National Center for School Counseling Outcome Research

Springfield Project

The Springfield Massachusetts District’s School Counseling Program is committed to ensuring that all children receive the benefits of outstanding school counseling.

These benefits include:

Higher levels of academic achievement
Greater success in work
Successful transitions to outstanding postsecondary education
Strength of character and clarity of purpose
The capacity for self-direction and self-management

Supported by the Center, the Springfield District undertook a Self Study and Program Review to examine new models and directions to ensure that all students in the district have access to the benefits of a truly exemplary school counseling program.

The Springfield Study Group, composed of School Counseling staff, Principals, Business Community Representatives, and Center staff:

Studied new models of school counseling
Guided a review of the strengths and weaknesses of Springfield’s current program
Developed a report for the Superintendent that proposed a model for the district and estimated costs and benefits

Springfield School Counseling Program Foundation
Springfield School District Professional Standards
Springfield Curriculum

Crosswalk: Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and the National Standards
for School Counseling Programs

Download a PowerPoint Presentation of the Springfield Review Process

The Study Group has reviewed national and state models including:
The Education Trust Transforming School Counseling Initiative
The American School Counselor Associations' National Model and National Standards
The North Carolina Model
The Michigan Guidance Benchmarks
The Nebraska Model
The Tennessee Counseling Standards
The Connecticut School Counseling Best Practices Manual