Professional Resources
Professional Organizations
Enhance your counseling practice.
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
NACAC is a professional organization for secondary school and college admission counselors.
National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP)
NASSP promotes excellence in middle and high school leadership.
American School Counselor Association (ASCA)
ASCA offers professional development to school counselors around the globe.
Center for School Counseling Outcome Research & Evaluation (CSCORE)
CSCORE is dedicated to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for all children.
American Counseling Association (ACA)
ACA is dedicated to the growth and development of the counseling profession and those who are served.
Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
A Blueprint for Reform: The Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (.pdf/2.2MB)
Requires Adobe Reader (latest version recommended).
Source: U. S. Department of Education
President Barack Obama’s plan outlines a re-envisioning of the federal role in education. The document presents a framework for guiding deliberations and shared work with parents, students, educators, business and community leaders, elected officials and other partners. The document contains a section on college-and career-ready students with information on equity, rigor and accountability.
Why college students aren’t graduating
Time is the Enemy: The surprising truth about why today’s college students aren’t graduating…AND WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE (.pdf/6.1MB)
Source: Complete College America
This report includes data from 33 states with metrics for full-time and part-time students at public colleges and universities. The key finding show that there is a new majority on campus; 75 percent of students are working and commuting to class. Less than 25 percent of part-time students graduate, even if they are given twice the time to complete a degree. Students who are poor, older or of color struggle the most – even though more are going to college than ever before — few attain diplomas or certificates. Overall, students take too many credits and too much time to finish. Finally, remediation is broken — efforts to catch students up often end up leaving them behind.
High school’s mission
The Mission of the High School: A New Consensus of the Purposes of Public Education? (.pdf/787KB)
Source: Paul E. Barton and Richard J. Coley
This report from ETS presents information on the need for deep thought about redefining the mission of high school to prepare all students to be both college and career ready. The report calls out the importance of school counselors in the discussion of redefining the mission, including the supply of school counselors as well as their roles.
Strategies for diversity
Achieving Educational Excellence for All: A Guide to Diversity-Related Policy Strategies for School Districts (.pdf/1.56MB)
Source: Arthur L. Coleman, Francisco M. Negron, Jr. and Katherine E. Lipper
This is a joint publication by the College Board, National School Boards Association (NSBA), and EducationCounsel, LLC. It provides school boards, school district leaders, district staff, community leaders, and parents with practical guidance on policy issues associated with student diversity. It illustrates ways to frame conversations regarding student diversity, with a particular emphasis on education.
Other College Board resources
Discover College Board’s world of valuable information.
Insight gained by students one year out from high school graduation.
One Year Out Report (.pdf/83.9KB)
One Year Out Key Findings (.pdf/99KB)
Source: Hart Research Associates
This College Board report presents the results of a survey of 1,507 members of the high school graduating class of 2010. There are a number of key findings. The student responses indicate that most are satisfied (41 percent “very”; 41 percent “somewhat”) with their high school experience, but all would change something. They believe that the requirements to graduate are easy (69 percent “very” or “pretty”); rather than challenging; almost a third (30 percent) of the students said that requirements should be more difficult. The students also wished they had taken different courses, including more or higher level math and science.
College Board Plan for College
It’s not too early for middle and high school students to start thinking about their future.
YouCanGo!™
Find colleges for every student and financial planning information.