WCSD Central School District
School Counseling Comprehensive Plan
Table of Contents
Introduction |
NYS Education Department School Counseling Regulations |
ASCA National Model Executive |
ASCA Model Components |
School Counseling Practice |
WCSD Central School District School Counseling Comprehensive Plan |
School Counseling Foundation |
School Counseling Goals |
School Counseling Direct and Indirect Services |
School Counseling Curriculum |
School Counseling Delivery Accountability |
Appendix A Mindset and Behavior Standards |
Appendix B School Counselor Competencies |
References |
Introduction
The American School Counselor Association and its state chapter, the New York State School Counselor Association have published models of professional practice shifting attention away from the school counselor’s role to the impact school counselors have on issues including student achievement, school safety, and the academic mission of the school. The National Model for School Counseling Programs (ASCA, 1997) describes how school counselors can measure their impact on these areas. The New York State Model for Comprehensive K-12 School Counseling Programs (NYSSCA, 2005) more specifically links school counselors’ work to the New York State Educational Standards.
NYS Education Department School Counseling Regulations:
On July 1, 2017, the New York State Education Department Board of Regents adopted amendments to Commissioner’s Regulations related to school counseling (http://www.regents.nysed.gov/common/regents/files/517brca14.pdf). The New York State Education Department further explained the role of the school counselor as:
“A school counselor’s role is central to the success of students. School counselors support students through individual and group counseling, college and career exploration instruction, assistance in crisis situations, and referrals to school social workers, school psychologists or other professionals when specialized interventions are required for student success in school. The New York State Education Department believes that the amended school counseling regulations will help increase opportunities for all students to be successful.
It is important for students to have access to a certified or licensed school counselor in the early years to help inspire young students to strive for success and consider college and career opportunities. It is equally important to emphasize the positive effects that school social workers, school psychologists, school counselors, school nurses, health educators, teachers, and parents can have on student success when they collaborate and work as a team, offering their respective professional expertise to support the “whole child.” (NYSED, 2018)
In the January 3, 2018, memo from the New York State Education Department to school district leaders the following highlights to the changes to the school counseling regulations were identified as:
Old Requirement | New Requirement |
Each school district shall have a guidance program for all students. | Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year and beyond, each school district shall have a comprehensive developmental school counseling/guidance program for all students in grades kindergarten (K) through grade 12. Each school district shall also ensure that all students in grades kindergarten through twelve have access to a certified school counselor(s). For the city school district of the City of New York and the city school district of the City of Buffalo, this shall include a licensed guidance counselor(s) pursuant to part 80 of the Commissioner’s regulations. |
In grades K-6, the program shall be designed in coordination with the teaching staff. | Continuing with the 2022-2023 school year and beyond, in grades kindergarten through five, the program shall be designed by a certified school counselor in coordination with teaching staff and any appropriate pupil personnel service providers. |
In grades 7-12, the program shall include an annual review of each student’s educational progress and career plans, with such reviews to be conducted with each student individually or with small groups. | Continuing with the 2022-2023 school year and beyond, for students in grades six through twelve, certified school counselors and/or other pupil personnel services staff shall provide an annual individual progress review plan, which shall reflect each student’s educational progress and career plans. For a student with a disability, the plan shall be consistent with the student’s individualized education program. |
Each school district shall develop a district plan which sets forth the manner in which the district shall comply with the requirements. | Continuing with the 2022-2023 school year and beyond, each school district shall develop district-wide and building-level comprehensive developmental school counseling/guidance plans which set forth the manner for compliance with this subdivision. Such district and building level plans shall be updated annually, available for review at the district offices and each school building, and made available on the district’s website. |
NA | Each school district shall establish a comprehensive developmental school counseling/guidance program advisory council to be comprised of representative stakeholders (such as parents, members of the board of education, school building and/or district leaders, community-based service providers, teachers, certified school counselors and other pupil personnel providers in the district including school social workers and/or school psychologists). The advisory council shall meet no less than twice each year for the purpose of reviewing the comprehensive developmental school counseling/guidance program plan and advising on the implementation of the school counseling/guidance program. |
(NYSED, 2018)
ASCA National Model
Executive Summary
School counseling programs are collaborative efforts benefiting students, parents, teachers, administrators and the overall community. School counseling programs should be an integral part of students' daily educational environment, and school counselors should be partners in student achievement.
