COMPONENTS OF A COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM

Guidance Curriculum

Purpose: to provide all students with developmentally appropriate lessons that teach awareness, skill development, and application of skills needed in daily life.

Areas Addressed:

· Self-confidence

· Motivation to achieve

· Decision-making, Goal-setting, Planning, and Problem-solving skills

· Interpersonal effectiveness (including Social Skills)

· Communication skills

· Cross-cultural effectiveness

· Responsible behavior

Responsive Services

Purpose: To meet the individual student’s immediate needs, usually necessitated by conflicts, problems, crisis events, and school-specific situations that disrupt learning.

Areas Addressed: Academic concerns

• School-related concerns

• Tardiness

• Absences and truancy

• Misbehavior

• School-avoidance

• Relationship concerns

• Physical/sexual/emotional abuse and neglect as described in Tennessee Family Code

• Grief/loss

• Substance abuse

• Family issues

• Harassment issues

• Coping with stress

• Self-harm

• Suicide prevention

Individual Planning

Purpose: to assist students individually in establishing personal goals and developing future plans.

Areas Addressed:

Academic

· Acquisition of student skills

· Awareness of educational opportunities

· Utilization of test scores

Career

· Knowledge of potential career opportunities

· Knowledge of career and technical training

· Knowledge of positive work habits

Personal-Social

· Development of healthy self-concept

· Development of adaptive and adjustive social behavior

System Support

Purpose: to establish, maintain, and enhance the total counseling program.

Areas Addressed:

· Guidance program development

· Parent education

· Teacher/administrator consultation

· Staff development for educators

· School improvement planning

· Counselor’s professional development

· Research and publishing

· Community outreach