Date of Completion

8-8-2018

Embargo Period

8-8-2018

Keywords

School Counselors, High School, Students, Social, Emotional

Major Advisor

Dr. Rachelle Pérusse

Associate Advisor

Dr. E. Jean Gubbins

Associate Advisor

Dr. Melissa Bray

Field of Study

Educational Psychology

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Open Access

Open Access

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to understand how school counselors are meeting the social and emotional needs of their ninth through twelfth grade high school students. The Delphi Method was used to create consensus among school counselor experts to identify the most prevalent social and emotional needs of their high school students, as well as the prevention and intervention techniques that school counselors are using to meet those needs. Twenty school counselors who work in high schools that have an American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) agreed to participate as experts in this study (Round One n=12, Round Two n=8, Round Three n=5). The participants identified 34 of the most prevalent social and emotional needs of high school students, 30 techniques that prevent social and emotional difficulties from developing among students, and 23 interventions that improve the social and emotional wellbeing of students. Twenty-five of the 87 unique responses that emerged in this study achieved consensus (28.7%). The most prevalent social and emotional needs of high school students were categorized based on the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Competencies and the prevention techniques and interventions were compared and contrasted with best practices in school counseling. Suggestions for how school counselors can meet the social and emotional needs of all students are discussed based on the results of this study.

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