FBISD Pilots Comprehensive Developmental Counseling Program

This school year the district is piloting a new program that restructures the delivery of counseling services at Elkins High, Quail Valley Middle, and Austin Parkway Elementary schools. Based on a nationally acclaimed and widely used model, comprehensive developmental counseling focuses on four fundamental areas of “true” counseling: Guidance Curriculum, Individual Planning, Responsive Services, and System Support. Our own Texas Education Agency endorses and recommends the use of this program as well.

The guidance curriculum consists of structured, developmentally appropriate lessons presented systematically through classroom and group activities in all grades. For example, high school counselors take groups of students to the computer labs to work with them on the COIN program, which assists them with career awareness, college selection, and scholarship application.

Individual planning consists of meeting with all students to help them plan, monitor, and manage their own learning, as well as their personal and career development. Within this domain of the program, students will evaluate their educational, occupational, and personal goals with the counselors’ guidance.

Responsive services consist of activities designed to meet the immediate needs of students whether these require individual or group counseling, consultation, or referral. This service is rendered on an as-needed basis and is available to all students.

System support consists of the management activities that establish, maintain, and enhance the total counseling program. This includes professional development, serving on advisory councils and committees, and staff/community relations.

We are very excited about this unique opportunity and hopeful this new program will not only have a positive impact on our students but also grow to full implementation throughout FBISD.