Curriculum
The School Counseling Curriculum consists of structured developmental experiences presented systematically through classroom and group activities K-12. The purpose is to facilitate student growth and development, promote academic achievement and positive mental health, and assist students in acquiring and using life and career skills. The curriculum is organized around the three content standards. Essential Missouri Learning Standards are identified in part through needs assessments and/or the Teacher & Student Checklists. While counselors are responsible for organizing and implementing the curriculum, faculty and staff support is important for successful implementation. Curriculum is delivered through both classroom and group activities. Examples of curriculum topics in each of the content standards are as follows:
- Social & Emotional Development: Personal safety, respecting differences, empathy-building, problem-solving, personal strengths and talents, mindfulness, coping with stressful situations, emotional regulation, and social skill building.
- Academic Development: Study skills, test-taking skills, goal-setting, grade-level transitions, four-year planning, and test interpretation
- Career Readiness: Career awareness and exploration, career paths, career resources, job skills, decision-making, and post-secondary planning.
School counselors work closely with teachers to organize where and when school counseling curriculum activities will be taught. Learning activities are cross-referenced to Missouri Learning Standards and provide effective ways to work closely with classroom teachers to achieve the district's educational goals. The school counseling curriculum is delivered through such strategies as:
- Classroom activities: Counselors teach, team-teach, or assist in teaching guidance curriculum learning activities in the classroom, school counseling center, or other school facilities.
- Group activities: Counselors conduct groups outside the classroom to address student-identified interests or needs. Counselors plan and lead structured activities to develop skills and increase students' knowledge of guidance standards and grade-level expectations.
K-5 Abuse Prevention Program Form
The Columbia Public Schools Abuse Prevention Program was established in the 1980’s by a group of counselors, teachers, and parents. Today, this safety prevention program is delivered district-wide in grades K-5 as part of the Comprehensive School Counseling Program's curriculum component. The Second Step Child Protection Unit is used to teach important skills to promote personal safety.
Each year, prior to the delivery of this curriculum, parents are notified via email of the instructional timeline and are provided access to review the curriculum materials online. This communication occurs in advance of classroom lessons, allowing parents ample opportunity to engage in these important conversations at home.
If you would like more information about this program or would like online family access to the Second Step Child Protection Unit for your child's grade, please contact your child's school counselor.
Missouri Learning Standards for School Counseling
