THE IMPORTANCE OF

ADVOCATING FOR ALL

STUDENTS AS A SCHOOL
COUNSELOR

Micheal J. Pryor

EDET 735

Spring 2015

WHAT IS ADVOCACY?

Lopez-Baez and Paylo (2009)

mentioned counselors can
intervene in the advocacy
process either by assuming a
position as an ally to others in
the school/community or by
moving from an ally position
to a position of leadership in
advocating for the desired
change needed within the
school/community (p. 276).

RATIONALE
The South
Carolina Comprehensive Devel
opmental Guidance
and Counseling Program
Model

Three Ways the Model Challenges

School Counselor to Advocate for
Students

Learning to Live (Personal/Social

Development)
Learning to Learn (Academic
Development)
Learning to Work (Career
Development)

Four Areas of School Counselor Responsibilities

Guidance Curriculum:
Provides guidance content in a
systematic way to all students.
Individual Planning: Assists
students in monitoring and
understanding their
development for next-step
decisions.
Responsive Services:
Addresses immediate concerns
of students.
System Support: Includes
program and staff support
activities and services.

WHEN SHOULD SCHOOL

COUNSELORS ADVOCATE?

Whenever there is a possibility of students receiving

insufficient help to move on with their lives.

Whenever you observe a student in a situation where

they are powerless to resolve the issue at hand.

Take action for students in moment when they are being

taken advantage of.

THE SOUTH CAROLINA

COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING PROGRAM
MODEL
Guidance Model and Time Spent on Each Domain (per level)
Elementary
School

Middle School

High School

Guidance
Curriculum

35% -40%

25% - 35%

15% - 25%

Individual Planning

5% - 10%

15% - 25%

25% - 35%

Responsive Services

30% - 40%

30% - 40%

25% - 35%

System Support

10% - 15%

10% - 15%

15% - 20%

REFERENCES
Lopez-Baez, S.I. & Paylo, M.J. (2009). Social justice advocacy:
Community collaboration and systems advocacy. Journal of
Counseling and Development, 87 (3). 276-283.
South Carolina Department of Education (2004). South Carolina
Comprehensive Guidance Model for School Counselors. Columbia,
SC: Author.