We love and admire our school counselors and staff! The role of a school guidance counselor has so many aspects, from helping students prepare for their class schedule to supporting their mental health. The role of counselor has evolved quickly as well in response to students having very different school experiences during the global pandemic.
Cate Reed, seasoned administrator, current Senior Vice President of Teach For America, and Possip Reporter, explores how guidance counselors can empower students to choose the right schedule.
High school counselors can play a pivotal role as they help students select an appropriate schedule. For many students, academics, extracurricular activities, and other commitments all compete for their time, and helping them find the right balance to set them up for success can be a complex puzzle.
On top of that, students can be reluctant to take the advice of guidance counselors when their friends or family members might have a different point of view on how they should think about their future.
These are some steps and strategies guidance counselors can use to assist kids in making the best schedule decisions while ensuring that students have agency and choice in their future:
1. Establish strong relationships with students.
When possible, meet with kids 1:1 at the beginning of the year. If your caseload is high, consider meeting with kids in pods. Have them sign up for pods based on their interests. Attend athletic events or school plays and clubs where students can see you taking an interest in who they are and what they want to be outside the classroom.
2. Ensure students know the minimum coursework they need to take to move to the next grade/school or to graduate.
If your district requires three years of math, but colleges ask for four, ensure kids know that. Provide a detailed chart of what your school requires against what will be expected at different entry points beyond your school.
3. Learn the students’ and parents’ expectations of “The Beyond”, while ensuring that students know all the choices available to them.
“The Beyond” is what is available to students beyond their current school and class schedule. It could be high school, college, or career. Consider a questionnaire for students that they can complete with their families. Using a Google Form allows you to gather all the information in one central place for when you meet with students. These are some sample questions to ask students and families:
- What are the post-high school options you are familiar with? Less familiar with? (4-year college, 2-year programs, union, trade, apprenticeship, military, work, etc.)
- Where do you want to go after graduation/this school?
- What kinds of grades have you had in the past? What kind of grades are you aiming for now?
- How much do you want to take the most challenging courses?
- How important are elective courses to you in your schedule?
- Do you do your best learning in the morning? Mid-day? Afternoon?
- What constraints do you have? (Work, sports, clubs etc.)
- Do you prefer to take classes for learning and curiosity? For getting good grades? To get to your next step?
- If you had to trade off a good grade for taking a class of interest to them, would you?
- Are you trying to access any opportunities that require certain classes? GPAs?
4. Consider their extracurricular activities when considering when to schedule certain classes.
If your school offers classes at the same time every day, then be sure not to have students who need to leave early for soccer games 2x a week take AP calculus last period. Work to help students prioritize their activities and commitments based on their interests and goals and encourage them to focus on a few meaningful activities rather than spreading themselves too thin.
5. Consider any specific needs they might have academically or socially.
Ensure you are up to date on 504 plans and IEPs and schedule students for any coursework they are entitled to legally alongside other requirements. Although it might be hard to coordinate, work to keep students who might butt heads in separate sections or classes.
6. Explore alternative options to get kids what they need.
7:30 a.m – 3 p.m. is just one way to get credit towards graduation. Summer school, evening, or online classes are often available and can help a student who works an extra job, watches their siblings, or just wants to get ahead faster. Ensure you know what those offerings are in your community and share them during the scheduling process.
7. Monitor and share progress about their path to graduation (charts and checklists can help).
Offer resources and tools to help the child stay organized, such as study planners or time management apps. Refer them to academic support services or tutoring if they struggle with coursework. Routinely provide a written update on their progress against their goals.
Ultimately, guidance counselors are there to empower children to make informed decisions about their future. They do this while also considering their interests, goals, and well-being. It’s essential to create a supportive and collaborative environment where children can explore their options and develop the skills needed to manage their future!
