Over the past two decades, state policy pertaining to school counselors has grown to the point that most states now require the delivery of counseling services. Some states mandate the presence of a school counselor in each school, and several specify required student-to-school counselor ratios. In 2019, New York State instituted regulations…

The New York State Education Department recently passed legislation that requires school districts to implement a programmatic, data-driven approach to school counseling. This change moves the state toward comprehensive school counseling and away from traditional "guidance"; however, these policy changes often do not translate into…

Guidance counselors, sometimes underappreciated in difficult budgetary times, are feeling more respect in their quest to combat bullying. During the past decade, school counselors have become much more active in educating students, faculty, and staff about bullying and taking active steps to prevent it. The primary shift toward active prevention…

The heightened level of risk for HIV infection among Black and Latino young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is driven by multilevel influences. Using cross-sectional data, we examined HIV testing patterns among urban YMSM of color in a high-HIV seroprevalence area (ages 16 to 21 years). Self-reported frequency of testing was high, with 42% of…

Two fundamental questions are posed in this article, that of "What are the present day roles and tasks of school counselors?", and "What are academic preparation considerations with respect school counselor trainees?" A review of the literature pertaining to the role and preparation of school counselors is shared, as well as…

This article presents findings from a national survey of 149 practicing school counselors who are members of the American School Counselor Association. The survey gathered information on school counselors' perceptions of and experiences with acceleration as a program option for gifted students. Results indicate that, although school counselors'…

Research examining student outcomes (e.g., achievement, adjustment) after grade retention reveals that it does not result in long-term improvements for students; however, grade retention continues to be used as an intervention. The purpose of this study was to examine retention decision-making practices, as well as school psychologists' knowledge,…

Research clearly shows the importance of obtaining a postsecondary education in terms of accessing job opportunities, higher salaries, and improved benefits for a better quality of life in the United States. Bringing together the literature on school-based caring for Black students and the literature on college preparation, I utilize notions of…

Sound use of hospital social work services is not achieved when workers rely on other health personnel for referrals. A screening mechanism to identify patients at high levels of social risk and to restore the initiative to social work staff is presented. (Author)

Significant changes are emerging which will notably impact the implementation and scope of both school administration and school counseling practices. The New York State Education Department, among others, is revising the requirements for administrative certification parallel to a robust reform movement on national standards for school performance…

In the guidance counselor's dealings with students, parents, teachers, administrators, and colleges, the ethical and legal considerations, especially those involving confidentiality, are often difficult to untangle. Fifteen cases are offered to provoke thought and judgments with regard to the issues and ambiguities discussed. (Author/JMD)

Immigrant students from the English-speaking Caribbean face various forms of psycho-educational and socio-cultural dislocation in their attempt to fit within the structures of their new schools and communities in the United States. These students risk academic failure and delinquency and the possibility of remaining on the periphery of American…