No counselor shall unlawfully discriminate against any student. Guidance counseling regarding school programs and career, vocational, or higher education opportunities shall not be differentiated on the basis of any protected category specified in BP 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities.
(cf. 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities)
(cf. 5145.3 - Nondiscrimination/Harassment)
Any school personnel acting in a career counseling or course selection capacity to a pupil shall affirmatively explore with the pupil the possibility of careers, or courses leading to careers, that are nontraditional for that pupil's sex. (Education Code 221.5)
For assessing or counseling students, the district shall not use testing or other materials that permit or require impermissible or unlawful differential treatment of students. (5 CCR 4931)
The Governing Board recognizes that a comprehensive counseling program promotes academic achievement and serves the diverse needs of all district students. Counseling staff shall be available to meet with students regarding their educational progress toward academic and/or career goals and, as appropriate, may discuss social, personal, or other issues that may impact student learning.
(cf. 0460 - Local Control and Accountability Plan)
Academic and Career Counseling
The district's academic counseling program shall help students establish immediate and long-range educational plans, achieve academic 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)
(cf. 0420 - School Plans/Site Councils)
(cf. 1220 - Citizen Advisory Committees)
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)
Counseling staff shall help all students 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. 6141.5 - Advanced Placement)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
(cf. 6146.1- High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6146.11 - Alternative Credits Toward Graduation)
(cf. 6146.2 - Certificate of Proficiency/High School Equivalency)
The counseling program for high school students may include, at appropriate grade levels:
1. Information about courses needed for admission to colleges and universities, standardized admission tests, financial aid, and scholarships
(cf. 6141.5 - Advanced Placement)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
(cf. 6146.1- High School Graduation Requirements)
(cf. 6146.11 - Alternative Credits Toward Graduation)
(cf. 6146.2 - Certificate of Proficiency/High School Equivalency)
2. An opportunity for each student and, if practicable, his/her parent/guardian to meet with a counselor to discuss the student's career goals, available educational and career technical education options, and community and workplace experiences to support the student's goals
(cf. 6178 - Career Technical Education)
(cf. 6178.1 - Work-Based Learning)
(cf. 6178.2 - Regional Occupational Center/Program)
3. Monitoring of each student's fulfillment of required coursework and progress toward promotion and graduation, and notification of the student and his/her parent/guardian of remaining academic requirements
(cf. 5123 - Promotion/Acceleration/Retention)
4. Additional specialized counseling services for students identified as at risk of not graduating with their class
(cf. 6176 - Weekend/Saturday Classes)
(cf. 6177 - Summer Learning Programs)
(cf. 6179 - Supplemental Instruction)
The Superintendent or designee shall establish and maintain a program of guidance, placement, and follow-up for all high school students subject to compulsory continuation education. (Education Code 48431)
Personal Counseling
Counseling staff shall identify and work with students whose personal problems may prevent them from reaching their potential. As appropriate, students shall be informed about agencies that offer qualified professional assistance with substance abuse, physical or emotional problems, or other personal problems.
(cf. 1020 - Youth Services)
(cf. 5113 - Absences and Excuses)
(cf. 5113.1 - Truancy)
(cf. 5131.6 - Alcohol and Other Drugs)
(cf. 5137 - Positive School Climate)
(cf. 5138 - Conflict Resolution/Peer Mediation)
(cf. 5141.4 - Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting)
(cf. 5141.6 - School Health Services)
(cf. 5145.9 - Hate-Motivated Behavior)
(cf. 5147 - Dropout Prevention)
(cf. 5149 - At-Risk Students)
(cf. 6164.5 - Student Success Teams)
(cf. 6173 - Education for Homeless Children)
(cf. 6173.1 - Education for Foster Youth)
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. Parent/guardian consultation and consent shall be obtained as appropriate.
(cf. 5125 - Student Records)
(cf. 5022 - Student and Family Privacy Rights)
Crisis Counseling
The Board recognizes the need for a prompt and effective response when students are confronted with a traumatic incident. School counselors shall assist in the development of the comprehensive school safety plan, emergency and disaster preparedness plan, and other prevention and intervention practices designed to assist students before and after a crisis.
(cf. 0450 - Comprehensive Safety Plan)
(cf. 3516 - Emergencies and Disaster Preparedness Plan)
In addition, the Superintendent or designee shall identify crisis counseling resources to train district staff in appropriate response techniques and/or to directly help students cope with such crises if they occur.
Early identification and intervention plans shall be developed to help identify those students who may be at risk for violence so that support may be provided before they engage in violent or disruptive behavior.
(cf. 5131 - Conduct)
(cf. 5131.2 - Bullying)
(cf. 5136 - Gangs)
(cf. 5141.52 - Suicide Prevention)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
221.5 Prohibited sex discrimination
37254 Supplemental instruction based on failure to pass exit exam by end of grade 12
41505-41508 Pupil Retention Block Grant
48431 Establishing and maintaining high school guidance and placement program
49600-49604 Educational counseling
51250 School age military dependents
51513 Personal beliefs
52378-52380 Supplemental School Counseling Program
REPEALED EDUCATION CODE FOR CATEGORICAL PROGRAMS
48431.6 Tenth grade counseling program
PENAL CODE
11166-11170 Reporting known or suspected cases of child abuse
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
4930-4931 Counseling
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 10
503 Military recruiter access to directory information
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
1232g Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
7908 Armed forces recruiter access to students and student recruiting information
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 34
99.1-99.67 Family educational rights and privacy
Management Resources:
WEB SITES
American School Counseling Association: http://www.schoolcounselor.org
California Association of School Counselors: http://www.schoolcounselor-ca.org
California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov
U.S. Department of Education, access to military recruiters: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/hottopics/ht10-09-02.html
Policy NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: January 12, 2016 Costa Mesa, California