School Counseling Profession

The Role of the Professional School Counselor

As determined by the Indiana Department of Education, the role and primary function of a School Counselor is to develop, manage, and deliver a comprehensive school counseling program, to provide educational, career and student assistance services as defined and required in 511 IAC-4-1.5, and to advocate for systemic change, reducing barriers to learning and increasing success for all students.

School Counselor Job Description

During the 2010 legislative session, House Bill 1135 passed to become House Enrolled Act 1135, which includes the following language:

SECTION 6. [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010]

(a) Not later than July 1, 2011, the department of education, in cooperation with other appropriate associations, shall develop a uniform job description for school counselors. The job description must allow school corporations flexibility in assigning duties to school counselors based on local needs.

A “uniform job description” was developed by the Indiana Department of Education in collaboration with representatives from the Indiana School Counselor Association

(ISCA) and Indiana Association of College Admission Counseling (IACAC), school counselor educators at various Indiana post secondary institutions,and K-12 school counselors across the state.

Below you will find the sample School Counselor Job Description that your school corporation may choose to use.

In addition, the Indiana School Counselor Association led a team consisting of K-12 school counselors, counselor educators, school administrators, and representatives from the Indiana Counseling Association and IACAC in developing a School Counselor Effectiveness Rubric. School administrators may opt to use this tool in evaluating K-12 school counselors. The rubric is being piloted by 18 school counselor/administrator teams this semester and feedback will be used to modify the plan.

Models

Additional Resources

Evaluations

ISCA Vision

The Indiana School Counselor Association (ISCA) empowers school counselors and school counseling graduate students to provide comprehensive school counseling programs through advocacy, collaboration, professional leadership, and student-centered data-supported practices.

ISCA Mission

The mission of the Indiana School Counselor Association is to support school counselors as they advance the academic, career, and social/emotional development of all students.