- Fort Smith School District
- Counseling Overview
- Counseling Program Information
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Counseling Foundation
- 1.1: The Fort Smith School District school counseling program belief and mission statements define the purpose and the guiding principles for managing and implementing a school counseling program and support system for all students.
- 1.2: School counseling program goals and objectives will be reviewed and modified each year to establish the priorities and direction for school counseling and support services provided to students in grades K-12.
- 1.3: Three broad domains of student development will guide the school counseling program: Academic, Career, and Social/Emotional.
- 1.4: ASCA’s National Model, professional competencies, ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors, ethical standards, position statements, and Arkansas Act 190-The School Counseling Improvement Act of 2019 will guide the school counselors’ program, practice, and professionalism within the Fort Smith School District.
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Counseling Delivery
- 2.1: All students (K-12) will be provided with an age- and grade-appropriate planned school counseling core curriculum that promotes attitudes, knowledge, and skills through instruction in academic achievement, college and career readiness, and social/emotional development.
- 2.2: School counseling programs and services will be provided to educate, engage, and increase parent/family participation in academic, career, and social/emotional development and decision-making for all students in grades K-12.
- 2.3: School counselors will help students monitor and manage their own learning and establish personal goals and future plans.
- 2.4: School counselors will meet with all students (grades 7-12) to develop/refine individual student success plans beginning in seventh grade, which includes appropriate coursework for successful graduation from high school and transition to post-secondary institutions or to work.
- 2.5: School counselors will conduct conferences with each student and, if practicable, the parents or guardians of students at risk of not graduating with the rest of their class.
- 2.6: Targeted data-driven interventions will be provided to students who need additional support to address academic achievement, college/career readiness, or social/emotional concerns.
- 2.7: School counselors will respond to students' academic, social/emotional, and/or college/career needs by utilizing site and district resources and referring to community resources to address concerns ranging from early intervention to crisis response.
- 2.8: Social/emotional counseling will be provided to promote the development of student academic abilities, careers and vocations, and social/emotional skills.
- 2.9: School counselors and support staff will consult with school staff, parents/guardians, and relevant stakeholders regularly to provide information, support the school community, and receive feedback on the emerging needs of students.
- 2.10: School counselors will participate in curriculum committees, community committees, and advisory boards to collaborate on student issues, support programs in the school and community, and gain support for the school counseling program.
- 2.11: School counselors will collaborate with local businesses, industries, and agencies to utilize community resources, referral agencies, field trip sites, employment opportunities, and local labor market information.
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Counseling Management
- 3.1: As school staff members, school counselors will assume planning and management responsibilities in the school counseling program.
- 3.2: School counselors and support staff will meet regularly as Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) to review student data and identify, prioritize, and target student needs.
- 3.3: School counselors will collaborate with school administration and site leadership teams to ensure effective implementation of school counseling services.
- 3.4: The assignment of students to school counselors will be determined by the school counseling department and administration at each school site based on the unique programmatic considerations of the school and student population.
- 3.5: School counselor's use of time will be determined in mutual agreement with site administrators in accordance with the Fort Smith School Counseling program goals. FSPS counselors will use the School Counselor Use of Time Analysis (SCUTA) application to document the use of time.
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Counseling Accountability and Assessment
- 4.1: To demonstrate the impact and effectiveness of the program, school counselors will analyze school and school counseling program data to determine how students are different as a result.
- 4.2: An appropriate school counselor evaluation tool will be developed in collaboration with the counseling department that reflects the duties and responsibilities expected of school counselors, as defined by the ASCA National Model, ASCA Professional Standards and Competencies, ASCA Ethical Guidelines, and the Fort Smith School District Counseling Plan.
- 4.3: School counselors will meet at least once a year to review and update the school counseling program handbook and school counseling program activities.
- 4.4: School counselors serve as leaders in the school community to promote and support student success and act as systems change agents to create an environment that encourages and supports student success.
