Month: November 2016

Standard 1. Comprehensive School Counseling Program Plan

School counselors collaboratively envision a plan for a comprehensive school counseling program that is developmental, preventative and responsive, and in alignment with the school’s goals and mission.

Narrative Summary:

A comprehensive school counseling program is an integral part of an effective school, serving to meet the academic, career and social/emotional development needs of all students. To be effective for each and every student in the school
community, the program must be data-based, developmental, systematic and comprehensive. To lead the development of the comprehensive school counseling program, school counselors must know the effective practices in their field and be familiar with the expectations described by experts in the field, such as the work of the American School Counselor Association.

Elements:

• 1.1 School counselors possess the knowledge and skills to design a comprehensive and proactive school counseling program.
• 1.2 School counselors collaborate to design the school counseling program.
• 1.3 School counselors take leadership in identifying resources for the school counseling program.
• 1.4 The school counseling program aligns with the school’s goals and mission.

Standard 1. Comprehensive School Counseling Program Plan

School counselors collaboratively envision a plan for a comprehensive school counseling program that is developmental, preventative and responsive, and in alignment with the school’s goals and mission.

Standard 1 Elements Indicators 1.1
School counselors possess the knowledge and skills to design a comprehensive
and proactive school counseling program.

• a. The comprehensive plan includes clearly stated program priorities, student improvement goals, proactive and preventive strategies, and a data-informed cycle of evaluation.
• b. The comprehensive plan includes a school counseling core curriculum that includes sequenced activities based on students’ academic, career and social/emotional development.
• c. The comprehensive plan is responsive, prepared with services to intervene on behalf of students at risk (educationally, socially, or emotionally) or in times of crisis.
• d. The comprehensive plan includes an individual planning system, in which counselors work with students to set flexible goals tailored to students’ individual educational, career, social/emotional development and aspirations.
• e. The comprehensive plan promotes connections and collaborations among teachers, staff, parents/guardians and community partners.
• f. School counselors use technology in planning the comprehensive school counseling program, and the plan employs technology to deliver services and meet student needs.
• 1.2 School counselors collaborate to design the
  school counseling program.
• a. School counselors collaborate with key stakeholders to set the goals, priorities, organization and implementation strategies for the comprehensive school counseling program.
• b. School counselors communicate the goals of the program with students, school personnel, parents/guardians and community partners.
• 1.3 School counselors take leadership in identifying
  resources for the school counseling program.
• a. School counselors identify roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in managing and implementing the comprehensive school counseling program.
• b. School counselors collaborate to identify resources (time, money, school staff, community partners) and manage resources to implement the plan.
• 1.4 The school counseling program aligns with the school’s goals and mission.
• a. School counselors can communicate the integral relationship of the school counseling program with the total educational program.
• b. School counselors can articulate how the plan aligns to initiatives at the federal, state and local level and aligns to state, district and building goals and activities.

Standard 2. Direct Services for Academic, Career and Social/Emotional Development

School counselors develop a curriculum, offer individual student planning and deliver responsive services in order to assist students in developing and applying knowledge, skills and mindsets for academic, career and
social/emotional development.

Narrative Summary:

School counselors work with students to promote academic, career and social/emotional learning and well-being. School counselors provide direct services for students to help them build knowledge, skills and mindsets in order to set goals, solve problems and reason through complex choices related to their academic, career and social/emotional development. School counselors purposefully employ a variety of approaches to implement the comprehensive school counseling program and provide direct services to students. These may include individual and group counseling; one-on-one meetings; group lessons; classroom presentations or assemblies; integrated or stand-alone lessons; parent/guardian and family education; and other approaches. Effective school counselors build on students’ strengths, while helping them identify and manage their challenges.

Elements:

