Counseling Program
The role of the school counselor is to maintain, support, intervene, and remediate in the personal, social wellness, mental health, and educational career of students in the educational system. The school counselor must implement a comprehensive school counseling program, which requires 80 percent of the school counselor’s total work time to be on duties that are components of a counseling program developed under Texas Education Code section 33.005 (Comprehensive School Counseling Programs). Twenty percent of a school counselor’s time will be focused on program management (defining, managing, and assessing the comprehensive school counseling program).
Four Components of a Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program
Guidance Curriculum
School counselors teach ALL students basic life skills identified as essential for academic and personal success:
Self-confidence
Motivation to achieve
Decision-making, goal-setting, planning, and problem-solving skills
Communication skills
Cross-cultural effectiveness
Responsible behavior
Individual Academic Planning
School counselors help students transition, plan, and manage their educational and career plans:
Academic counseling
Assistance with school transfers
GT placement
4-year plans
Course selections
AP placement
Senior interviews
System Support
School counselors coordinate many programs designed to support students and families.
Referrals to SST
Parent education workshops
Teacher/administrator consultation
Staff development for educators
Responsive Services
School counselors assist students with immediate personal concerns, crises, or problems that may be challenges to academic success:
Short-term individual counseling
Small group counseling
Academic concerns
School-related concerns