Educational Counseling

School counselors are authorized to provide education counseling services in grades kindergarten through fourteen. They have a Pupil Personnel Services Credential for Individuals Prepared in California (CL-606C) with a specialization in school counseling. They work with all grade levels as a part of a team of School-Based Mental Health Professionals. These professionals include school counseling, school social work, school psychology, and child welfare and attendance. As part of a multidisciplinary team, school counselors collaborate together as a unified and cohesive component of the larger school system to meet the learning and developmental needs of all students.

School counselors are trained to:

• Establish educational opportunities of equity and culturally responsive practices to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.
• Recognize, respect, and utilize each student’s strengths, experiences, and background as assets for teaching and learning.
• Confront and alter institutional biases of student marginalization, deficit-based schooling, and low expectations.
• Provide opportunities to develop an understanding regarding issues of discrimination, implicit bias, social justice, diversity, and knowledge of how they may contribute to, or detract from, school success.
• Increase awareness of mental health programs and services to address barriers.
• A positive school culture and climate can enhance the safety and well-being of all students.

School counselors are stakeholders in school and district level implementation of Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) which includes Behavioral Intervention Strategies and Supports. Components of a MTSS school counseling program include academic (achievement), career (career exploration and development) and social/emotional (behavior).

For more information about education counseling programs, contact your local school district.

• The Counseling/Student Support - CalEdFacts page provides a more detailed overview of Counseling programs.
• The links and information below were developed for educators and others who operate counseling programs.

College & Career Planning
Provides resources and strategies in college/career counseling to help students acquire the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to make a successful transition from school to work.

Research
Provides information on school counseling and student support services program effectiveness in the academic, career, and personnel/social counseling program domains.

Resources
Provides web page links and other resources on counseling and student support services and programs.