School counselors are often under-utilized, but they can be a huge asset as schools embark on the long road to recovery from COVID-19. Research repeatedly finds that when school counselors deliver comprehensive programming, student outcomes improve. In schools that allocate counselors' time wisely, counselors may spend their days providing…

Amidst the rapid expansion of education reform aimed at promoting educational equity, noticeably absent has been a focus on school counseling--a profession uniquely positioned to support students' postsecondary, social emotional, and academic development. Despite research continually affirming the positive influence of counselors on students,…

The COVID-19 pandemic and the shift to online learning exacerbated the mental health needs of children and adolescents, especially among minoritized students who were disproportionately impacted by the virus. Although the pandemic has increased the demand for counseling, research finds that school counselors are often hindered by organizational…

This brief is one in a series aimed at providing K-12 education decision makers and advocates with an evidence base to ground discussions about how to best serve students during and following the novel coronavirus pandemic. It addresses one central question: How can schools and districts ensure that all students benefit from school counseling…