Access to School Counselor Services

School counselors serve students and parents—both in groups and individually—to help students meet academic, personal/social, and college/career goals. 

Individual referrals to the school counselor may be made by the student, a parent, or by school staff and administration. School counseling services do not constitute or substitute for professional therapeutic care. 

Students may stop by the counseling office during the school day. Parents may call the counseling office to schedule an appointment or a phone conference. Matters of urgency will be given priority

Purpose of the program

The purpose of the comprehensive guidance program is to provide all Round Rock ISD students with equal access to a comprehensive program which addresses their needs.

Goals

• Through the guidance curriculum, students will be assisted in developing skills needed to develop their full educational potential.

• A responsive services component will be used to intervene on behalf of any student whose immediate personal concerns or problems put the student's continued educational, career, personal, or social development at risk.

• An individual planning system will be used to guide a student as the student plans, monitors and manages educational, career, personal and social development.

• Systems support will enhance the efforts of teachers, staff, parents and other members of the community in promoting the educational, career, personal and social development of students.

Techniques

Counselors will use group focus sessions, classroom presentations and individual guidance. At no time will the counselors engage in therapy or use techniques therapeutic in nature which are not appropriate in the public school setting.

Confidentiality

Counselors will respect a students' right to privacy unless: 

• the student poses a danger to self or others

• there is a court-ordered disclosure

• consulting with other professionals, such as colleagues, supervisors, treatment teams and other support personnel, in support of the student

• privileged communication is not granted by state laws and local guidelines (e.g., school board policies)

• the student participates in group counseling

• substance use and treatment are concerns (CFR 42, Part 2; 2017)