Board Policy

BP 6164.2

Instruction

Guidance/Counseling Services

The Board of Education desires that the district's counseling program promote academic achievement, serve the diverse needs of district students and, to the extent possible, focus on prevention and early intervention. Students shall be encouraged to arrange a meeting with counseling staff whenever they desire to discuss academic, social or personal problems.

Academic Counseling

The Board expects academic counseling to help students establish immediate and long-range educational plans, make progress towards achieving proficiency standards, and complete the required curriculum in accordance with their individual needs, abilities and interests. Insofar as possible, parents/guardians shall be included when making educational plans.

(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)

Counseling staff shall help students to plan for the future and become aware of their career potential. Academic planning for higher education shall include information about courses needed for admission to colleges and universities, standardized admission tests, financial aid, and scholarships.

(cf. 6010 - Goals and Objectives)

(cf. 6030 - Integrated Academic and Vocational Instruction)

The Superintendent or designee shall establish a specialized academic counseling program for students in the 10th grade and shall present this program to the Board for adoption.

The Superintendent or designee shall establish and maintain a program of guidance, placement and follow-up for all district minors subject to compulsory continuation education.

(cf. 6184 - Continuation Education)

Personal Counseling

Counseling staff also shall identify and work with students whose personal problems may prevent them from functioning up to their potential. As appropriate, students shall be informed about agencies that offer qualified professional assistance with chemical dependency, physical or emotional problems, or other personal problems.

(cf. 1020 - Youth Services)

(cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses)

(cf. 5131.6 - Alcohol and Other Drugs)

(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)

(cf. 5141.4 - Child Abuse Reporting Procedures)

(cf. 5147 - Dropout Prevention)

(cf. 5149 - At-Risk Students)

(cf. 6164.5 - Student Study Teams)

Counselors shall respect student confidentiality as appropriate and shall consult with the Superintendent or designee or with the district's legal counsel whenever unsure of how to respond to a student's personal problem. Parental consultation and consent shall be obtained as appropriate.

(cf. 5145.1 - Privacy)

Crisis Counseling

The Board recognizes the need for a prompt and effective response when students are confronted with a traumatic incident. The Superintendent or designee shall identify crisis counseling resources which may be called upon either to train district staff in appropriate response techniques or to directly help students cope with such tragedies when they occur.

(cf. 0450 - Comprehensive Safety Plan)

(cf. 3516 - Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan)

(cf. 5136 - Gangs)

(cf. 5141.52 - Suicide Prevention)

Legal Reference:

EDUCATION CODE

221.5 Prohibited sex discrimination

48431 Establishing and maintaining high school guidance and placement program

48431.6 Academic progress and counseling review program

49600-49604 Educational counseling, especially:

49600 Services included

49602 Confidentiality of pupil information

51513 Personal beliefs

PENAL CODE

11166-11170 Reporting known or suspected cases of child abuse

WELFARE AND INSTITUTIONS CODE

4343-4352 Primary intervention program

UNCODIFIED STATUTES

Ch. 487, Statutes of 1991

Management Resources:

CDE LEGAL ADVISORIES

0328.90 Duties and Liabilities of School Counselors, LO: 2-90

CTC ADVISORIES

1100.96 Teacher Advisement Programs, November 1996

Policy PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

adopted: March 8, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California