2140 Comprehensive School Counseling Program

The Franklin Pierce Board of Directors recognizes that a comprehensive school counseling program based on current national and state standards of best practice is an important part of reaching the district strategic plan goals in support of all students.

 

The district will maintain a written plan to implement a comprehensive school counseling program of tiered services in accordance with state laws and regulations, school improvement plans, ethical standards, and district policies and procedures. The district will revise its plan as necessary based on relevant data.

 

A school counselor is a professional educator who holds a valid school counselor certification as defined by the professional educator standards board. School counselors serve a vital role in the comprehensive school counseling program. The school counselor plans, develops, organizes, and leads delivery of a comprehensive school counseling program that focuses on the academic, career, and social-emotional needs of all students, based on the national standards for school counseling programs of the American School Counselor Association and state standards. School counselors align supports with the district's vision, mission, and school improvement goals. In addition to school counselors, all educational staff associate (ESA) staff, in collaboration, serve to support the implementation of a comprehensive, multi-tiered system of student supports.

 

School counselors and other ESA staff implementing the comprehensive school counseling program will spend no less than 80% of their contracted time on direct and indirect supports to students and no more than 20% of their contracted time on program planning and school support activities.

 

It is the goal of the Franklin Pierce Board of Directors that the district’s comprehensive school counseling program will assist every student in acquiring the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to thrive as lifelong, independent learners on the path to graduation and beyond.

 

The district will not deny any student the ability to participate in or benefit from its student support system based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal, whether they take place on or off school grounds or are offered as part of the district's online or alternative learning programs.

 

The Board will provide resources to support the foundation, content, and continuous improvement of a comprehensive K-12 school counseling program, consistent with best practices described in state and national models. As feasible within existing resources, all school counseling programs will include the following elements: classroom-based counseling curriculum, individual student planning, responsive services, and systems support for the counseling program.

RCW 28A.320.280   School counselors, social workers, and psychologists — Priorities

RCW 28A.320.290   School counselors, social workers, and psychologists—Professional collaboration                              RCW 28A.320.600 – 620  

RCW 28A.410.043   School counselor certification

 

WAC 392-190-010  Agency filings affecting this section — Counseling and guidance services — Course and program enrollment