High-quality career counseling is freely available at U.S. high schools. However, many students choose not to participate in career planning programs, despite being assigned to a school counselor for guidance. There is a projected increase in demand for school counselors; however, there needs to be more literature regarding whether high school…

The effect of school counselor leadership on student and school success merits attention in the realm of educational and school counselor literature. This study investigated the actual and preferred roles of school counselors in the state of Louisiana, the relationship of how school type and grade level impacted counselor roles and…

There are many initiatives currently in place to increase representation in STEM in K-12 schools, however there is still a lack of representation in STEM courses and STEM careers. The purpose of this multi-strand parallel sequential mixed method study was to provide insight into the barriers and perceptions of STEM held by educators, counselors,…

This study explores the influence a social-emotional-learning curriculum (SEL) has on the academic and emotional achievement of primary and secondary students with trauma, as reported by counselors at their schools. These participants, employees of a Louisiana school district, have observed and been involved in the program of instruction for at…

Professional development and career advancement are essential elements of a satisfying experience as a working professional. The purpose of this study was to examine: (1) the effectiveness of methods of professional development for student affairs professionals, (2) factors influencing career advancement for student affairs professionals, (3) the…

This quantitative study was an inquiry into whether Louisiana school counselors' perceptions of their professional identity, quality of principal-school counselor relationships, and confidence level (self-efficacy) of providing school-based mental health services (SBMHS) including counseling skills, addressing student issues, and working with…

Access to higher education has been critical in financial stability; however, not all individuals have equal access to higher education. More specifically, students who have been identified as underrepresented, including those who are low-income, first-generation, or a minority, face several challenges in gaining access to college. There are…

This study sought to determine if a relationship exists among high school counselors' specific demographics, the educational experiences (i.e., professional development, training, and other coursework) of public high school counselors, the factors that influence public high school counselors to advise college-bound students to enroll in career and…

The purpose of this study was to provide process data for school counselors, administrators, and the public, regarding school counselors' actual roles within the guidance counselor preferred job duties and actual job duties. In addition, factors including National Certification or no National Certification, years of counseling experience, and…

The purpose of this comparative qualitative study examined the impact of the achievement gap on the lack of highly qualified teachers instructing African American students consistently from K-12th grades and its effects on high-stakes testing. In addition, the study examined teacher perceptions that could also be contributing factors of the…

This quantitative study investigated the perceptions of principals, guidance counselors, and site facilitators in city/suburb, town, and rural schools concerning the Louisiana Virtual School (LVS). This study provided a benchmark of attitudes from school personnel about the LVS. The non-experimental research design used an online survey adapted…