Counseling for Justice: Exploring the Preliminary Factor Structure of a Measure of School Counselor Perceived Antiracist and Social Justice Self‐Efficacy

ABSTRACT

As educational equity faces increasing political opposition, the success and well‐being of historically marginalized and minoritized students depend in part on school counselors’ ability to lead and sustain justice‐focused, antiracist initiatives within schools and communities. Yet, navigating this hostile landscape requires more than just theoretical knowledge; it demands robust school counselor self‐efficacy. This study explores the preliminary factor structure of the School Counselor Antiracist and Social Justice Self‐Efficacy Scale (SCARSJ) using exploratory factor analysis with a national sample of 119 preservice and professional school counselors. Three distinct factors demonstrating robust internal consistency emerged: Racial Consciousness and Advocacy, Data‐Informed Equity and Community Practice, and Cultural Self‐Awareness and Reflexivity. The SCARSJ offers an initial psychometric framework to assess perceived school counselor self‐efficacy for equity‐oriented practice amid today's politically charged climate.