The Independent Educational Consultants Association was founded in 1976 as a non-profit, professional association of established consultants. Since that time, IECA has developed a reputation for excellence and leadership in the field. Membership requires a minimum of three years of experience in the profession, as well as meeting IECA's professional standards and subscribing to its Principles of Good Practice. IECA helps members update knowledge and maintain skills through meetings, workshops, training programs and information exchange with colleges, schools, programs and other consultants.
The Independent Educational Consultant
Educational consultants are professionals who assist students and families with educational decision making. Their specialized training and experience equips them to help students choose schools, colleges, or programs that meet their individual needs and goals.
Families seek the services of educational consultants for a number of reasons:
- Desire for personal attention and assistance.
- Confusion over the multitude of educational options.
- Concern about investing wisely in the high cost of education.
- Recognition that matching a student with the right institution is a most significant life decision.
- Appreciation for a dispassionate forum for family discussion of educational objectives and choices.
Families working with an IECA consultant can expect a professional atmosphere where discussions focus on the student's strengths and weaknesses, interests and talents, needs and educational objectives. The consultant will recommend options, and help families weigh alternatives of cost, location, curriculum, activities and institutional atmosphere. The consultant will advise families about admissions processes and share information based upon recent personal visits and experience.
Consultants specialize in a variety of areas such as school, college and summer placements, or placements for students with special needs, learning differences or behavioral problems.
IECA Principals
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The Independent Educational Consultants Association was founded in 1976 as a non-profit, professional association of established consultants. Since that time, IECA has developed a reputation for excellence and leadership in the field. Membership requires a minimum of three years of experience in the profession, as well as meeting IECA's professional standards and subscribing to its Principles of Good Practice. IECA helps members update knowledge and maintain skills through meetings, workshops, training programs and information exchange with colleges, schools, programs and other consultants.
Principles of Good Practice as agreed to by I.E.C.A. Member Consultants
Competence
- A consultant strives to be aware of and practice within the boundaries of his/her competence based on relevant education, training or experience.
- A consultant strives continually to broaden and update his/her knowledge of appropriate options.
- A consultant strives to be knowledgeable regarding federal and state laws applicable to educational consulting.
Multiple Relationships
- A consultant strives to avoid multiple relationships which could potentially harm or raise questions about the integrity of the professionalís relationship with the students and their families.
- A consultant discloses any relationship with schools or programs and requests signed attestation by their clients of this disclosure.
- A consultant adheres to the principles and practices of any related profession if the services provided are other than those of an educational consultant.
- A consultant shares information with other consultants in reasonable and appropriate ways.
Client and Family Relation
- A consultant strives to include all family members in the educational planning.
- A consultant has an obligation to discuss with the family as early as feasible the fees and financial arrangement.
- A consultant strives to use all possible resources in the process of providing options.
- A consultant does not guarantee placement as recommendations may suggest alternative options.
- A consultant strives to understand the student's special strengths, values and needs.
- A consultant strives to provide similar information to all concerned with the child's welfare.
- A consultant strives to be cognizant of cultural, individual and role differences.
School "College" Program Relationship
- A consultant does not accept any compensation from educational institutions for placement of a child.
- A consultant strives to avoid action which may give the appearance of an attempt to influence an admission placement.
- A consultant strives to maintain awareness of current trends and practices in admissions.
- A consultant strives to develop and cultivate a network of professional contacts.
Advertising and Public Presentation
- A consultant is honest in claiming professional training, experience and affiliations.
- A consultant, while a provisional member, does not claim IECA membership status.
- A consultant strives in appropriate ways to increase public awareness and understanding of the profession of educational consulting.
