- Lenape Regional High School District
- Counseling
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Lenape Regional High School District
Counseling Department Course of Study
BOE Approved May 2009
Table of Contents
Members of Revision Committee
Statement of Purpose
Program of Studies Description
Core Content Standards
Textbook and Resource Materials
Course Objectives/Activities
Content Outline/Timeline
Proof of Proficiency
Members of Revision Committee
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The purpose of all curriculum guides is to provide direction for instruction. The purpose of this guide is to focus on what all students; from 9-12th grade should know, understand and be able to do in these three domain areas: academic, career and personal/social. The school counseling program helps all students achieve success in school and develop into contributing members of society. The counseling curriculum will be preventive in design, developmental in nature and an integral part of the total education program.
Program of Studies Description:
The school counseling program ensures effective strategies that are employed to meet stated student success and achievement. The counseling program focuses on benefits for students, parents/guardians, teachers and administrators.
Core Content Standards for School Counseling:
2.1 (academic) Enables educators to adjust instructional strategies
based on knowledge of how students learn and develop.
2.2 (Personal/Social) Enables educators to plan and design
approaches and strategies to support the intellectual, social and
personal development of each learner.
2.3 (Academic/Career/Personal/Social) Assists educators to recognize
students’ strengths and potential.
2.4 (Academic/Career/Personal/Social) Enables educators to respect
students’ talents, abilities and perspectives.
12.1 (Personal/Social) Assists educators in establishing relationships
and partnerships with parents and families.
Textbook and Resource Materials:
Computer-Based Programs:
Microsoft Outlook
Genesis
Naviance
- My Profile
- My Resume
- Explore Careers
- Interest Inventory
- College Search
- College Scattergram
- Scholarship Match
Textbooks/Publications:
The ABC’s of College Planning, The NJ Association for College Admissions Counseling
Managing Sudden Traumatic Loss in the Schools, Underwood and Dunne-Maxim
The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College, Steinberg
Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling, National Association for College Admission Counseling
College Unranked: Ending the College Admissions Frenzy, Thacker
Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges, Pope
Cool Colleges: For the Hyper-Intelligent, Self-Directed, Late Blooming, and Just Plain Different, Asher
K & W Guide to Colleges for Students with Learning Disabilities, Princeton Review
The Official Catholic College & University Guidebook, The National CCAA
Group Counseling For School Counselors: A Practical Guide, Brigman and Goodman
Pre-Referral Intervention Manual
Rugg’s Recommendations on Colleges, Rugg
The College Board College Handbook
College Board Guide to Getting Financial Aid
Funding Education Beyond High School
School Guide: Gateway to Your Future
Federal School Code List
Peterson’s Four-Year Colleges
Peterson’s Two-Year Colleges
Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor
U.S. News & World Report
Princeton Review
Websites:
http://connection.naviance.com/
www.collegeconfidential.com/college_admissions/high_school_resume.htm
The School Counselors also utilize the websites of colleges, universities, career/technical schools and military branches on a regular basis.
Course Topics/Objectives/Activities/Assessments:
Topic: Academic Development
Objective 1:
The students will acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to their success in school by demonstrating a positive academic self-concept.
Suggested Activities:
- The student will display a positive interest in learning.
- The student will identify attitudes and behaviors that leads to successful learning.
- The student will meet with the counselor to review credits, academic units and graduation requirements.
- The student will review grades at interims and marking periods and may meet with their counselor.
- The student will be encouraged to identify their strengths and recognize areas in need of improvement as an essential part of the learning process and to foster a positive solution for academic mastery.
Assessments:
1. The counselor will use computer-based technology to review the student’s academic status.
2. The counselor may initiate contact with the teacher, parent, administrator and/or CST.
3. The counselor will review the program adjustment process with the student and the parent as warranted.
4. The counselor may submit a referral to I & R S committee for a review.
Objective 2:
Students will be able to acquire skills for effective learning.
Suggested Activities:
- The student will demonstrate how effort and persistence positively affect learning.
- The student will apply time-management and task-management skills.
- The student will capitalize on their learning styles to positively influence school performance.
