basic knowledge and respect of dierences in
customs, communications, traditions, values and other traits
among students based on race, religion, ethnicity, nationality,
sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or intellectual
ability and other factors