Beyond Teachers: Estimating Individual Guidance Counselors' Effects on Educational Attainment. EdWorkingPaper No. 22-632
Saved in:
| Title: | Beyond Teachers: Estimating Individual Guidance Counselors' Effects on Educational Attainment. EdWorkingPaper No. 22-632 |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Christine Mulhern, Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University |
| Source: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2022. |
| Availability: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 106 |
| Publication Date: | 2022 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Institute of Education Sciences (ED) |
| Contract Number: | R305B150010 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | High Schools Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | School Counselors, School Counseling, Educational Attainment, Counseling Effectiveness, Low Income Students, High School Students, Low Achievement, Graduation |
| Geographic Terms: | Massachusetts |
| Abstract: | Counselors are a common school resource for students navigating complicated and con- sequential education choices. I estimate counselors' causal effects using quasi-random assignment policies in Massachusetts. Counselors vary substantially in their effectiveness at increasing high school graduation and college attendance, selectivity, and persistence. Counselor effects on educational attainment are similar in magnitude to teacher effects, but they flow through improved information and assistance more than cognitive or non-cognitive skill development. Counselor effectiveness is most important for low-income and low-achieving students, so improving access to effective counseling may be a promising way to increase educational attainment and close socioeconomic gaps in education. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| IES Funded: | Yes |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED672106 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Counselors are a common school resource for students navigating complicated and con- sequential education choices. I estimate counselors' causal effects using quasi-random assignment policies in Massachusetts. Counselors vary substantially in their effectiveness at increasing high school graduation and college attendance, selectivity, and persistence. Counselor effects on educational attainment are similar in magnitude to teacher effects, but they flow through improved information and assistance more than cognitive or non-cognitive skill development. Counselor effectiveness is most important for low-income and low-achieving students, so improving access to effective counseling may be a promising way to increase educational attainment and close socioeconomic gaps in education. |
|---|
