Impact of School Counseling
The modern framework for school counseling is the ASCA National Model®, which provides consistency and standardization for school counseling programs across the country. The ASCA National Model® emphasizes the use of data-informed methods to quantify the impact school counselors have on student achievement and success.
Numerous research studies have quantified the impact of school counselors on student development and success, as well as on school climate and K–12 education in general. The ASCA grants program has funded several studies measuring school counselors’ impact on student outcomes, including the effect of student-to-school-counselor ratios. Other studies, published in Professional School Counseling and other literature, support the role of school counselors in student success, including improved ACT and SAT scores, more informed college decision-making, fewer disciplinary actions, improved attendance and more.
Effectiveness of School Counseling Research
- School Counselors Matter
- Effectiveness Research (Empirical research demonstrating school counselors' impact)
- The ASCA National Model: What the Research Says
- ASCA Research Reports (Includes RAMP Closing the Gap reports)
Why the School Counselor Job Title Matters
Impact of Student-to-School-Counselor Ratios and/or RAMP on Student Outcomes
- Ratios: Outcomes Research
- Ratios: Outcomes Research Infographic
- Ratios: College- and Career Readiness Infographic
- Ratios: ESOL/ELL Student Outcomes
- Ratios: ESOL/ELL Student Outcomes Infographic
- High School Students Career and College Readiness in RAMP vs. Non-RAMP School Counseling Programs in North Carolina and infographic
- Using a Cohort Model to Support School Counselors Applying for RAMP
ASCA Research Studies