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Back-to-School Resources

Supporting Students’ Return

As students return to school, school counselors work with partners in the school building to help students reintegrate into school routines, develop academic strategies, manage emotions, navigate friendships, address bullying and much more. Ensure you’re prepared to meet students’ wellness needs using data-informed approaches. Here are some resources. 

• ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success. Use the student standards to assess student growth and development, create culturally sustaining strategies and activities, and build a program that helps students achieve their highest potential. The ASCA Student Standards provides a tool to search for and contribute learning objectives that support and align with a specific standard.
• An election year brings the potential for charged conversations. All students have the right to attend a safe school environment where views can be discussed with dignity and respect in a manner that is free from abuse and harassment.  
• New tool for college planning. The U.S. Department of Education recently introduced a new toolkit for school counselors and college access advisors that extends the capabilities of its . 
• Address Racism, Antisemitism and Islamophobia. Access the and . (Webinars are free for Ï㽶ÊÓƵmembers.) Learning for Justice offers a helpful guide for . Review ASCA’s Anti-Racism Resources.
• Suicide-Prevention Tools. The as well as the provide practical resources to address suicide concerns with students and families. to learn more.
• Webinars, ASCA U Flash and I Hear You Say podcasts. Access relevant Ï㽶ÊÓƵwebinars and ASCA U Flash videos, including , , , , , , , and .
• Check out all the .

School Counseling Program Basics

A new school year also represents an excellent opportunity for a fresh start, ensuring you’re on track to build and implement your school counseling program all year long. Make sure you get off on the right foot.

• Review or get started with your Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model implementation. The guides school counselors in creating an Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model program in several phases that will make a difference in student success.
• Enhance your relationship with your principal by holding your . Access the Ï㽶ÊÓƵwebinars, , and for tips. Review the Ï㽶ÊÓƵResearch Report . 
• Refresh your ethical expertise and ensure your competencies are on point with the and the . 
• Download all of the Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model templates, which includes the annual calendar, annual student outcome goal plan, school data summary, use-of-time 5-day calculator, school counseling program assessment and the other tools for managing your program.
• Ensure your is complete. “The Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model, fourth edition,” “Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model Implementation Guide: Manage & Assess, second edition,” and “Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model Implementation Guide: Student Standards.” Or, if you need all three, purchase the Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model bundle and receive a discount. Make sure you’re logged in to see member prices. 
• Get certified. 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.
• Sign up for some quick professional development you can enjoy with your morning coffee. The ASCA U Flash web series brings you 5-minute tips and advice three days a week at 9 a.m. to Ï㽶ÊÓƵFlash. Be sure to click the red “Subscribe” button on the right-hand side and select “ASCA U Flash” under “Channel Subscriptions.”

Evaluating Equity Practices

Are closing-the-gap action plans and results reports part of your school counseling program? Equity is infused throughout the Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model and should be incorporated in your program. In fact, you can’t earn the Recognized Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model Program (RAMP) designation without demonstrating how your school counseling program closes gaps in achievement, attendance or discipline. To assess your program’s equity practices and make improvements:

• Review the for a visual demonstrating how equity is woven throughout the Ï㽶ÊÓƵNational Model.
• Check out , which shows how RAMP schools used closing-the-gap action plans and results reports to identify equity needs, improve outcomes for students and address systemic issues.
• Become well-versed in ASCA’s , so you're prepared to use national standards and best practice to support your work ensuring equity and inclusion for all students. The following position statements were revised/added in 2024:
  • The School Counselor and Appraisal and Advisement for Postsecondary Preparation
  • The School Counselor and Confidentiality
  • The School Counselor and Career Development
  • The School Counselor and Equity for All Students
  • The School Counselor and Students in Foster Care
  • The School Counselor and High-Stakes Testing
  • The School Counselor and the Use of Non-School-Counseling Credentialed Personnel in Implementing School Counseling Programs
  • The School Counselor and Section 504 Plan and Process (new)
  • The School Counselor and Student Sexual Wellness
  • The School Counselor and Students Experiencing Homelessness
  • The School Counselor and Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Postvention

• Ensure you are prepared to protect the rights and address the needs of LGBTQ-plus students. Review the following Ï㽶ÊÓƵposition statements: , and . Additionally, that go into effect on August 1 to help schools draft, adopt and implement policies required under the guidance to ensure no person experiences sex discrimination in federally funded education. 

Engaging with Ï㽶ÊÓƵand Your State Association

The best way to stay current in the school counseling profession and to ensure you have a voice in policy changes in your state is to engage with Ï㽶ÊÓƵand your state/territory association. Here's how. 

• Access ASCA's online (formerly ASCA Scene). Engage with your peers, ask questions, seek solutions together and learn how others are addressing issues similar to yours. In addition to the Open Forum for all members, you can also join communities focused on areas of particular interest to you, such as rural school counselors, high school counselors, social/emotional learning and others. 
• Join an , small communities of members who share a similar interest or identity. Members enjoy opportunities to discuss shared challenges, brainstorm solutions, identify valuable resources and network with like-minded peers. Each group is formed based on grassroots interest and needs, is self-directed and led by members, and offers opportunities for meaningful conversations in safe spaces.
• Join or expand your engagement with your state association. Look for leadership and committee opportunities to ensure you get the most from your membership. . 
• Learn about in committee and volunteer work.