This digest describes the structural and programmatic components of the Missouri Comprehensive Guidance Program Model, a model designed to help school districts develop comprehensive and systematic guidance programs oriented toward overall student development. It discusses the content of the model (based on the concept of life career development)…

In a leading Nevada school district 35 elementary principals were surveyed to determine their perception of the need for elementary school counselors and the duties they would like a counselor to perform in their schools should counselors become available. Two findings emerged prominently: (1) the principals do want elementary school counselors;…

Teachers and administrators are often at a loss as to where they should turn for practical, down-to-earth assistance in the area of parent conferencing. The counselor is in a position to provide such assistance, and several strategies are presented which are available to this mental health specialist. The counselor is provided with a working…

The school counselor is viewed as the most effective career education change agent in the guidance model presented in this booklet. The model, termed "developmental career guidance," is primarily presented in full-page illustrations showing the counselor's (with a combined consultant function) role in the following cooperative relationships: The…

Guidance and counseling functions of secondary distributive education teacher-coordinators, members of the National Association of Distributive Education Teachers (NADET), and the teachers' perceptions of the importance of their role in guidance counseling are discussed from survey data. Conclusions include implications for in-service…

Reflects on roles that admission professionals hold within the academic community. Explains that admission professionals are educators and business managers; bring in revenue; and serve as advisors to the president, as spokespeople to alumni/ae, and if fortunate, as counselors to students. Suggests that counselors focus on students because they…

Under development in a Maryland district, the Competency-Based Systems Oriented Guidance Program described here combines (1) a focus on helping all students become competent in knowledge, attitude, and skills and (2) a systems orientation addressing the entire spectrum of student life by providing a common language, methods of information…

This article summarizes recent information on the changing role of professional guidance and the linkages between different services in the Netherlands. The article is organized in three sections. Section 1 highlights some fundamental characteristics of the Dutch educational system. Section 2 examines the structure of the existing guidance…

For many years the school guidance counselor has played an important role in the education and guidance of students in public schools. School counselors have been historically viewed as an appendage or as an ancillary service to the school's education mission. While the ancillary model has helped some students, it has been inadequate in helping…

The study sought to identify competencies required for effective functioning of various guidance personnel and to validate those identified competencies. A pilot study led to the development of the final survey instrument which listed 318 guidance-related competencies. The following respondents rated each competency in terms of its importance to…

As the guidance and counseling profession moves through the 1980s, diversity and contradictions within the profession endanger any major sense of mission. Discusses a number of separate, distinct movements that have marked the history of guidance in American education and a corresponding number of unique movements within counseling. (RC)

Defines seven characteristics that make a counselor indispensable to the schools of today and tomorrow: (1) humanness; (2) professionalism; (3) expertise as a program creator; (4) team player; (5) facilitator; (6) public relations expert; and (7) futurist. Counselors who work from a strong guidance program and who embody these characteristics are…

Examines the interface between the family and the school. Argues that school counselors have access to both family and school systems and thus are uniquely positioned to engage each component. Discusses triangulation and cautions counselors to maintain an outside position and not become triangled into the family system. (RJM)

Provides for those involved in retaining a child a concise, cumulative report of recent literature and research on elementary grade retention. Most research indicated that elementary school level retention does not effectively increase academic achievement among low-achieving students. Research-based decision making on this issue is a must. (RJM)

Discusses ways to assess patterns of family interactions that influence adolescent career development. Encourages school counselors to investigate the possibility that extremes in family patterns of adaptation, cohesion, and communication may have a significant negative impact on adolescent career development. Timely assessments and interventions…