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THE MISSION OF THE WILDCAT COUNSELING EXPERIENCE
The mission of Weslaco East High School Guidance & Counseling is to establish a comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program for our students. We aim to promote student success by prioritizing academic achievement, prevention and intervention activities, advocacy, as well as social/emotional and career development to address the needs of our students.
Our program aligns with TEC 33.005 and adheres to the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs, encompassing the following:
Self-knowledge and acceptance
Interpersonal and communication skills
Conflict resolution
Decision making and problem solving
Motivation to achieve
Goal setting
Career planning
FOUNDATIONS AND FRAMEWORK OF THE WESLACO EAST
COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL COUNSELING PROGRAM
DEFINITION:
At WEHS, the School Counselors lead a comprehensive program aligned with the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling. This program is delivered collaboratively with the support of administrators, faculty, staff, and the broader community. Together, we provide meaningful counseling lessons, mental health resources, and opportunities for college, career, and military readiness, ensuring every student receives the guidance they need to succeed.
RATIONALE:
The WEHS Counseling team collaborates with school and district leadership to implement the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling. By aligning with the Campus Improvement Plan and CCMR Indicators, our counseling program equips students with essential competencies, such as academic success, leadership development, mental well-being, and post-secondary readiness. Through data-driven assessments, including student achievement metrics and mental health surveys, we evaluate the effectiveness of our interventions and draw conclusions that guide continuous improvement.
Our campus goals focus on developing well-rounded, resilient students who excel academically, demonstrate leadership, and approach their future careers or post-secondary education with confidence. Our counseling program is informed by current theories and professional trends, such as Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and strengths-based approaches. Additionally, we integrate social-emotional learning (SEL), trauma-informed care, college and career readiness frameworks, and the increasing emphasis on equity and inclusion in school counseling.
These trends help ensure that our program is not only effective but also responsive to the diverse needs of our students. Through these practices, we are dedicated to empowering students to reach their full potential and transition into adulthood with the skills and knowledge necessary for success.
ASSUMPTIONS:
The effectiveness of the Weslaco ISD Counseling Program at Weslaco East High School is ensured through the following programmatic conditions and resources.:
All WEHS counselors hold a Master's degree and are certified in school counseling by the Texas Education Agency, meeting the qualifications outlined in the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling. The dedication of WEHS counselors extends to supporting teachers and staff in fostering students' academic success, social-emotional growth, and mental well-being.
Collaborative Data Analysis: The counseling team regularly collaborates with school administration to analyze student data, identify student needs, and provide targeted support in alignment with the Texas Model's focus on data-driven decision-making. This ensures that services are tailored to address academic, behavioral, and emotional challenges.
Professional Development for Staff: Counselors provide ongoing professional development for WEHS staff on critical topics such as Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), stress management, mental health, college entrance exams (PSAT/SAT/ACT), college readiness assessments (TSIA), and CCMR accountability. This professional development is crucial for equipping teachers with the knowledge and skills to support the whole child and create a positive learning environment.
Continuous Counselor Development: WEHS counselors actively pursue professional growth by attending various staff development opportunities throughout the year, including monthly meetings with the Director of Student Support Services, CTE-related sessions, Region One ESC workshops, College Board events, ACT workshops, Accuplacer training, and partnerships with South Texas College. This ensures that the counseling team stays current with best practices and emerging trends in school counseling.
Allocated Resources: The school designates funds for the counseling department to acquire essential materials, technology, and supplies. This includes the purchase of updated assessment tools, software for data management, and materials needed to deliver effective guidance lessons, counseling interventions, and college and career readiness initiatives.
Program Development and Alignment with Texas Model: Our comprehensive counseling program is continuously developed and refined through the systematic use of needs assessments, evaluations, and feedback. The Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling guides the structure and objectives of the program, ensuring a well-rounded approach to academic, career, and social-emotional development for all students.
By ensuring these resources and conditions, the WEHS counseling program is well-equipped to support students holistically, helping them achieve academic success, mental well-being, and preparation for life beyond high school.
DEVELOPING OUR GOALS:
Strategic meetings with the CAC take place at the beginning of year, middle of the year, and end of year to review the findings of various data points (TAPR, Panorama, CCMR Survey, and Counseling Program Survey). During these meetings the committee identifies key topics to focus on across the campus. The team develop goals as a committee and make necessary changes. The needs of our students drive the development, modification, and implementation of goals. These goals are incorporated into and enhance the WEHS Campus Improvement Plan.
LISTENING TO OUR WILDCATS:
SURVEY DATA THAT DRIVES CHANGE
Every year, goals are established during our Year in Review meeting, informed by data insights from programs like Panorama (staff and students), the TAPR report, PEIMS data, and the Counselor Tracker. These findings enable the Weslaco East Counseling Department to assess each student's needs and identify necessary enhancements for the counseling program. By leveraging data from Panorama, TAPR, PEIMS, and the Counselor Tracker, WEHS counselors can offer tailored conferencing and guidance services that cater to the individual needs of students.
(The presentation to below shows the presentation discussed with CAC and SEL Committee, who help deliver the information to their respective teams and the picture on the right is a PDF copy of our Panorama Survey).
REVIEWING & EVALUATING OUR COUNSELING PROGRAM:
We have created a systemic way of reviewing and evaluating our data:
Beginning of Year (BOY) CAC Meeting: Go over the Year in Review results, analyze Panorama data, finalize the Advisory schedule, and collaborate with CAC to set the counseling program's goals for the Campus Improvement Plan.
Year in Review Meeting: CAC reflects on and evaluates the program’s progress, accomplishments, and areas for improvement.
Weekly Department Meetings: Counseling team reviews qualitative data from student conferences and parent meetings, as well as quantitative data such as teacher failure reports, student grades, Advisory Lesson Exit Tickets, and discipline reports to assess whether the program is effectively meeting students' needs.
Regular meetings to share ideas, and involving all stakeholders enable the WEHS counseling department to identify areas needing improvement and growth, both for the current school year and in preparation for the following year. This collaborative approach ensures the counseling program remains responsive and data-driven, promoting continuous enhancement in support of student success.
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