A comprehensive school counseling program is an integral component of the school’s academic mission. Comprehensive school counseling programs, driven by student data and based on standards in academic, career and social/emotional development, promote and enhance the learning process for all students. The ASCA National Model:
■ ensures equitable access to a rigorous education for all students
■ identifies the knowledge and skills all students will acquire as a result of the K-12 comprehensive school counseling program
■ is delivered to all students in a systematic fashion
■ is based on data-driven decision making
■ is provided by a state-credentialed school counselor and/or other pupil personnel staff i.e., school psychologist, school social worker. Effective school counseling programs are a collaborative effort between the school counselor, parents and other educators to create an environment that promotes student achievement.
Staff and school counselors value and respond to the diversity and individual differences in our societies and communities. Comprehensive school counseling programs ensure equitable access to opportunities and rigorous curriculum for all students to participate fully in the educational process.
ASCA Model Components
Executive Summary
The framework of a comprehensive school counseling program consists of four components: foundation, management, delivery, and accountability.
School Counseling Practice
Role of the School Counselor:
The American School Counselor Association advocates professional roles and standards of practice for school counselors and ascertains that professional school counselors engage in preventive, developmental, and systemic approaches to counseling (American School Counselor Association, 2002). They work within the educational system to support teachers, students, and families to enhance academic, personal/social and college/career areas. The evolving formation of professional school counselors was defined by the American School Counselor Association (2004) in the professional literature as the following
Professional school counselors are certified/licensed professionals with a master's degree or higher in school counseling or the substantial equivalent. Professional school counselors deliver a comprehensive school counseling program encouraging all students’ academic, career and personal/social development and help all students in maximizing student achievement. (p. 23)
The National Model supported the skills of the school counselor in establishing a preventive and systematic program for the profession. The structure of the ASCA National Model (ASCA, 2003) is divided into different components or elements, which include: foundation, management, delivery, and accountability. Each of these elements are essential parts of the educational system which together provide assurance that students will receive the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to become successful, contributing adults (Johnson, 2003).
Non-School Counseling Activities
Non-guidance/school counseling activities are defined as those tasks that do not fit into the National Model (Gysbers & Henderson, 2000, p. 53). Non-guidance/school counseling activities can be identified as administrative, clerical, instructional, or student supervision activities (Gysbers & Henderson, 2000). Examples of such tasks can include administering school-wide testing programs, entering data, counting test booklets, tutoring students, or covering classes for teachers. When school counselors are assigned a disproportionate amount of time to these non-guidance responsibilities, the integrity of a comprehensive school counseling program is impaired (Gysbers, 2001). The recommended time distribution by level and area of service is as follows (American School Counselor Association, 2002):
Elementary School | Middle School | High School | |
School Counseling Curriculum | 35%-45% | 25%-35% | 15%-25% |
Individual Planning | 5%- 10% | 15% - 25% | 25% - 35% |
Responsive Services | 30% - 40% | 30% - 40% | 30% - 40% |
System Support | 10%-15% | 10%-15% | 10%-15% |
WCSD Central School District
School Counseling Comprehensive Plan
In an effort to develop and align the current school counseling program to the New York State Education Department regulations, the school counseling team at WCSD Central School District has developed this comprehensive school counseling plan. The WCSD School District School Counseling Program utilizes the ASCA National Model components to:
The WCSD School District School Counseling Comprehensive Plan will be reviewed yearly and updated as needed.
School Counseling Department Team Members
JJHS School Counselors | RCK School Counselors | OV AHS Counselor | WJHS School Counselors | VWJH School Counselors | All Elementary Schools |
Stacy Marshall Bonnie Martinez Rivera Daniella Rivera Daniel Kane Suzanne deSimone Jenna Frangione Karrie Brenner Elizabeth Keating | Jennifer Soltish Antoinette Sarna Katherine Leonard Katherine DeGroat Phillip Toretta Kalah Boscia Dave Townsend Angelo Carpenter | Alicia Aguado | Michele Wells Michelle Califano Elena Peratikos | Nicole Kunkel Graceann Smith Adriana Rudovic | Jennifer Roux Heather Daley |
School Counseling Foundation
The WCSD School Counseling Department’s comprehensive school counseling focus is established through a program vision, mission, and beliefs. The foundation of a program is aligned to the district’s mission and benefits all students.
