More Than Just a Listening Ear

By Katilyn Woodley

In Region 7, school counselors play a pivotal role in shaping the daily experience of students. You might spot them hanging a colorful bulletin board adorned with handprints and a catchy phrase like “Together We Can Change the World.” You might see them greeting children with a warm smile in the hallways, or guiding students through the college application process. Then there are times when their presence goes unnoticed—but their impact is undeniable. 

Counselors occupy a unique and often solitary position within schools, but their work is central to the well-being and success of every student.

Counselors attending the October 2024 Counselor Academy to learn more about all areas of the CSCP. 

What Does the Law Say About School Counselors?

The Texas Education Code (33.005) requires that every student have access to a school counselor. Counselors are tasked with creating and implementing a Comprehensive School Counseling Program (CSCP) to support students, staff, and other stakeholders.

Counselors are required to dedicate at least 80% of their time to four components of the Comprehensive School Counseling Program:

• Responsive Services
• Guidance Curriculum
• Individual Planning
• System Support

The remaining 20% of a counselor’s time may be spent on “non-counseling duties,” such as administering assessments.

The state has also introduced counselor time-tracking protocols, with districts required to document and submit this data to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) annually.

Counselors attending a workshop on Art in Counseling to learn new group lessons to use with students of all ages. 

Understanding the Components of a CSCP

The delivery of a CSCP can best be understood within the context of a Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) model.

• System Support includes time spent building and maintaining the counseling program. Professional development, time-tracking documentation, and connecting with community resources all fall under this area. 
• Guidance Curriculum is the core of what we typically associate with school counseling—delivering lessons on topics like anxiety, diversity, coping skills, and others. This is primarily a Tier 1 intervention aimed at addressing universal needs. At the elementary level, the guidance curriculum takes up a larger portion of counselors’ time, as counselors build foundational skills that students will continue to use as they grow. As students advance and develop, the curriculum evolves to meet their changing needs.
• Individual Planning is often thought of as high school-specific as it includes college prep, schedule planning, and graduation requirements. However, this component is relevant at all grade levels.  Individual planning is a Tier 1, universal need with some targeted interventions. For example, college-bound athletes or first-generation students may require specialized planning in a Tier 2 setting. In cases of students who have faced academic disruption, such as those moving frequently or transferring from out of state, individual planning may also extend to intensive, Tier 3 interventions.
• Responsive Services typically occur as the result of an immediate crisis.  While counselors strive to prevent issues before they arise, responsive services most often address Tier 2 and Tier 3 needs, such as suicide ideation, substance abuse, and child abuse/neglect. These services often involve connecting students with external resources for more specialized support.

It is important to note that while school counselors offer short-term, solution-focused counseling, they are not equipped to provide long-term therapy in a school setting. For ongoing or intensive counseling needs, they will connect students with appropriate outside resources.

Quitman High School student-created work from a universal lesson on kindness; used to create a “Kindness Garden” on campus.

Crisis Response and the Psychological Side of School Safety

School counselors also play a key role in crisis intervention, responding to events that disrupt the academic environment.  This may be the loss of a student or staff member, a natural disaster, or a serious threat. Region 7 has a Crisis Team made up of ESC staff and district school counselors trained through the NOVA crisis response model.  The Crisis Team meets quarterly to ensure they are prepared for any emergency. 

Both physical and psychological safety are essential for students to thrive in their learning environment. A comprehensive school counseling program ensures that our students are safe, supported, and able to fully engage in their education.

At Region 7, we have the privilege of working alongside some of the most dedicated and talented school counselors in the field. Their commitment to supporting students is unwavering, and their impact extends far beyond the walls of their campuses.

More information about the Comprehensive School Counseling Program can be found in Chapter 33 of the Texas Education Code, on TEA’s FAQ for School Counseling page, and in the Texas Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs.