Gwinnett County Counseling Program Standards
Students
1.All students have dignity and worth.
2.All students have the opportunity to be served by the guidance and counseling program.
3. All students of diverse backgrounds, intellectual differences, and special needs will be considered in the planning and implementation of the guidance and counseling program.
4. Students and parents are responsible for monitoring the individual student's educational plan with the support of school faculty and staff.
The Guidance Program
1.The guidance program shall be consistent with expected developmental stages of learning.
2. The guidance program shall be evaluated on specific goals.
Counselors
1.Counselors shall abide by the professional ethics of guidance and counseling as advocated by the Gwinnett County School's Policy and Procedures and the American School Counseling Association.
2.Counselors shall participate in an ongoing program of counselor training/retraining to maintain a quality guidance program.
GCPS Guidance and Counseling Standards and Competencies:
Kindergarten, First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth
Kindergarten
1. Explain the importance of using listening skills at all times in school.
2. Follow classroom rules and be able to explain what those rules mean.
3. Follow spoken directions given in school.
4. Express feelings appropriately and recognize the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions. (ex. learning anger management skills)
5. Identify similarities and differences of others.
First Grade
1. Recognize their abilities and potential and the effects of healthy and unhealthy decisions on those abilities and potential.
2. Use listening skills to follow directions.
3. Explain the importance of personal responsibility in following rules.
4. Explore what it means to respect oneself as well as others.
5. Recognize the difference between appropriate and inappropriate physical contact.
6. Use effective communication skills.
Second Grade
1. Recognize the importance of motivation and a strong work ethic (i.e., be on time, complete tasks, and cooperate with others.
2. Define peer pressure and know at least three ways to refuse negative peer pressure by using healthy coping skills.
3. Demonstrate the knowledge of rules and the personal responsibility to follow rules.
4. Display respect for themselves and others.
5. Recognize positive character traits (such as displaying compassion, kindness, and generosity) and healthy coping skills.
6. Work well with other students in the classroom and in other settings.
Third Grade
1. Explore possible career opportunities.
2. Develop skills to work independently.
3. Explore effective strategies for reducing test anxiety.
4. Follow both written and spoken directions.
5. Identify strategies to cope effectively with classroom problems through use of appropriate resources.
6. Practice goal setting, time management, and organizational skills.
7. Apply and practice problem-solving skills to make safe and healthy choices.
8. Identify safety skills for protecting themselves in a variety of dangerous situations.
9. Identify sources of positive and negative influences in their community.
10. Use effective listening and speaking skills.
11. Work cooperatively in a small group to solve problems.
Fourth Grade
1. Explore how the development of hobbies and personal interests relate to career awareness and a healthy lifestyle.
2. Use conflict resolution skills to solve conflicts effectively.
3. Identify personal strengths and weaknesses.
4. Identify test-taking strategies (including the reduction of test anxiety).
5. Utilize organizational tools and time management skills to complete school assignments.
6. Demonstrate personal responsibility for behavior (including a commitment to remain free of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.).
7. Identify coping strategies for dealing effectively with peers (including peer pressure).
8. Identify personal strengths and weaknesses.
9. Identify strategies to cope effectively with personal and classroom difficulties.
10. Review and practice personal safety skills.
11. Use conflict resolution skills to solve conflicts effectively.
Fifth Grade
1. Demonstrate how to use time management and organizational skills to enhance personal and academic success.
2. Utilize study skills to help achieve goals and reduce test-taking anxiety.
3. Demonstrate and model skills needed to cope with challenges in daily life,( including how alcohol and other drugs can interfere witht the ability to accomplish a goal.)
4. Demonstrate behaviors needed to interact with peers effectively,( including refusing negative peer pressure and encouraging others to accomplish healthy goals). 5. Demonstrate the use of effective communication skills in a variety of settings.
6. Distinguish between appropriate and inappropriate verbal, nonverbal, and physical interactions with others.