Counselor Roles
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT:
School counselors collaboratively plan, implement, evaluate and advocate for a comprehensive school counseling program. This program is organized and delivered through the four components (1) Guidance Curriculum, (2) Responsive Services, (3) Individual Planning, and (4) System Support specified in the Texas Education Code (§33.005).
GUIDANCE:
Through classroom guidance, school counselors proactively assist all students in developing and applying skills for maximum educational, career, personal, and social growth during school years and beyond.
COUNSELING:
School counselors make counseling interventions accessible to all students relative to their developmental needs, personal concerns, or challenges that affect their continued educational, career, personal, or social development.
CONSULTATION:
As consultants, school counselors advocate for students and provide professional expertise to help faculty, staff, administrators, parents/guardians, and other community members understand individual behavior and human relationships and interpret relevant information concerning the development needs of students School counselors consult with others to promote and increase the effectiveness of student education and student success.
COORDINATION:
School counselors provide resources to the home, school, district, and community to support students’ optimal academic, career, personal, and social development. Counselors work with students’ parents/guardians and school personnel to coordinate referrals to other resources as appropriate.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT:
School counselors interpret standardized test results and other available student data to promote sound decision making for students and others involved in the students’ development. Counselors promote understanding of ethical and legal uses and limitations of assessment.
LEADERSHIP:
School counselors apply leadership competencies in the implementation of the comprehensive school counseling program including the school’s responsiveness to the personal and social needs of diverse students and the enhancement of learning environments that address the diverse needs of students.
ADVOCACY:
School counselors advocate for a school environment that acknowledges and respects diversity for individuals and specific groups of students. They also advocate for policies, programs, and services that are equitable and responsive to diverse groups of students and do not impede student achievement and school success.
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR:
School counselors establish and maintain professional relationships with administrators, teachers, other school staff, parents, and community members. They demonstrate professionalism including a commitment to continuous professional development. Counselors accept accountability for the use of time in delivering a full complement of services based on assessed needs in all fours components of a comprehensive school counseling program.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS:
Professional School Counselors adhere to professional standards in all components of a comprehensive developmental school counseling program. Counselors are committed to current professional standards of competence and practice. They promote and follow school counseling ethical standards. And demonstrate professional and responsible work habits.