PLANO ISD COUNSELING

Academic Success   |   College and Career Readiness   |   Social Emotional Growth

Counseling & Guidance

The purpose of the school counseling program is to promote and enhance the learning process. School counselors work closely with administrators, teachers, parents, and the community to support the Plano ISD mission and accomplish goals, with focus on three strands of guidance: academic success, college/career information, and personal/social growth.  In addition, counselors coordinate standardized testing, work with peer support groups, and provide information about community resources. Parents are always welcome to consult with their school counselor about the counseling program and their child’s individual needs.  

Elementary Guidance Services

The elementary guidance program in Plano ISD has a focus on academic success, personal and social growth (including personal safety), and career and college information.  A developmental school guidance program includes activities which are organized and implemented by certified school counselors and are based on identified student needs.  The elementary counselors respond to student and family needs with the guidance curriculum, responsive services, individual planning, and system support.  The guidance curriculum components are self-confidence, motivation to achieve, decision-making (including goal-setting, planning, problem-solving skills), interpersonal effectiveness (including social skills), communication skills, cross-cultural effectiveness, and responsible behavior.  Elementary counselors deliver guidance lessons that support and promote the learning process.

Secondary Guidance Services

Secondary counselors assist students in all areas of the comprehensive counseling program, including personal and social growth, academic success, and career and college information.  Counselors visit with individuals and groups to discuss relevant issues, including bullying, self harm and suicide prevention and other topics based on student and campus need.  Counselors also deliver college and career information through classroom guidance, primarily using the Naviance student program.  Academic conferences held each spring allow for individual post-secondary planning.  Two College Night events are held each fall semester at Senior High schools and are hosted by the counseling departments on those campuses.  Counselors also promote academic success through group and individual academic conferences for students and parents, in addition to providing individual support.