- The student will organize and apply academic information generated from faculty, family and peers.
- The student may be offered alternative methods of learning to enable them to grow beyond the traditional setting of high school.
Assessments:
1. The counselor may review a study skills guide for students, arrange a peer tutor, assist the student in arranging extra-help sessions, and/or a subject area tutor.
2. The student will be issued an agenda book and participate in scheduled counseling appointments to review academic progress.
3. Using computer-based technology; the student will take a learning style inventory and then review and interpret the results.
4. The counselor may adjust the student’s schedule based upon collective parent, faculty and student input.
5. The counselor may explain the resources available through Option 2.
6. The counselor may utilize resources including faculty input, teacher reports,
I & R S, 504 plans and CST services.
Objective 3:
Students will be able to establish challenging academic goals in high school.
Suggested Activities:
- The counselors will do classroom presentations in the sending districts.
- Students will select high school courses reflecting the student’s educational goals.
- The student will demonstrate attitudes and behaviors that lead to successful learning. The student may meet with the counselor when referred by teachers, administrators and parents.
- The student will demonstrate the ability to work independently, as well as the ability to work cooperatively with other students.
- The student will demonstrate dependability, productivity and initiative.
- The student will meet the high school state and district graduation requirements for graduation.
- The student will utilize assessment results in educational planning.
- The student will apply knowledge of aptitudes and interests to goal setting.
- The student will demonstrate an understanding of the value of lifelong learning as essential to seeking, obtaining and maintaining life goals.
- The student will understand how school success and academic achievement enhance future career opportunities and prepare students to transition from student to community member.
Assessments:
1. The students/parents/guardians may attend a curriculum program for incoming freshman.
2. The counselor may address concerns about a student’s progress through a school conference.
3. The counselor will assist students in initiating and maintaining a technology-based portfolio throughout their high school career.
4. The student will schedule and attend counseling appointments, submit required materials in a timely manner, monitor their grades and seek assistance as needed.
5. The counselor may adjust student’s schedules including remedial classes based on state and/or district testing.
6. The counselor may assist in test assessment.
7. The student will utilize and maintain a computer-based technology portfolio including a profile, resume, exploring careers, an interest inventory and college search.
Topic: Career Development
Objective 1:
The student will develop and acquire the skills to investigate careers in relation to knowledge of self and making informed decisions.
Suggested Activities:
§ The student will develop skills to locate, evaluate and interpret career information.
§ The student will develop an awareness of personal abilities, skills, interests and motivation.
§ The student will develop a positive attitude toward work and learning.
§ The student will pursue and develop competency in areas of interest.
§ The student will understand the importance of responsibility, dependability, punctuality, integrity and effort in school and the workplace.
Assessments:
1. The counselor will assist the student in the use of computer-based technology to complete a comprehensive personality, interest and career inventory.
2. The counselor may assist the students in the career center as available.
3. The counselor will facilitate a group information session on careers using a computer-based technology program.
4. The counselor will monitor students who demonstrate poor work ethic, tardiness, social concerns and who may respond negatively to authority.
5. The counseling center will post local job openings and display military, career and college materials.
6. The counselor may refer the student to the counseling center website.
7. The counselor will distribute college entrance materials.
8. The student may take the college entrance exams such as the PSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL and SAT II Subject Tests.
9. The student may enroll in district and/or private college standardized test prep class(es).
Objective 2:
The student will be able to identify and employ strategies to successfully achieve future career goals.
Suggested Activities:
§ The student will demonstrate knowledge of the career planning process.
§ The student will use research and information sources to obtain career information.
§ The student will understand how changing economic and societal needs influence employment trends and future training.
§ The student will demonstrate an awareness of the education and training needed to achieve career goals.
§ The student may use employability and job readiness skills in internship, mentoring, shadowing and/or other work experience.
§ The student will select course work that supports the educational plan related to career interests.
§ The student may attend financial aid workshops, college admissions programs and college/career fairs.
§ The student may utilize the military liaison services.
Assessments:
1. The counselor will assist students with the interpretation of the career inventory/planning results and goals as part of the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior interviews.
