Academic Achievement
Academic Achievement is one of the top priorities for schools and is also one of the three domains of the ASCA National Model. School counselors play a critical role within school systems to promote academic achievement for students by supporting their social and emotional learning, advocating for them, creating a welcoming environment, and linking what they are learning to their future plans.
Web Resources
Structuring Out-of-School Time to Improve Academic Achievement
From What Works Clearinghouse. The five recommendations in this guide are intended to help district and school administrators, out-of-school program providers, and educators design out-of-school time programs that will increase learning for students. The guide also describes the research supporting each recommendation, how to carry out each recommendation, and how to address roadblocks that might arise in implementing them.
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Achieve
Achieve has released the report, Closing the Expectations Gap: 2014, on the progress that states have made in implementing the American Diploma Project which recommends aligning high school policies to meet the demands recent graduates will have in college and careers.
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American Psychological Association
APA released the following articles: Teaching Resilience, Sense of Purpose in Schools Can Prevent Depression, Anxiety and Improve Grades, and According To Research.
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The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity, Including Physical Education, and Academic Performance
This executive summary details how the Center for Disease Control reviewed 50 studies involving physical activity at school and how it improved academic achievement.
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The College Board
Resources for professionals about college counseling.
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Center on Instruction
The Center is a clearinghouse of information on research-based best practices for instruction to improve achievement in schools.
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Learning First Alliance
The Learning First Alliance is an organization dedicated to improving student learning. This website is a forum where success stories are shared.
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The NEA Foundation
This site gives information on how to apply for a NEA Foundation grant to improve the academic achievement of students in public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area. Education support professionals are eligible to apply.
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Center for Disease Control and Prevention
The CDC has found that high school students who engage in risky heath behaviors have lower academic grades. This site provides facts sheet on how the different risky behaviors affect grades.
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The Education Trust
National non-profit promoting educational justice and high achievement.
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Minority Student Achievement Network
The MSAN studies achievement gaps that exist for minority students. Based on their findings, the MSAN has recommended practices that will help schools close the achievement gap.
Journal Research Articles
CSCORE does not endorse any of the following research studies. Instead, our goal is to present you with the latest research being conducted. It is up to you to decide if the study is reliable and valid.
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Growth in Middle School Students’ Curiosity, Executive Functioning, and Academic Achievement: Results from a Theory-informed SEL and MBI School Counseling Intervention
Lemberger-Truelove, M. E., Ceballos, P. L., Molina, C. E., & Carbonneau, K. J. (2021). Growth in middle school students’ curiosity, executive functioning, and academic achievement: Results from a theory-informed SEL and MBI school counseling intervention. Professional School Counseling, 24(1_part_3).
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Evaluation of the True Goals School Counseling Curriculum: A Pilot Study
Zyromski, B., Martin, I., & Mariani, M. (2019). Evaluation of the True Goals school counseling curriculum: A pilot study. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 44(3), 170-183.
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A Classroom Intervention to Improve Executive Functions in Late Primary School Children
Benzing, V., Schmidt, M., Jäger, K., Egger, F., Conzelmann, A., & Roebers, C. M. (2019). A classroom intervention to improve executive functions in late primary school children: Too ‘old’ for improvements? British Journal of Educational Psychology, 89(2), 225-238.
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The Impact of School-Based Mentoring on the Academic Achievement Gap
Grey, L. (2019). The impact of school-based mentoring on the academic achievement gap. Professional School Counseling, 23(1),
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The Role of Parenting in Predicting Student Achievement: Considerations for School Counseling Practice and Research
Warren, J. M., Locklear, L. A., & Watson, N. A. (2018). The role of parenting in predicting student achievement: Considerations for school counseling practice and research. Professional Counselor, 8(4), 328-340.
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Attending to Basic Needs: Implementing Reality Therapy in School Counseling Programs to Enhance Academic Achievement and Career Decision-Making Skills
Mason, C. P., & Dye, L. (2017). Attending to basic needs: Implementing reality therapy in school counseling programs to enhance academic achievement and career decision-making skills. International Journal of Choice Theory & Reality Therapy, 37(1).
