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CHAPTER 2

Exemplary Career Guidance and Counseling Programs: 1995

SECONDARY

Career and Technology Education Guidance and Counseling Program

Address:Garland Independent School District
  Harris Hill Administration Building
  P.O. Box 46902
  Garland, TX 75046-9026
Program Contact Dr. Phillip Gilbreath, Director
Telephone Number:(214) 494-8540

Description

Located in one of the fastest growing areas in Dallas County, the Garland Independent School District (GISD) serves over 43,000 students in grades K-12 in 58 school campuses and one cooperative center. GISD offers Career and Technology Education (CATE) programs that empower students to achieve their potential and experience success through a comprehensive, integrated program. Students have access to information and receive assistance in the development of skills necessary for decisionmaking, problem solving, and career and life planning. The program is an organized team effort consisting of counselors, teachers, administrators, librarians, parents, private industries, and community organizations. Every team member is committed to promoting the educational, psychological, social, and career development of all students.

CATE counselors perform several responsibilities, including coordinating all career interest survey testing, providing personal guidance to students in making career choices and selecting appropriate courses, providing CATE course information to middle school and high school students, and serving on advisory councils. Career and assessment materials (e.g., Ohio Career Interest Survey, Boy Scout Survey, DISCOVER Computer Assisted Career Assessment, Decisions Guidance Booklet), career activities (e.g., career night, college night), and counseling strategies (e.g., individual and group counseling, classroom guidance) enable students to do career investigation and educational planning. The success of the guidance program in addressing the diverse needs of its student population is due in part to the strong support of parents and the community.

Appendix A contains a copy of Garland Independent School District's application to the 1995 search for exemplary career guidance programs.

Career and Technology Education
Career Guidance and Counseling Program

Address:Katy Independent School District
  Miller Career Center
  1734 Katyland Drive
  Katy, TX 77493
Program ContactBonny Green, Director
Telephone Number:(713) 396-6300

Description

The mission of the Career and Technology Education Program in Katy Independent School District (ISD) is to integrate career awareness, technical preparation, and academic excellence to train students to become productive citizens in a global workforce. Career awareness begins at the elementary level with career week programs and the implementation of a guidance curriculum. Career exploration is emphasized in middle and junior high school where students participate in the ACT's Career Planning Program (CPP). The CPP is an assessment designed to provide students with accurate, comprehensive information about their abilities and interests and to help them explore and identify career paths.

Katy ISD's Career Guidance and Counseling Program uses individual and group counseling to address students' career development needs and concerns. Professional development activities are conducted for counselors, teachers, and other school personnel to increase their knowledge and understanding of career exploration, counseling, postsecondary training options for students, school-to-work, applied academics, and local partnerships. In addition, courses that promote increased self-concept and effective interpersonal and leadership skills, including Career Investigation, Psychology, Sociology, and Health, are offered at the secondary level. The Miller Career Center, which serves as the central site for Katy ISD, is rich with current computer-based career resources that are available to students every day.

Appendix B contains a copy of Katy Independent School District's application to the 1995 search for exemplary career guidance programs.

Career Guidance and Counseling Program

Address:Caddo-Kiowa Vocational-Technical Center
  P.O. Box 190
  Ft. Cobb, OK 73038
Program ContactGlenda Taylor, Program Supervisor
Telephone Number:(405) 643-5511

Description

A comprehensive career development program, the Career Guidance and Counseling Program of Caddo-Kiowa Vocational-Technical Center (C/K VTC) helps secondary students from its sending schools and adult students set educational and career goals. Through a "building block" format that begins in kindergarten and continues through 12th grade, students learn the importance of continued personal growth and good communication skills, while improving self-awareness and self-advocacy, and exploring several career options. Adult students are afforded many of the same opportunities available to secondary students in a slightly different format.

Students are assisted in developing and implementing an individualized career plan based on their knowledge gained through the program. An important component of the Career Guidance and Counseling Program is job placement. To facilitate the transition from school to work, all students are required to attend job readiness classes and participate in on-the-job training in their field. Various strategies are used to assist the approximately 1,600 students every year, including individual and group counseling, career awareness activities, and testing. Materials used include vocational assessment tools and a wide variety of career resources in the form of videos, books, handbooks, and games.

Appendix C contains a copy of Caddo-Kiowa Vocational-Technical Center's application to the 1995 search for exemplary career guidance programs.

Project Soar-Succes Opportunities Through Articulated Resources

Address:Metro Tech
  1900 Springlake Drive
  Oklahoma City, OK 73111
Program ContactBrenda Nixon, Project Coordinator
Telephone Number:(405) 424-8324

Description

A consortium of Oklahoma City schools initiated Project SOAR (Success Opportunities Through Articulated Resources) to plan and implement an articulated education program that includes vocational and academic education for area students. At the core of the project are career education and preparation components. Project SOAR participants have access to an extensive Career Guidance and Counseling Program that includes (1) career awareness, (2) career exploration, and (3) career planning. Each component has a well-developed curriculum that is integrated into school programs. In addition, the Oklahoma City schools' Career Guidance and Counseling Program adapted the National Career Development Guidelines developed by the National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee.

Each of the eleven middle schools and twelve high schools in the district has a Career Resource Center (CRC) to serve every student as well as many adults in the community. The CRCs, which are funded collaboratively through Project SOAR, Metro Tech, and the vocational-technical education program, serve as a hub--not only for dispensing information, but for the school's career development curriculum. Students earn one credit in the CRC by completing a comprehensive career development curriculum that includes making a video interview, learning the "Top Jobs in the 2000s," "dressing for success," and completing a four-year education plan. CRC files a portfolio containing assessment data, coursework, successes, honors, a résumé, and a career plan for every student on both disk and hard copy. Students, counselors, and teachers routinely use the computers and other resources in the CRCs.

Appendix D contains a copy of Metro Tech's application to the 1995 search for exemplary career guidance programs.

Springdale High School's Career Guidance
and Counseling Program

Address:Springdale Public Schools
  1103 W. Emma Street
  Springdale, AR 72764
Program Contact
 		Linda Auman, Counselor Coordinator/
Vocational Coordinator
Telephone Number:(501) 750-8883

Description

The Career Guidance and Counseling Program of Springdale High School (SHS) is part of a total team effort within the school to help approximately 1,600 students every year prepare for the world of work and/or further education. SHS students receive intensive career guidance and counseling by (1) taking a one-semester Career Orientation course in 8th grade during which their learning styles, career interests, and aptitudes are assessed; (2) building their career portfolio; (3) participating in guidance activities that stress teamwork, conflict resolution, and use of leisure time; (4) selecting a career major and developing a program of study during their 10th grade year; (5) taking the ASSET by ACT and/or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery in their junior years; (6) attending the College Fair and Career Fair during their junior and senior years; and (7) maximizing the career resources available at the school's Career Center, a state-of-the-art facility.

A teacher advisory system, based on a Career Action Plan (CAP), makes it possible to respond to the career guidance needs of this large number of students. Teacher advisors, trained by counselors, meet monthly with approximately twenty students. The commitment of counselors, teachers, parents, administrators, business and industry, and students to continue improving the Career Guidance and Counseling Program at SHS accounts for the success of the program in (1) exposing students and parents to different educational and occupational opportunities, (2) responding to the counseling needs of a diverse group of students, and (3) assisting students to successfully transition from school to work and/or postsecondary education.

Appendix E contains a copy of Springdale Public Schools' application to the 1995 search for exemplary career guidance programs.

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