The introduction of a new model for improvement of counseling performance in schools through the empowerment of psychologists and counselors

Qualitative and quantitative development of counseling program in schools can be regarded as an indicator of the development of education system. Therefore, it is necessary for school counselors to have an appropriate performance pattern to reach their goals. The aim of this study was to establish a native pattern for improving school counselor's activities in Iran. This study was done by way of mixed methods. Statistical universe consisted of employed counselors and teachers plus students of Azerbaijan-e-Gharbi education system in the academic year of 2012-2013. The study sample (as for qualitative part), included 48 individuals determined by theoretical saturation and (in quantitative part) 370 people who were selected via stratified random sampling. To gather data, interview and a researcher-made questionnaire were used. Then, the primary pattern was designed in accordance with information analysis. Moreover, a questionnaire was responded by the sample population to assess validity of the pattern. Findings of the study showed significant difference between current situation and optimum condtion of counseling activities in schools. Damage factors of counseling activities were identified and the effect size thereof were calculated. According to the analysis, a conceptual pattern for the improvement of counselor's performance was designed. Results of this research indicated that identification and categorization of damage factors of counseling activities, assessment of the counselor's teaching needs, professional and psychological empowerment of the counselors, training of the administrators in skills of counseling under the approved standards, and finally scheduling counseling activities in schools could lead to development of counseling performance in education systems.