2. The counselor may assist students with accessing career oriented websites and literature.
3. The counselor may facilitate on site college and career meetings.
4. The counselor may assist students with volunteer and internship information in conjunction with their career goals.
5. The counselor may advise students of clubs, sports and activities that are applicable to their interests.
6. The counselor may monitor the progress of the student’s career planning portfolio.
7. The counselor may coordinate the on-site ASVAB assessment for the military.
8. The counselor will assist the student and parents/guardian in the post-secondary process.
9. The counselor will meet with the student on an individual basis to facilitate development of goals.
Objective 3:
The student will be able to understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training and the world of work.
Suggested Activities:
§ The student will understand the correlation between educational achievement and career success.
§ The student will recognize that the, changing workplace requires lifelong learning and acquiring new skills.
§ The student will understand that employment is an important means of personal expression.
§ The student will indicate how interests, abilities and achievement relate to achieving personal, social, education and career goals.
§ The student will learn to work cooperatively with others.
Assessments:
1. The counselor will review the student’s grades, course selection, training and experience in relationship to their career goals.
2. The counselor will review the student’s career portfolio.
3. The counselor may assist the student in a college search based on academic achievement, test scores, career goals and personal interests.
4. The counselor may assist students with computer-based technology to research careers.
5. The counselor may refer the student to military liaisons as per student interest.
6. The counselor may write a letter of recommendation for post secondary schools and potential employers on the student’s behalf.
Topic: Personal/Social
Objective 1:
The student will be able to acquire the knowledge, attitudes and inter-personal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.
Suggested Activities:
- The student will develop positive attitudes toward self as a unique and worthy person.
- The student may identify values, attitudes and beliefs.
- The student will learn the goal-setting process.
- The student will identify and discuss how changing personal and social roles are part of growth.
- The student will use effective communication skills to express feelings.
- The student will distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate behavior.
- The student may attend a support group.
- The student will be encouraged to demonstrate a respect and appreciation for individual and cultural differences.
- The student will recognize the value of maintaining effective relationships throughout life in today’s interdependent society.
Assessments:
1. The counselor may facilitate a support group for identified concerns.
2. The counselor may assist the student in understanding school policies including attendance, discipline, dress code and personal hygiene.
3. The counselor may make outside referrals as warranted.
4. The counselor may assist students in recognizing personal boundaries, rights and privacy needs.
5. The counselor may serve as a student advocate at designated meetings.
6. The counselor may consult with school personnel, and/or parent/guardian in reference to student needs.
7. The counselor may assist the student in crisis.
8. The counselor may facilitate conflict resolution.
Objective 2:
Students will develop and incorporate skills in clarifying values, expanding interests and capabilities and evaluating progress toward goals.
Suggested Activities:
- The student will establish goals.
- The student will formulate a plan to achieve individual goals.
- The student will use decision-making and problem-solving strategies.
- The student will recognize the consequences of their decisions and choices.
- The student will identify alternative solutions to a problem.
- The student will learn how to seek help in clarifying options and making positive decisions.
Assessments
- The counselor will monitor student performance within the guidelines of the district policies.
- The counselor will assist students in evaluating goals.
- The counselor may assist students in monitoring and updating a computer-based portfolio.
- The counselor will assist students during individual counseling appointments.
- The counselor may assist students with identified talents to pursue opportunities outside of the traditional classroom.
- The counselor may consult with parents in reference to student’s needs.
Objective 3:
Students will develop an ability to assume responsibility for themselves and to manage life events.
Suggested Activities:
- Students will develop an understanding of the legal, safety and social practices that lead to responsible daily living.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to differentiate between situations requiring peer support and adult professional help.
- Students will apply effective decision making and problem solving skills that will lead to a responsible lifestyle.
- Students will be encouraged to practice appropriate coping skills when challenged by peer pressure.
- Students will understand the interactive effects of substance use and abuse.
Assessments:
- The counselor may consult with school and community resources.
- The counselor may facilitate conflict resolution and/or peer mediation.
- The counselor may provide crisis intervention.
