(YOUR SCHOOL) COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM Compiled by: South Dakota School Counselor Association

Overview  What is a school counselor?  Education  Ethics  Job Description – what we do.  Delivery System  How School Counselors Help  Why School Counselors?  Data

What is a school counselor?  School counselors are certified or licensed professionals who possess a master’s degree or higher in school counseling, or a substantial equivalent, meet the state certification/licensure standards and abide by the laws of the states in which they are employed.

Education  Human growth and development  Counseling theory  Individual counseling  Group counseling  Social and cultural foundations  Testing and assessment  Research and program evaluation  Professional orientation  Career development

Ethical Standards for School Counselors  Responsibility to Students  Responsibility to Students  Confidentiality  Counseling Plans  Dual Relationships  Appropriate Referrals  Group Work  Danger to Self or Others  Student Records  Evaluation, Assessment and Interpretation  Technology  Student Peer Support Program pdfhttp://asca2.timberlakepublishing.com//files/EthicalStandards2 010.pdf (ASCA Website)

Job Description – what we do.  School counselors work with all students to improve student development and achievement in three core areas; Career, Academic, & Personal/Social  Typical Day  Individual Counseling  Group Counseling  Classroom Lessons Academic Personal/social Career  Provide referrals when necessary  Provide consultation for teachers and parents  Coordinates special events  Career exploration and planning

Delivery System  Guidance Curriculum:  Classroom activities  Group activities  Parent workshops  Individual Student Planning:  Individual or group appraisal  Individual or group advisement  Responsive Services:  Consultation  Individual & Group Counseling  Referrals  Peer Facilitation  Systems Support:  Professional Development  Consultation, collaboration & teaming  Program management and operation

How School Counselors Help  School counselors help students grow personally and socially in:  Developing self-knowledge  Making effective decisions  Developing relationship skills  Learning healthy choices  Improving responsibility  Resolving conflicts

How School Counselors Help  School counselors assist students in educational planning by:  Setting and reaching academic goals  Developing a positive attitude toward learning  Developing an educational plan  Understanding individual learning styles  Improving test-taking skills  Recognizing and utilizing academic strengths

How School Counselors Help  School counselors assist students’ career planning and decision-making by:  Developing skills in career decision-making  Analyzing the interrelationships of interests and abilities  Understanding career stereotypes  Exploring careers through various experiences  Utilizing the career planning process

Why School Counselors?  Credentialed/licensed professional educators  Experienced in developmental issues of school-aged children  Trained to provide relevant, practical recommendations to administration, parents and teaching staff  Knowledgeable about educational protocol  Cost-effective, as they provide early intervention and prevention ideas and strategies, which help eliminate the need for more costly evaluations and placements  Committed to their students, staff, parents and district in which they are employed  Readily available to school personnel, students and families in a time of crisis  Able to provide a wide range of services not easily purchased via private contracts, such as consultations with family, administration, teachers; classroom guidance, prevention and crisis intervention programs; career counseling; in-service training; and teaming  Available to provide support, consultation and intervention for the school’s students and staff

Current Data & Trends  Process Data – (insert what you did for whom) (insert examples – numbers and frequency; # of counseling sessions, classroom lessons, contacts with students, special events coordinated, post high plans, # consultations with administration, parents, teachers)  Perception Data – (insert any needs assessment results, survey’s of students, parents, teachers, etc)  Results Data – (insert objective data related to process data, examples, change in attendance, behavior referrals, academic achievement {ACT scores related to classroom lesson strategies used or related program developed utilized}

Questions & Answers

References  American School Counselor Association: Public Relations & Advocacy Series - Promoting the Role of the School Counselor  American School Counselor Association: Who Are School Counselors; handout