What is the primary function of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA)?

The primary function of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is to provide professional standards and resources for school counselors. ASCA aims to support the role of school counselors in enhancing the academic, career, and social/emotional development of students. It does this by establishing ethical guidelines, developing comprehensive school counseling frameworks, promoting best practices, and offering a wealth of resources including training, tools, and publications that help counselors effectively serve their students and school communities. This focus on providing guidance and resources helps ensure that school counselors can operate at a high standard and positively influence student outcomes.

In contrast, conducting research in educational psychology is not a core function of ASCA, although they may utilize research findings to inform their practices. Overseeing licensing and certification is typically the responsibility of state licensing boards rather than an organization like ASCA. While advocacy for federal funding is important, it falls outside the primary role of ASCA; their main goal is centered on the professional development and support of school counselors themselves, rather than direct advocacy for funding issues.