Group-Oriented Practices of Middle School Counselors

This study is an investigation into the middle school counseling programs that facilitate the early adolescent need to belong to a group. Particular focus is on the effectiveness of teacher-advisory programs, peer mediation programs, and group counseling programs, and how all three programs work together as components of a comprehensive middle school guidance program. Factors associated with successful implementation of these programs and the role of the middle school counselor in the implementation these three programs were also examined. Five middle schools were studied, using qualitative interviews of principals, counselors, and teachers. A focus group of seven to ten students was conducted at each middle school. Results provide a look at several different ways to combine the three programs in a middle school, along with factors for successful implementation.