• 2.1 Curriculum Development: School counselors possess the knowledge and skills to develop an effective school counseling core curriculum.
• 2.2 Individual Student Planning: School counselors work directly with students to support their academic
  progress and goals.
  2.3 Individual Student Planning: School counselors work directly with students to develop their college and
  career-related knowledge, skills and pathways.
  2.4 Individual Student Planning: School counselors work directly with students to support their social/emotional
  development, skills and mindsets.
  2.5 Responsive Services: School counselors develop appropriate interventions for students as needed.
  Ohio Standards for School Counselors 12
  Standard 2. Direct Services for Academic, Career and Social/Emotional Development
  School counselors develop a curriculum, offer individual student planning and deliver
  responsive services in order to assist students in developing and applying knowledge,
  skills and mindsets for academic, career and social/emotional development.
  Standard 2 Elements Indicators 2.1
  Curriculum Development:
  School counselors possess
  the knowledge and skills to
  develop an effective school
  counseling core curriculum.
  a. School counselors demonstrate knowledge of accepted theories and effective
  techniques of developmental school counseling.
  b. School counselors understand student development and
  developmental characteristics.
  c. School counselors recognize environmental factors that influence
  students’ development.
  d. School counselors understand various exceptionalities and populations of students.
  e. School counselors use student standards to drive the delivery of direct services
  to students.
  f. School counselors can clearly articulate a rationale for their decisions.
  2.2
  Individual Student Planning:
  School counselors work
  directly with students to
  support their academic
  progress and goals.
  a. School counselors plan and deliver effective activities and experiences designed to
  enhance student learning and achievement.
  b. School counselors possess deep knowledge of the school academic program in order
  to help students make appropriate academic decisions.
  c. School counselors counsel students, in collaboration with parents/guardians, to set
  academic goals.
  2.3
  Individual Student Planning:
  School counselors work
  directly with students to
  develop their college and
  career-related knowledge,
  skills and pathways.
  a. School counselors provide developmentally appropriate counseling designed to
  build students’ awareness of, skills for and navigation through varied college and
  career opportunities.
  b. (As appropriate on a developmental continuum) School counselors possess and clearly
  communicate knowledge of educational options (P-12 and postsecondary), including
  flexible credit options, and opportunities to earn Ohio college credit.
  c. (As appropriate on a developmental continuum) School counselors possess and clearly
  communicate knowledge of Ohio-specific career counseling resources.
  d. School counselors employ technology effectively to help students explore college and
  career interests and opportunities.
  Ohio Standards for School Counselors 13
  Standard 2. Direct Services for Academic, Career and Social/Emotional Development,
  Cont.
  School counselors develop a curriculum, offer individual student planning and deliver
  responsive services in order to assist students in developing and applying knowledge, skills
  and mindsets for academic, career and social/emotional development.
  Standard 2 Elements Indicators 2.4
  Individual Student Planning:
  School counselors work
  directly with students
  to support their social/
  emotional development,
  skills and mindsets.
  a. School counselors observe and assess students’ social/emotional development
  and skills.
  b. School counselors plan and deliver effective activities and experiences to promote
  wellness and help students develop the character traits and self-awareness
  needed for success.
  2.5
  Responsive Services:
  School counselors develop
  appropriate interventions
  for students as needed.
  a. School counselors monitor student progress related to academic, career and
  social/emotional development.
  b. School counselors implement and/or recommend interventions for students as
  needed, including academic and behavior interventions and supports.
  c. School counselors are trained in crisis response, and articulate and provide an
  appropriate role in a plan for intervening quickly and systematically in response to
  a trauma or crisis.
  Ohio Standards for School Counselors 14
  Standard 3. Indirect Services: Partnerships and Referrals
  School counselors collaborate and consult with school personnel, parents/guardians, community partners and
  agencies/organizations to coordinate support for all students.
  Narrative Summary:
  School counselors recognize that educating students is a shared responsibility, involving students, school personnel, parents/
  guardians and the community. To this end, counselors provide indirect services on behalf of students by fostering open
  communication and collaboration among the school, home and community in order to promote and build trust, understanding
  and partnerships. School counselors seek solutions and provide referrals to meet students’ academic, career and social/
  emotional development needs.
  Elements:
  3.1 School counselors partner with school personnel and parents/guardians to achieve common goals for student success.
  3.2 School counselors coordinate school and community resources and provide referrals as needed to support students and
  promote their success.
  Standard 3. Indirect Services: Partnerships and Referrals
  School counselors collaborate and consult with school personnel, parents/guardians,
  community partners and agencies/organizations to coordinate support for all students.
  Standard 3 Elements Indicators 3.1
  School counselors partner with
  school personnel and parents/
  guardians to achieve common goals
  for student success.
  a. School counselors involve parents/guardians in students’ academic, career and
  social/emotional development.
  b. School counselors provide clear, relevant and appropriate information for
  students and their parents/guardians.
  c. School counselors facilitate communication between students, parent/guardians
  and school personnel, and encourage school personnel involvement in working
  with families to support students.
  d. School counselors demonstrate skills in teamwork, communication and
  problem-solving when providing indirect services on behalf of students.