What do the ASCA ethical standards for school counselors aim to maintain?

The ASCA ethical standards for school counselors are designed to uphold high standards of ethical behavior among school counselors. These standards focus on promoting integrity, respect, and professionalism in all aspects of school counseling practice. By adhering to these ethical principles, school counselors ensure that they act in the best interests of their students, providing support that is trustworthy and based on a foundation of ethical decision-making.

The emphasis on high ethical standards helps to establish a safe and supportive environment in schools where students can thrive. It guides counselors in how to interact with students, parents, and colleagues, fostering a culture of respect and accountability. In doing so, these standards assist counselors in navigating challenging situations and complex ethical dilemmas they may encounter in their work.

While excellence in academic programming, technical teaching proficiency, and standardized testing protocols are important aspects of education, they do not directly align with the primary focus of the ASCA ethical standards, which is to ensure that school counselors operate within a framework of ethical practice.