School Counseling Curriculum Overview

The School Counseling Curriculum consists of structured developmental experiences presented systematically through classroom and group activities K-12.  The purpose is to facilitate student growth and development, to promote academic achievement and positive mental health and to assist students in acquiring and using life career skills.  The curriculum is organized around the three content standards. Essential Grade Level Expectations are identified in part through the district-wide needs assessment and/or the Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition Teacher & Student Checklists.  While counselors are responsible for organizing and implementing the curriculum, the support of the faculty and staff is important for successful implementation.  Curriculum is delivered through both classroom and group activities.  Examples of curriculum topics in each of the content standards are as follows: 

• Social & Emotional Development:  Personal safety, respecting differences, empathy-building, problem-solving, personal strengths and talents, mindfulness, coping with stressful situations, emotional regulation, social skill building.
• Academic Development:  Study skills, test-taking skills, goal-setting, grade-level transitions, four year planning and test interpretation
• Career Readiness:  Career awareness and exploration, career paths, career resources, job skills, decision-making, post-secondary planning.

​School counselors work closely with teachers to organize where and when school counseling curriculum activities will be taught. Learning activities are cross-referenced to the state standards and provide effective ways to work closely with classroom teachers to achieve the educational goals of the district.  The school counseling curriculum is delivered through such strategies as:

• Classroom activities: Counselors teach, team-teach, or assist in teaching guidance curriculum learning activities in the classroom, school counseling center, or other school facilities.
• Group activities: Counselors conduct groups outside of the classroom to respond to student identified interests or needs.  Counselors plan and lead structured activities to develop skills and increase the knowledge of students concerning guidance standards and grade level expectations.