GUIDANCE CURRICULUM:

Counselors help students develop their educational potential through skill-based lessons and units that assist in developing competence in essential life skills. Competency is developed in self confidence, motivation, decision-making and goal-setting, communication, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, and responsible behavior.

RESPONSIVE SERVICES:

Counselors intervene on behalf of students whose immediate personal concerns or problems put their continued educational, career, personal, or social development at risk. Counselors’ primary task is to provide counseling to students individually or in group settings. They also consult with teachers, parents, and administrators on behalf of students.

INDIVIDUAL PLANNING:

Counselors guide students as they plan, monitor, and manage their own educational, career, personal, and social development. Counselors assist students with personal planning, transition activities, and goal setting.

WHAT IS A SCHOOL COUNSELOR?

School counselors work with school faculty and staff, students, parents, and the community to plan, implement, and evaluate developmental guidance and counseling programs for all students. (TEC. Section 33.005)

  • A certificated, specially trained, caring person

  • A school person who provides guidance to ALL students

  • A resource person

  • A coordinator

  • A consultant

  • A group leader

  • A teacher

  • A person who helps teachers, parents, students and administrators

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, GROUP MEETINGS, AND CLASSROOM GUIDANCE?

  • To help students to develop self-understanding and self-awareness

  • To build self-confidence and self-esteem

  • To encourage students to recognize and make the best use of their capabilities

  • To provide opportunities for students to feel successful

  • To give students and opportunity to talk about educational and personal social concerns

  • To encourage students to recognize, understand and work through learning difficulties

  • To help students better adjust to school and home environments

  • To develop students' awareness of the world of work

  • To teach students the decision-making/problem solving process

HOW DO STUDENTS ACCESS SCHOOL COUNSELORS?

A student may access a counselor by:

  • Self-referral

  • Teacher referral

  • Parent referral

  • Administrative or other staff referral

  • Referral by a friend

WHAT IS A DEVELOPMENTAL GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING PROGRAM?

A developmental guidance and counseling program assists students in acquiring the knowledge and skills necessary for healthy development. Through four program components: a developmental guidance and counseling program recognizes that parents, school personnel and the community each have important roles to play and valuable resources to contribute in assisting students with their academic, career, social and emotional development.

WHAT CREDENTIALS DO SCHOOL COUNSELORS HOLD?

School Counselors:

  • Have at least 2 years teaching experience

  • Have earned a Master’s Degree

  • Have passed a state mandated test (ExCET for School Counselors)

  • Received certification from the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).