Definition: Professional School Counselors within McAllen ISD are dedicated to delivering a program that aligns with both the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling and the American School Counseling Association (ASCA). This comprehensive approach encompasses academic development, career development, and social-emotional development to impact student growth.

Our counseling programs are data-driven, allowing us to discern student needs accurately. Through a range of interventions, including school counseling guidance lessons, individual and group sessions, and closing-the-gap strategies, we aim to foster development in these critical areas.

A significant facet of our efforts involves collaboration with all students participating in a campus-wide emotional intelligence initiative. This initiative focuses on key components such as self-regulation, self-awareness, empathy, motivation, and social skills. Furthermore, counselors actively engage with parents through the Emotional Intelligence Weekly Family Connection activity. This joint effort ensures that both students and parents are immersed in learning the essential elements of emotional intelligence.

Assumptions: For the McAllen ISD Comprehensive Counseling Program to be fully and effectively implemented at Nikki Rowe High School, certain criteria must be met as mentioned below.

• The school counselors at McAllen ISD possess Master's level degrees and are certified in school counseling by the State of Texas.

• Their responsibilities encompass the planning and management of the school counseling program.

• Regular meetings occur with school counselors and support staff forming Professional Learning Communities. These sessions focus on reviewing student data and identifying, prioritizing, and targeting student needs.

• Access to the counseling program and resources is guaranteed for all students, irrespective of gender, cultural background, disability, ethnicity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.

• Parental engagement is integral to the decision-making process through the advisory council, involving parents in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program.

• Campus administration provides financial support for supplies, resources, materials, and staff development opportunities.

• Teachers collaborate with counselors to provide input and support counseling program goals.

• School counselors work closely with school administration and site leadership teams to ensure the effective implementation of counseling services.

• Dedicated office/classroom spaces are provided for school counselors, facilitating confidential meetings with students individually or in groups.

• A district-developed counseling curriculum, updated annually, is made available to school counselors, tailored to meet the unique needs of students.

• Regular meetings among school counselors are conducted to share best practices, fostering continuous learning and skill enhancement to better serve students.