High School Guidance

Guidance services constitute an integral part of the educational process. These services should be under the professional direction and coordination of qualified school counselors and the administrative leadership of the school's principal. The school counselors are student advocates who assist students, teachers, parents and administrators.

The role of the school counselor is to help students to identify and achieve personal goals and assume rights and responsibilities in various life roles at each developmental stage.

1. Academic Counseling and Planning:

Includes the selection of a plan of study, placement into appropriate courses and programs, career development as well as participation in the CSE process as appropriate.

2. Post-secondary planning:

Primarily the preparation and processing of college, scholarship and employment opportunities.

3. Crisis Intervention Services:

Includes counseling student in crisis (i.e. suicide prevention, child abuse, pregnancy, substance abuse) and providing assessment and referral to related support services as appropriate.

4. Student Registration:

Registration and orientation of students to school procedures and learning opportunities. Maintenance of student academic records.

1. To help students become more familiar with post-high school educational opportunities, occupational information and financial aid.
2. To help students and parents, new to the high school, gain information and become more familiar with the high school educational program.
3. To assist students in program choices consistent with abilities and career goals.
4. To assist student to identify their interests and abilities through an interpretation of their performance on a number of standardized tests, such as PSAT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, and ASSET tests.
5. To inform students and parents of guidance related information.
6. To help students with the resolution of personal and school related problems.
7. To help direct identified students to the appropriate educational support services.
8. To maintain accurate and appropriate student records.
9. To provide a developmental career guidance program that will enable students to make wise and realistic educational and vocational plans.
10. To annually review each student's educational progress and career plans.
11. To keep current in all related guidance areas through various professional development opportunities, including college forums, career, financial aid and counselor workshops, and college visitation programs.

1. Objective #1

To help students become more familiar with post-high school educational opportunities, occupational information and financial aid.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Students will become more aware of the many options that exist after high school.
2. Students will take all necessary actions to apply to and gain acceptance into their choice of college, occupation, technical school, etc.
3. Students will become familiar with all the possible means to pay for a post high school education.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor observations
2. Student/parent feedback

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Develop and mail home a quarterly guidance newsletter for students and parents that will include graduation requirements, yearly calendar and important deadline dates.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical Staff	Ongoing
Conduct Senior orientation in English classes.	12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical Staff Handouts	Early Fall
Conduct individual senior/counselor conferences to review current schedule, graduation requirements, important dates and deadlines, and post high school planning.	12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical Staff Curriculum handbook Resource materials	Early Fall
Encourage juniors and seniors and their parents to attend various college nights.	11th, 12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical Staff College Representatives	Ongoing
Assist students with post High School applications, write student recommendations.	12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical Staff	Ongoing
Assist students with use of the internet in their search for a post High School institution, financial aid and career information.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Internet Resource materials	Ongoing
Coordinate school visits by representatives from colleges, technical schools and the military.	11th, 12th graders	Guidance counselors Clerical Staff		Ongoing
Keep students current on scholarships, financial aid information.	12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical Staff Guidance Bulletin Board Scholarship Handbook Daily announcements	Ongoing
Conduct a post secondary orientation for all Juniors in all 11th grade English classes.	11th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical Staff Assessment information (i.e. SAT, PSAT)	Ongoing
Discuss post high school plans when scheduling students for the following year.	9th, 10th, 11th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical Staff	Spring
Provide an audio visual presentation of the vocational aspects of BOCES in large group sessions.	10th graders	Guidance counselors BOCES staff	Clerical Staff, BOCES personnel, AV equipment	Fall
Arrange for interested students to visit BOCES prior to registering for a BOCES program.	10th graders	Guidance counselors Clerical Staff	BOCES personnel Bus Transportation	Spring
Work with the TRANSITIONAL counselor to help implement a career education program	9-12th graders	TRANSITIONAL counselor	Guidance counselors, clerical staff, teachers, administrators, guest speakers, Guidance bulletin board, AV equipment, bus transportation	Ongoing

2. Objective #2

To help students and parents, new to the high school, gain information and become familiar with the high school educational program.

Expected Outcomes:

1. New students will adjust to the high school program as soon as possible in order to take full advantage of all services available to them.
2. Parents new to the school will be aware of the total educational program of the high school.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor observations
2. Student/parent feedback

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Visit all 9th grade English classes for the purpose of orientation to high school.	9th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff Teachers	Fall
Meet with every transfer student to develop an academic program, plan of study and evaluate credits.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical Staff Pupil Personnel Services Attendance, registrars office	Ongoing
Counselors visit 8th graders at Poughkeepsie Middle School to explain PHS program.	8th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff Administrators	Spring

3. Objective #3

To assist students in program choices consistent with abilities and career goals.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Students will be placed in courses that will provide them with maximum options upon graduation from high school.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of their current academic status, achievement, interests and abilities, educational requirements, and possible career goals.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor observations
2. Student/parent feedback

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Counselors will meet with all department chairpersons to review current and potential curriculum developments.	All Departments	Guidance counselors	Teachers, administrators Clerical staff	Fall
Counselors process and evaluate student course selection sheets.	9-11th graders	Guidance counselors	Students, teachers, parents, administrators, clerical staff, technology staff, course selection portal	Ongoing
Conduct individual counseling sessions to review credits, post high school plans and course selection.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff, teacher recommendations, course selection portal, student 4 year plans, reference materials	Spring
Mail tentative course requests to parents for their review.	9-11th graders	Guidance counselors		Spring
Counselors are available for individual counseling sessions with students to discuss possible program changes.	9-11th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff, teachers, administrators	Ongoing

