Diversity and School

Counseling
Hasna Abu Khalid
Professional Plan and Notebook
SC 500
Fall 2016
University of West Alabama

Introduction
Culture is a powerful and all-

encompassing influence on various school

stakeholders.
There is a rise in various groups of
diverse learners, including Hispanic and
Black populations, among other racial
minorities (Merrill-Washington, 2007).
As such, school counselors serve students
from different racial, ethnic, and
socioeconomic backgrounds.
This paper will focus on diversity and

Proble ms with a Dive rse Student Popula tion

Provision of suitable multicultural

curriculums
Use of culturally sensitive evaluation
and intervention strategies
Training of school staff in order to
provide services based on diversity
Recruitment and retention of diverse
professionals
Integration of diverse communities
and parents in a genuine and
empowering way

How Diversity is Being Addressed with School Counselors

For Portman (2009), a school counselor is cultural

For Dahir and Stone (2012), school counselors can

offer culturally responsive counseling in many

ways, including bridging the gap among diverse
student populations and practicing culturally
sensitive counseling.
For Scott & Bordoysky (1990), school counselors
have to be knowledgeable in delivering
appropriate counseling services among diverse
student populations by being understanding For
Lee (2001), school counselors have to promote
increased awareness and appreciation about
cultural diversity.

Training of school staff and other

Helping the profession and My Colleagues at Work to Address Diversity

associated professionals about

diversity based on three key elements:
awareness, knowledge, and skills.
Flexible training will occur through
several levels: formal multicultural
issues, course work, long-term
consultation and analysis, reciprocal
relationships with the surrounding
multicultural communities,
multicultural program development,
and in-service training.

References
Cho, G., & DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (2005-2006). Is ignorance bliss?

Pre-service Teachers
attitudes toward Multicultural Education. The High School
Journal, 89(2), 24-28.
Constantine, M. G. (2001). Predictors of observer ratings of

multicultural counseling competence

in Black, Latino, and White American trainees. Journal of Counseling
Psychology, 48(4), 456-463.
Dahir, C. A., & Stone, C. B. (2012). The Transformed School Counselor

(2nd ed). Belmont, CA:

Brooks/Cole.
Grothaus, T. (2012). Multiculturalism and the ASCA National Model. In

ASCA National Model:

A framework for school counseling programs (3rd ed) (pp. 37-39).
Alexandria, VA: American
School Counselor Association.
Lee, C. (2001). Culturally Responsive School Counselors and Programs:

Addressing the needs of

all Students. Professional School Counseling, 4(4), 257-261.
Merrill-Washington, V. (2007). Counselors Role in a Changing, Diverse

Society. Retrieved