School Counselor Activity Rating Scale

The SCARS workshop utilizes an adapted version of the School Counselor Activity Ratings Scale (SCARS). The SCARS was developed help school counselors gather data about how they actually spend their time in order to self-advocate.

Why take the S.C.A.R.S.?

Research has demonstrated that school administrators have a crucial impact in helping advocate and support school counselors to ensure the services delivered improve student achievement. As Blake (2020) indicated in her research, school counselors are often at risk of performing duties that may blur the lines and expectations of the school counselor. Consistent completion of duties unrelated to the role often creates professional burnout and low job satisfaction. These factors have a negative impact on the services students receive that supports their postsecondary readiness. Therefore, it’s important that these two professionals collaborate to determine the roles and responsibilities of the school counselor. This is what this workshop helps to facilitate.

ASCA Recommendation

The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model encourages an 80/20 division of time, where 80% is spent performing duties directly associated with the profession and 20% are indirect services. The National Model also provides examples of duties appropriate and inappropriate to assign to school counselors to help differentiate the work that is relevant to the skill set of these licensed professionals.

New Research

Building off of the SCARS designed by Dr. Scarborough (2005), Dr. Sarah Whipp’s research considered how both the school counselor and the school administrator could complete the SCARS tool as a means of collecting quantitative data that establishes baseline expectations of the school counselor. By comparing the responses to the SCARS, the school administrator can see how the school counselors’ use of time is impacted when spending too much time performing duties outside of their expected job description (this can also apply to fair share requirements).

What is this workshop?

Dr. Whipp created a five-step workshop for school counselors and school administrators to improve their collaborative efforts. Part one of this process is having both school counselor and school Administrator take the adapted SCARS scale.

Interested in taking part?

Let us know what role you play in your school.