National standards can establish similar goals, expectations, support systems and experiences for all students as a result of participation in a school counseling program. On the local level, standards offer an opportunity to school counselors, school administrators, faculty, parents, businesses and the community to engage in conversations about expectations for students academic success and the role of counseling programs in enhancing student learning. Standards are a public statement of what students should know and be able to do as a result of participating in a school counseling program. Standards represent what a school counseling program should contain. The standards serve as an organization tool to identify and prioritize the elements of a quality school counseling program.
Standards assure equitable access to school counseling programs for all students.
Adopting and implementing national standards will change the way school counseling programs are designed and delivered across our country. Accountability is the key to determining the success of school counseling programs. Decisions at the building and system level will be needed to determine the degree to which students have acquired the skills and knowledge defined by the standards. Aligning your school counseling program with national standards requires a rethinking of priorities, time, resources and outcomes. The National Standards for School Counseling Programs provide a framework for developing and writing a school counseling program, as well as a description of the components of a quality school counseling program.