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