Counselor preparation programs play a critical role in preparing prospective and practicing school counselors for the rigorous demands and needs in today’s schools. If prospective counselors are to play a relevant role in the achievement of their students, graduate programs must commit to teach school counseling graduate students how to engage in leadership and advocacy practices that close achievement gaps. They also need to teach students to connect their counseling work to the mission of schools including school improvement plans. In an attempt to redirect the focus of school counseling, policy-makers and counselor educators are transforming how future school counselors are prepared. 

School counselor educators are teaching future counselors specific skills in advocacy, leadership, teaming, collaboration, counseling, consultation, and use of data. These efforts are focused on preparing school counselors to use these skills to effect systemic change that removes barriers that impede student achievement.

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