School Guidance Curriculum

  Athens High School Counseling Program 

We are striving to implement a program based on the ASCA (American School Counselor Association) National Model and the Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Model for Alabama Public Schools (State Plan).

Counselors work with students to achieve competencies in 3 different domains:

•·         Academic Development

•·         Personal/Social Development

•·         Career Development 

Counselors use a combination of four different program delivery components (School Guidance Curriculum, Individual Student Planning, Responsive Services and System Support) to assist students in achieving these competencies.

School Guidance Curriculum - Counselors work in conjunction with teachers to plan lessons and activities which integrate subject matter with the school guidance curriculum.  (Examples - work with English teachers to present college and career material which is integrated into term papers, work with Business Tech teachers to introduce career information which is integrated into Moodle assignments).  Counselors also conduct workshops and class meetings to distribute information related to the guidance curriculum.  (Examples - Freshmen Orientation, Registration, Senior Meetings, Financial Aid/College Night for Parents).

Individual Student Planning - Counselors work with individual students to plan, monitor and manage their academic, career and personal/social development.

Responsive Services - Counselors serve as student advocates by consulting with students, parents, educators and community agencies regarding strategies to help students and families.  Counselors use referral sources such as Mental Health Agencies, Employment and Training Programs, Vocational Rehabilitation, Juvenile Services and Social Services.  (Examples - Ms. Swindell from Mental Health, Family Resource Center's Launch Program, Calhoun's Career Coach Ms. Warner, Department of Human Resources personnel, Hospice, various community organizations for sponsoring Christmas Angels).

System Support - Counselors work with educators and the community in indirect guidance management activities that maintain and enhance the total counseling and guidance program.  Some of these activities are:  Professional Development, In-Service, Consultation and Teaming, Public Relations, Community Outreach, Curriculum Development Support, Advisory Committees, Program Management and Operations, Research and Evaluation and Fair-Share Responsibilities.