CORE COMPETENCIES FOR GUIDANCE COUNSELORS

Category I: Planning and Preparation

1. Demonstrates knowledge of content and pedagogy
a. Applies all components of a standards-aligned system when planning for guidance services.
b. Adheres to established program of counseling services.
c. Demonstrates knowledge of pro-social skills, self concept/self esteem, and career development curricula
and instruction.
d. Demonstrates knowledge of the district’s curricula, can advise students in appropriate course selection,
and can interpret for others the ramifications of particular courses selected.
2. Demonstrates knowledge of students
a. Focuses on the needs of diverse learners and considers student developmental characteristics,
interests, strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles when planning for guidance services.
b. Uses technology resources to access student information in order to plan for guidance services.
3. Selects appropriate guidance goals
a. Sets high expectations and appropriate goals for all students and provides the guidance services
needed for students to meet established expectations.
4. Demonstrates knowledge of resources
a. Locates instructional and guidance resources, evaluates them for accuracy and/or suitability, and uses
them to enhance guidance services.
b. Maintains a comprehensive list of referral services.
c. Utilizes developmentally appropriate materials, resources, and technologies to support educational
goals and engage students in meaningful experiences.
5. Designs effective counseling experiences to meet the needs of diverse learners that align with
guidance goals, are data driven, sequential, coherent, and meaningful
6. Assesses student needs
a. Plans for the administration of standardized tests.
b. Uses a variety of assessment results to determine students’ needs and uses that information when
planning guidance services.
c. Uses technology resources in order to maximize student success b collecting and analyzing student
data, interpreting results, and communicating findings.
Category II: The Counseling Environment
1. Creates an environment of respect and rapport
a. Responds to students with respect.
b. Creates a positive and supportive counseling environment.
2. Establishes a culture for meaningful counseling relationships
a. Conveys a genuine enthusiasm for working with students, parents, and staff.
b. Demonstrates the belief that all students can achieve at high levels.
c. Maximizes the amount of counseling time focused on student achievement and success.
d. Demonstrates accessibility to students, staff, and parents.
e. Understands and applies motivational strategies.
f. Attends to student questions and concerns.
3. Manages counseling procedures
a. Establishes routines and procedures.
b. Manages effective counseling procedures.
c. Manages materials and supplies.
4. Manages student behavior
a. Communicates clear expectations for behavior and helps students meet expectations for behavior in a
positive and constructive manner.
b. Uses consistent and proactive discipline through clear expectations and consistent responses to student
actions.
c. Disciplines students with dignity and respect.
d. Responds to misbehavior on an individual level in appropriate, fair, and consistent ways.
5. Organizes physical space
a. Creates and maintains an environment that is physically and emotionally safe.
b. Arranges the counseling environment and/or classroom to accommodate student needs and
counseling/instructional purposes.
c. Displays counseling information.
 CORE COMPETENCIES FOR GUIDANCE COUNSELORS
Category III: Delivery of Guidance Services
1. Communicates clearly and accurately with students, parents, and staff
a. Facilitates collaboration between the counselor and teacher.
b. Facilitates collaboration between the school and parents.
c. Publishes informational documents and newsletters.
d. Establishes and communicates clear expectations for students.
e. Uses correct and expressive spoken and written language.
f. Uses vocabulary that is appropriate for the developmental level of students and for informative
conversations with parents.
g. Exhibits active listening.
2. Uses problem solving, questioning and discussion techniques
a. Assists students who are “in need” to solve problems.
b. Facilitates professional problem solving regarding students with parents and/or staff.
c. Uses questioning strategies and discussion techniques in order to meet the needs of individual students.
3. Provides feedback to students and parents
a. Provides students and parents with clear, accurate, specific, meaningful and timely feedback.
b. Assists students in a systematic way to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to
enhance their personal, social, career and academic development.
c. Counsels parents regarding their child’s strengths and weaknesses and emotional well being as
observed at school.
4. Assessment
a. Uses a systematic approach to assess the educational needs of students.
b. Gathers and interprets data and prepares reports with a focus on improving student achievement and
success.
c. Monitors student progress in meeting educational objectives.
d. Administers standardized tests using appropriate testing procedures.
e. Informs students and parents about tests and effective test taking strategies.
5. Demonstrates flexibility and responsiveness
a. Adjusts instruction and services to meet the needs of a diverse student body.
b. Persists in seeking effective approaches and solutions for students needing help and/or support.
c. Responsive to concerns expressed by staff or parents regarding student problems.
d. Provides orientations for new students
6. Provides instruction in pro-social skills, self-concept/self esteem, and career development content.
a. Employs a variety of research-based techniques, strategies, and technologies to provide opportunities
for students to acquire pro-social skills, self-concept/self esteem, and career development awareness.
b. Uses differentiated strategies in order to meet the needs of students of various ability levels and learning
styles.
 CORE COMPETENCIES FOR GUIDANCE COUNSELORS
Category IV: Professionalism
1. Attendance
a. Models the importance of punctuality and good attendance for students.
b. Demonstrates exemplary punctuality and attendance on student-contact days.
c. Demonstrates exemplary punctuality and attendance on professional development days.
2. Reflects on counseling and professional practices
a. Continuously reflects upon the scope, sequence, content and impact of counseling/professional
practices on student achievement and success.
b. Formulates questions, collects and analyzes data to answer questions about the effectiveness of
counseling practices.
3. Maintains accurate records
a. Uses technology to maintain accurate and useful records.
b. Monitors student progress.
c. Maintains a daily appointment log.
4. Communicates with students’ families
a. Regularly communicates student progress with the student and/or his/her parents/guardians in a
manner easily understood.
b. Handles parent concerns professionally and respectfully.
c. Serves as a liaison between school and parents.
d. Utilizes technology to enhance communication and collaboration with students’ families.
e. Communicates information about the instructional/guidance program to students’ families.
f. Engages and involves families in the instructional/guidance program.
g. Collaborates with outside agencies, organizations, and individuals in the best interest of students.
5. Participates in a professional learning community
a. Works collaboratively with colleagues to improve student achievement and success.
b. Works as a team member to attain district and building goals.
c. Contributes to a positive school/district environment.
d. Collaborates and consults with school colleagues, parents, agencies, and others in the community to
support students’ learning and well-being.
6. Growing and developing professionally
a. Demonstrates an attitude of life-long learning and continuous professional growth through active
participation in professional growth and development opportunities.
b. Displays an inquiry orientation towards professional practice, open to the possibility that there may be
other more effective practices than the ones currently in use.
c. Continues to increase content-area knowledge, to develop expertise in best counseling practices, and to
increase technological knowledge and skills.
7. Shows professionalism
a. Models behaviors that convey a professional attitude and demeanor at all times.
b. Displays high standards of ethics, honesty, integrity, and confidentiality in interactions with colleagues,
students, parents, and the public.
c. Ensures that all students receive a fair opportunity to succeed.
d. Implements procedures consistent with district and school policies that protect the privacy and security
of student data and information.
e. Complies fully with school and district policies and procedures and with state regulations.