Mission Statement: The WCSD school counseling program supports students socially, emotionally, and academically to enhance school achievement; to ensure all students reach their full potential; become productive members in our community and are lifelong learners.
Vision Statement: The WCSD school counseling program will promote an environment to encourage personal inquiry and growth, social responsibility, and academic excellence. The school counseling team will empower students to meet their full academic, social and emotional potential by:
School Counseling Program Beliefs: In order to advance the WCSD School Counseling Department’s shared mission and vision, we believe:
School Counseling Goals
The school counseling goals are specific, measurable, achievable, and realistic, and are timely. Goals define how a school counseling program will achieve the established foundational mission and vision as well as guide the development of curriculum, small-group, and closing-the-gap action plans. (ASCA, 2005)
Goal | During the 2022- 2023 school year, counselors will work to Support student mental health and emotional skills which impact students’ growth and success. |
Objective | Personally connect (individual and/or group) at each grade level to assist students as they transition back to school for the 22-23 school year, conducted by personnel certified or licensed as school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers or by classroom teachers in cooperation with the pupil personnel department. |
Action Plan 1 | Counselors will meet with each student to assess needs and establish goals and follow up throughout the year. |
Action Plan 2 | Counselors will meet with small groups of students on particular topics based on self-referral and teacher recommendations and/or building objectives i.e., the Positivity Project, Second Step, etc. |
Assessment(s) | All students will complete a social-emotional inventory or a self-reflection to assess and benchmark their wellness.* |
Goal | In the 2022-2023 school year, there will be a continued focus on academic needs, groups will be established as needed (study skills, organization, time management), and a continued focus on mental health needs. |
Objective | In grades K-12: school counseling/guidance core curriculum instruction addressing student competencies related to career/college readiness, academic skills and social/emotional development by a certified school counselor, school psychologist, or school social worker, for the purpose of enabling students to benefit from the curriculum, assisting students to develop and implement postsecondary education and career plans, assisting students who exhibit attendance, academic, behavioral or adjustment concerns and encouraging parental involvement. |
Action Plan(s) | Curriculum Mapping K-12 for Direct Services, begin interest inventory regarding career and college readiness and college planning/readiness. |
Assessment(s) | SCOIR, Interest Surveys |
School Counseling Delivery
Direct vs. Indirect Student Services
The American School Counseling Association National Model (2005) states that school counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community in the following areas:
Direct Student Services
School Counseling Core Curriculum
Individual Student Planning
Responsive Services
Indirect Student Services/System Support
WCSD School Counseling Direct and Indirect Services
Following are the K-12 services, Direct and Indirect provided at the
WCSD Central School District.
School Counseling 6-12 Delivery Services
School Counseling Core Curriculum
Topic | Objective | Grade | Mindset & Behavior Standards | Timeline |
Scheduling | Present JHS/HS course catalog i.e., requirements and electives | 6-12 | M- 4 LS- 7, 8, 9 SMS- 10 SS - 3, 8 | All year |
Career exploration | Expose students to college and career opportunities | K-12 | M- 2, 4 LS- 1, 9, 4, 5, 7 SMS 3, 5 | All year |
SMART goals | Understand, create and track goals | 6-12 | M1, M2, M5, M6, LS1, LS4, LS7 SMS1, SMS5, SMS6 | September- October |
Orientation for transitioning or new students | New Entrants K-12, Introduce Junior High and High School environment, Parochial School Shadow Day | K-12 | M3, M6 SMS1, SMS3, SMS10 SS2, SS3 | All year |
Transition between buildings | Building visits/counselor follow ups | K-12 | M3, M6 SMS1, SMS3, SMS10 SS2, SS3 | All year |
Student Health & Well-Being | Explore Character Education as well as development of student health and well-being. | K-12 | M-1,2,3 LS-10 SMS-1,2,7,9 SS-2,4,5,8,9 | All year |
