School Resource Officers (SROs) are a growing profession in public schools across the country. With the increase of school shootings, the number of SROs has proliferated without federal or state standards or evaluations. This mixed methods study examines the perceptions of 135 teachers in 6 different regions of Missouri. Through surveys and 15…

Diminished self-care practices and heightened stress of school counselors are continuing problems in education. With role ambiguity, high student-to-counselor ratios, emotional exhaustion, and other factors adding pressure to the roles and responsibilities of school counselors, this study investigated the well-being practiced of Missouri school…

In 2010, the National Association of School Psychologists approved the "Model for Comprehensive and Integrated School Psychological Services" (or the NASP Practice Model), codifying what an expanded role encompasses in the delivery of school-based psychological services. This study examined the role and function of school psychology…

For students whose families and friends do not have college-going experience to share, applying to college can be challenging. School counselors can fill the gap, but in many schools--especially those serving students most in need--counselors are spread thin. This NASBE policy update explores the ways state boards of education can address the…

A major school crisis can cause physical and emotional distress as well as impact student academic performance. The purpose of this study was to use a web-based survey to explore Missouri school counselors' perceptions of individual and school-wide crisis preparedness and crisis training experiences. Results indicate that the more involved school…

Middle grades educators may wonder how they can impact students' progress toward postsecondary success and career readiness. They may feel inadequately prepared to foster the knowledge and skill development students need to prepare for postsecondary success in the 21st century, especially for at-risk students (Legum & Hoare, 2004). In…

Results link lower student-to-school-counselor ratios to better graduation rates and lower disciplinary incidents across Missouri high schools. An interaction favorable for promoting student success in school was found between increasing percentages of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch and smaller student-to-school-counselor ratios.…

A considerable amount of literature points to the criticality of implementing prevention and intervention strategies to address suicide in the context of schools. The authors address these elements along with a case study to increase student safety in schools.

To stem the tide of students dropping out, many schools and districts are turning to early warning systems (EWS) that signal whether a student is at risk of not graduating from high school. While some research exists about establishing these systems, there is little information about the actual implementation strategies that are being used across…

Without structured guidance activities, students may drift through high school without learning about all of the career opportunities available and without gaining the skills that can help them take advantage of those opportunities. They may also be in danger of failing to continue on to postsecondary education, or even worse, of dropping out of…

Discusses a survey of 200 counselors, placement coordinators, vocational resource educators, and administrators on the priorities regarding services to handicapped and disadvantaged students. Discusses the importance of guidance counselors to the transition of special needs students. (JOW)

This study examined the relationships between Vocational Adjustment Counselors (VACs) and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) in Missouri and identified factors that are related to cooperative programming between special education and vocational rehabilitation. The population for the study consisted of all VACs (n=147), all state-federal…

This module is designed to help educators understand the roles and responsibilities of counselors in relation to special needs students. The guide includes a list of definitions and uses a question-and-answer format to provide information on the provisions of the Carl D. Perkins Act regarding counseling activities; the role of a special needs…

This document defines the role and responsibilities of Missouri's vocational special needs counselors as they work with special needs students in vocational programs at the secondary and postsecondary levels and offers advice on how they can fulfill their role and responsibilities. Following the introduction is the questionnaire used in a survey…

This guide offers vocational adjustment coordinators practical suggestions about instruction, program management, and administrative procedures that may be used and shared with appropriate personnel in conducting cooperative school work programs as they provide services for handicapped children and youth. The handbook is organized in eight…