Thesis
March 19, 2003
Pierce High School Counseling -
A Partnership in Possibilities
Counseling Program Components
School counseling is an integral part of the total educational
program. It is developmental by design and includes sequential
activities organized and implemented by certified school counselors
with the support of teachers, administrators, students, and
parents. A school counseling program shall include:
2. Individual Student Planning
3. Responsive Services
4. System Support
The program addresses the needs of all students by
helping them to : a) acquire knowledge of self and relating to
others, b) develop competencies in career / vocational planning and
exploration, and c) achieve educational success.
Program Philosophy
"Counseling in the school setting has evolved through
recognition that individuals living in a dynamic, complex society
benefit most from a broad range of learning experiences. Such
experiences prepare them to lead productive lives characterized by
feelings of self worth. Individual acquisition of knowledge and
skills has been, and will continue to be, a major goal of public
education. In addition, parallel efforts to assist students to grow
socially and emotionally as well as intellectually and physically
are essential. Guidance Processes are designed to assist
individuals with total development on a K-12 basis. The school
counseling program is preventative rather than remedial in nature.
It complements the core instructional offerings and involves a
cooperative effort among counselors, administrators, and classroom
teachers." (NEBRASKA CAREER GUIDANCE PROGRAM HANDBOOK)
Benefits of the School Counseling Program
Benefits for Students
1. Promotes knowledge and assistance in career exploration and
development.
2. Develops decision-making skills.
3. Assist in acquiring knowledge of self and relating effectively
to others.
4. Broadens knowledge of our changing world.
Benefits for Parents
1. Provides support for parents regarding their child's
educational development.
2. Develops a system for a child's long-range planning.
3. Enables parents to obtain resources when needed.
Benefits for Teachers
1. Encourages positive, supportive working relationships.
2. Provides a team effort to address competencies.
Benefits for Administrators
1. Provides program structure with specific content.
2. Provides a means of evaluating counseling program efforts.
Benefits for local Boards of Education
1. Provides a rationale for including a comprehensive counseling
program in the school system
2. Provides program information to the community.
3. Provides a basis for determining funding allocations.
4. Provides ongoing data relative to the attainment of student
competencies through counseling program efforts.
Benefits for Business, Industry, and Labor
1. Provides increased opportunity for collaboration among
counselors and business, industry, and labor communities.
2. Enhances the role of the counselor as a resource person.
3. Increases opportunities for business, industry, and labor to
participate actively in the total school program.
4. Provides a potential work force with decision-making skills,
pre-employment skills, and increased worker maturity.







