Steady Steps With ASCA Resources
By Katy O’Grady | November 2025
November is here and the year is rolling along – are you on track in all the ways you want to be? Take a quick check using ASCA resources.
Student mental wellness remains a pressing concern. Anxiety, depression and behavioral challenges continue to affect students across all grade levels. You play a critical role in supporting student mental health across all tiers of intervention. This includes aligning your work with the ASCA Student Standards that specifically address student wellness, ensuring your efforts are both intentional and impactful.
At the same time, federal protections for marginalized students – including students with disabilities, multilingual language learners and students of color – are facing increasing threats. In this climate, data becomes your compass. Student and school data can illuminate gaps and guide your efforts to ensure you're meeting the needs of each and every student. Learn more about helping students during troubling times and supporting immigrant students.
Emerging technologies, including AI, are also reshaping the educational landscape and should be on your radar when the new school year begins. Although not all schools have equal access to edtech tools, and staff must navigate challenges like screen time and digital literacy, AI can be a powerful ally. From refining communications and building calendars to analyzing data, AI can help streamline your workload – freeing up more time for the heart of your work: connecting with students. The September/October issue of ASCA School Counselor magazine provides in-depth coverage of this emerging issue.
The ASCA Professional Standards & Competencies have also been updated to ensure they reflect current practice. The ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies outline the mindsets and behaviors school counselors need to meet the rigorous demands of the school counseling profession and the needs of pre-K–12 students.
Is this your year? The ASCA-Certified School Counselor® (ACSC®) certification demonstrates school counselor knowledge in designing, implementing and assessing a school counseling program. Get national recognition and verification of graduate preparation, knowledge and skills.
Contact Katy O’Grady, managing editor of ASCA’s state school counselor association e-newsletters, at katy@docreative.com.
Student mental wellness remains a pressing concern. Anxiety, depression and behavioral challenges continue to affect students across all grade levels. You play a critical role in supporting student mental health across all tiers of intervention. This includes aligning your work with the ASCA Student Standards that specifically address student wellness, ensuring your efforts are both intentional and impactful.
At the same time, federal protections for marginalized students – including students with disabilities, multilingual language learners and students of color – are facing increasing threats. In this climate, data becomes your compass. Student and school data can illuminate gaps and guide your efforts to ensure you're meeting the needs of each and every student. Learn more about helping students during troubling times and supporting immigrant students.
Emerging technologies, including AI, are also reshaping the educational landscape and should be on your radar when the new school year begins. Although not all schools have equal access to edtech tools, and staff must navigate challenges like screen time and digital literacy, AI can be a powerful ally. From refining communications and building calendars to analyzing data, AI can help streamline your workload – freeing up more time for the heart of your work: connecting with students. The September/October issue of ASCA School Counselor magazine provides in-depth coverage of this emerging issue.
Staying Steady Checklist
- Review or get started with the ASCA National Model® fifth edition using the ASCA National Model® Phased Implementation Plan.
- Enhance your relationship with your principal by holding your annual administrator conference.
- Refresh your ethical competency with the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors.
- Ensure you’re well-versed in the most current ASCA position statements so you are prepared to use national standards and best practice to support your work.
- Learn about all the ways you can engage with ASCA in committee and volunteer work.
What’s New?
The ASCA National Model® Fifth Edition is out now – and it’s free. Streamlined into its most essential information, the framework now includes MTSS guidance and focuses the ASCA National Model® on the most essential information. A brand-new comprehensive step-by-step guide can help school counselors looking for a deeper dive put the framework into practice. Access the new templates and all ASCA National Model® details here.The ASCA Professional Standards & Competencies have also been updated to ensure they reflect current practice. The ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies outline the mindsets and behaviors school counselors need to meet the rigorous demands of the school counseling profession and the needs of pre-K–12 students.
Is this your year? The ASCA-Certified School Counselor® (ACSC®) certification demonstrates school counselor knowledge in designing, implementing and assessing a school counseling program. Get national recognition and verification of graduate preparation, knowledge and skills.
Contact Katy O’Grady, managing editor of ASCA’s state school counselor association e-newsletters, at katy@docreative.com.