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Examination of Chinese homeroom teachers’ performance of professional school counselors’ activities

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Abstract

Chinese homeroom teachers’ performance of professional school counselor activities was explored. A total of 109 homeroom teachers in Beijing and Harbin, China reported their performance of 68 different school counseling activities as part of their regular actions as a homeroom teacher. Results found that on average homeroom teachers performed a wide variety of counseling tasks and together almost all tasks were performed by homeroom teachers. Further, participants reported frequently providing individual counseling to students on a range of concerns. Findings in this study support calls for the continued development of school counseling in China, hiring more school counselors, and additional training for homeroom teachers. Limitations, recommendations, and avenues for future research are described.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Qi Shi

  2. School of Education, Drake University, 3206 University Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50311, USA

    Wade C. Leuwerke

Authors
  1. Qi Shi
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  2. Wade C. Leuwerke
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wade C. Leuwerke.

Appendix A

Appendix A

Tasks assessed on the Chinese Homeroom Teachers’ Tasks Survey. Participants indicated if they did or did not performed each task as part of their role as a homeroom teacher.

Items 1–16: Individually meet with students to counsel or discuss:

  1. 1.

    Family Problems

  2. 2.

    Problematic Behavior in Class (discipline problems)

  3. 3.

    Students in Crisis

  4. 4.

    Mental Health problems (such as depression, anxiety)

  5. 5.

    Career Plans

  6. 6.

    Abuse (verbal, physical, sexual)

  7. 7.

    Drug, Alcohol, Cigarette Use

  8. 8.

    Pregnancy

  9. 9.

    Rape

  10. 10.

    Financial Aid for College

  11. 11.

    Obtaining Scholarships for College

  12. 12.

    Peer relationship problems

  13. 13.

    Academic Problems (such as test anxiety, concentration problems)

  14. 14.

    Educational Plans/High School Classes

  15. 15.

    Choosing a College or Training after High School

  16. 16.

    Other topics, not listed above

  17. 17.

    Administrative duties: paperwork, filing, email, phone calls.

  18. 18.

    Consulting with the principal about students.

  19. 19.

    Consulting with parents about students.

  20. 20.

    Consulting with other teachers about students.

  21. 21.

    Consulting with the school counselor about students.

  22. 22.

    Consulting with community members (business, local leaders) about programs for students.

  23. 23.

    Participate in school counseling advisory board

  24. 24.

    Evaluate individual students for extra services (such as special education)

  25. 25.

    Keep record of student attendance for the entire school.

  26. 26.

    Work on a building assistance team or multidisciplinary team that manages difficult student situations.

  27. 27.

    Serve as a liaison between high school and college for dual credit classes.

  28. 28.

    Conduct classroom guidance lessons (for example, preparation for the NCEE, study skills, college planning).

  29. 29.

    Coordinate visits by representatives from colleges and schedule college visits for students.

  30. 30.

    Collecting research for counseling, program, group, guidance development

  31. 31.

    Collecting data about program effectiveness or student outcomes.

  32. 32.

    Provide personal counseling for teachers or staff

  33. 33.

    Crisis management for the entire school

  34. 34.

    Developing curriculum/lesson plans for classroom guidance.

  35. 35.

    Conduct disciplinary meetings with students

  36. 36.

    Enroll and withdraw students from school, transfer students, and obtain transcripts.

  37. 37.

    Calculating student grades, collecting/posting grades, computing credits.

  38. 38.

    Writing grants.

  39. 39.

    Providing group counseling to a small number of students.

  40. 40.

    Serving as a leader or advisor to a student group (such as student council).

  41. 41.

    Individually meet with students to establish their class schedule.

  42. 42.

    Meet with students in a group/class to schedule classes.

  43. 43.

    Develop the master schedule of classes for the entire high school.

  44. 44.

    Paperwork or other duties associated with scheduling.

  45. 45.

    Monitor halls during passing.

  46. 46.

    Supervision of study hall (homeroom during study period)

  47. 47.

    Supervision of lunch.

  48. 48.

    Teach homeroom.

  49. 49.

    Visiting students at their home.

  50. 50.

    Meeting to develop individual education plans for students with disabilities.

  51. 51.

    Participate in meetings.

  52. 52.

    Lead or present at school staff meetings.

  53. 53.

    Provide mentoring to students.

  54. 54.

    Other Duties (such as supervise student activities, chaperone school party, attend a sports team meeting or practice).

  55. 55.

    Planning time to prepare for counseling, classroom guidance, or other interactions with students.

  56. 56.

    Professional development.

  57. 57.

    Developing a school counseling program.

  58. 58.

    Evaluating the school counseling program.

  59. 59.

    Referring students to counseling or other services outside of the school.

  60. 60.

    Manage the student information/student records system for the entire school.

  61. 61.

    Observe students in class and document observations.

  62. 62.

    Substitute teach or cover classes.

  63. 63.

    Provide supervision to school counselors.

  64. 64.

    Receive supervision from a school counselor.

  65. 65.

    Observe other teachers

  66. 66.

    Administer standardized tests (proctor NCEE, High School Graduation Tests)

  67. 67.

    Provide tutoring to students.

  68. 68.

    Being visible in the building, greeting students, meet parents.

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Shi, Q., Leuwerke, W.C. Examination of Chinese homeroom teachers’ performance of professional school counselors’ activities. Asia Pacific Educ. Rev. 11, 515–523 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-010-9099-8

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