Comprehensive Counseling Services
by Dianna Clayton
Guidance and Counseling Services
Texas Education Agency
Four Component Model
Jacksboro ISD counselors follow the Texas Education Agency’s Four Component Model of a Comprehensive, Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program.
High School Counselors must have the following qualifications, (All counselors in Jacksboro ISD)
• Are professional educators,
• Have earned a Master's Degree,
• Specifically trained in counseling techniques,
• Certified as school counselors by the Texas Education Agency.
Students may want to see the counselor for many reasons, including assistance with:
• Problem solving by exploring alternatives to make appropriate decisions.
• Developing positive attitudes towards self and others.
• Establishing personal goals.
• Developing educational plans, to include post secondary planning.
• Selecting courses based on individual interests and talents.
• Interpretation of results of standardized tests.
Students may see the school counselor through...
• A student self referral
• A teacher referral
• A parent referral
• A counselor request
• An administrator request
The four components are: Guidance Curriculum, Responsive Services, Individual Planning, and System Support. The responsibilities of each area are as follows:
Guidance Curriculum - Guidance lessons on a variety of topics; large-group consultations with students.
Responsive Services - Individual counseling sessions; parent consultations regarding individual student needs; coordination with outside referral sources.
Individual Planning - Academic and career guidance; parent and student consultation regarding planning and goal-setting; interpretation and analysis of assessment instruments.
System Support - Community outreach; parent education programs; teacher consultation; school improvement planning.
Guidance Curriculum
High School Counselors teach the guidance curriculum and assist teachers with guidance-related curricula. Following are examples of the topics that are addressed in class guidance sessions.
• Character development
• Conflict management
• Decision-making
• Goal-Setting
• Study skills
• Academic support
• Graduation requirements
• Understanding academic records
• Post secondary options
• Career planning
Responsive Services
High School Counselors provide students with counseling services, either individually or in groups, to address relevant adolescent issues as a result of student, teacher, parent and/or administrator concerns, or for crisis response. Examples of concerns students may bring to the counselor's office include the following:
• Conflict mediation
• Dropout prevention
• Financial assistance
• Peer relations
• Progress toward graduation
• Schedule issues or changes
• Social issues
• Teen parenting
• Violence and drug abuse issues
Counselors also provide consultation services to parents and teachers. Additionally, counselors may refer students (and when needed, their families) to other programs for other resources or services such as:
• Safe and Drug Free Program,
• Gifted and Talented Program,
• Special Education Services,
• Other district and community resources and services.
Individual Planning
High School Counselors provide individual or group assistance with educational planning and career exploration. Sample activities include the following:
• 9-12 Pre-registration activities such as course selection, review of graduation requirements, and summer orientation days.
• Special events such as college and career days, financial aid programs and college fairs.
• Assistance to students with information for special programs such as dual credit, transition/IEP needs.
• Student/parent conferences to address educational and career planning.
• Assistance with SAT/ACT Test Registration process.
• Assistance with College Application Admission process.
• Assistance with Financial Aid Application process (FAFSA).
• Freshman orientation to familiarize students to high school.
• Sophomore conferences to review student Four Year Plan, to interpret the standardized test scores (PLAN), and to provide career guidance.
• Junior Conferences to review the student Four Year Plan, to interpret the standardized test scores (PSAT), to provide college, career, and relevant testing information.
• Senior Conferences to review the student Four Year Plan, to interpret the standardized test scores (SAT/ACT); provide post-secondary education admissions information, as well as scholarship and financial aid information.
System Support
High School Counselors coordinate with school and community to bring together resources for students. Counselors provide information about:
• AP Testing Schedule
• Exit Level TAKS testing schedule
• Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and American College Testing (ACT) testing schedule and preparatory classes.
• PLAN test schedule
• PSAT Test Schedule
Counselors organize or assist with many activities on behalf of students with other campus, district, and community groups. Examples include:
• Ninth Grade Orientation
• Parent Programs, such as Financial Aid Night and Senior Parent Programs
• Open House
• Partnerships with community businesses
• Mentoring Programs
• Career-Tech Expo
• College Night
• Communication networks with college and military representatives
• School Advisory Team
• Safe and Drug Free School and Communities Program Advisory Council
• JISD programs and resources, Compensatory, Special Education, accelerated high school and testing programs, etc.
Counselors provide consultation and training services to school staff and parents. Topics they address can include the following:
• Anger Management
• Developmental Assets
• Guidance program information
• Signs and symptoms of substance abuse and violence
• Dating Violence
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