4. Objective #4

To assist student to identify their interests and abilities through an interpretation of their performance on a number of standardized tests, such as PSAT, SAT, ACT, ASVAB, and ASSET tests.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Students will make decisions concerning their future educational and vocational plans.
2. Students will make decisions concerning their future educational and vocational plans.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor observations
2. Student/parent feedback
3. 12th grade survey

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Interpret PSAT results in group and individual sessions.	10th, 11th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff Educational testing service materials	Fall
Review SAT, ACT and ASSET test results as requested by student and/or parent.	11th, 12th graders	Guidance counselors	Testing resources, The College Board,  ACT, DCCC	Ongoing

5. Objective #5

To inform students and parents of guidance related information.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Parent and student access to guidance related information.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor observations
2. Student/parent feedback

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Guidance newsletters will be mailed home.	9-12th graders and their families.	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff	Quarterly
Informational flyers will be distributed in homeroom	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff, teachers	Ongoing
Informational announcements made during daily homeroom public address program and daily staff bulletin.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff	Ongoing
Periodic news releases will be provided to the district Public Relations office.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff	Ongoing
Guidance bulletin board will provide information about important events, special programs, standardized testing dates, summer programs, scholarships, employment information, college information sessions, etc.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff	Ongoing
Arrange for parents and students to meet with a representative of VESID	12th graders and their families	VESID representative, TRANSITIONAL counselor	Guidance counselors, Clerical staff, Special Education teachers,	Ongoing

6. Objective #6

To help students with the resolution of personal and school related problems.

Expected Outcomes:

Students will exhibit one or more of the following desired results:

1. Improvement of school performance.
2. Reduced incidence of unacceptable behavior.
3. Improved self-image.
4. Improved social relationships.
5. Acceptance of responsibility for their behavior.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor/teacher/staff observations
2. Analysis of school records
3. Student self-reporting

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Identify students in need of or desiring additional services.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors, teachers, administrators	Students, parents, community agencies, pupil personnel services	Ongoing
Individual counseling	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Pupil personnel services	Ongoing
Referral to school psychologist, school social worker	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	School psychologist, school social worker	Ongoing

7. Objective #7

To help direct identified students to the appropriate educational support services.

Expected Outcomes:

Students will exhibit one or more of the following desired results:

1. Improvement of school performance.
2. Reduced incidence of unacceptable behavior.
3. Improved self-image.
4. Improved social relationships.
5. Acceptance of responsibility for their behavior.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor/teacher/staff observations
2. Analysis of school records
3. Student self-reporting

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Counselors will make referrals to pupil personnel services staff and other professionals.	Identified 9-12th graders.	Guidance counselors PPS staff	Clerical staff, teachers, administrators	Ongoing
Counselors will make a number of referrals to outside agencies.	Identified 9-12th graders.	Guidance counselors PPS staff	Clerical staff, Office of Vocational Rehab., AA-Alateen, Child Protective Services, therapists, physicians, numerous outside agencies.	Ongoing

8. Objective #8

To maintain accurate and appropriate student records.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Parents, students, staff, the Board of Education and the State Education Department will be provided with appropriate information.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Ongoing analysis of student records and state reports.

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Keep an individual 4 year planning record on all students listing credits earned, courses in progress, post high school plans.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff	Ongoing
Survey seniors regarding post high school plans.  Making statistics available for various reports.	12th graders	Guidance counselors	Clerical staff	Ongoing

9. Objective #9

To provide a developmental career guidance program that will enable students to make wise and realistic educational and vocational plans.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Students will become more aware of their individual interests, talents, work values, and preferred life styles in relation to the career decision making progress.
2. Student will learn how to use appropriate resources to explore specific occupations.
3. Students will be more familiar with the process of career decision making and planning.
4. Counselors will help students develop effective educational/career plans.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor observations
2. Student/parent feedback
3. 12th grade survey

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Arrange outside speakers related to various careers.	9-12th graders	TRANSITIONAL, Guidance counselors	Teachers, community professionals	Ongoing
Make available to teaching staff various films, tapes, pamphlets, resource materials, software programs	9-12th graders	TRANSITIONAL counselor	Clerical staff	Ongoing
Provide referrals for various career internship experiences.	9-12th graders	TRANSITIONAL, Guidance counselors	Internship coordinators	Ongoing
Organize field trips that allow students to gain a better understanding of the world of work.	9-12th graders	TRANSITIONAL, Guidance counselors	Teachers, administrators, transportation	Ongoing
Have various career interest inventories available to students.	9-12th graders	Guidance counselors	Resource material	Ongoing
Conduct yearly career awareness fair with local employers.	9-12th graders	TRANSITIONAL, Guidance counselors	Clerical staff

10. Objective #10

To annually review each student's educational progress and career plans.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Each student will develop the ability to correctly identify his/her academic ability and achievement levels.
2. Each student will develop the ability to relate present academic ability and achievement levels to future educational and career plans.
3. Each student will develop the ability to accurately describe his/her approximate cumulative average, class rank, and other indicators of educational progress.
4. Each student will develop the ability to discuss possible career interests and career plans.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor observations
2. Student/parent feedback

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Individual student counselor conference	9-12th graders	Guidance counselor	Cumulative record, program of study, test results, credit evaluation, clerical staff	Ongoing

11. Objective #11

To keep current in all related guidance areas through various professional development opportunities, including college forums, career, financial aid and counselor workshops, and college visitation programs.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Student access to the most up to date guidance related information.

Methods of Evaluation:

1. Counselor observations
2. Student/parent feedback

Program Description:

Activities:	Target Group:	Staff Assigned:	Other Resources:	Timeframe:
Counselor will visit post high school institutions, attend conferences on the SUNY system, college testing and financial aid to keep current on trends in occupations, careers, and the college selection process	9th-12th graders	Guidance Counselor	Talent Search Counselor	Ongoing