The Role of School Counselors in Ensuring Grade Level Promotion: Impacts on Student Sense of Belonging and Academic Self-Efficacy

One of the responsibilities of high school counselors is to assist students in achieving grade level promotion leading ultimately to graduation. Through building relationships with students experiencing barriers to remaining academically on-track and strengthening communication with these students, their families, and their teachers, school counselors can have a significant impact on students’ sense of belonging in school and likelihood of graduating. This article will suggest a model school counselors can use to support grade level promotion and help increase student sense of school belonging and academic self-efficacy. Recommendations for further research on the role of school counselors in ensuring grade level promotion and its impact on student sense of belonging are provided.