Accountability for comprehensive school counseling programs in Iowa

This paper reports on the increasing trend for school counselors across the country to provide accountability for their comprehensive counseling programs. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) enacted in 2002 provides a rational for this trend. This paper examines related literature and describes implications for counselors, particularly for those practicing in the state of Iowa. A working definition of accountability within the context of education is offered. In an effort to inform professional school counselors of their newly defined responsibilities, the National Model developed by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is explored in detail and suggestions for practicing counselors are provided