Date of Award

2008

Degree Name

Curriculum and Instruction

College

College of Education

Type of Degree

Ed.D.

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Lisa A. Heaton

Second Advisor

Rudy D. Pauley

Third Advisor

Edna Meisel

Abstract

Since the inception of the profession of school counseling there has been confusion and inconsistency about what the appropriate role of the school counselor should be. Beginning in 2002, the State of West Virginia followed a nationwide movement to attempt to clarify the role of the school counselor by implementing Policy 2315, West Virginia's policy on Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling. However, since the creation of the policy, no statewide study has been conducted to determine if West Virginia school counselors are fully implementing the policy which is based on the American School Counselor Association‟s National Model for school counseling programs. This study found that there remains a great deal of inconsistency and confusion regarding the appropriate role and function of the school counselor in West Virginia. Additionally, this study provides a glimpse into the activities that school counselors in the state find important as well as the frequency with which they work with students on the outcomes in the American School Counselor Association‟s National Standards. The results lay the groundwork for improved professional development and improved higher education training for West Virginia school counselors who work every day to improve the lives of the students with whom they come in contact.

Subject(s)

Educational counseling.

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