The School Counseling Curriculum consists of structured developmental experiences presented systematically through classroom and group 8-12. The purpose is to facilitate student growth and development, promote academic achievement and positive mental health, and assist students in acquiring and using career life skills. The curriculum is organized around the three content standards. Essential Grade Level Expectations are identified in the department scope and sequence. While counselors are responsible for managing and implementing the curriculum, the support of the faculty and staff is essential for successful implementation. The curriculum is delivered through both classroom and group activities. Examples of curriculum topics in each of the content standards are as follows:
- Social & Emotional Development: Personal safety, respecting differences, empathy-building, problem-solving, personal strengths and talents, mindfulness, coping with stressful situations, emotional regulation, social skill-building.
- Academic Development: study skills, test-taking skills, goal-setting, grade-level transitions, four-year planning, and test interpretation
- Career Readiness: Career awareness and exploration, career paths, career resources, job skills, decision-making, post-secondary planning.
School counselors work closely with teachers to organize where and when school counseling curriculum activities will be taught. Learning activities are cross-referenced to the state standards and provide practical ways to work closely with classroom teachers to achieve the district's educational goals. The school counseling curriculum is delivered through such strategies as:
- Classroom activities: Counselors teach, team-teach, or assist in teaching guidance, curriculum learning activities in the classroom, school counseling center, or other school facilities.
- Group activities: Counselors conduct groups outside the classroom to respond to student-identified interests or needs. Counselors plan and lead structured activities to develop skills and increase students' knowledge concerning guidance standards and grade-level expectations.
Comprehensive School Counseling Program Philosophy
Proviso Township School District 209 believes that our Comprehensive School Counseling Program (CSCP) is an essential and integral part of our district's educational program and mission. It exists to promote every student's ability to live, learn, work, and contribute to their communities. We understand that the CSCP is developmentally appropriate and involves assisting all students with continuous growth and transitions. All students can become effective, responsible, productive, life-long learners. We acknowledge that our program should be assessed annually, be self-reflective, and continuously improve. We assert that the Comprehensive School Counseling Program should be linked to student achievement, be aligned with state and national standards, and encourage professional development. We maintain that our CSCP is coordinated across all school levels and collaborates with the community.
District 209 CSCP, when fully implemented, will:
- Address the diverse needs of every student;
- Provide for self-reflective evaluation and annual program reviews based upon best practices, relevant research, and appropriate data;
- Be coordinated by a team of school counselors and implemented by students, parents, teachers, administrators, and staff support;
- Including developmentally appropriate guidance curriculum, activities, and services based on the needs of the entire student population; and
- Be an integral component of each school's program and an essential link with the community.
