The School Counseling Program at {Your School Name}

A look at where we have

been, where we are, &

where we are headed

What do you remember about your school counselor?

Did you have a school counselor in elementary school? In middle school? In high school?

If so, what do you remember most about your school counselor?

Yesterday’s Services Versus Today’s Program

Guidance Counselor

Reactive Services provided

to few students Impact measured

via feelings or perceptions

Ancillary role to school improvement process

School counselors in isolation

Professional School Counselor

Proactive/Data driven

Services provided to ALL students

Impact measured via achievement data

Essential role in school improvement process

School counselors as school leaders

What can you expect from your professional school counselor?

The Role of the Professional School Counselor American School Counseling Association, revised, 2009

“Professional school counselors serve a vital role in maximizing student success.

Through leadership, advocacy and collaboration, professional school counselors promote equity and access to rigorous educational experiences for all students.

Professional school counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community, and address the needs of all students through culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs that are a part of a comprehensive school counseling program."

ASCA National Model Adapted by the Louisiana School Counseling Model,

2010

ADVOCACY LEADERSHIP

COLLABORATION SYSTEMIC CHANGE

A Comprehensive School Counseling Programto meet the needs of ALL students

PROGRAM FOUNDATION

Determines the academic, career, and personal/social needs of the students

DELIVERY SYSTEM

Addresses the students’ needs via four delivery methods

MANAGEMENTInvolves stakeholders and measures the impact of the school counseling program

ACCOUNTABILITY Evaluates the program based on outcomes and makes adjustments

What services do school counselors provide?

Guidance Curriculum

Individual Planning

Responsive Services

System Support

Guidance Curriculum

Standards based Academic Achievement Career Exploration Personal/Social Growth

Developmentally appropriate for Pre K-12 Tied to the school improvement plan The ASCA National standards can be

aligned with GLEs Delivered through

Classroom Guidance Lessons Group Activities

Individual Planning

Ongoing systemic activities to assist students individually in establishing personal goals and developing future plans

Examples: Advisement Annual Parent Conferences Portfolios

Responsive Services

Activities to meet students’ immediate needs:

Individual Counseling Small Group Counseling Crisis Intervention Agency Referrals Consultation Peer Facilitation

System Support

Management activities that establish, maintain, and enhance the total school counseling program such as:

Professional Development Consultation Community Outreach Advisory Councils District Committees

Classroom Guidance

Intentional Guidance

Individual Support

Specialized Interventions

Gail M. Smith (2009)

Guidance Curriculum

Individual Student Planning

Responsive Services

School Improvement

Equity and Access for ALL Students

What can a comprehensive school counseling program mean for students?

Increased Student Achievement

Higher Graduation Rates

Reduced Discipline Referrals

Improved Attendance

Lower Retention Rates

What can a comprehensive school counseling program mean for teachers?

Increased Student Achievement

Higher Graduation Rates

Reduced Discipline Referrals

Improved Attendance

Lower Retention Rates

What does the data say?

School counselors who are implementing comprehensive data-driven school counseling programs can show how their programs are

making a difference in student performance.

Plans for the future of the counseling program at {Your School}