Counselor Interventions with Low-Achieving and Underachieving Elementary,Middle, and High School Students: A Review of the Literature

The author reviews experimental studies and evaluates the effects of counselor interventions on the grade point averages of underachieving or low-achieving students in elementary, middle, and high schools. Characteristics of programs associated with improved achievement included directive and behavioral rather than person-centered approaches, lengthy rather than brief treatment, group rather than individual counseling, voluntary rather than nonvoluntary participation, counseling with study skills instruction, and parental involvement.