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Article
What factors sustain professional growth among school counselors?
Journal of School Counseling (2015)
  • Varda Konstam, University of Massachusetts Boston
  • Amy Cook, University of Massachusetts Boston
  • Sarah Tomek, University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa
  • Esmaeil Mahdavi, University of Massachusetts Boston
  • Robert Gracia
  • Alexander Bayne, University of Massachusetts Boston
Abstract

This study examined relationships among self-reported professional expertise, organizational support of evidence-based practices (EBP), and professional growth. Data were collected from 85 members of American School Counseling Association (ASCA). School counselors with higher self-reported expertise reported that they were more likely to improve their school counseling skills. Those with more years of experience supervising school counselors also reported greater professional expertise. No linear relationship was found between organizational support of EBP and perceived professional expertise, which may be attributed to lack of adequate structural and organizational school supports. Implications for future research, counselor development, and supervision are discussed.

Keywords
  • school counselors,
  • professional development,
  • evidence-based practice
Disciplines
Publication Date
Winter 2015
Citation Information
Varda Konstam, Amy Cook, Sarah Tomek, Esmaeil Mahdavi, et al.. "What factors sustain professional growth among school counselors?" Journal of School Counseling Vol. 13 Iss. 3 (2015)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/amy_cook/29/