Assessing the Counseling Needs of High School Students: The Role of Needs Assessments in Comprehensive School Counseling Programs (CSCPs) and the ASCA National Model

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to identify student counseling needs at the high school level. Furthermore, the role of these needs and the role of needs assessments were explored in the context of the current movement towards Comprehensive School Counseling Programs (CSCPs) and the ASCA National Model. In other words, this study aimed to examine how counselors should use data and student feedback in the implementation and maintenance of their counseling programs. Students were asked to identify their counseling needs in three categories of the career, academic, and personal/social domains. Students reported the most need in the career domain with secondary emphasis on the academic domain, while reporting little need in the personal/social domain. Differences were found among gender and grade level needs as well. Possible interpretations and the implication of these results are discussed.