School Counselor Services
by Laura Ross
November 09, 2007
As the Carrollton High School Counselor, I am committed to helping students benefit from the educational opportunities offered at the high school by assisting students with personal, social and academic development in addition to career planning in order to help students prepare for their future.
Students and parents are encouraged to contact me for assistance, and access the services provided. I can be reached at the high school, 942-6913, or through e-mail at llrt@c-hawks.net. The following describes some of the services provided:
Academic Counseling
· Develop and update
four-year plans
· Match coursework with post-secondary plans
· Yearly credit checks to insure student is on track for
graduation/ parent notification if student is not on track
· Progress reports at parent’s request
· Student action plans when failing
· Arrange tutoring services
· Study and test taking skills
Scheduling
8th Grade – Counselor meets with students and parents to begin 4-year plan and choose courses for 9th grade
9th – 12th Grades - Course offerings are explained to students and are shared with parents.Students complete a course request form and a schedule is completed. Students may make changes up to the start of the next academic year.
Please Note: Schedule changes can be difficult to accommodate. Factors include course availability, space availability, and teacher/parent approval.
Career Counseling
· Career awareness activities
begin at Freshman orientation.
· Parents are given information
on career resources.
· Career matches are given in the EXPLORE, PLAN and ACT test
results.
· Internet career resources are utilized in classroom assignments,
and in individual meetings with the counselor.
· College, trade school, and military representatives visit the
high school and discuss career options with students.
· Students and parents are invited to attend college and career
fairs.
· Interest inventories can be given by counselor by request.
· Opportunities for job shadowing are arranged.
Testing
Standardized testing is a necessary and important part of high school. We use the test results to identify areas in need of improvement either on the curriculum or the student level. The following tests are administered each year. Parents are notified of upcoming tests:
- EXPLORE (9th
Grade)
Measures knowledge learned in Reading, English, Math, and Science.
Score is a predictor of PLAN score. Students also complete a career matching
interest inventory.
- PLAN (10th
Grade)
Measures knowledge learned in Reading, English, Math and Science.
Score is a predictor of ACT score. Students also complete a career
matching interest inventory.
- Pre-PSAE (Fall - 11th
Grade)
Measures knowledge learned in Reading, Writing, Math and Science.
Score is used to better prepare students for the ACT/PSAE tests,
which they take in April of 11th grade.
- ACT/PSAE (Spring - 11th
Grade)
Required for graduation. Required for admission to most
colleges.
Other tests that may be administered at the high school are: Stanford tests, PSAT, ASVAB (vocational inventory), and the Advanced Placement (AP) tests
College Prep Counseling
· Students receive advisement
when choosing courses relative to their
post-high school plans
· Assistance with ACT preparation
· College/vocational resource information is located in guidance
office to assist with planning
· A college preparation meeting is held for students and their
parents in September
each year
· A financial aid for college presentation is held in January each
year
· A scholarship bulletin is updated on a regular basis and is
available to seniors
· Assistance with the completion of the FAFSA, scholarship forms,
and college applications is provided
· Recommendation forms and letters are provided for students upon
request
· Official transcripts are sent upon student/parent request
· Students are provided two college days their senior year to visit
colleges.
Personal Counseling
There are times when personal issues distract students from giving their full attention in the classroom, and as a result, grades may suffer. Several services are available to assist students in this area:
· Personal/Social
counseling
· School social worker referrals to Ms. Melissa Certa, MSW
· Crisis intervention counseling
· Referral assistance to outside agencies
Academic Awards Night
Carrollton High School believes it is equally important to recognize outstanding achievement in the classroom. In light of this belief we hold an Academic Awards Night in the spring of each year to recognize students in the area of academic excellence. Every teacher gives out an outstanding award to one student in each of his or her classes.
