Roles vs. legislation: school counselors’ experiences amid policy shifts

In a polarized environment, school counselors often find themselves navigating their roles and new legislation. Using a transcendental phenomenological approach, we sought to understand how school counselors in Tennessee navigate utilizing data-informed decision-making and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program amid constraining legislation. Our findings are illustrative of the challenges and supports that school counselors experience in their day-to-day roles. With advocacy imbued throughout our work, we present implications for school counseling practice and training.