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Improved Attitude and Achievement: A Case Study of an Elementary School Academic Advisement Intervention
Kamrath, B., & Brooker, T. (2017). Improved attitude and achievement: A case study of an elementary school academic advisement intervention. Professional School Counseling, 21(1), 1096-2409.
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The Effects of a Success Skills Group on Adolescents’ Self-Regulation, Self-Esteem, and Perceived Learning Competence
Ohrt, J., Webster, L., & De La Garza, M. (2014). The effects of a success skills group on adolescents’ self-regulation, self-esteem, and perceived learning competence. Professional School Counseling, 18(1).
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Making the Grade: The Importance of Academic Enablers in the Elementary School Counseling Program
Barna, J. S., & Brott, P. E. (2013). Making the grade: The importance of academic enablers in the elementary school counseling program. Professional School Counseling, 17(1).
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Academic Motivation: Concepts, Strategies, and Counseling Approaches
Rowell, L., & Hong, E. (2013). Academic motivation: Concepts, strategies, and counseling approaches. Professional School Counseling, 16(3).
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Bring Out the Brilliance: A Counseling Intervention for Underachieving Students.
Berger, C. (2013). Bring out the brilliance: A counseling intervention for underachieving students. Professional School Counseling, 17(1).
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Using the Achieving Success Everyday (ASE) Group Model to Promote Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement for English as a Second Language (ESL) Student
Shi, Q., & Steen, S. (2012). Using the Achieving Success Everyday (ASE) group model to promote self-esteem and academic achievement for English as a second language (ESL) students. Professional School Counseling, 16(1).
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How Important is Personal/Social Development to Academic Achievement? The Elementary School Counselor's Perspective
Barna, J. S., & Brott, P. E. (2011). How important is personal/social development to academic achievement? The elementary school counselor's perspective. Professional school counseling, 14(3).
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School Counselor Program Choice and Self-Efficacy: Relationship to Achievement Gap and Equity
Bodenhorn, N., Wolfe, E. W., & Airen, O. E. (2010). School counselor program choice and self-efficacy: Relationship to achievement gap and equity. Professional School Counseling, 13(3), 2156759X1001300304.
Full Article
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At-Risk Ninth-Grade Students: A Psychoeducational Group Approach to Increase Study Skills and Grade Point Averages
Kayler, H., & Sherman, J. (2009). At-risk ninth-grade students: A psychoeducational group approach to increase study skills and grade point averages. Professional School Counseling, 12(6), 2156759X0901200608.
Full Article
Curriculum Materials
Missouri Center for Career Education
This site has free guidance lesson plans including lessons aimed at academic development.
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Promising Practices Network
The Promising Practices Network has screened programs for evidence that they work. The results for the outcome area “Children Succeeding in School” are listed on their website.
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Books & Book Chapters
Parents & Educators
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Clark, L. (2020). SOS help for parents: A practical guide for handling common everyday behavior problems (5th ed.). Bowling Green, KY: Parents Press.
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Rimm, S. (2008). How to parent so children will learn: Clear strategies for raising happy, achieving children (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Three Rivers Press
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Schumm, J. (2005). How to help your child with homework. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.
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Youth
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Gailbraith, J. (2013). The Survival Guide for Gifted Kids: For Ages 10 and Under. Free Spirit Publishing.
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Gailbraith, J., & Delisle, J. (2022). The Gifted Teen Survival Guide: Smart, Sharp, and Ready for (Almost) Anything (5th ed.). Free Spirit Publishing.
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Scholarship
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Galassi, J. P. (2017). Strengths-based school counseling: Promoting student development and achievement. Routledge.
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Hawken, L. S., Breen, K. (2017). Check-In, Check-Out, Second Edition: A Tier 2 Intervention for Students at Risk. New York, NY: Guilford Press.