Wisconsin’s Comprehensive School Counseling Program Model

ASCA National Model Adoption in 2018

School counseling services are mandated by Administrative Rule in Wisconsin. A comprehensive school counseling program is an effective and best practice model for meeting the requirements of Standard e.

Following intentional data collection from the field in 2015/2016 and deliberate, collaborative decision-making by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the Wisconsin School Counselor Association (WSCA), DPI recommended the adoption of the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model as the preferred model of comprehensive school counseling practice and the ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors as the student competencies. The State Superintendent’s Standards Review Council approved the adoption in the spring of 2018.

Linked to the DPI School Counselor Evaluation System, the ASCA National Model presents an evidence-based framework for effective school counseling programs which provides Wisconsin counselors with a model for best practices that is continually researched and improved. ASCA’s model is already in its 4th revision since 2003 (4th edition, 2019).

DPI focuses training, resources and support around Wisconsin’s adoption of the ASCA National Model and ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors as best practice for a comprehensive school counseling program.

School Counseling Services Mandate: Administrative Rule PI 8.01(2)(e) - Standard e

Wisconsin administrative rule PI 8.01(2)(e) mandates that each school district board has an approved program for the delivery of guidance and counseling services to all pupils enrolled in the district.