College/Career readiness presentation | Prepare for College/ Career; life after High School; resume review | 6-12 | B-LS7, BLS8, BLS7 M4, M5 | All year |
Testing Preparation and Information | Regents, PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP | 7-12 | B-LS 4, B-LS 7 M4 | All year |
School Counseling 6-12 Delivery Services
Individual Planning
Topic | Objective | Grade Level | Mindset & Behavior Standards | Timeline |
Scheduling | Course selection, schedule review and revision | 6-12 | SS3, SS8, M4, LS7, LS8, LS9, SMS10 | All year |
Academic Intervention Services (AIS) | Review report card and progress reports as well as other assessment data | K-12 | M1, LS1, LS3, LS4, LS7, LS9 SMS1, SMS 2, SMS3, SMS5, SMS6, SMS7, SMS8 | All year |
Goal Creation and Review | Help student to create an academic, health & well-being and/or personal goal and assist student with follow through | 7-12 | M1, M2, M5, M6 LS1, LS4, LS7 SMS1, SMS 5, SMS 6 | All year |
New Student Registration | New Entrants as well as review student records and enroll students in material/courses appropriate for their readiness and interests | K-12 | B-SS 3., B-SMS 10, M3 | All year |
College Application Processing | Reviewing steps required for college admissions and applications, including completing required documentation | 12 | B-LS 5., B-LS 7., B-LS 10, B-SMS 4., M4 | All year |
Parent Teacher Conferences (with students if appropriate) | Discussion of student’s progress | K-12 | B-LS 3., B-SS 3., B- LS 9, B-SMS 5., M2, M3, M5 | Sept-June |
504 and CSE Initial and Review Meetings | Counseling and collaborating with student to practice self-advocacy and address their needs | K-12 | B-LS 3., B-LS 4., B-LS 7, B-SMS 1., M5 | Sept-June |
Individual Counseling Sessions | Provide academic, social, and emotional support as mandated and/or needed | K-12 | B-LS 3., B-LS 4., B-LS 7., B-SMS 1., M5 | Sept-June |
Orchard View Intakes | Introduce student and family to the Orchard View program to determine appropriate placement | 8-12 | B-LS 4., B-SMS 10., B-SMS 5., B-SS 3., M2, M3, M4 | Sept-June |
Post-secondary Discussions/ Meetings | Exploring opportunities for life after high school, including college, career, military and workforce | 6-12 | B-LS 5 B-LS 7 B-LS 10 B-SMS 4 B-SMS 8 B-SMS 5 M4 | Sept-June |
Out of District Program Planning | Assisting a student and family to determine appropriate out of district placement, including BOCES CTI | K-12 | BLS 7 BLS 9 M 1 M 3 M 4 B-SS 9 | Sept-June |
Scholarships and Awards | Motivate and reward students by creating awareness of available opportunities | 6-12 | M2 B-LS 3 B-SMS 1, 3 | All year |
Senior Exit Surveys | Distributing, collecting and assessing post-secondary plans from students | 12 | B-LS 1, 5, 6, 7, M 2, 4 | Spring |
School Counseling 6-12 Delivery Services
Responsive Services
Topic | Objective | Grade | Mindset & Behavior Standards | Timeline |
Study skills | Identify students needing further support for academic success | K-12 | M 2, 5, 6 LS 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 SMS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 | All year |
Group Counseling | Identify students that need further support for social, emotional, academic, and personal success | K-12 | B-SS 2, 3 | All year |
Mediation | Offer restorative services for student conflict | 6-12 | B-SS 2, 4, 5, 6 M 1, 3 | All year |
Individual Counseling Sessions | Provide academic, social, and emotional support as identified by the student | K-12 | B-LS 3, 4, 7 B-SMS 1 M 5 | All year |
Crisis Counseling | Addressing an immediate concern of an individual student or group. CSE and/or 504 meetings as needed | K-12 | B-SMS 2, 7, 9 B-SS 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 M 1, 3, 5, 6 | All year |
School Counseling Delivery - Indirect Services
System Support
Topic | Objective | Grade Level | Mindset & Behavior Standards | Timeline | ||||||
CSE and 504 Meetings | Mandatory attendance by school counselor/other PPS member as part of the team | K-12 | M 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 B-LS 3, 4, 7, 9 | All year | ||||||
Teacher/Counselor Collaboration Meetings | Identifying students or topics that need additional support | K-12 | M 1, 3, 5, 6 B-LS 3, 9 B-SMS 6, 8 | All year | ||||||
Cohort Meeting | Tracking the progress of students within the cohort with school counselors and assistant principal | 9-12 | M 1, 3, 5, 6 B-LS 3, 9 B-SMS 5 ,6 B-SS 1, 6 | All year | ||||||
