Parent Information Guide - Prince George's County Public School ...

COUNSELING SERVICESWhat is a School Counselor?School Counselors are state-certified professionals witha Master’s degree in School Counseling whose work isconducted in a school setting. In the learning environment,school counselors work with all students by implementing aschool-wide counseling program that will support studentsin three main areas: academics, personal/social growth andcareer development. Therefore, school counselors oftenact as helpers, advisors, leaders, champions of change andeducational travel agents as they work to ensure that studentsmaximize their learning experience on the journey fromkindergarten through graduation.What does the School Counselor do?School Counselors spend 70% of their time working withstudents directly. These direct services are provided to studentsone-on-one, in small groups and in the classroom setting. Directservices may include but are not limited to:• School CounselingCurriculum (classroomlessons)• College and CareerReadiness Counseling(see college and careerreadiness section forexpanded description ofservices)• Personal/SocialCounseling and Peer-to-Peer Problem Solving30• Academic Advising andCourse Selection• Developing the PersonalEducation Plan (PEP)• Career Assessment• College and CareerSelection and ApplicationProcesses• Test Interpretation(SAT,PSAT, MSA, HSA)• School Crisis InterventionWhat does the School Counselor do CONTINUED:The remaining 30% of the School Counselor’s time is spentproviding indirect services that support the total school programand are conducted on the behalf of students. These servicesmay include but are not limited to:• Analyzing student datato develop and evaluatethe counseling program• Collaborating withteachers and otherprofessionals to helpstudents• Collaborating with parentsto assist students inbeing successful in schooland planning for the future(grades, service learning,college, job shadowing,etc.)• Referring students/families to communityagencies for resources• Serving on SchoolInstructional Team (SIT)to address students whohave academic orbehavioral challenges• Teaming with othersto develop BehaviorIntervention and 504Plans• Providing professionaldevelopment to staff• Conducting studentobservations in theclassroom setting• Reviewing studenttranscripts, grades,attendance, courses andPEPs