The Counseling Needs of Middle School Students

Abstract

The needs of students and the role of school personnel (i.e. counselors, teachers and administration) in meeting these needs and providing appropriate services has become a significant topic of discussion and research. This project investigated the academic, personal-social, and career needs of 56 middle school students in grades 6-8 in a rural Western New York school. A survey was used to collect the data measuring the amount of help needed on specific items. Results showed that although the top needs were predominately personal, social and emotional in nature, the top need with each grade level was academic and suggestions are made regarding the counselors role in meeting these needs.