- The counselor will evaluate student’s needs for counseling services and encourage self-reliance..
- The counselor may provide education materials, programming, group and individual counseling and make resource referrals.
- The counselor will provide individual support and guidance.
- The counselor may make a referral to the Substance Awareness Coordinator.
- The Substance Awareness Coordinator may provide educational programming.
Content Outline/Timeline
September
Schedule conflicts, errors and changes September 1 - 30
Review student schedules
Senior credit review
Senior interviews
Freshman interviews
College recommendation letters
College searches
PSAT Notification
Back to School Night
Schedule and develop support groups
Meet with new group referrals
Class Rank
October
Senior Interviews October 1 -31
Freshman Interviews
College Recommendations
HSPA proctoring
College applications
Group counseling
Review interims
Senior Failure notification
Discuss grades with teachers
Review level changes and begin paperwork
Contact parents regarding grades
Schedule changes
Career Interest Inventories for sophomores
November
Senior Interviews November 1 - 30
Freshman Interviews
College applications
College recommendations
College searches
Review student’s first marking period grades
Meet with students regarding grades
Level change discussion/adjustments
December
Freshman Interviews December 1 -23
College applications
College recommendations
College searches
Review Interims
Discuss grades with teachers
Parent contact
Student academic conferences
HSPA results
January
Eighth grade course selection presentations January 2 - 30
Course selection presentations
College applications
College recommendation letters
Eighth grade Parent Night
Sophomore interviews
Junior interviews
Review grades
Student academic conferences
Parent contact
Level changes (last chance)
HSPA schedule review/adjustments
Senior failure letters
Attendance appeals
February
Course selection presentations February 1 - 28
Collect course selections
Career Interest Inventories for sophomores
Identify and contact senior failures
College applications
Junior interviews
College searches
Sophomore interviews and interpret career assessment
Input course selections
Scholarship applications/notification
Course selection conferences
Review Course selections
March
College applications March 1 - 31
Review interims
Contact parents regarding grades
Meet with students regarding grades
Junior interviews
Sophomore interviews and interpret career assessment
Course selection conferences
College searches
Honors letters/course input
Child Study Team Annual Reviews
Standardized test proctoring
April
Junior interviews April 1 - 30
College searches
Course selection conferences
Senior failure letters
Review report cards
Meet with students regarding grades
Parent contact
Parent / Teacher conferences
Child Study Team Annual Reviews
Meet with seniors as warranted
MayCourse selection conferences including sophomore career assessment May 1 - 31
Junior interviews
College searches
Parent meetings
Standardized test proctoring
Monitor seniors/graduation
June
Course selection conferences including sophomore career assessment June 1 - 30
Attendance appeals
Senior exam exemptions
Senior failures
Parent contact
Parent / teacher conferences
Senior Surveys
Confirm course selections/letter
Graduation
Monthly Ongoing Responsibilities
Individual counselingPhone conferences
Parent conferences
Teacher consultations
Administrative consultations
Group Facilitation
Attendance consultations
Crisis intervention/counseling
Child Study Team meetings/consultation
Monthly summaries/report
Communication with college admissions and representatives
New student registrations/Defects
Department meetings
Scholarship paperwork
Participate and/or supervise assemblies
Computer based programming for college and career counseling
Option 2
504 Meetings
Attendance follow up
Defects follow up
Prepare documentation for academic hearings
Prepare documentation for discipline hearings
Additional Committees/ResponsibilitiesDistrict College Fair
College Information Night
Faculty meetings
I & R S Committee
504 Consultations
SOS/Crisis Team
Web Master
Email Parent information
Fire Drill/Evacuations
Counseling Intern Supervision
ASVAB Administration/Military
BCC Spring Ahead program
Financial Aid Night
Testing assistance
District committees
Freshman Orientation
Field Trips
Municipal Alliance (SAC)
BCC CAP
Assist with standardized testing
Proof of Proficiency
Identify what you will be using as the Proof of Proficiency for Option 2 and email a copy of the actual document to the Senior Supervisor in charge of your area.
Not admissible.
