The board shall develop a written, district wide procedural plan which contains a definition of the guidance program; a statement of program philosophy; identified competencies, services, and activities and; procedures for evaluating the guidance program. The board shall also develop an advisory committee, comprised of school and community members, to review the guidance program’s activities.

The board believes that the guidance program is an integral part of the instructional process. It focuses on the students’ total environment to promote learning in all areas.

The guidance program shall be directed toward fulfilling the educational, vocational, psychological, physical, and social needs of all children served. This translates into seven basic objectives:

1. To demonstrate critical thinking skills.

2. To develop a positive self-concept.

3. To acquire acceptable school behaviors.

4. To be made aware of career opportunities.

5. To participate in an educationally sound instructional program.

6. To develop an awareness of the destructive characteristics of substance abuse.

7. To acquire universal testing skills.

Reference

Legal: Missouri School Improvement Program Standard 11.1

Policy adopted: June 26, 1990

Revised: September 8, 1998

Revised: December 07, 1999

R6164.2

ST. LOUIS BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULATION
INSTRUCTION
ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND SECONDARY
Instructional Services
Individual and Remedial Services – Guidance

The school counselor shall work within the students total environment to promote learning in all areas. Under the leadership of the guidance supervisor, the primary counseling function shall be to establish a developmental process directed at fulfilling the specific needs of all students. In order to reach the board's goal of providing for the educational, vocational, psychological, physical, and social needs of all children served, a guidance program of comprehensive services shall be planned cooperatively with school staff and parents. This guidance program addresses students’ needs in the areas of career planning and exploration; knowledge of self and others; and educational, vocational and career development, including effective employment seeking and employment retention skills at grade levels seven (7) through twelve (12).

Counselors on each grade level should provide individual and group guidance activities appropriate to the nature of the goal and needs of the student. The minimum counselor/student ratio at all grade levels should be one full-time counselor for every 400 to 500 students. Due to the greater needs of those students assigned to special education classes, increased counselor services should be considered for those schools having two behavior disordered (BD) classrooms or having more than one each of learning disabilities (LD), behavior disorders (BD) and educable mentally handicapped (EMH) classrooms.

An annual guidance calendar shall be developed by the counselor, approved by the principal or designee, and submitted to the guidance supervisor for evaluation and response.

Reference

Legal: Missouri School Improvement Program Standard 3.2; 11.1

Regulation approved: June 26, 1990

Revised: September 8, 1998

Revised: December 07, 1999