Where Does USCA Stand?

Position Statements are prepared for school counselors to assist them in articulating the position of the Utah School Counselor Association (USCA) on a variety of issues. A position statement represents the association's official view on an issue or topic of prime interest and concern to school counseling professionals.

POSITION STATEMENT #1

THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND ACADEMIC/CAREER TRACKING

The school counselor must work in concert with administration, curricular and instructional leaders to ensure that all students have the opportunity to design academically challenging programs of studies which are not restricted by systematic academic/career tracking. (Board Approval 8/16/97)

POSITION STATEMENT #2

THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND COMPREHENSIVE GUIDANCE

USCA endorses, supports and encourages the planning and implementation of the Utah State Model for Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance to be implemented in all secondary schools. USCA also endorses, supports and encourages the planning and implementation of the Utah State Model for Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance to be implemented in all elementary schools in which one or more school counselors are employed. The Comprehensive Guidance Model is defined as 80% of the counselor's time in direct service to students and,
according to the state model, balance between the four components of
Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance: Guidance Curriculum, Individual Planning, Responsive Services, and System Support. (Board Approval 8/16/97)

POSITION STATEMENT #3

THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND GENDER AND RACIAL EQUITY

USCA is committed to facilitating and promoting the fullest possible development of each individual by reducing the barriers of race, gender, ethnicity, age, or handicap and by providing equal opportunity and equal status for all. USCA members are committed to the human developmental needs and to be sensitive to the use of inclusive language and positive modeling of gender and racial equity. (Board
Approval 8/16/97)

POSITION STATEMENT #4

THE USE OF NON-CREDENTIALED PERSONNEL IN THE COUNSELING PROGRAM

In order to meet the demands of the changing role of schools in society, USCA recognizes that schools and districts employ a variety of staff members. It is not uncommon for non-certified paraprofessionals, volunteers, peer helpers, and employees from outside agencies to be employed in the schools. USCA opposes the use of these people to perform vital counseling duties which must be reserve for a trained, sensitive and certified counselor, who holds a masters degree or greater in counseling or related fields. (Board Approval 8/16/97)

POSITION STATEMENT #5

THE USE OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN THE COUNSELING FIELD

While school counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers hold masters degrees or greater n the respective fields and all are employed by schools to perform similar and sometimes overlapping duties, USCA opposes the use of the word counselor to describe the above named professionals. USCA encourages district administrators and State Office of Education leaders, when describing such people, to use the term that is appropriate for the person's degree, credentials and
training. (Board Approval 8/16/97)

POSITION STATEMENT #6

THE PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND STUDENT RATIOS

The USCA supports the ASCA recommendation of student/counselor ratios of not more than one to three hundred. (Board Approval 8/16/97)

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