Contemporary Public Policy on School-Based Guidance and Counseling in Venezuela, Costa Rica, and Other Latin American Countries

Abstract

This chapter describes the relationships between policy, policy research, and school-based counseling practice in selected Central and South American countries where the guidance and counseling profession is particularly well organized. In these countries, there is evidence of clear policies supported by legislation, public funding for services, and employment, and the profession’s historical roots are also well documented. The chapter focuses on the policy context and related professional issues in Costa Rica and Venezuela. Brief overviews of other Central American countries (i.e., Panama, Guatemala, and Honduras) and South American countries (i.e., Argentina, Brazil, and Chile) where school-based guidance and counseling is relatively well developed are also provided. Even in Latin American countries where guidance and counseling is well developed, there is little attention being paid to policy research—despite the expressed desire of the guidance and counseling profession to influence public policy and despite the recognition be scholars that policy research is an important vehicle to influence policy formation. The authors offer recommendations for the development and focus of policy research in order to strengthen and support the practice of school-based counseling across Latin America.