Under ASCA, counselors must protect confidentiality unless there is an indication of intent to harm self or others; the principle should be explained in a manner appropriate to the student's age.

Under ASCA, counselors must protect confidentiality unless there is an indication of intent to harm self or others; the principle should be explained in a manner appropriate to the student's age.

• A. Program evaluation
• B. General rule of confidentiality
• C. Needs assessment
• D. Accountability studies

Answer: (B)

The key idea here is how confidentiality is handled in school counseling and how it is communicated to students in a way they can understand. Under ASCA, the counselor keeps information shared in counseling private, with a clear exception if there’s an intent to harm self or others. Explaining this boundary to students in a manner that matches their age helps them know what stays private and what might need to be shared for safety. This is the general rule of confidentiality, guiding the counselor’s everyday practice and the student’s expectations. The other options relate to evaluating or assessing programs rather than the ethical handling of confidential information or how to explain it to students.

The key idea here is how confidentiality is handled in school counseling and how it is communicated to students in a way they can understand. Under ASCA, the counselor keeps information shared in counseling private, with a clear exception if there’s an intent to harm self or others. Explaining this boundary to students in a manner that matches their age helps them know what stays private and what might need to be shared for safety. This is the general rule of confidentiality, guiding the counselor’s everyday practice and the student’s expectations.

The other options relate to evaluating or assessing programs rather than the ethical handling of confidential information or how to explain it to students.