The school counseling program shall provide comprehensive services aligning with the Tennessee Comprehensive School Counseling Model of Practice. School counselors work strategically as part of an instructional team to promote student success. Serving as leaders and advocates, school counselors work collaboratively to provide services in a comprehensive, developmental, and preventative manner.

School counselors shall implement a comprehensive school counseling program which incorporates standards of achievement in the areas of academic development, social personal development, and college and career readiness. The program must incorporate a team approach, academic development, social and personal development, college and career readiness competency development, deficiency remediation, and systemic implementation. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

The school counselor shall be licensed by the Tennessee Department of Education and shall have the training needed for fulfilling the responsibilities and specialized job assignments.

USE OF TIME

To deliver an effective comprehensive school counseling program, school counselors shall spend the majority of their time in direct and student support services to students. The ASCA National Model recommends that school counselors spend 80 percent of their time providing direct services to students or working on behalf of students. The remaining 20 percent of a counselor’s time should be spent working on the foundation, management, and accountability components of the counseling program. A small percentage of this time can also be spent in fair share responsibilities. The 80/20 time breakdown reflects the program delivery over the course of the entire school year.

The school counselor shall include the following activities in the delivery component: 

1. Deliver large group, classroom, and school-wide curricula designed to help students achieve mastery of counseling standards appropriate for their developmental level; 
2. Utilize individual student appraisal and advisement to help all students plan, monitor, and manage their own learning as well as to achieve in academics, personal and social development, and college and career readiness; 
3. Provide individual and group counseling to address students’ immediate needs and concerns and resolve academic, social and personal, or college and career issues that are interrupting learning;
4. Provide support and assistance to students and school community to navigate critical and 
   emergency situations;
5. Make students and families aware of school and community resources that can provide additional information or assistance to help students be successful; 
6. Share strategies that support student achievement with parents, teachers, other educators, or community organizations through consultation; and 
7. Collaborate with other educators, parents, and the community to support student achievement and advocate for access and equity for all students through teaming, partnering, participating on school/district committees, and facilitating parent or staff workshops.

Legal Reference: 

1. Tennessee State Board of Education Policy 5.103; Tennessee State Board of Education Policy 4.204.

Approved as to Legal Form 
By Knox County Law Director 1/2/2024 
/Gary T. Dupler/Deputy Law Director