Which action is characteristic of a high school counselor who has developed multicultural competence?

A high school counselor who has developed multicultural competence recognizes the unique challenges and barriers that students from diverse cultural backgrounds may face. By identifying these barriers, the counselor can create a more inclusive environment and tailor strategies that address the specific needs of each student. This proactive approach enables the counselor to effectively support students, ensuring they have equitable access to school counseling services. It shows an understanding that students' backgrounds can influence their experiences and needs in the school setting.

In contrast, offering the same services to all students overlooks the individual differences and specific challenges that students may encounter based on their cultural backgrounds. Holding all students to the same academic standards fails to consider that students may have differing levels of support and resources in their personal lives, which can affect their performance. Encouraging assimilation into the dominant culture may alienate students from their cultural identities, thus undermining their sense of belonging and self-worth. Therefore, the action of identifying barriers is a clear demonstration of a counselor’s commitment to fostering an equitable and supportive environment for all students.