School counselors' experiences of the single diploma: should all students prepare for college?

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences of eight high school counselors during the change to the single, college preparatory diploma in the State of Georgia. While this study addressed a change in policy at a state level, the debate over how to prepare students for college and career is of national significance. Through semi-structured interviews and constant-comparative data analysis, four broad themes were identified: The high school counselor as academic advisor, College is a difficult term to define, Difficulty with the math curriculum: Some students just cant do it, and Frustration with the policy and policy-makers. Findings point to the complexity of how policy is perceived, interpreted, and implemented and the poignant intersection of policies and the core beliefs of those who are required to implement them. Implications for school counselors, school counselor educators, and recommendations for future research are presented.