To study school counseling professional advocacy in Alabama, I explored the lived experiences of Alabama School Counseling Program of Distinction school counselors. Through a qualitative, phenomenological design, I examined the research question addressing the professional advocacy experiences of Alabama school counselor Program of Distinction…

We investigated the relationship between self-reported multicultural competence and social issues awareness among school counselors and raters' assessment of multicultural orientation skills (cultural humility and cultural comfort) using a recorded mock counseling session. Results revealed a positive correlation between multicultural competence…

This phenomenological qualitative study explored U.S.A. school counsellors' perceptions of their experiences with immigrant students. Phenomenological qualitative research method was used because we wanted to gather a complex and detailed understanding of school counsellors' experiences with immigrants. We used criterion-based purposive sampling…

School counselors play a vital supportive role in schools. As the needs of students and diverse populations in urban schools surge, the need to improve understanding of school counselors' experiences facing social justice issues also increases. Framed through the lens of Rawls's social justice theory, the focus of this generic qualitative study…

School counselors completed measures of school counselor activity and role beliefs; competence with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and intersex (LGBTQQI) issues; and school-based LGBTQQI advocacy and awareness. Hierarchical multiple regression identified that LGBTQQI clinical skill predicts school counselor LGBTQQI…

We examined data from a national sample of 917 school counselors to determine the factor structure of the School Counselor STEM Advocacy Survey. An exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported use of the two-factor model. Survey scores demonstrated good internal consistency and convergent validity. We discuss differences between key…

This qualitative study explores the lack of African American students enrolled in AP Calculus courses in North Carolina public high schools. It considered the perception of student-counselor relationships, academic advising practices, and identity of high school counselor participants. In-depth interviews were conducted with three, African…

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) students are at-risk for high rates of bullying and harassment in the school setting. School counselors are uniquely positioned to provide support to LGBTQ youth and work alongside building principals to create safe and welcoming school environments. To build on existing literature, this…

The majority of school counselor leadership studies focus on quantitative data. The current study contributes to the limited qualitative research surrounding school counselor leadership. The analysis of an open-ended statement from a national study gives voice to school counselor perceptions about leadership characteristics pertinent to the…

Although advocacy has a long tradition in the counseling profession (Kiselica & Robinson, 2001), school counselors' roles as advocates have only recently received widespread attention (Baker & Gerler, 2004). The American School Counselor Association National Model describes advocacy as a key role for professional school counselors, and numerous…