American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model

FOUNDATION

The New Directions Student Services team will provide academic, career/transition planning, and personal/social counseling to all and specifically target chronically disaffected students.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The New Directions Student Services team will conduct a needs assessment at the beginning of the year to include social and personal counseling, career and transition planning, and academic guidance in order to target the needs of each student.  Each program will be followed with an evaluation.   Records will be maintained on each student documenting contacts and dates of counseling.

DELIVERY SYSTEM

New Directions counselors will introduce and begin to implement the Alternative Education Plan during enrollment and consult with teachers quarterly regarding student progress with behaviors identified as needing improvement.  

The first step in implementing this plan is the development of a graduation plan with an emphasis on the student’s plan for school completion (type of diploma/GED).  During the registration interview the student’s strengths and weaknesses are discussed and a plan of action determined.  Career/Substance/Social skill lessons are provided on an on-going basis.  The lessons are personalized to meet the identified needs of the students.  Entry and exit holistic academic achievement measures in the areas of language arts and mathematics will provide effective progress data. 

MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

The student case load is divided by alphabet and school counselors are available for all students needing social and academic counseling with cross specialties in transition planning and substance abuse awareness.  Student Services, as a part of the Leadership Team, plays an integral role in the development of affective and effective school policy and collaborates directly with the Instructional Leadership Team to create academic programs that address the ‘whole child’.