Response to Intervention Meetings | Identifying students that need additional accommodations | K-8 | M 1, 3, 5, 6 B-LS 3, 9 B-SMS 5, 6 B-SS 1, 6 | All year | ||||||
Parent/teacher meetings | Scheduling, organizing, collaborating, and supporting student success | K-12 | M 1, 2, 5, 6 B-LS 3, 4, 7, 9 | All year | ||||||
PPS Weekly Meetings | Tracking the progress of students with school counselors, school social worker, school psychologist, and administration | K-8 | M 1, 3, 5, 6 B-LS 3, 9 B-SMS 5, 6 B-SS 1, 6 | All year | ||||||
Parent Communication | Developing an open, supportive partnership with families and addressing concerns and issues as they arise | K-12 | M 1, 2, 5, 6 B-LS 3, 4, 7, 9 | All year | ||||||
Documentation and Record Keeping | Reviewing and recording student information | K-12 | B-LS 8 M 5 | All year | ||||||
Collaboration w/ Faculty, Parents, Community Supports | Maintaining relationships and knowledge regarding outside services and opportunities in the community (for example- Astor,American Legion, Rotary Interact, CAPE) | K-12 | B-LS 6 M 1, 3 | All year | ||||||
Program Referral, Psychological Referrals | Connecting and collaborating for necessary student and family supports and resources | K-12 | B-SMS 7, 9, 10 M 1, 5 | All year | ||||||
Recommendation letters | Gathering student information and accomplishments to create a narrative in support of the student’s goals outside of and beyond school | 6-12 | B-LS6, B-LS7,B-LS 8 M5 | All year | ||||||
Assembly organization | Communicating and collaborating with outside agencies based on the needs of the school culture and climate | K-12 | M 1, 2, 3 LS 10 SMS 1, 2, 7, 9 SS 2, 4, 5, 8, 9 | All year | ||||||
Parent presentation and workshops | College and career readiness preparation provided to parents | 7-12 | B-LS 7 M 4 | All year | ||||||
Elective Fair | Expose students to elective course opportunities | 9-12 | B-LS 7, 8 M4 | Jan | ||||||
College and Military Representative Visits | Engage students with post-secondary opportunities | 9-12 | M 2, 3, 5 B-LS 3, 4 | Oct- Dec | ||||||
Scholarship and award identification and organization | Identify those students who meet scholarship and award criteria | 7-12 | M 3 BSS 5, 6 | All year | ||||||
Exam Administration and Proctoring | Administer and proctor AP, Regents, Finals, NYS Exams, ACT/SAT/PSAT Accommodations | 7-12 | BSS 6 | All year | ||||||
Post-secondary documentation and transcript upload | Providing documentation necessary for post-secondary plans including college applications, scholarships, and NCAA | 9-12 | M 1, 3 | All year | ||||||
Out of District Application and Intake processing | Completing necessary documentation needed for out of district placement | K-12 | B SS 4 | All year | ||||||
Senior Exit Surveys | Responsible for the collection of individual student post-secondary plans | 12 | B PA 3 B SS 5 M 1, 3 | Spring | ||||||
Students with Disabilities College Transition Day | Assist and support students attending to increase their college and career readiness and exposure | 11-12 | B SS 4, 5, 6 | Spring | ||||||
Preparing individual college applications | Collecting and preparing school-based portion of student application | 12 | M 1, 3 | Sept-June | ||||||
Advisory Board | Collaborating with parents, teachers, faculty, board members, and outside community agencies for ongoing review of counseling plan | K-12 | B SS 6 B PA 1, 8 | All year |
School Counseling Delivery Accountability
6th - 12th Grade
Appendix A
Mindset and Behavior Standards
https://schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/home/MindsetsBehaviors.pdf
Appendix B
School Counselor Competencies
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/home/SCCompetencies.pdf
References
American School Counselor Association (2003). The ASCA National Model: A framework for school counseling program. Alexandria, VA: Author.
Gysbers, N.C. (2001). School Guidance and Counseling in the 21st Century: Remember the Past into the Future Professional School Counseling, 5, 123-132.
Gysbers, N.C., & Henderson, P. (2000). Developing and managing your school guidance program (3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Gysbers, N.C., & Henderson, P. (2002). Implementing comprehensive school guidance programs: critical leadership issues and successful responses. Greensboro, NC: ERIC/CASS Publications.
Johnson, C., & Johnson, S. (2003). Results-based guidance: A systems approach to student support programs. Professional School Counseling, 6(3), 180-184.