School Counselor Activity Rating Scale

The original School Counselor Activity Rating Scale, developed by Dr. Janna Scarborough in 2005, was designed to aid school counselors in the gathering of data about how school counselors actually spend their time and what job-related activities they would prefer to spend their time doing. In 2022, Dr. Sarah Whipp expanded on Scarborough’s research by having both school counselors and administrators complete the SCARS.

Dr. Whipp’s research indicated a lack of awareness among school administrators on the role of the school counselor. Role ambiguity negatively impacts the counseling services students received but it also increases a school counselor’s risk for burnout (Bardhoshi, G., Schweinle, A., & Duncan, K. 2014). By incorporating administrator participation into the SCARS this improves awareness of services school counselors can provide (decreasing role ambiguity) and provides opportunities for improved collaboration among school administrators and counselors. Research indicates that level of perceived support from the school principal was a significant predictor of emotional exhaustion, a dimension of burnout, among school counselors (Lee 2008).

Why take the S.C.A.R.S.?

Promote an understanding of the role of the school counselor.
Identify counselor and administrator priorities and expectations for time dedicated to specific tasks.
Compare responses to identify areas of alignment and areas where there are discrepancies.
Advance the work of school counselors by strengthening the collaborative partnership between administrators and school counselors.
Align with Virginia State Code requirements regarding school counselor’s staff time.

Aligned with Virginia codes

§ 22.1-291.1:1. School counselors; staff time. Each school counselor employed by a school board in a public elementary or secondary school shall spend at least 80 percent of his staff time during normal school hours in the direct counseling of individual students or groups of students and may spend up to 20 percent of his staff time during normal school hours on program planning and school support.

More Information

Looking for more information regarding Virginia State Code requirements regarding School Counselor’s Staff Time?

The Virginia Department of Education's Direct Counseling Services and Program Planning Document was developed to assist school divisions with their alignment efforts.

Legislative Update: School Counselors; Staff Time Video provides a short overview of code requirements for central office leaders, administrators and school counselors.

Alignment with the National Model for School Counseling

American School Counselor National Model Executive Summary

ASCA National Model Phased Implementation Plan

Interested in taking part?

Rating Scale Directions

Administrators and school counselors should independently complete their designated rating scale. If there are multiple school counselors or administrators at the school each should complete their own rating scale. Afterwards all administrators and school counselors at the school should meet to:

Review combined responses,
Identify areas of alignment and areas where there are discrepancies,
Compare and discuss the level of importance for each activity and address areas of misalignment in time spent.

Please select your role to begin:

School Counselor School Administator