Thesis

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:

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 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.