The Role of School Counselors on IEP Teams and with Students with Disabilities and Exceptionalities: Policy Analysis and Adjustment (2016)

Undergraduate: Jordan Helms

Faculty Advisor: Patrick Akos
Department: Psychology & Neuroscience

---

School counselors can be a useful resource for all students, especially students with exceptionalities and disabilities. This project examines the school counselor's role in Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meetings, EC programs, and improving social/emotional skills for students with special needs. Data from shadowing various elementary school counselors in the area, speaking with EC teachers, and observing daily counselor-student dynamics, along with current research suggest school counselors are rarely actively involved with special education programs. School counselors do not appear to have appropriate preparation or role specifications to meet these needs. Ideas for school counselor preparation and practice are addressed, as well as an alternate policy plan to promote school counselors involvement in special education.