The mission of Pearland ISD's Department of Counseling is to empower our students to reach their fullest potential as productive citizens and lifelong learners. Our professional school counselors are dedicated to providing a comprehensive counseling program guided by the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) and the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) models.

In collaboration with other educators, parents or guardians and the community, our counselors will work with students to provide the necessary social/emotional skills, academic foundation, technical knowledge, college preparation and career readiness for school and postsecondary success. 

Definition:

Pearland ISD's comprehensive school counseling program will be delivered by the school counselor and staff members. Aligning with American School Counseling Association (ASCA), the Texas Model, and district goals, the program will empower and support students to reach their fullest potential in interpersonal and intrapersonal effectiveness, post-secondary planning and career readiness, and personal health and safety to become productive citizens and lifelong learners.

Rationale:

The counseling program is a vital component in our district's educational process. Driven by the unique needs of our student population, the school counseling program meets students where they are to provide safe opportunities to grow as it addresses the areas of interpersonal and intrapersonal effectiveness, post-secondary planning and career readiness, and personal health and safety utilizing CharacterStrong and the Stand Strong Stay Safe curriculum. Through the collaboration of all stakeholders, the school counseling program strives to equip all students with the necessary tools to become productive citizens and lifelong learners. Our school counseling program uses a student-centered, solution-focused approach through guidance lessons, individual and small group counseling sessions. 

Assumptions:

The implementation and accessibility of the school counseling program is based on the following resources and conditions:

• Students, staff, and parents have equal access to the school counseling program.

• Support and input are gathered from all stakeholders along with opportunities to participate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the school counseling program. 

•  The program will provide the four delivery service components: guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning, and system support.

•  The school counselor will follow the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs.

•  The Counseling Program helps to develop and enhance the relationships among staff members, characterized by respect, collaboration, and cooperation.

•  The Counseling Program contributes to the academic and social development of all students.

•  The use of data and needs assessments are used to develop  and support the Counseling Program.

•  Professional development opportunities are provided and attended to best meet the needs of students.

School counseling program SMART goals are developed as a direct reflection of campus needs based on gathered data including: needs assessments, the Campus Improvement Plan, attendance and behavior data, and input from all stakeholders. Based on the findings, SMART goals are created to best meet the needs of our campus through the comprehensive school counseling program. 

Based on the data and feedback from the needs assessments, school and district wide data, attendance and behavior reports, and student performance, our comprehensive school counseling program is reevaluated during the school year and at the end of each school year. The Counseling Advisory Committee helps in providing input of program effectiveness and recommendations for the following school year to best meet the needs of the students at Carleston Elementary.