School Counseling Research Monographs Page 7
mandates established by NCLB it seems crucial that the school counseling
profession attempt to promote high quality research demonstrating the impact of
school counseling programs on student achievement, the achievement gap,
attendance and graduation rates, and issues of school safety. It seems very realistic
to expect that the school counseling profession will benefit enormously by
encouraging research that establishes the effects of “standardized” programs and
interventions on NCLB outcomes. Scientifically based school counseling outcome
research can help to answer questions about which school counseling practices are
validated by strong empirical evidence that demonstrates gains in academic
achievement and other NCLB mandates. Quality studies can also help to identify
which career and personal/social outcomes lead to improved academic outcomes.
However, it is not always realistic for counselors to conduct such studies. At times
evaluation is needed and is an adequate way to answer the questions that need
answering.