A school counselor conducts a program evaluation close to the end of each school year. The primary purpose of this practice is to:

The primary purpose of conducting a program evaluation at the end of the school year is to identify counseling services that will likely be necessary to meet new areas of need for the following year. This practice allows counselors to reflect on the effectiveness of the current programs, analyze the data collected throughout the school year, and understand emerging trends or issues that students may be facing. By identifying these needs, counselors can adjust their services, programs, and resources to better support students in the upcoming year.

Such evaluations are crucial in ensuring that the counseling program remains relevant and responsive to the changing dynamics within the school environment. They enable the counselor to proactively address concerns rather than reactively respond to them.

In contrast, measuring students' academic performance focuses solely on academic outcomes and does not encompass the broader scope of counseling needs. Assessing the effectiveness of individual counseling sessions is more specific and does not provide the overarching view necessary for program evaluation. Reviewing the school's academic curriculum also does not align with the goals of counseling program evaluation, as it is concerned with educational content rather than counseling services.