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1995 SESSION

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HB 2468 School guidance and counseling programs; notice and consent.

Introduced by: Stephen D. Newman | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY:

School guidance and counseling programs; notice and consent. Requires local school boards to notify parents and guardians regarding school guidance and counseling programs (with the exception of academic and career guidance activities) in the school division. The notice is to describe the programs' purposes; qualifications of individuals providing the guidance services; and lessons, techniques and program materials. Written parental consent is required for participation of minor pupils in guidance and counseling programs, with the exception of academic or career guidance activities. Local school boards would be required to adopt policies addressing the required notice and consent; parental involvement in programs needs and materials selection; and parental access to information obtained in guidance or counseling activities. Use of psychotherapeutic techniques would be prohibited. Copies of materials used by teachers, counselors, and pupils in counseling or guidance programs would be available to parents upon request. Counseling notes maintained by a teacher or counselor would not become part of the pupil's scholastic record.

Standard 2 of the Standards of Quality requires each local school board to maintain a program of pupil personnel services "designed to aid students in their educational, social and career development." The Standards of Accreditation (SOA) outline the many objectives of public school guidance and counseling services. The SOA also establish minimum staffing levels for counseling services, requiring that one full-time guidance staff member be employed on an 11-month basis for secondary schools enrolling at least 350 pupils and middle schools enrolling at least 400 pupils. These support services are funded from basic school aid.


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