This study explored relationships among school counseling practices, secondary school demographics, and student outcomes in the state of Rhode Island during a 2-year period. The results showed strong and consistent correlations between increased amounts of school counseling services and positive student outcomes. Schools with higher percentages of…

The six statewide research studies presented in this special issue use a variety of designs, instrumentation, and measures. Nevertheless, they can be integrated at the level of results to shed light on some important questions related to effective practice in the field of school counseling. In fact, one can argue that, when separate studies that…

Why does evaluation matter so much in school counseling? Most importantly, when school counselors evaluate their interventions and programs, they can be more certain that what they are doing is making a difference for their students. School counselors have a professional responsibility to show that what they are doing is effective. With evaluation…

The National Panel for School Counseling Evidence-Based Practice was established by the Center for School Counseling Outcome Research to improve the practice of school counseling by helping to develop the research base that is necessary for responsible and effective practice. This article presents the panel's Outcome Research Coding Protocol and…

The American School Counselor Association has developed the ASCA National Model[R] in order to provide school counselors with a structure for effective practice. The ASCA National Model can help school counselors think proactively about how they can best serve the students in their schools, and it contains ideas and tools for developing…

The Center for School Counseling Outcome Research (CSCOR) was founded in January 2003 to provide leadership in promoting quality school counseling research and to give practicing school counselors ready access to relevant research in order for them to make effective program decisions. CSCOR currently is the foremost national research facility…

The ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs is a powerful approach to the organization and management of school counseling programs. The ASCA National Model[R] connects school counseling programs to educational reform initiatives, emphasizes data-based management and accountability processes, reiterates school counseling's…

The University of Massachusetts is in partnership with a local school district as part of the Education Trust's Transforming School Counseling Initiative. This study evolved from the partnership's concern about the greater-than-expected number of high school students who were failing classes. Summarizes the broad research base the group used as a…