MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Warren

AN ACT TO DEFINE THE COMPREHENSIVE COUNSELING SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS BY SCHOOL GUIDANCE COUNSELORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the 2001-2002 school year,

the assignment of school guidance counselors in Grades K-12 to the particular schools within a school district shall be at the discretion of the local school board with the following restrictions:

(a) No individual may be employed as a school guidance counselor without appropriate training and certification, as determined by the State Department of Education; and

(b) School guidance counselors shall be full-time professional personnel and shall spend a minimum of eighty-five percent (85%) of work time in direct counseling relationships with students.

(2) School guidance counselors shall provide the following comprehensive counseling services:

(a) Academic and personal or social counseling;

(b) Student assessment and assessment counseling;

(c) Career and educational counseling;

(d) Individual and group counseling (large or small groups);

(e) Crisis intervention and preventive counseling;

(f) Referrals to community agencies;

(g) Educational consultation and collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents and community leaders;

(h) Educational and career placement services; and

(i) Follow-up counseling services.

(3) The State Department of Education may adopt rules and regulations regarding the activities of the school guidance counselors which are not inconsistent with this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.